Want to grow your mobile app in new markets? Expanding globally is a great way to increase your app’s user base and win more revenue.
But there’s a catch. If your app is written in English-only, chances are, it won’t perform well in most international markets. Market research shows that most consumers are hesitant to download mobile apps that aren’t written in their native language.
The solution? You’ve got to go multilingual. The best way to do this is with mobile app localization.
Today, let’s explore what mobile localization is and why it’s so important. Then, we’ll go over some tips for planning your next app localization project.
Mobile localization is the process of customizing a mobile application for users in a different culture. Language translation is a big part of app localization, but it’s not the only factor.
Localization also includes a full evaluation of an app’s user experience (UX) to ensure that it’s a great fit for a new locale. For example, think about the apps you use every day. A social media app for American consumers will look and function very differently from a Chinese-language app. There’s obviously the language difference, but also changes to colors, images, UI elements, usability, and cultural references.
You can dramatically increase your global reach when you make your app compatible with different languages and cultures. Here’s what you should customize for users outside of the English-speaking world.
Have we piqued your interest in mobile localization yet? If you’re still not convinced, read on to learn about the biggest benefits of mobile localization.
Mobile localization will show your customers that you’re willing to go the extra mile to meet their needs. According to population statistics, a majority of the world’s population does not speak English. In a recent survey, consumer researchers discovered that most people will only buy from brands, companies, and websites that speak their native language. When you customize and deliver content that appeals to your target consumers, it increases trust in your brand.
Mobile app localization makes it easier for people around the world to discover and download your app. Although it takes time and effort, localization pays off in downloads, new users, and revenue. According to a study by Distomo, app downloads for localized apps were 128% higher than for non-localized apps. More downloads mean more revenue, and more revenue means more investment. It’s a win-win for all stakeholders. Plus, localized apps produced 26% in additional revenue for each region.
Savvy localization can help you avoid embarrassing branding mistakes. A one-size-fits-all marketing approach isn’t always a good fit for different countries. Phrases and words in one language can mean something else in another. This also applies to brand names. For example, the carmaker Fiat chose Uno as a brand name since it meant number one in Spanish. But they didn’t consider that Uno means idiot in Finnish.
Localization should be carried out alongside the development of your website and your app, not after. Developing your app all over again because you just thought of your Japanese, French, or German customers will be tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Setting aside a small portion of your app development costs for mobile localization will turn out to be profitable in the long run. Effective localization helps you scale and add more languages in the future.
As you adapt your mobile app for new global markets, it’s important to build a solid content localization strategy. Here are 9 steps that will help your team plan a successful mobile localization project.
At Localize, we understand the challenges associated with translating your mobile app into new languages. That’s why we make it easy for you to localize your mobile app without the hassle of complex managing strings and spreadsheets.Ready to share your mobile app with the rest of the world? Book a demo with us today to see how we can help you simplify the localization process.
At Localize, our passionate writers explore a wide range of localization topics, from technology trends to cultural insights. With diverse backgrounds in various fields, they bring unique perspectives to their articles, aiming to inform and inspire our readers.
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