Let's take a look at the size of the mobile application market in order to better understand the importance of the concept of mobile application localization.
It is estimated that there will be more than 230 billion active mobile application users in 2022. Hence this figure is expected to increase in the coming years. However, as the mobile app market becomes more saturated, it becomes increasingly difficult for developers to stand out from the crowd.
The most effective way to put you ahead of your competitors in this market is undoubtedly to implement mobile application localization correctly.
What is mobile application localization?
Localization is the process of adapting a product or service to a specific market or region. The process typically includes translating the product or service into the local language, as well as other aspects such as localizing the user interface, changing characters, adapting the product or service to local cultural norms, and complying with local regulations.
Localizing an application is a complex process as many elements of the application should be accessible and preferable to speakers of various languages. Technical issues such as whether users can download the application from the Google Play store or use it in more than one country are also among the points that need to be addressed.
Why is mobile application localization necessary?
With the help of localization, you can present your app to more potential customers and increase your chances of success. Let's examine together the benefits of localizing your application:
1. Your audience to reach is expanded
Localization is an effective method if you want to target an expanded size of user base. It enables you to target multiple regions and countries, which will increase the visibility of your app and reach far beyond your local area.
2. Improving user experience
Localization can also improve user experience. If your app is available in local language, local users will be able to understand the app properly, which will make your app easier to use and more likely to be recommended to others.
3. Increasing ranking in the app store
Localization can also increase your app store rankings. If your ranking position is in the preferred language, users are more likely to find and engage with your app.
4. Stay ahead in the competition
If you want to be a leader in your group, mobile app localization is a must. With optimal localization, you will differentiate yourself from most competitors who implement a substandard or even non-existent localization strategy, as a result of which, you will be in a better position to attract and retain customers in overseas markets.
5. Making your app more profitable
Localization is an excellent way to increase your revenue. You can position your app to attract more attention, which will lead to more download volume hence increased in-app opportunities to generate revenue.
How do you translate an app into different languages?
Properly implemented mobile app localization requires more than just translating text but also helps to understand the cultural context of the target audience and ensure that all elements of the application are consistent with this context.
For example, the words "done" and "completed" have the same meaning in the English language. However, they may have different contextual meanings, and one may be more appropriate than the other for a particular situation.
Inconsistent translations can cause confusion among users, while incorrect translations can damage the brand's reputation. An example is the English word "delete". This word is usually translated as "supprimer" in French. However, in some French mobile apps, the word "delete" is translated as "destroyer" instead, which can be confusing for users because they may not understand whether they have deleted something permanently or just deleted it from their screen.
There are several common approaches to translating an application into different languages:
• Using artificial intelligence or machine translation service. This is usually the cheapest option.
• Hiring a translator. This option is more accurate but can be expensive and time consuming.
• Combining artificial intelligence or machine translation with human post-editing. This can strike a balance between accuracy and affordability.
• Creating a new application specific to each language. This can be costly but provides greater flexibility and accuracy.
Mobile application localization process
When localization is needed for a mobile application, you can follow the steps below.
1. Conduct research and collect data.
The initial step is to gather necessary information about the app and its target market, including early market research on competing apps, as well as the languages and dialects spoken in the target region.
2. Create localization strategy
Then, use the data to support you to develop an Android or iOS app localization strategy (or both), which will outline what needs to be done to localize the application to the target region.
3. Create localization instruction
Once a strategy is created, the next step is to deliver a localization map that outlines how each element of the application will be localized, including but not limited to text, iconography, user interface elements, and soundtrack localization.
4. Translate your app
Once you have collected and documented all this information, it is time to start translating the application into the target language. The process usually involves two stages: translation creation and validation.
During translation creation, new translations will be created according to the instructions, and during verification, existing translations will be checked based on the specifications.
What is the average cost of a mobile app localization?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to budgeting for mobile app localization. The price will vary depending on several factors, such as the length and complexity of the application, the number of languages that need to be translated, and any specific requirements. But there are some general tips that companies can take into account to stretch their localization budgets even further.
One of the tips is to work with translators directly through a marketplace, which can help reduce the cost of localization by eliminating third-party intermediaries.
Another tip is to useartificial intelligence machine translationand post-editing to save on translation costs. This one can be a great way to translate large amounts of text quickly and cheaply, and with an editor can guarantee the accuracy of the text.
