If you want your website or online business to reach the widest possible audience, you need to localize your content. The reasons for doing so are almost overwhelming.According to some powerful statistics a sky90% of online shoppers would choose to read a page in their native language if given the choice.
Meanwhile, about 41% of top U.S. brands have at least one local country page targeting overseas markets, and have shown that localized Facebook pages drive 50% more traffic than pages without localization.
In short, by tailoring your content for overseas audiences, you can ensure maximum traffic and meaningful engagement to your website. Of course, localization is easier said than done. Your team needs translation expertise and working knowledge of the target market.
But, done right, the results can be game-changing. Here are our favorite examples of website localization for 2022, and what you can learn from these pros.
McDonald’s: More than just a translation
If you want to see what the localized apex will look like in 2022, open your VPN Go to any country you can think of and head over to the McDonald’s website.McDonald’s is active in more than 100 countries and its website offers a complete unique experience in each one.
The fast-food giant has been taking an ambitious approach to international market share, which is reflected on its website, going well beyond the basis of translation. You’ll find unique menu items on each country’s website, each tailored to the tastes of its target market.
You’ll find fluent live copy with slang and colloquialisms from each country, which shows how much time and effort McDonald’s has put into its localization. this is the best.
Naturally, you’d expect sites that offer vacation accommodations to work harder on localization. Hotels.com is definitely the case It has perfectly localized its content to dozens of countries.
What makes Hotels.com’s effort so compelling is its utility and customer orientation. Sure, you’ll find ad copy and slogans in local languages, but that’s not all.
Each country page allows you to view all prices in your local currency, while also including information about local city taxes, local travel laws, and even printed copies of documents you may need when arriving in a particular country. This is the localization that people can actually use.
BW: The more the better
One of the most successful and long-running online casino Betway provides digital slots, poker, roulette and live casino games to people around the world on platforms around the world. The site deserves a mention because it shows how online-only services can localize their content to maximize reach and ensure no one is left out.
Unlike many other gambling platforms, Betway offers all of its content in 11 languages, including Russian and Hindi, as well as all major European languages.
While this is undoubtedly a significant investment of time and money, it means Betway has the competitive advantage of serving customers in nearly a dozen markets, giving millions the opportunity to play in their native language. This thoroughness explains why in the localization world, more is better.
Apple: Aesthetic Positioning
Did you know that localization involves more than just text? Sometimes an image is enough to attract your overseas audience. This is certainly the case with tech giant Apple, which complements its text localization with image-based localization to show its global customers just how dedicated it is to them.
When you visit the Apple website from another country, such as Japan, you’ll see photos of Japanese users of Apple products in a variety of iconic and beautifully photographed local settings. The same applies if you travel to a US setting, albeit in a US setting. By complementing language localization with images, you can ensure that your website tells a story that an overseas audience will listen to.
Localization is not easy, but the benefits may exceed your initial investment. By localizing your website now, you can connect with new audiences in the future.