Top 20 FAQs for best app localization strategy

As the world continues to become more and more global, the success of your mobile application does not depend only on the functionality, but on how well the application combines with the targeted users speaking different languages and belonging to different cultures. App localization goes beyond translation; it is more about developing the experience of the customers in such a way that leaves a delightful impression in the hearts and spirits of the intended users. As users begin to be accustomed to using apps that are culturally relevant, companies that embrace useful app localization are at the forefront of competition.

Consider that your application has been launched in a new country, and everything is in order until you realize that the content you have so painstakingly developed would not work because it is at odds with their sociocultural settings or the language. This is the reason why the best app localization strategy is so important. It helps prevent these problems from occurring in the first place by making sure that what app users see goes beyond their linguistic comprehension but appeals to them culturally as well. Here are all the Top 20 FAQs for best app localization strategy which our clients have asked us. We have compiled it for you.

1. What markets will you localize your app for?

Selecting target markets requires an understanding of the market capacity, growth opportunities, cultural compatibility and competition. User demographics and app usage statistics can be used to detect the most promising markets. Examine the nature of the app’s content and features in order to come up with the most appropriate market strategies. For instance, when targeting local users for a local events app, it would help to look for such cultural and language markets. In contrast, when the application is useful to any resident of the planet, regardless of the focus, it is better to explore various markets immediately. Analyze the market to appreciate the scope of resources and time involved for every market.

2. What do cultural differences mean for your communication style?

Cultural differences also affect the reception of content within the application. Change why, what and how you say, show and structure to capture the attention of local people. Do not use American or English dialects, expressions or cultural ‘eye catchers’ which can be easily turned into American or English culture. Pay attention on colors, behavior patterns, and expectations of people when developing the user interface and content of the app. For example, whenever people hear the color red, they come up with positive things, whereas other people think about negative things such as anger or danger. At the same time, those images or movements may have other or even opposite senses in another country.

3. What’s your localization budget?

Localization costs will vary due to the language pairs, volume of content, and service providers’. When preparing the budget for localization, reserve at least 10-15% of your app development budget for this process. Include costs for the primary translation, in-context testing, linguistic quality assurance activities, and support. Also, consider costs related to platform fees, revenue share with app stores and payment processors. Do this with the intention that you may have to hire a person in the country of the translation or a native of the language being translated to check that the translations are correct. In addition, include in the budget funds for supplementary content and maintenance of the app to provide a nondisruptive experience to users on all the localized versions.

4. What parts of your app will you prioritize for localization?

Start with addressing the main user flows, essential capabilities and other highly integrated assets such as the app store page. Localize all strings, images, videos and other branding and user experience materials. Build and use glossaries and style guides to synchronize language use and tone for all markets. Validate the localized version with users to enhance it further by point out any shortcomings. Begin with content with the most chance to drive user engagement and conversion such as onboarding screens, payment pages and other in-app messages. Work closely with the product and design teams.

5. How will you collect resources other than code: content, images, videos?

Create a master source for all assets that can be refashioned across languages. To share files with a language service provider, either take advantage of a TMS or take the cloud-stored files. Come up with a consistent way of naming files as well as a consistent folder organization that helps users find the required assets fast. Give guidance and background information to the translators to make it easy for them to know how each resource is to be used. Translated assets should be in and out file formats that inscribe the necessitated language, such as xml, json or xliff. Export the files and import them into the available application content management systems for regular updates of the language appropriation of the content.

6. Who’ll be in charge of localization?

Assign a localization manager to oversee the process and liaise between teams. They’ll work with developers, designers,s product managers, and even external vendors to achieve effective collaboration and meet deadlines. The localization manager must be able to handle projects, understand people and cultures, and apply technical aspects in managing localization processes. Such Persons Have the ability to work with a cross-cultural team and different departments, such as marketing, research analysts or user developers and deeply understand the target audience and their needs. Constantly evaluate and manage the KPIs regarding the strategy for the total resource eminent and not only the localization manager.

7. What stakeholders will you include in your localization workflow?

Include translation review for accuracy and culture using subject matter experts, linguists, and native speakers. Collect target users’ opinions to check whether the localized believability meets their targets. Make arrangements for the reviews so that there are as many of them as possible and the feedback is acted upon. Do give timelines to the stakeholders in order for them to respond in due time and satisfy everyone and waste no time. Pinpoint the vital stakeholders in the initial stages of the process and bring them on board during the entire localization workflow. Make sure relevant actions are carried out to all of the stakeholders. All of the stakeholders need to know what they are expected to do, and they have to be given whatever they need to do their part to the best of their abilities.

