Like a Needle in a Haystack: How to Find a Perfect Localization Partner
How will you pick your translation provider? Where will you look? What questions should you ask?
These questions, and more, are likely swimming through your thoughts. We get it; buying translation services is nothing like buying a loaf of bread.
Yet finding the perfect localization partner should not feel like you are looking for a needle in a haystack.
INGCO International is happy to share 5 tips about how you can select the best translation provider for your needs.
Assessing your needs for language services is complex and time-consuming. Your needs are likely to change as your goals and business strategies adapt to meet the needs of the fast-changing global market. Finding the perfect translation provider takes time and choosing the right partner is crucial for your success. To help you in this process, INGCO International has outlined the key criteria you should consider in selecting your perfect localization partner.
- Cost
Many translation suppliers will provide competitive per-word rates in the language(s) that you frequently utilize, and those that you will use to reach your future global market goals. Beyond price, your ideal localization partner should also provide transparency for other necessary localization services.
Cost transparency should be evident in the initial pricing stage, as well as analytics and reporting. An ideal localization partner will share best practices to drive down current and future project costs. Throughout the translation process, your translation provider will also explain how technology and translation management tools will be built into your language projects to continue to offer cost-saving techniques.
- Quality
All localization companies base their translation process and resources on quality. However, measuring translation quality is a subjective process. At minimum, your preferred localization supplier should have a documented Risk Management Process and a proven track record of success with clients of similar scope, industry and size to your company. If (and when) something goes wrong with a translation project, your selected translation company should have corrective and preventative action procedures that are clear and well documented and you should feel comfortable with the plan.
Quality is measured in terms of experience. You need to select a localization partner that understands the specifics of your projects, your target market, and the stakeholders. Your translation provider is a crucial resource in ensuring the overall success of your global communications strategy.
- Resources
An ideal localization partner will have ample resources: translators, multilingual graphic designers, quality assurance specialists including editors and proofreaders and dedicated project management staff. Your translation provider should be able to select a team that will localize your unique content with a high level of detail and accuracy. Project management staff should have the ability to communicate translation project status through direct and transparent communication. You should also have a point person available to answer questions and concerns that arise during the process.
Larger global companies in industries such as life sciences, medical device, and manufacturing may choose to work with multiple translation suppliers. This allows the company to maximize contract compliance and allows business units to partner with suppliers that best fit their requirements. It also provides an opportunity for more efficient sourcing on large-scale initiatives. An organization with smaller needs typically works with one provider that manages the overall global communications strategy.
- Partnership
The partnership-approach is crucial when translating and localizing content. You and your team are industry experts, and your brand is unique to you. Your translation provider will ask you a lot of questions about industry terms and preferred terminology. Because every brand is unique, your translators will need to know how you speak and how you represent yourself to your target market. Your localization supplier should provide the necessary expertise and guidance throughout the entire translation and localization process.
An ideal localization partner will have an experienced team that understands your objectives and target audience. They will help execute your global communication goal. It is crucial that the localization team have an understanding of what is required to meet your needs and find methods for quality improvements to optimize the overall communications experience with your brand.
- Communication
A translation supplier is your gateway to solving your global communication strategy goals. They should be viewed as a partner and the best way to support any partnership is through quality and consistent communication. Identify a company that is accessible and able to troubleshoot urgent changes, needs or concerns, and is willing to offer feedback for improvements. Also, make sure you have a dedicated point-person that you can turn to when you have questions or concerns.
INGCO International has provided translation and localization services since 1999. We are widely known as global communications experts and are happy to share our insight and lessons-learned through the years. Our vast translator network covers over 200 languages and across a variety of industries and subject matters. We pride ourselves on working with the most complex messages and masterfully creating them in as many languages as our clients can think of. Questions about our process? Reach out to us now!