Five Website Translation Tips

Internet usage rates are exploding worldwide.  Many regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East reported an increase of 1000% or more just over the last two years. Our clients are responding by creating multi-lingual websites for their organizations.  This task doesn’t have to be daunting!  In this issue of Translucence, we’re arming you with five tips to ensure a successful website translation project.

1. Consider your site’s multilingual navigation. How will people find and use your site in other languages? Plan for geo-targeting, Search Engine Optimization, and research to compare usability findings on how your localized audience is most accustomed to navigating websites (i.e. drop down menus, rollover links, etc.).

2. Identify which content needs to be translated. Oftentimes when organizations consider website translation they believe it to be an all or nothing deal, which can be a very unnecessary and costly mistake. Review your current website content and determine which information is pertinent, of interest, and/or beneficial to visitors of the language or region you are providing the translated website for.

3. Provide your translation vendor with source files. All original content and graphics files should be submitted to your translation agency from the very beginning. This includes copy, flash objects, textual graphics, PDF files, and even image files for navigation buttons.

4. Build a matching source site.  If you’re creating new content for a specific language or region, build the site or new web pages in English prior to initiating localization. This will allow your team to approve the layout and content, and serve as a reference throughout the translation process.

5. Plan for updates and maintenance. Utilizing a Content Management System (CMS) system that meets your organizations’ needs is perhaps the most crucial aspect of managing your new multilingual site. CMS systems vary greatly and are available at every price point. Understanding how frequently your site’s content needs updating will help you determine what your financial investment should be.

Reviewing these five most commonly overlooked aspects of website translation projects will save your organization time and money. Additional information on the do’s and don’ts of website translation can be found in Translucence’s The World Wide Web Edition.

In partnership with Small World Consulting, a web development consulting firm based in Washington, DC, Alboum & Associates is preparing a seminar on best practices in multilingual website management. If you or someone at your organization would like an invitation to this exclusive, client-only event please contact Stephanie@Alboum.com.

May's Best of the Web for Nonprofits

Earlier this week, Sandra, our beloved founder and managing partner, was dubbed a “superhero translator” in Sarah M. Vander Schaaff’s Lunch Box Mom column.

It’s not too late to enter your organization’s website into the Best Non-Profit Website Awards competition held by the Web Marketing Associations! WMA is accepting applications until tomorrow, Friday, May 27th. Check out last year’s winner, the Anacostia Watershed Society.

Promote your organization’s events, galas, and benefits at CharityHappenings.org. The site provides a master calendar of events within the nonprofit industry and a blog that’s chock full of fresh fundraising ideas.

If you’re on a mission to up your social media savvy, subscribing to Beth’s Blog: How Networked Nonprofits Are Using Social Media to Power Change is a must! Beth Kanter has been recognized as one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company, and is one of Business Week’s “Voices of Innovation for Social Media”.