Looking for bulletproof app translation services?
It just makes sense: there are a lot of languages in this world. If your app is only in one market, that’s a huge slice of the market that you’re missing out on.
But you don’t have to go by a gut feeling. According to our research, up to 20% of certain app genres are localized. You don’t want to miss out on the markets your competitors are tapping into.
However, it’s not enough to just hire a couple of Spanish speakers; you need to think about the bigger picture to do the job right. That’s because preparing your app for a new market is a little like building a house. Before you do anything, you have to make sure you have a sound structure, and then you can start in on the installing and wiring.
In the same way, good mobile app translation services will have a process that requires two big steps:
- Internationalization (sometimes written as “i18n”) is the process where you prepare your code for translation. This includes making sure your code supports different letters, symbols, and script directions (i.e. for languages that read right to left.)
- Localization (“l10n”) comes next. Localization is more than just translating the words; all your content should fit the target culture, which means having appropriate graphics, terms, etc. This is so your user has a positive experience with the whole app, not just the words themselves.
- Internationalization (sometimes written as “i18n”) is the process where you prepare your code for translation. This includes making sure your code supports different letters, symbols, and script directions (i.e. for languages that read right to left.)
- Localization (“l10n”) comes next. Localization is more than just translating the words; all your content should fit the target culture, which means having appropriate graphics, terms, etc. This is so your user has a positive experience with the whole app, not just the words themselves.
App localizers know that this is a major project to take on. We can tell you now, you won’t be able to pull it off overnight.
But that’s where the translation management system (TMS) comes in—and can save you a massive amount of time and resources.
How a TMS fits into the best app translation services
To stick with the house analogy, think of the TMS as an additional project manager: it helps you easily keep track of plans, communicate with the other members of your team, and stay on schedule for a beautiful finished project.
But, as an app translation service, a TMS goes beyond that. In addition to keeping you organized and on-schedule, a good TMS will do so much more:
1. Automate key steps with handy integrations.
A TMS allows you to automatically import and export resource files, as well as set up triggered notifications for other team members. Our OneSky TMS’ multiple integrations work well with other tools and platforms to allow for continuous delivery and localization.
2. Avoid duplication.
When you update your app, you often add new content while keeping some of the old. A TMS will instantly recognize the new pieces, and earmark them for translation.
3. Ensure highest translation quality.
A good TMS will include built-in quality assurance features, such as a glossary and reference materials, screenshot feature that allows translators to view context of your app for their work, placeholder validations, and length limits.
A good TMS is, in effect, a one-stop shop for all your localization needs.
