Today, we are living in a globalized economy where linguistic and cultural barriers are considered necessary to eliminate. And when the prospect of global audiences arrives, businesses and brands need multilingualism. If your business thrives around software, you would be pleased to know that it is the most lucrative market in this century. Taking your software to the global market means that it should speak the language your audience can understand. This is where you not only require software translation but also software localization services.

If we specifically talk about the 2022 global software market, it was valued at $66111.72 million. This number is estimated to reach $107739.6 million by 2028. So if you are a software business, your success is bound to happen. You just need localization in your arsenal. In this  read, we are going to talk about software localization in detail so that you completely understand what it is. Other than that, we will also discuss the relation between software localization and sales.

Talking About Software Localization

In simple terms, software localization is the adaptation of your software as per the linguistic, cultural, technical, and functional requirements of the target audience or a target market. The whole point of localization is to make sure that your software is functional for the global audiences. Adapting user interfaces and audiovisual content, etc. all comes under the software localization umbrella. Depending upon your need for software localization, you need to look at what type is suitable for you. Also, you need to look whether you want to localize the whole software or some parts of it. Hence, your software app will become functional for every user despite the geographical location.

For instance, there is user interface localization which works on the functional features of software and then there is technical documentation. Technical documentation makes sure that the user understands the effective use of the product. In short, there are multiple terms in software localization but in the end every term and process focuses on functionality.

Stages of Software Localization

Before you delve into how software localization and sales make sense together, you need to know about the stages of software localization. These stages will further guide you through the whole process and let you know the best course of action.

Stages Description
Planning and Analyzing Defining goals, scope, and other requirements Identifying markers and finalizing localization needs Looking for cultural, legal, and linguistic requirements
Internationalization Externalizing strings and ensuring Unicode support Ensuring UI can handle text expansion and bidirectional text
Resource Extraction Extraction of translatable content from the source code Using formats for resource files such as JSON, XML, PO, or XLIFF
Translation and Localization Translating the extracted content and making it culturally adaptable for the target audienceAdapting graphic elements and translating string messages
Integration Here, all the translated and localized data is integrated back into the software Similarly, other localized versions are created
QA and Testing Going for linguistic and functional testing and making sure that localized product works efficiently Conducting user acceptance testing (UAT)
Fixing Bugs Solving the issues found during QA and refining the softwareEnsuring compliance with the local laws
Launching the Localized Software Deploying the localized version of the software in the global market
Ongoing Maintenance Continuously updating and maintaining the localized software Addressing the issue raised by the users to ensure a seamless experience

Software Localization and Sales – A Close Connection

Software localization has a direct relation with sales. The purpose of the software is to help the target audience operate hard devices such as computers, mobiles, and laptops. They are designed for performing specific tasks such as Adobe Photoshop. Editing photos was a tough job but not now. Even the browsers that we use such as Google and Mozilla Firefox run through software. So when all of us depend on software, it is highly important that the language should be the same as the users. This is where software localization enters because it is more than just the language that needs to be the same. Cultural and other functional elements are also equally important.

When all of the factors comply with the needs and requirements of the target users, this is where sales enhance. When the product that you are selling, of course, the software, is usable for the audience, word will get out and more people will be interested in your product.

Not only do you need localization for your product, but also to make the audience aware of your business. You need to localize your website and other marketing content so that the audience can spot you in the swarm of other businesses.

Why Does Software Localization Matter For Driving Your Sales?

Localization becomes your distinguishing property which differentiates you from other global businesses. What is the purpose of creating software and not localizing it if you wish to enter the global marketplace? Of course, not opting for software localization seems absurd. Software localization is surely important to enhance your sales, why? Let’s find out!

A Seamless User Experience

The whole motive of localizing software is that a large number of audiences can use your software the way you intended it to be used. These software are designed by professional developers who make sure that coding is done in such a way that it doesn’t disrupt the usage. With the help of software localization, target users get an exceptional experience. It is software localization that works on the format of the software such as day and time format, image placement, and number systems.

