If you’re looking for the best translators for your translation or localization project then you need to make sure you choose the right agency for your business. As a business providing a specific product or service, you’ll need translators with expertise in your sector. You also might be looking for additional services such as localization according to the new area or culture, websites, publishing, or marketing, or sworn translation. It’s important to prioritize and put your needs and business goals first. This way you’ll get the best translation. Here are seven tips for choosing a translation agency for your business.
Define your goals
In order to communicate your needs to your new translators, you’ll need to outline your main goals for the translation project. Translators work best with detailed briefs and use their own expertise to find the most appropriate tone and vocabulary to use for you. Different types of translations will be handled differently. If you’re looking for technical guidelines to be translated these will be different from promotional material, for example.
Find out their technical expertise
Once you’ve outlined what you’re looking for in a translator you can then do your research to find one with the expertise in the right area. If you need something very sector-specific then make a quick Google search online. Try and find examples of their material or client testimonials to give you a guide on their technical expertise. Many translator agencies have experience in a wide range of sectors and part of a translator’s job is understanding that using the correct terminology is paramount.
Decide on a budget
The quality of the translation work could depend on the price you pay. If you need a simple email in a different language, you might as well have it translated online for free. If you need a professional translation service, you should shop around and try to find a good deal for the job you want doing, but don’t choose the cheapest option for the sake of it. Setting a realistic budget beforehand is a sensible idea. This way, you’ll know how much you can afford on translation for your business and can choose a higher standard nearer the top end of your budget.
Ask for recommendations
If you have networked with businesses in a similar sector you could ask them for any recommendations. They might be able to give you some names of reliable translators they’ve used in the past. Ensure you choose the right translation agency for the type of project you have, however. It can take a higher level of expertise depending on the kind of project. It could still be beneficial to start with a recommended agency than just blindly Googling.
Check their social proof
If you don’t really know anyone else who’s used translation services before then you could check their social proof instead. If you’re interested in a translation agency look up reviews on social media and for professional endorsement from other businesses. Find out who their previous clients were and what they say about them. Social proof is important to most translation agencies and plenty of other types of businesses. Much of translation and localization work is done remotely so digital marketing is the main way they reach out to new clients.
Agree on a project timeframe
Once you’ve got in touch with a translation services company ask them to agree on a timeline. This will help you plan ahead with the material you’re using the translation for. Make sure you agree on a timeframe for the project and any milestones along the way. Maintain a close relationship with your translators and this will help the project go more smoothly for everyone.
Do you need any other services?
Think about whether you need any other services as well as translation as many translation agencies will provide these. One of the many requests alongside translation is localization. This is the art of truly adapting the new text to the culture and location of whoever its audience is going to be. This is almost just as important as the translation of the text itself.
Translation agencies might offer other useful services such as transcription, voice-over, and subtitling. It’s also worth finding out about their experience in the translation of websites and other online promotional materials. The right translators for your business will have the expertise to understand your unique goals and will have sector-specific experience.