case study
...sent employee abroad. So the multinational company and e-commerce offerings starve for localization. So as windows of the company, the website localization becomes more and more important. With the development of the internet, more and more people use internet everyday, the internet has been becoming an important port of getting information, services and shopping. At the same time, computer and internet users are fast increasingly from non-English speaking countries. “At the end of 2002, it was estimated that 32% of internet users were non-native English speakers. This figure is constantly rising. In response, businesses have quickly become aware of the benefits of the website localization.” (Title[culture and website localization]. (no data). Available: URL[http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/translation/articles/benefits-websitelocalization.html]) Nowadays, web service proprietors often lack guidance and experience to adapt their websites to different cultures, languages and custom. “Forrester Research found that 67 percent of the Fortune 100 companies' websites are standardized and mainly in English. A survey of the top 900 companies' websites listed by Forbes revealed that only 225 companies have localized websites.”(Singh and Boughton, 2002) So it is in dire need for Web operators to pay more their attention to site localization in order to provide better service to local consumers. The benefit of the site localization 1. Website localization can build credibility If the company only has an English site but their competitors have websites in all major languages, who will win more credibility? The answer tells its own tale. You must not trust any information which you can not understand it clearly. Localization of the company website can indicate that the company is a truly international marketer. “Localizing your company’s website also shows that you understand value and have respect for that particular country or region.” (Title[culture and website localization]. (no data). Available: URL[http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/translation/articles/benefits-website-localization.html]) 2. Website localization conquer language barriers As mentioned above, “32% of internet users around the world are non-native English speakers, with pc ownership and access to the internet most rapidly increasing outside of North America and Europe.” (Title[culture and website localization]. (no data). Available: URL[http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/translation/articles/benefits-website-localization.html]) Companies are now wake to that English is no longer the international language but one of many including French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. With the number of companies now realising the benefits of website localization, there are more pages in foreign languages than before. 3. Website localization increases company’s income Most internet users will naturally feel more comfortable and understand a company better if their information, products or services are presented in their native language. You need to understand the content of the website before you shop on it or get service from it. By undergoing the website localization process you access potentially millions of new customers. How the ecommerce offering localization their website Site localization is the process of modify the existing website to make it accessible, usable and culturally to adapt to the local users. The translation ...