You can eliminate the linguistic difference so that your audience gets a natural exposure. A seamless user experience means that not even a single hurdle arises when, for example, a Russian uses a French app. The most common examples of localized software are apps such as Netflix and Duolingo. Duolingo, for instance, is available in more than 30 languages. And guess who is the master behind this variety? It’s software localization.

User Interface

User experience depends on the user interface. Every language differs in its character numbers. For instance, if a word in English consists of 5 characters, in German the character length is long, greater than 5. So when translated, the character length can vary. This increased or decreased character length can either use more or less space and can alter other features of the software. Hence, it can upset the way your app looks from the user’s perspective. With the help of character encoding localization, other features are not disturbed and sales are boosted.

In the case of right-to-left languages or the other way around, localization is the key to solving these issues. Therefore, you get bidirectional text support. Localization also looks into the color gradients. When you hire experts from a reputed translation agency such as CCJK, your localized software becomes a complete package for global audiences. Colors surely have different meanings in different cultures. Professional and legit linguists understand and help you remove and alter them. And as a result, the end product that you get is a super powerful object which skyrockets your sales.

Technical Considerations

It is localized software that clearly handles the number formatting such as the currency symbols and other large numbers in an appropriate way. Even the adjustment of time zones is a localized thing, which software localization takes complete care of.

Competitive Leverage

Software localization provides the biggest weapon through which you can stand as a strong business among your competitors. It is for sure what your business is representing, there are other businesses as well that are doing the same and maybe better than you. This is where you can stand different from them. It gives a boost to your sales and increases your demand in the target market. In the eyes of the audiences, you stand as a business who is valuing their needs.

Hence, localization gives you an upper hand and you can use this upper hand to convert your leads into sales. It hands you the chance to gain trust of the local consumers. Later these consumers become the main members of the word of mouth approach. This trust is itself an edge to your business so if you are a trusted business you are already at the top.

More Languages, More Cultures – More Sales

The more languages and cultures in which your software is localized, the more brand sales. Hence software localization is directly proportional to magnification of your sales. And later the more brand recognition. When users can interact with the software and apps in their native language, it enhances user engagement. In the long run, this user engagement brings more sales and globalizes your business in the international market.

Importance of Software Localization Testing

Yes, we all know how important software localization is to drive your sales to the highest level. But the most important step here is to make sure that the product you are launching into the market is worthy enough or not. To ensure that your software is a complete experience for the target users, you need to test it. Software localization testing is actually the last step of the localization process. And you must believe us when we say that it is the most important one.

This is the process that highlights all the errors and mistakes and makes your localized software a foolproof one. Now you just need to launch the localized software in the market and keep on working on the updates as well.

Is Software Localization a One-Time Thing?

Software localization is not a one-time thing at all. As mentioned earlier, it is a continuous process that is needed as long as developers keep on updating the software. Developers keep on making the software updated to make sure that their apps are still in demand by the target audience. This is why localization can never be a one-time process. It might seem that it is a costly process which is true but the benefits and economic surge that it provides to your software business is mind-blowing.

Concluding Remarks!

To sum up, software localization is like a key that unlocks business opportunities for you by enhancing your worth and sales in the global market. It provides your users with a seamless and undisturbed experience. It is due to localization that your brand gets a competitive edge because of the user interface compatibility and many other features. The purpose of software localization for any business is to enhance its sales and name in the international market. With the help of localization, users get adaptable software apps that they can use easily despite linguistic and cultural differences.

The different stages of software localization play a vital role in creating a final product that readily connects with the users. So we can conclude, by saying that the more languages and cultures your software serves, the more will be the sales. Therefore, creating more localized versions of your software can further magnify your sales.If you are looking for software localization to boost your global sales, CCJK is there for you. We have native and specialized professionals for software localization. Our skilled professionals provide you with fast software translation and localization with native level proficiency. For more details, contact us now!