As a conclusion, it is important to remember that localization is an investment, not an expense. By investing in localization, you can open your mobile app to a global audience, which can help increase your user base and ultimately your profitability.
What's the best way to translate an Android app?
There are a few different approaches you can take to translate your Android app into another language.
1. Creating separate versions of your app User Interface
When you localize your app, you create separate versions of your app's user interface and content for each language you want to support. Android Studio makes it easy to manage localized versions of your app by automatically creating the necessary file formats and directories.
2. Test your app
You can use Android Emulator and choose a different locale from the settings menu,to test your localized app Android Emulator will simulate how your app will look and act for users in different countries.
3. Publishing your localized app
Lastly, when you're ready to publish your localized app, make sure you format your strings correctly and use the appropriate pluralization rules for each language, which will ensure that your app is user-friendly for all your international users.
How long does iOS and Android app localization take?
Assuming that all of your app's content is ready to go, the app localization process itself shouldn't take more than a few weeks. The time frame will largely depend on the size and complexity of your app, as well as the number of languages you're localizing to.
By working with pre-audited translators on a central platform, you can streamline the process and ensure faster localization of your application. Such a platform quality assurance (QA) checkswould include project management automation workflows that include post-editing and revisions.
The end product should be an accurate and high-quality translation. The platform should also offer a language quality assessment that will help you identify areas where the translation is not up to par.
By working with a platform that offers these features, you can be sure that your application localization will be carried out efficiently and effectively.
How do developers localize apps on Apple platforms?
Apple offers a variety of tools to help developers localize their applications. The most important of these is Apple Glossary Compiler, a command-line tool that helps you manage your translated app development content.
Apple Glossary Compiler takes a file containing all the strings from your application, as input. It then outputs a file for each language you localize. These files contain translated strings that you can later use in your application.
In addition to Apple Glossary Compiler Apple also offers a tool called IB String Extractor, which is designed to help you extract localized strings from your application's storyboards and XIBS.
Below is an overview of the iOS app localization example:
1. First, the application's string format files are translated into the target language.
2. Once the strings are translated, the application's interface elements need to be adapted to the target language, including details like changing the text on buttons and menus and making sure the text is properly aligned in right-to-left languages.
3. Application elements also need to be localized using application localization software, including items such as images, videos, and audio files.
4. As a last step the app's meta data needs to be updated, including details like the app's name, description, and keywords.
When localizing an app, developers need to consider the language of the app and language-specific content that may be included. For the app to be truly localized, any text or images in a specific language within the app must be translated.
Additionally, an application designed for a specific region or country may need to be localized to different languages within that region or country.
Tips for mobile game localization
There are a few things you need to consider for mobile game localization.
The major factor is which market the game is localized for. Different markets have different preferences for game content and design.
One approach is to translate the game into the target market language, which can be effective for games with very little text. However, it can also be a time-consuming and expensive process.
An important issue for mobile games is that the graphics are clear which is especially important for games that are heavily dependent on visual cues. If the graphics are too complex, they will be difficult to translate and run the risk of not making sense in other cultures.
It's vital to avoid culture-specific references when localizing a mobile game, including jokes, pop culture references, and any details that might not make sense in another culture. Not only will these references be lost in the translation process, but they may also have the potential to offend players in other cultures.
Mobile game localization process
In order to reach the widest possible audience, you need to support multiple languages. The most popular languages for mobile games are English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. However, many other languages are also spoken around the world. It's important to decide which languages you want to support based on your target audience.
Once you decide which languages you want to support, you can initiate the localization process. Here are some best practices for game localization:
Translating the content
The first step is to translate all of the text in your game, including in-game dialogue, menus, and user interface elements. You'll also need to translate any text that appears in marketing materials, such as screen shots and trailers.
Localize the app
The next step is to adapt your game to target cultures, including ensuring your game is suitable for different age groups and adjusting the available difficulty levels to account for different playing abilities. It is also essential to consider how your game's content may be received in different countries.
Testing the final product
Finally, you need to test your game in every language to make sure it's playable, understandable, and fun. This includes gaming tests conducted by native English speakers. You should only release your game to the public after it has been thoroughly tested.
Benefits of mobile game localization
By localizing your game, you can make it available to players in different regions and countries, which can help you reach new markets and grow your player base. Offering your game in their own language allows users to have a more personal and immersive experience than they might otherwise have.
Localization will also make your game more accessible to players with different language proficiency.
