VD6: Translating your website

If you can’t see video above, click here: http://youtu.be/_hOUALiBkhcs

I hate to say this but if you are a smaller fashion online business starting out in the International market,  translating your entire website doesn’t make sense. Fashion is a universal language.

On the other hand, if you have a start-up with a particular product / service that requires explanation, you will need to translate your site accordingly.

Translating your website shows that you understand the culture and helps establish trust. In this video, I provide a few tips in how to get you started.

1) Pick three to four languages to start with

[Tweet “When translating your website, only commit to a few non- English languages at first.”]

Spanish, German, Portuguese and, or French can be a great start to your translation efforts. You should also consider translating in Mandarin as it’s the first most spoken language in the World, ahead of English.

How do you pick languages that are appropriate for your brand?

Determine which country has a specific need for your product. Research on Google Trends specific keywords related to your fashion brand or Start-up and see if you can pick up chatter. For example, if you do a worldwide search for Gothic Fashion – you will witness the term is popular in Australia, UK and Germany.

Next, review your Metrics Report to establish if you are already getting international traffic from a non-english speaking country. Based on combined information, decide which three languages best fit your business goals.

2) Translate Your FAQ, International Shipping & Return Policy

[Tweet “Translate pages which hold pertinent information such as FAQs, international shipping and return policy.”]

International customers want to understand shipping rates and return policies prior buying any e-commerce site out there. You must show a professional front as a business and be detail oriented. The more information you provide, the better. Include a translated Frequently Asked Question section. The following will help you quickly respond to an international audience if any questions arise.

3) Tools
There are a few available tools to help with your translation efforts.

a. Google Translate: Google Translate is free, but it’s not 100% viable. It doesn’t take into account grammatical subtleties or create SEO rich copy.

b. WordPress & Shopify Plug-ins: If you are using WordPress & Shopify, there are few plug-ins available.
WPML is a WordPress Plugin integrated with ICanLOCALIZE.com (a professional translation service)
Shop Translator on Shopify, creates a back-end service enabling you to translate all your content by simply inputting in with the Translation Content Management Tool.

c. Hire Professional Translator
You will always be safer by hiring a professional translator to help with your copy. It will enable you to translate content for specific demographic and will also ensure the language used is SEO rich.
Check out Fiverr or OneHourTranslation.com
There are plenty of professional translators available on Fiverr who will gladly translate your copy for as little as $5. It is worth the investment.

Conclusion: Do your research before translating your website to avoid making costly mistakes. You will reach a broader audience if you decide to translate important parts of your site.

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