Imagine your favorite app. It works just right. You know where to tap. You understand every word. Now, picture that app in a language you don’t know. Or, with pictures that don’t make sense to you. This app is not only difficult for the audiences to understand but also for app companies as less number of audiences get to use their app. This is where app localization services are needed the most. It helps apps speak the language of new users and attract them towards an app that has been created for them only.
In this read, we are going to talk about how apps have become more than just important in our daily lives. Other than that, we will also talk about the role of app localization and how it transforms your app and makes it loved by the targeted users.
Why Localize Your App?
When you make an app, you want lots of people to use it. You can reach more people if your app speaks their language. It’s like visiting a friend’s house. You feel better when they talk to you in your own language. It’s the same for apps. The more the app is understandable the more impact it makes on the audience and it allows app companies to generate a great amount of revenue.
Understanding Cultural Nuances
People from different places have different ways of doing things. They like different colors. They have different ideas about what is polite. Your app needs to understand these things.
Color Choices
Red means luck in some places. In others, it means danger. White means pure in some places. In others, it’s for funerals. Use colors that fit the place your app will go. This will make the audience want your app more.
Image Meanings
A thumbs-up might mean “good” in one place. In another, it might mean something rude. These images are the best way to capture the attention of the audience and let them know that you have catered the app specifically for them. Use pictures that everyone will understand.
Time and Dates
Some places write dates as day/month/year. Others write month/day/year. Your app needs to show dates the right way. Many people use a 12 hour clock and some a 24 hour clock. You should know the date and time format so that you can deliver an app that fulfills all the demands of the public.
Number Formats
Some countries use commas to separate thousands. Others use periods. Some countries use different currency symbols. Your app must show numbers and money correctly.
Making the Text Just Right
It’s not just about changing words. It’s about making the words sound natural.
Idioms and Sayings
Sayings don’t always make sense when you change them. Your app needs to use sayings that fit the new place. If you are using witty notification sentences, make sure they make the right impact and resonate with the audience.
Character Limits
Some languages use more words to say the same thing. Buttons and menus might get too long. You need to make the words fit in their respective buttons.
Right to Left (RTL) Languages
Some languages, like Arabic and Hebrew, read from right to left. Your app needs to flip the screen and text. This is a technical thing that needs to be done correctly.
Testing Your Localized App
You need to make sure your app works well in the new place.
Testing with Real Users
People from the new place should use your app. They can tell you if anything looks wrong or sounds strange. It is vital to have the users from the location you are targeting. This feedback will help you to fix the mistakes before the app is launched globally.
Checking for Bugs
Changing the language can cause problems. Make sure all the buttons work. Make sure all the pictures show up. Make sure the app does not crash.
Visual Inspection
Check for text overlapping, or text going off the screen. Verify that the layout is correct for the target language.
App Store Optimization (ASO) for New Markets
When you go to a new place, people need to find your app.
Keywords in the New Language
Use words that people in the new place use to search for apps. This helps them find your app in the app store.
App Store Description
Write a description in the new language. Tell people why your app is good for them.
Ratings and Reviews
Ask users to leave reviews in the local language. Good reviews build trust. A good rating is very important. After that make sure to translate those reviews so that the audience knows what users think about your app in their native language.
Using the Right Tools
You can use tools to help you localize your app.
Localization Management Systems (LMS)
These tools help you keep track of all the words in your app. They make it easy to change the words for different languages. This makes the process much more efficient.
Software Development Kits (SDKs)
These tools help developers make apps that can change languages easily. They automate some of the technical parts of localization.
Machine Translation (MT)
AI tools like Machine Translation can help you translate your app fast but you will surely need human translators as well.
Keeping Your App Updated
Your app will change over time. You will add new features and fix problems.
Continuous Localization
When you change your app, you need to change the words too. This keeps your app up-to-date in all languages.
User Feedback
Listen to what people in the new place say. They can tell you if anything needs to be changed. This helps you improve your app.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Different places have different rules about apps.
Accessibility
Some places require apps to be usable by people with disabilities. Make sure your app is accessible to everyone. When working with a professional translation company make sure they understand all of the laws in the target market.
Measuring Success
How do you know if your localization is working?
Download Numbers
Are more people in the new place downloading your app? This is a good sign that your localization is working.
User Engagement
Are people in the new place using your app more often? Are they spending more time in your app? This is a sign that your app is relevant to them.
Customer Reviews
Are people in the new place leaving good reviews? Are they saying good things about your app? This shows that they like your localized app.
Increased Revenue
Are you making more money from your app in the new place? This is the ultimate goal of localization.
Final Words!
By paying attention to these things, you can make your app a success in new markets. It’s about more than just words. It’s about making your app feel like it belongs.
