Have you ever felt like you're navigating uncharted territory? As if everything suddenly becomes foreign (and not in an exciting or stimulating way)? It's time to get back on track. If you're not considering user experience localization when translating your application or software, that's likely what your users are experiencing. (And yes, this definitely affects your abandonment rates.)
UI localization goes far beyond translating words in your application. It's about ensuring your application remains intuitive in any language. As smooth and natural as a perfectly balanced formulation. You've created this remarkable application. Now let more people use it. And love it.
When should you start thinking about user experience? Right now.
UI Localization for Specialized Industry Products
WHAT IS USER EXPERIENCE (UX)?
Localization and user experience
Ready to translate your application into different languages? Hold on! You need to internationalize and prepare your application or software first. Skipping this step comes with risks. It would be like trying to formulate a complex product without understanding the properties of your ingredients.
Internationalization involves laying the groundwork to make your application function in any language. It helps you avoid dealing with hundreds of bugs during localization, which would delay market launch and add unnecessary costs. But where do you start? How do you ensure your application works well in every language and achieves numerous downloads worldwide? Here are some elements to consider.
Text length, encoding standards, and font sizes
Some languages are naturally longer than others. For example, when you translate from English to a Romance language (like Italian or French), the text typically expands by about 30%. Other languages, like Chinese, will be 30% shorter!
You need to ensure your application won't be weighed down by longer words, especially in menus or spaces where room is usually limited. This is also when you verify that your chosen font and encoding standard can support different characters. While we're at it, I also make sure your application can handle different currencies and number formats.
User experience (or UX) is about how natural, comfortable, and intuitive your application or software feels to use. It's about how all the different elements – from code to design – work harmoniously together. Sounds simple, right? But there's a lot to consider. From mastering technical terminology to cultural considerations and design elements.
Colors, images and design
Localization extends beyond translation. It's about examining the big picture, including colors and design, and ensuring the images used are appropriate for each market. For example, different cultures perceive colors differently. In China, red is a lucky color, but in other countries, it's a sign of danger. A localized color scheme makes your application much more attractive, intuitive, and user-friendly.
GIVE YOUR USERS AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE, WHATEVER LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK
Impressive, isn't it? And we've only scratched the surface. That's why I'm here to make it easier for you. If you need translations for specialized technical applications, you're in the right place.
► I'll guide you in the right direction to make ongoing localization an easy and straightforward part of your product development. I'm accustomed to working closely with my clients' development teams to facilitate and accelerate the addition of other languages.
Variables and placeholders
Buckle up; we're getting technical. Variables and placeholders are parts of your code that – in theory – can remain intact and be programmatically reused even when the surrounding text changes. This might work in English. But as soon as you start localizing into other languages, you're navigating by sight (in unknown territory). That's why you need to work with someone who also speaks your developers' language.
► I can also provide continuous localization and smart automation through software that integrates with your application. Translation: less manual work for you (no more manual language updates). This also helps ensure consistency and quality. And that's a win-win, right?