Web Globalization Tips for Translation Agencies
By John Yunker
jyunker@bytelevel.com
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Last week I spoke at the Association of Language Companies
conference in Pasadena on Web globalization. I'm
glad I went. I'm seeing more and more agencies
trying to grab a share of the rapidly growing Web
globalization market. My presentation was on the "Web
globalization opportunity (and threat)."
Because I had so many requests for the presentation,
I've posted it online at the link below.
Some of the key points from the presentation are:
1. Web globalization is inevitable for most companies
and, as a result, a huge opportunity for translation
agenices.
2. Many translation agencies avoid Web globalization
because they think they don't have the skills
or tools. And yet many Web globalization projects
are surprisingly easy to manage.
3. If you want to hone your Web globalization skills,
start by globalizing your own agency Web site. Doing
so sends a message to prospects that you are skilled
at Web globalization. You don't have to translate
your entire Web site - a "brochure" Web
site in a few languages will do the trick. Be sure
to include Chinese or Japanese (or both); Arabic is
a hot language these days as well.
4. When selling Web globalization services, remember
that your buyer may be new to translation. They may
not know the difference between internationalization
and localization and they may not appreciate it if
you assume that they should know it. When selling
Web globalization services, you're going to have
to invest the time to educate your clients. So many
companies are just dipping their toes into these waters.
5. Just because you are already the "agency of
record" for a company does not mean you'll
also get the Web globalization account. It's important
that you stay in touch with the marketing and Web
teams so they know to include you in the RFP.
6. Along these lines, Web globalization is often the
"back door" for aggressive vendors into
new accounts. The danger of ignoring Web globalization
opportunities is that you allow competitors to develop
a relationship with your clients. And, since so much
content is moving toward to the Web, you risk being
marginalized down the road.
7. If you think you're too late to the Web globalization
game, think again. Most companies are just getting
started taking their Web sites global. Many more are
launching Spanish-language sites for the US market.
Opportunities are enormous.
Comments? Questions? Send them my way...
John Yunker
jyunker@bytelevel.com
Download presentation
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