6 Mistakes to Avoid While Translating a Website

Ensure your website translation is flawless. Read our guide on avoiding common mistakes and maintaining consistency and professionalism.

As per Forbes report, there are 2 billion websites on the internet. This data indicates that it is important to translate your website to stand out from the crowded arena.

But translating a website is a complex task! It involves understanding cultural nuances, technical constraints, and the need to maintain the integrity of the original content.

1. Ignoring Cultural Context

Translating words without considering cultural context can lead to misunderstandings or even offend the target audience. For instance, certain phrases or idioms may not have direct equivalents in another language. An example is the English phrase “break the ice,” which means to initiate conversation. Translating it literally into Spanish (“romper el hielo”) might confuse readers, as the idiom doesn’t carry the same metaphorical meaning.

Example:

• Original Text: “Breaking the ice at networking events is important.”
• Literal Translation: “Romper el hielo en eventos de networking es importante.”
• Improved Translation: “Iniciar conversaciones en eventos de networking es importante.”

2. Overlooking Technical Constraints

Website translation requires adjustments to fit text within design elements like buttons, menus, and banners. Languages like German or Russian can result in longer text strings compared to English. Failing to account for these differences can disrupt the website’s layout and functionality.

Using professional website translation services can help address these challenges effectively.

Example:

• Original Text (Button): “Read More”
• Literal Translation (German): “Mehr Lesen” (10 characters)
• Adjusted Translation: “Weitere Info” (9 characters to fit the button size)

3. Using Automated Translation Tools Exclusively

While tools like Google Translate can be useful for a rough draft, relying solely on them can lead to inaccurate or awkward translations. Automated tools lack the ability to understand context, tone, and subtleties, which are important for a professional translation.

Example:

• Original Text: “Our software is user-friendly and highly customizable.”
• Automated Translation (French): “Notre logiciel est convivial et hautement personnalisable.”
• Professional Translation: “Notre logiciel est facile à utiliser et très personnalisable.”

4. Neglecting SEO Considerations

SEO plays a significant role in a website’s visibility. Translating a website without considering SEO can result in missed opportunities for traffic. It’s essential to research and incorporate relevant keywords in the target language.

Using the best website localization services ensures that SEO considerations are properly addressed.

Example:

• Original Keyword: “affordable web hosting”
• Direct Translation (French): “hébergement web abordable”
• SEO Optimized Translation: “hébergement web pas cher” (more commonly searched in French)

5. Inconsistent Terminology

Consistency in terminology is important for maintaining a professional image and ensuring that users understand the content. Using different terms for the same concept can confuse readers and dilute the brand message.

Employing website translation for manufacturing can help maintain this consistency and clarity.

Example:

• Original Text: “Download our application.”
• Inconsistent Translation (Spanish): “Descarga nuestra aplicación.” or “Baja nuestra app.”
• Consistent Translation: “Descarga nuestra aplicación.”

6. Neglecting to Hire Professional Translators

Professional translators bring expertise in both language and industry-specific terminology. They understand the nuances of language that machines and inexperienced translators might miss. Investing in professional translation services can prevent costly errors and improve the overall quality of the translation.

Example:

• Original Text: “Our platform supports multiple payment gateways.”
• Non-Professional Translation (French): “Notre plateforme prend en charge plusieurs passerelles de paiement.”
• Professional Translation: “Notre plateforme accepte plusieurs modes de paiement.”

Concluding Words

Translating a website involves converting text from one language to another. Therefore, hire an ISO 17100:2015 translation company, which can avoid these common mistakes. By focusing on cultural context, technical constraints, SEO considerations, and professional expertise, it is possible to create a seamless and effective multilingual website.