So, your company has been working hard to create innovative solutions to modern-day problems. Finally, after much hype and expectations, you release the software only to find its performance metrics tanking. Your developers run through the code again but can’t find any functional issue with your software. So, the question is, “What exactly did you do wrong?” It’s simple… you didn’t factor software localization into your plans.
Here’s the thing: you’re not the only one. Tech history is filled with many great products that failed to meet expectations simply because the producers ignored software localization. In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about software localization, including its benefits, challenges, and solutions. Let’s dive right in
The World of Software Development
Since its innovation, software has undergone several stages throughout its amazing transformation. In its early days, during the 1940s and 50s, software was virtually inseparable from the hardware it ran on. This means that the programs and instructions that computers followed (the software) were intricately tied to the physical components and machinery of the computer (the hardware). In practical terms, if you wanted to change how a computer functioned or perform different tasks, you often had to physically reconfigure or modify the hardware itself.
As we moved into the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the personal computer revolution, led by giants like Apple and IBM, brought software into homes. This period also gave birth to iconic software products like Microsoft’s Windows and the revolutionary Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) concept. With the advent of the internet and mobile computing, software again transformed and began a rapid-paced evolution.
Today, software is a universal language that transcends traditional borders, cultures, and societies. It’s a world where a teenager in Tokyo can effortlessly download and use an application developed in San Francisco. At the same time, a London-based business can seamlessly deploy cloud-based software developed in Bangalore.
As software continues to grow, the importance of software localization also grows.
The Essence of Software Localization
Software localization is adapting and customizing software to cater to a specific region or end user’s linguistic, cultural, and regulatory nuances. Due to its language component, software localization includes translation; however, it goes way beyond simply converting text from one language to another.
How? Translation focuses on language alone, whereas localization is broader. It can include graphics, date formats, and local regulation compliance. Localization even ensures that software respects cultural nuances and considers local factors like reading direction (left-to-right or right-to-left). So essentially, translation makes software understandable, but localization makes it relevant to the end-user.
Some other benefits of software localization include the following:
- Market Expansion: These days, it’s simply not enough to offer functional software. They also have to resonate with the target local audience. For example, did you know that of over seven billion people globally, only about 360 million have English as a first language? Also, according to Google, about 50% of Google searches aren’t even in English. However, English is considered to be the official language of software development. So, most solutions are in English. So, in a highly competitive software market, software localization is the thing that gives your products the edge. With localization, you can break through the language barrier and access new user markets.
- Legal Compliance: Different countries have differing laws concerning software and digital content. Ignoring these laws could result in hefty fines or even outright bans. Software localization allows businesses to avoid legal pitfalls and adhere to regional regulations. For example, software localization allows builders of a mileage tracking app for tax season to be aware of regulations and best practices when optimizing the app for use in a particular region. This, in turn, ensures that the app will enjoy better adoption by end-users.
The Challenges and Solutions
Based on the above, it’s evident that software localization plays a very important role in user experience and business success. However, localization has challenges—for example, language nuances.
Accurate language translation is one of the significant problems of software localization. Every language has its share of idioms, phrases, and cultural undertones that cannot be directly translated. This could, in turn, cause difficulties. For example, a perfectly innocuous phrase in one language might be offensive or nonsensical in another.
Software localization is also resource-intensive. It is time-consuming since it requires hours of detailed work and execution. There’s also the fact that once localized, the software requires continuous updates and maintenance to ensure it remains relevant and accurate.
Many localization issues can now be addressed effectively thanks to technological advancements. For example, machine translation can assist in translating vast amounts of content quickly. AI integration platforms can also help streamline the entire localization process.
In addition, expert consultation is invaluable in addressing software localization issues. This is because expert consultants in software localization come with a deep understanding of linguistic intricacies and cultural sensitivities.
Case Studies
Several notable companies have successfully expanded their reach with software localization. One famous example is Netflix. As the company grew globally, it began offering content with translated subtitles.
They also began producing local original content in countries like India, Brazil, and Germany, further solidifying their presence in these markets. The result? A massive global subscriber base with localized content driving engagement in diverse regions.
Another excellent example is Adobe Systems. Adobe software is available in multiple languages, accommodating many users from different linguistic backgrounds. Furthermore, Adobe ensures its tutorials, help sections, and customer support cater to local languages and nuances. So, it’s no surprise that Adobe products are regarded as industry-standard globally.
On the other hand, eBay is a lesson in what not to do. When eBay wanted to expand into China, they made one crucial mistake: they didn’t account for the local differences from the West. So, their platform didn’t offer features like direct communication between buyers and sellers that resonate with Chinese users. The result was an expansion failure.
The vital lesson is that assumptions based on one market’s success can only be directly extended into another with adequate localization.
Conclusion
In today’s globalized world, software has become the bridge linking and connecting millions of people. So, there is a need for software localization to ensure that users globally can enjoy the same level of personalized, quality service.
Novel technology like AI and machine learning could assume groundbreaking roles in software localization to improve user experience. Under the expert guidance of a human hand, they will make localization processes more streamlined, accurate, and efficient.
Consider software localization as your compass for businesses aiming to reach beyond local borders with innovative software solutions. Embrace the world, one localization at a time.