{"id":246985,"date":"2023-10-12T14:24:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T18:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motionpoint.com\/?post_type=blog&p=246985"},"modified":"2023-10-12T14:39:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T18:39:42","slug":"best-practices-for-global-application-localization","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.motionpoint.com\/blog\/best-practices-for-global-application-localization\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices for Global Application Localisation"},"template":"","blog_categories":[5,107],"resource_categories":[37],"targeted_localized_audience":[],"document_categories":[146,169],"class_list":["post-246985","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","blog_categories-international-business-strategies","blog_categories-translation-technology","resource_categories-content-type-blog-post","document_categories-blog-post","document_categories-it"],"acf":{"article_word_count":"3041","article_read_time":"12","blog_short_description":"Learn how to prepare to localise your mobile app for global audiences and what technologies are best to get you there.","news_inline_styles":"","blog_video_id":"","article_body":"

What is Global App Localisation?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

App localisation refers to the process of adapting a mobile application to meet the specific linguistic, cultural, and usability needs of a target market. Global app localisation involves a comprehensive strategy that includes localising the app’s content, interface, and functionality for various languages, cultures, and regions worldwide, ensuring it is appropriately adapted to meet diverse user needs globally. The challenge is higher as it encompasses understanding and implementing a wide range of localisations to cater to various global markets simultaneously.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apps in the Global Market<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re keeping your app local only to the U.S., you could be missing out on some serious growth potential. <\/span>You’ll need to engage in some research, which we\u2019ll talk about later, but generally smart phone and mobile application usage is huge globally.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out some of the potential benefits of localising for international markets:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Economic Potential:<\/span><\/b> North American consumers generate only 31% of app revenue, highlighting the substantial market presence internationally.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Market Penetration:<\/span><\/b> China, with its 989 million internet users, accounts for 40% of global mobile app spending, illustrating the potential in localising for varied markets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Enhanced Visibility:<\/span><\/b> Proper mobile app localisation can pave the way for global visibility and facilitate access to various countries and languages.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Revenue Generation:<\/span><\/b> The U.S. only accounts for 28% of the free download market and 34% of global revenue from iPhone apps, underlining the revenue opportunities beyond the domestic market.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Should You Localise Your App?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your app is performing well domestically, you could just stop there. But you may find that there is interest abroad or that you have a growing following outside of your original market.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about global application localisation, take these steps first to decide if now is the right time:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Market Research:<\/span><\/b> Undertake comprehensive research to identify potential markets where your app might fulfill a need or solve a problem.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. User Demographics:<\/span><\/b> Analyze the demographics of your current users to identify any existing demand in non-localised markets. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Competitor Analysis:<\/span><\/b> Investigate if competitors are gaining traction in markets where your app is not localised.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Cultural Relevance:<\/span><\/b> Evaluate whether the app\u2019s core functionality and content have universal or adaptable appeal across various cultures.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Adaptability:<\/span><\/b> Ensure that the app\u2019s features and content can be adapted to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of different markets without losing its core value proposition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Regulatory Compliance:<\/span><\/b> Assess if the app can comply with the regulatory and legal frameworks of potential target markets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Technologies for App Localisation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    There are a number of technologies that can handle mobile app localisation. You have to decide which will suite your needs and skills the best. Of course, working with a <\/span>professional website localisation service<\/span><\/a> allows you to choose which tool works best and takes the burden off your internal team.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Here are some of your best options for global app localisation:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    APIs & Connectors<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Application Programming Interfaces facilitate the direct communication between your app and translation management systems. A business has the capability to link its mobile application to translation service vendors to “retrieve” and adapt new content through translation integration.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Following translation, a callback alert will be sent, enabling the client to request the newly translated content. Alternatively, the application may intermittently “poll” our API to check the status of a translation job.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mobile SDKs and Translation Service Providers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Mobile Software Development Kits (SDKs) are obtainable software bundles that come with all necessary tools for mobile app development. Regarding mobile app translation, an SDK from a translation service provider can translate new textual content (such as text strings) without necessitating the app to be resubmitted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Proxy Translation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Proxy Translation is a technology that automatically translates content being served via apps by acting as an intermediary layer between the app and the user. A translation proxy operates by acting as a server application, which intercepts communication between the app and its end users, translating content dynamically in real-time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Companies sporting a streamlined marketing team, who are in search of a more autonomous strategy for overseeing their translation processes, especially concerning HTML5 and Hybrid Apps, might implement a proxy translation method for app localisation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Proxy technology has some amazing benefits when it comes to localising applications:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n