In today’s global market, businesses looking for growth must use a professional localization company. The right localization agency can make or break a startup or even a large corporation in an international market. A good localization agency does not just translate words from one language to another. It helps you adapt your message, product, and services to suit local cultures and tastes.
When you start shopping for a localization partner, knowing what to look for is essential. This article will highlight some important considerations when choosing a localization company. You’ll learn what to look for in a company’s track record, how to assess their quality checks, and how to review how they handle projects. We’ll also explore why security and privacy are crucial for localization work. By the end of this article, you’ll know what to look for and be ready to decide to select a localization partner that meets your needs.
Look into Company Reputation
One of the significant factors you should consider when looking for a good localization company is to know if they have a good reputation. This is connected with evaluating the quality of their work and how the general competent public perceives them. These are the significant points to remember:
Client Testimonials
Start with client references. These offer a glimpse of how the localization company works from people who have used their services. Look for references that mention:
1. How good their translations are
2. If they meet deadlines
3. How well they communicate
4. Their ability to solve problems
For instance, one client praised a localization company for a ‘fast, quick and easy-to-use service’ that included ‘good affordable prices.‘’ Another said: ‘We don’t need to do the final check ourselves; we can just start printing.
Industry Awards
Check if the localization company has won any prizes for their localization work. Prizes are a good way of assessing whether they are particular experts and have the respect of the industry. Some of the major prizes to look out for are:
1. Top Translation Solution
2. Outstanding Customer Service
3. Quickest-growing firms in the field
For example, several companies have been awarded certifications such as ‘Top QA Localization Service Provider’ or ‘Excellence in Customer Service’.
Case Studies
Explore the case studies of the localization company. These detailed examples cover how they solve some tricky problems you may face and yield results. Look for case studies that:
1. Show expertise in your field
2. Feature complex projects like yours
3. Present measurable outcomes and happy clients
For instance: ‘A localization company assisted a global haircare brand to localize its products in 40 languages for retail sales around the world’; or ‘A localization company helped a tech company open new markets with expert localization and linguistic services.’’
Digging deep into these areas will help you understand the localization company’s reputation and project management skills and make the best choice for your localization needs.
Check Quality Control Methods
Quality control measures are the hallmark of a sound localization company and ensure that the end product will be reliable and appropriate.
Translator Qualifications
Ask who the translators are. Look for companies that employ certified professionals. The American Translators Association (ATA) Certification is a much-respected qualification in the industry. Translators with ATA certification have passed a rigorous three-hour test assessing their language proficiency, cultural understanding, and translation techniques. ATA certification indicates a translator’s competence since only about one in five test-takers succeed.
Editing and Proofreading
A robust quality control process should have several checks in place. Most top localization companies utilize the Translation, Editing, and Proofreading (TEP) method, which ensures the input at each step comes from a different expert, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies. Proofreaders are a vital part of this process, as their task is to review the text for grammar and syntax errors, cultural fit, formatting issues, and brand guidelines.
Quality Certifications
Check whether the localization firms you are considering changing have recognized industry certifications. Look out for ISO 17100:2015, a crucial certification. It sets strict criteria for translation service providers in several areas, including • Management of resources • Core processes, • minimum requirements for qualifications. Firms certified to ISO 17100:2015 demonstrate a commitment to maintaining high standards across all parts of service delivery.
ISO 9001:2015 is another biggie: this certification is given for robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ensures that a company consistently delivers products that comply with legal and regulatory requirements while continually improving its systems.
Analyze Project Management Capabilities
One key thing to look for when choosing a localization partner is their project management capabilities. Good project management naturally results in clear communication, on-time delivery, and high-quality work. So what should you look for?
Dedicated Project Managers
A good localization agency should provide you with dedicated project managers to handle your projects. These professionals act as a single point of contact, coordinating all aspects of the localization process. They should be responsible for:
1. Put the localization strategy into action
2. Handle relationships with translators, internal team members, and reviewers
3. Spot potential business roadblocks and keep the translation workflow running
4. Push for high-quality work from freelancers and in-house teams
Communication Channels
Good communication makes localization projects work better. Look for companies that give you:
1. Different ways to talk (email, phone, project tools)
2. Updates on how things are going
3. One place to handle all parts of your projects
For example, some localization tools have a single screen in which you can work on text, strings, details, PDF files, videos, pictures, and connections to other apps.
Keeping Track
Viewing progress helps you understand what is going on and make sensible decisions. Find out whether the localization company has:
1. Updates on your project right away
2. Lots of info about how translations are coming along
3. Ways to check if localization is worth the money
That way, you can monitor old content that may have been imported into the translation files. Look for custom statuses and views that allow you to filter your content by other stages of the localization process.
If you examine some of these project management tools closely, you will be better able to select a localization company to manage your projects and deliver results.
Check Security and Privacy Practices
When selecting a localization company, it is essential to consider how it handles security and data privacy. These steps ensure that your sensitive information is protected and that you comply with data protection rules.
Data Protection Steps
Look for translation firms that put data security at the center of their operations. They must have robust mechanisms to safeguard your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or theft. Consider the following:
1. Encryption: Ensure the company encrypts data when it’s stored and sent.
2. Access limits: See if they have tight rules about who can see your data.
3. Regular safety checks: Ask how often they test and update their security.
Keeping Things Secret
When you hire a translation company, you enter into a working agreement with them. Secrecy agreements are legally binding documents that protect your personal information and establish the rules for using it. When you read these agreements:
1. Check out the confidentiality range: Is it wide enough to cover all the sensitive information, know-how, and details you plan to share with him?
2. Ensure usage limits are spelled out: The NDA should clearly state what the company can do with your information.
3. Go through breach penalties: Check that there are consequences for unauthorized sharing.
Safe File Sharing
Your data is at its most vulnerable during localization, so one of the most important steps to ensure secure file sharing is to find companies that offer:
1. Secure transport: Make sure they use robust protocols like SFTP or HTTPS to transfer files.
2. Activity records: See if they offer detailed logs of all file transfer actions.
3. Rule compliance: Does their sharing solution meet the appropriate rules (for example, HIPAA or GDPR)?
If you know these safety and privacy rules, you’ll be better armed to choose a localization firm that will protect your private data during the localization job.
Conclusion
In summary, a suitable localization company will be the key to going global for any business, as they will translate more than text – they will localize it to make it relevant to local markets. So, if you are looking for a localization partner, focus on their reputation, quality control processes, project management skills, and commitment to security and data protection. Doing your homework will be well worth it as you’ll choose the localization company that is right for your business and, ultimately, for your global success.