Plan to order this stuff soon but aren’t really aware of the main stages of the process and potential expenses? Simply study this material to receive the basic details.

Crucial Steps of Software Localization

It is not easy to perform such work, and the team of experts should make a lot of effort to complete the task in a proper way. 

The steps may differ depending on what company you end up selecting. At the same time, there will be evident similarities. Normally, the software localization services are tied to the following phases:

1. Globalization. It is a preparatory step. At this point, the team conducts the analysis of the locale, culture, and other vital points.
2. Localization. This is the most exciting and vital step. Don’t think that it is mainly about translating stuff. Sure, this lies in the essence but the process goes way beyond it. Teams normally possess specific tools and solutions that make their work faster and more effective. Thanks to this, you will see the work finished within the timeframe you have discussed and outlined in advance.
3. Testing. Such a phase also comprises several parts. It may include language, interface, functionality, and other options that have to deal with many aspects. One of the team’s goals is to make sure that localized software works okay on all kinds of devices and operating systems. There may be some more criteria to consider as well.

If you want to dig deeper into the steps of the process, it is always okay to ask the team. The qualified experts will always consult you on what is going on, and which step is going to follow a certain one.

Explaining the Matter of Cost: What It Comprises in Most Cases

First of all, you should realize that it is not really sensible to try to save a lot on these services. Good localization will help you expand the brand globally and increase the profit as a result. So, it is actually the investment and not the expense.

Internationalization

This is a primary matter to pay money for. The final cost will be tied to the country, specialization, and the languages that have to be localized.

Translation

As you can probably guess, this revolves around the work of the professional translators. The rate depends on quite a few factors as well. Some of these are the kind of content, volume, scope, and language pairs.

Tech That Will Be Used

The tools applied within the localization process may be pretty expensive. The team can deal with the translation management platform, and it is just one of the possible scenarios.

Working on the Non-Language Elements

The translation does not touch upon the text content only. The agency normally has to work on the graphics and multimedia as well. As you may guess, this stuff has to be done properly. The targeting culture representative should be able to perceive content without any hardships. Otherwise, you won’t achieve the goals you set in your mind.

Consultations

Some of them may be free of charge but it depends on what exactly the company consults you about. The primary meetup touching upon the key matters of the project is likely to be free. If you are not certain about this, do not hesitate to ask about it. Some of the matters you are not sure of (that have to deal with the project itself) may be tied to major costs. This is relevant if you need advice from the team. It can be pricey if there is talk about the brand expansion.

Quality Assurance Costs

The matter of testing has already been highlighted above, and it is essential to keep it in mind. The main target of this work is reaching cultural consistency across the markets. Since tests consist of a few steps, they may be rather costly in the end.

There may be some other factors determining the final price as well. Find out about them by contacting the company you have selected for software localization.

The Cost and the Company You Will Work with

These are two interconnected matters as well. If you intend to collaborate with a reputable team, you will come across an adequate price on the services combined with professionalism. What is more, you will be aware of what the cost comprises in a detailed way.

This is why it is essential to check the experience of the agency and its image on the market. You can do this by exploring the reviews of former clients or simply accessing the official site of the company. It can tell a lot of stuff to you. The good idea is to seek case studies that are close to what you intend to request. 

You are always welcome to ask for a consultation with the representatives of the agency and demand a quote. This will help you correct the budget and discuss the alternative in case you are not okay with the price.

Can You Cut Down the Cost?

This is rather tricky but certainly, there may be some variants in connection with this. First of all, you need to see the price you will be working with and decide whether it fits into your budget at all. If you conclude that the cost is unaffordable, it is a good idea to talk to the team about it. In most cases, it is real to come to a certain solution. If the team representatives are not open for discussion, you may have to start searching for another company or an agency specializing in software localization.

However, it is always important to find the balance between quality and the prices you will be coming across. Do not forget that the work done properly costs decent money. And, your final business results wholly depend on how well the process will be completed. So, best of luck in what you intend to implement!