8. What’s your app localization timeline or roadmap?

Allow substantial time for translation, testing, and revision. Synchronization of the localization achievement with the cycles of control over the application development and release. Schedule at least 4-6 weeks after the assignment of the task for the localization process, this depends on the task scope and the languages involved. Allot time for proofreading and testing, flawed content and quality management and validation. Prepare a matrix or schedule for localization for the products in each of the target markets by developing key milestones, their sequence, and the timelines for delivery. There are also seasonal factors and vacations that can be unfavorable in terms of the user’s engagement or the particular relevance of the content. At other specified times, the localization roadmap should be evaluated and changed based on market and user needs.

9. What language service providers will you use?

Choose a service provide like Linguidoor who has worked in the appropriate industry, language pairs, and app localization techniques. Assess the quality and extreme and normal turnaround times and their capacity to grow along with your expectations. Pick samples of the work or their references from clients of this kind. Estimate their capacity concerning your materials and deadlines. Price, communication, organization of the work when looking for a language service provider.

Look for a provider with an internal project manager who is supported by in-country reviewers and has processes for quality management specific to the app localization industry. Probe into the provider’s suitability in regard to the content management and functional purpose of the user’s app as well as the potential market.

10. How will all teams involved collaborate for Localization?

Create a communication and collaboration structure and project management methodology. Arrange meetings at regular intervals in order to resolve problems or bring everyone to agree on the priorities. Use a translation management system or version control software to manage versions as well as changes to documents translated. Train and give information on what exposure team members will have in the localization process. Encourage collaboration across functional silos by exalting the sharing of knowledge as opposed to restricting it. External project management tools such as Trello, Asana, Jira are employed for the purposes of workload allocation, due date acceptance and interdependencies. Implement a change management process to efficiently handle content updates and bug fixes across multiple localized versions.

11. How will you monitor the process of App Localization?

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to communicate improvement, quality, and impact. Observe the completion of the localization process, the time taken to review, and the opinions of the users for the localized sites. Create a proper reporting or a dashboard system to display key performance indicators as well as locate areas that require improvement. Ensure that key performance indicators are continuously revisited with the stakeholders for effective accomplishment of the business objectives and inform decisions with data. Evaluate with processes such as, what is the percentage of content translated, what is the qualitative analysis of linguistics, and how quickly can products be launched in their localized version. Implement this knowledge to streamline processes, pinpoint delays, and determine how resources should be distributed.

12. What app localization platform will you use?

Envision a solution that enhances efficiency in processes, connects with your existing systems, and offers features such as TM and glossary. Pick one, such as a continuous localization management system, to help you manage content changes and version releases without changing the context for users. When considering a platform, look for usability, flexibility, security, and service. Make sure the platform can accommodate the content format and volume of your application and have in-context editing, TM, and API. Think of applications such as Lokalise, Phrase, and Crowdin which offer solutions for app localization.

13. How will you conduct linguistic quality assurance (LQA)?

Implement a rigorous LQA process to check for accuracy, fluency, and cultural appropriateness. Test the localized product on the intended devices. Create a checklist for reviewing the quality of translation that incorporates linguistic components: grammar, spelling, punctuation, terminology, and sociolinguistic ones: idioms, allusions, and tone of language. Incorporate a professional LQA to ensure that the necessary content is transferred into a foreign language in the best possible way. Determine procedures for reviewing translations by selecting the content which is representative in important user flows and personality and base the review on that content. Develop posting criteria and cut off crier related to translations where available.

14. How will you avoid bottlenecks and delays?

Automate workflows where possible, such as string extraction and translation memory updates. Clearly outline any facts to enable quick troubleshooting resolving any complaints. Context, reference materials, and style guides were provided to translators to enhance efficiency. Design a content change management system to minimize reworking of tasks by prioritizing the updates in contents. Make regular contact with other-action parties in order to foresee any possible problems during the performance of work. Use visualization of project dependencies supplemented by project management to observe the execution progress and discover facets that need more emphasis or resources.

