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10 Reasons Why Website Translation Is Crucial

There can be no underestimating the importance of a good business website in a day when internet usage is at an all-time high – and growing. With huge numbers of people searching for products and services via the internet all over the world, a major competitive advantage can be achieved through the relatively simple act of website translation: presenting the information to people in their own language.

10 reasons why you should consider website translation:

  1. Increase your search engine ranking

It’s all very well having great website content, but you need to make sure the right people can find it! Search engines lead people to your website, and in many countries where internet usage is high (France, China and Japan) the default search engines are not necessarily in the English language. In fact, more than half of all Google searches are NOT conducted in English. Translating your website is key in making your company appear on search engines in the countries you are targeting and drive traffic to your website.

  1. Less English-speaking internet users

Seoul, South Korea skyline with Namsan Mountain and Seoul Tower.It used to be that English was the primary language of the internet, and English speakers were the main users of the internet. This is all changing as countries across the world show substantial increases in internet usage, consequently opening up the worldwide web to huge numbers of non-English speakers. Almost 70% of internet users are non-native English speakers, yet 57% of websites are available only in English: translate your website while the imbalance is evident and you will catch these new markets at the vitally important growth stage where opportunity is wide open.

  1. Increase your customers

Website translation will make your website available to thousands more people from all corners of the globe, and this in turn will bring you new and relevant customers.

  1. Gain trust

Offering your website in another language will earn you trust from speakers of that language, which in many cultures carries high importance. We cannot always assume that people across the world will feel confident enough in their English ability to use English-language websites – especially when they are located a long way away. Let them know that you speak their language and they are more likely to purchase from you.

  1. Understand cultural sensitivity

On a similar vein to trust, a multilingual website will help to overcome cultural barriers and portray the information in a way that is sensitive and relevant to the target culture. This will help the user to feel comfortable navigating your site and trusting your product.

  1. Portray a positive image

Before you even start reading a website, seeing that it is multilingual sends out an immediate and positive message that you are international.

  1. Beat your competitors

Give any non-native speaker the option of using a company whose website is in their language, compared with a company whose website is available only in English, and it is not hard to guess who they will choose. By translating your website you will be putting yourself a step ahead of your competitors and establishing yourself as the market leader.

  1. Make it easy for your customers

website translation laptopThe harder it is for visitors to read your website, the more likely they are to give up and leave your site. Make the journey for your customers as easy as possible by offering the information in their own language, and they are more likely to stay on your site and ultimately become consumers. A report by the Common Sense Advisory discovered that, even in our globalised world, 85% of consumers will not make a purchase if information is not available in their native language.

 

  1. Gain a valuable marketing tool

Website translation will not only enhance your sales potential, it is also a brilliant marketing tool. Having your website available in multiple languages is an easy and cost effective way of capturing new users, giving your brand a global outlook and marketing your company to a whole new international audience.

  1. It’s about them, not you

Finally, everybody likes to think they are important, and by translating your website you are telling your customers that you think they are important. Their opinion matters and their business matters. The simple act of presenting information in their own language is a great way to demonstrate that you value them, and this will make them want to do business with you.

Cactus Language Training is a leading provider of language training, translation services and cross-cultural training. Please contact us here or call 00 44 (0) 1273 830 960 for a competitive quote for professional translation. You can be sure of high quality and accuracy as well as prompt service and fair prices.