The internet has made it very easy for information and applications to be consumed across borders. However, to truly appeal to an audience, localizing the app in the country’s language is important. The biggest barrier to localization is getting translations for all the content and labels of your app or website. Using automated translation software like Google translate may result in unintended translations. Hence, most developers need to use third party translation companies for this purpose.
Doing a bit of research before investing in a translation company can be fruitful in the long run. Simply jumping on the first option that pops up after a Google search maybe not the perfect one for you. It could result in disappointment. So what are the questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a translation company?
Understand the Services Provided
It is important for the translation process to be a fluid, coordinated and collaborative process from the get-go. Never choose a translation company that simply takes content from you and keeps no contact. At the beginning of the contract make sure to mention at least one continuous mode of communication between you and the company. Your intake is important. It is essential for them to involve you in the process.
Always look for a company that is willing to communicate with you in plain English without binding you with professional jargon. If you have a business that requires translation on a regular basis then look for a company that has the staff and resources to do so. Find a company that is professional enough to meet your deadlines.
Translators
It is advised to personally supervise the company. And also, personally check the translators they have. It is no big deal for one to know a certain language. Knowing a language does not ensure that one would be able to translate the text accurately. For befitting results, it is important to note that the translators are qualified professionals with an impeccable track record of the same.
Another thing to be inspected is if the company has some previous experience in your sector. It is always better to work with people who have quality knowledge of your business niche. Makes working easy for both parties. Knowing that a company has translators that have peculiar and technical knowledge of the language used and are familiar with regulatory requirements will help avoid any future confusion.
Look for a company that balances between machine and human resources. While machine translation certainly has its own advantages, it is important to hire a company that uses both software and human efficiency in required places.
Quality
Only work with a firm that promises to make sure your translation is thoroughly proofread before it’s handed over to you. It is very unlikely for professional linguists to make any mistakes, but in case there are any it is their duty to rectify it before the final product reaches you. A robust quality control procedure is needed.
Certificates
Always go for a company that is certified and legal. e,g, when looking for translators in the United Kingdom, always look for accreditation from professional bodies like the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) and the European Union Associations of Translation Companies (EUATC).
It is mandatory to look for certification along with quality, especially when your content is sensitive or official. To ensure that your data is safe and sound with the company you are hiring, look for a company that has been awarded certifications such as ISO9001 or ISO27001.
Testimonials
If you are getting your content translated into a language that you have zero knowledge of, then it will be extremely difficult for you to test and evaluate the company’s proficiency. This where testimonials from past clients come into play. Don’t just go by testimonials presented on the website. Always ask for a detailed brochure of testimonials, feedbacks, case studies and references.
Pricing
Pricing for the translation industry goes with the same ideology of — you get what you pay for. On many websites, you will find translation services for almost nothing. But these services are dubious and cannot be trusted. Go for a company that is willing to match other companies in the market in terms of pricing at a professional level.
We hope this article helped you find a great translations service provider for your business. We would love to hear your feedback in the comments sections below.
If you think that you have a link that adds value to this article please contact us at techie[at]techzog[dot]com for evaluation of inclusion into the article.
Comments left solely for spamming links will be deleted. Thank you for understanding.
