Are you an app developer and looking to localize your app? App localization has particularly become significant considering the connected and digitalized world we are living in. You need to understand certain aspects before you jump into app localization. The world has become a global village and thousands of apps are working on a single niche making the competition fierce for the owners and developers. During such situations, it's extremely crucial to localize the app in a way that makes it stand out among the rest. Hence, you need to ensure that you get help from a competent app localization company that has proven experience in the relevant field.
With the ongoing technological advancements reaching a global audience offers great potential to make maximum sales. However, the process is not swift and demands dedication, detailed attention, expertise, and professionalism. If done right your app can pave the way to exciting opportunities for you. Nonetheless, you need to understand how the process works and it does not only depend on a simple translation. To resonate with the users worldwide you need to make sure that you integrate cultural relevance in your app design and functionality effectively.
The following factors can help you to build an app that is culturally more relevant striking the right chord with your target audiences and making them download and use it.
Research is key
The research primarily works as a backbone in the localization process. Make sure that you dive deep into the cultural references and context of your target market. You should also look out for the factors that put your audiences off so that you stay away from them. Considering the local language with the popular dialects and nuances and framing certain popular accents and phrases can also make you excel in your targeted region. The humor and design preference should be apt. Also, make sure that your app does not go against the religious beliefs and social norms of your targeted people. It is important to ensure that it penetrates the market seamlessly.
Culturally appropriate content
The content that you are going to use in the app localization should be culturally relevant. You should look into the process deeply and check for the addition of tutorials. The marketing material and in-app messages should also be according to the marketing practices of the concerned region. Moreover, the in-app messages should not contain any insensitive references. The translation of humorous content along with the idioms and phrases should be culturally relevant without offending the masses. If you feel that humor is not going well with target audiences you can simply avoid using any such content that can create hurdles for you in the long run.
Work on user personas
Working on user personas that reflect the demographics and cultural nuances of the target audiences can also work wonders to make your app culturally relevant and localized. This further helps with the better idea of the practices in the targeted region understanding the audiences for better. Considering these factors can make you tailor your app experience right according to the special needs and expectations of your audiences.
Understanding localization vs. adaptation
Another factor that you need to be mindful of before you indulge in app localization and even during the process, is that app and software localization services go beyond the mechanical swapping of words in the name of translation. These procedures not only demand accurate, precise, and quality translation from a professional translation vendor but also go beyond translation and involve many intricate details. So make sure that the factors that concern the UI elements, icons, colors, and layouts have a cultural look and feel to tempt the customers right away.
The right method for visual cues
This is one of the important factors to be educated about. You should know how colors and their significance can be changed for different audiences. The colors, symbols, and images have changed interpretations in different cultures. Try to cross-check the facts of colors, particularly the ones that are considered negative in certain customs. Red, for instance, is the color of vibrancy, luck, and joy in China and it could be a color that indicates a warning, or dangerous factor among other regions.
Right formats for time, date, and currency
You might be aware of the fact that different cultures practice different formats to write dates and times. You need to ensure that you make the entries relevantly. These should match local conventions. So that there are no conflicts or violations of cultural factors and your app gets designed in a way that makes the user feel like their own.
Likewise, the pattern of using and writing the measurement system also varies with the region. Make sure that you integrate the feature in the app to choose the preferred currency and measurement units during localization. The whole process and information can be overwhelming for you so make sure you look out for a professional translation agency.
Conclusion
App localization is an extensive process. It has a great influence on the life of the potential users. Hence, it needs to be culturally coherent to avoid conflicts. A few factors that can help build a culturally appropriate app include the right and relevant research, appropriate content, working on user personas, understanding the importance of translation for effective localization, and the right formats for time, date, and currency usage.