15. What metrics and KPIs will you track after App Localization?

Track metrics such as app downloads, users per active day, user engagement, and revenue by language. User reviews and ratings are another useful measure of how well your localization is performed. Create targets for each of the markets based on best practices, industry standards, or your own historical records. Measure how well your users acquire, retain, or monetize non-English versions of your product to support the localization business case. Focus on parameters like app store downloads conversion rates by geo, average in-app purchases revenue converted by country, and customers’ loyalty by segments. Make use of this knowledge to enhance the localized and overall content as well as the future of localization efforts.

16. How will you test the localized versions of your app?

Perform various types of testing, such as functional testing, linguistic testing, usability testing with real devices and platforms, etc. Ensure the local adaptation of the application meets the goals and objectives of the project, and the target users do not face any issues with using the application. Identify, document, and troubleshoot critical user paths, including useful flows, critical error messages, edge cases and potential for utilization. Test the localized context with native speakers of the required languages as well as the target audience. Tools such as TestFlight and internal testing via Google Play are also other considerations to expose localized builds to testers. Report all bugs and issues identified during the testing process and provide permanent bug tracking until the issue is fixed in the next-localized version.

17. Will you conduct app store optimization?

Modify your content relevant to each target market’s app store listing title, description and screenshots. Apply appropriate keywords and emphasize features that are sought after by audiences in a specific region. Identify keywords by conducting a detailed study of the interests and the most commonly searched for languages of people. Provide adaptation of the messages to the deeper regional characteristics and usages in order to boost reach and performance figures. Work with the marketing department in creating branded and message app store assets that are use to different teams countries.

Update regularly the app store rankings and also user feedback to determine what require improvement and optimize your ASO over time.

18. How will you iterate based on app store feedback?

Look out for user ratings and reviews of the application in every market. Respond Quickly to any concerns or bugs raised. Make notes to improve upcoming updates and localization. Selectively and systemically process users’ feedback, devise structures for addressing critical feedback or suggestions from users. Interact with users in the local tongue, showing the people that you care and are willing to listen. Leverage analytical surveying software to find patterns in the sentiments of users and use this pattern to inform which problems to rectify first. Systematically adjust and modify your localization plan based on feedback from users and market dynamics.

19. How will you measure success of your mobile App?

Connect success metrics to business targets, such as the number of downloads, the number of active users, engagement, revenue, etc. Measure current key performance indicators and compare them with competition or historical ones. Study the effect of localization on business processes in order to justify the efforts put into localization. Make sure to revisit and change your metrics frequently so that they match with the strategic objectives of the business and overall market in which the business operates in. Evaluate metrics such as localized app store conversion rates, in-app purchases revenue by language, and user retention rate by group. Use these insights for the improvement of your localized content and user experience, and strategize about future localization opportunities using evidence.

20. How will you ensure that your localization strategy remains agile and adaptable?

Define mechanisms for regular assessment and refinement of a localization strategy taking into account the market’s response, the analysis of user behavior and the evolution of corporate objectives. Feeding that experience, encourage insights from product, marketing and other related functions to spot opportunities for improvement. Employ A/B looking tests and recruit users to validate the performance of the localized products and experience. Make it a routine to enhance your workflow, tools and processes related to localization so that the quality and the speed of service delivery improves. Understand the products and services you offer and the sectors they extend to, but be adaptable to market needs and changes over time.

Conclusion

Understanding and executing a successful strategy for mobile application localization is an ongoing task that entails constant improvement, iteration and adjustment according to external and internal factors. Based on the content and key issues of this guide, you can develop a stepwise best app localization strategy in conjunction with business goals that provides a coherent customer journey and brings success in your chosen markets.

One of the most important lessons here is that app localization does not means ‘universal’ coverage. Different geographical and user segments exhibit specific preferences, behavior patterns and pain areas that need to be addressed separately. By leveraging information from relevant parties, undertaking user testing, and checking on results, it will be reasonably easy to enhance the localization process efforts and make it appropriate for the current trends on the application market.

As you start to work on app localization, these are the main points you should consider and remember:

• Prioritize a country and some content to launch according to user demand, growth chances and business significance
• Change the tone and visual style to fit in with the specifics of the target culture
• Work with internees and outsource teams to increase the quality of work and reduce the amount of time on processes
• Always perform analyses of the current situation and findings, ideas and user feedback and work on further improvements based on the findings
• Assess achievement considering business objectives and efficiency of the localization efforts’ ROI

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