How do you select and train website localization professionals and partners?

1 Define your localization needs

Before you start searching for website localization experts, it’s important to have a clear idea of your goals, resources, and challenges. You should think about which languages and regions you want to target, how much content needs to be localized, what technical features and integrations are necessary, what quality standards and legal requirements must be met, and what budget and timeline you have for the project. Defining your localization needs will help you find the best fit for your website.

2 Evaluate localization skills and experience

Website localization requires a combination of linguistic, cultural, and technical skills. To ensure quality and efficiency, it is important to evaluate the localization skills and experience of potential professionals and partners who can handle both the translation and adaptation of your website content and design. These professionals should include native speakers with relevant subject matter expertise and cultural knowledge, experienced website translators who use best practices and tools for accuracy, consistency, and quality, skilled web developers and designers who can work with different platforms, formats, and standards, as well as proficient project managers who can coordinate and monitor the localization workflow and communication.

3 Check localization references and reviews

Assessing the reliability and reputation of website localization professionals and partners can be done by checking their references and reviews. Request samples of their projects that are similar to yours in terms of scope, complexity, and industry. Additionally, ask for testimonials and feedback from past and current clients who can vouch for their work quality, professionalism, and customer service. Moreover, look into certifications and memberships from reputable industry associations and organizations that demonstrate their competence and credibility. Furthermore, investigate awards and recognitions from industry publications and events that showcase their excellence and innovation. All of this will help you verify the track record and performance of your website localization candidates.

4 Conduct localization tests and trials

Another way to validate the skills and suitability of website localization professionals and partners is to conduct localization tests and trials. You can ask them to perform a sample translation of a representative piece of your website content and evaluate it, as well as implement a mock-up or prototype of your localized website design and functionality and test it for usability, compatibility, and accessibility. Additionally, you can collaborate with them on a small-scale or pilot localization project to measure its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and satisfaction. Through these tests and trials, you can compare the capabilities and outcomes of your website localization prospects.

5 Provide localization training and feedback

Once you select your website localization professionals and partners, you need to provide them with adequate training and feedback to ensure a smooth and successful collaboration. To do this, it's important to share your localization goals, guidelines, and expectations with them, aligning them with your brand identity, voice, and style. Additionally, you should provide relevant information, resources, and tools to support their localization work such as glossaries, style guides, and translation memory. It's also important to communicate with them regularly throughout the process, resolving any issues or queries promptly. Lastly, review their localization deliverables and give them constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Providing localization training and feedback will help you build a strong and lasting relationship with your website localization team.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?