You may have a dream of expanding your business beyond national borders, but it’s essential to ensure your management team is aligned with your vision. Successfully taking your app to international markets requires a well-planned roadmap. Here are eight crucial steps you don’t want to miss when it comes to global apps.

1. Arm Yourself with Relevant Statistics and Make the Case

Companies are always seeking growth opportunities, and expanding beyond your local market may not be a choice but a necessity. Most of the global population doesn’t speak English as their native language, making localization essential. Consider this: 95% of Chinese consumers won’t buy products or services presented in a foreign language, even if they’re proficient in that language. Yet, over half of the top 10 million websites are in English. Similarly, in the European Union, 42% of consumers won’t purchase products or services in a foreign language, even if they’re fluent. These statistics highlight the importance of localization.

Nearly half of internet users admit they never spend money online in a language that isn’t their own. This emphasizes the significance of providing content in a language your target audience understands.

2. Make Sales Estimates

Success in your domestic market doesn’t guarantee success abroad. Before you decide which markets to target, estimate the potential market size. Consider factors such as population size and the number of web or mobile device users. Compare the potential market with what you know from your existing market. For instance, if the new market has half the number of smartphone users compared to your home market, a well-localized app may attract a similar customer base. Utilize tools like Google Global Market Finder and Google Trends to assess keyword popularity in different languages.

3. Perform a SWOT Analysis

Conduct a SWOT analysis, focusing on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, to evaluate whether a specific localization effort is a viable business move. This analysis helps you gauge the potential for success in comparison to other projects and helps quantify impacts and returns.

4. Weigh Timing Trade-Offs for Localization Investments

Balancing investment timing is crucial. Make necessary investments as close to the product launch as possible to maximize returns and avoid early investment tying up capital and losing value due to inflation.

5. Plan the Internationalization of Your App

Plan for internationalization from the start, just like you would with security and quality. Retrofitting internationalization at a later stage can be less effective and efficient. Ensure the basics of internationalization, such as content separation and automatic formatting for foreign languages, are incorporated during code development. The actual localization, involving translation and content adaptation, can be done closer to the planned launch date for each language.

6. Cost Management for Localization ROI

Effective cost management is crucial for maximizing return on investment. Monitor project timelines, expenses, and progress to keep localization projects on track and costs under control.

7. Optimize Translation Costs

Partner with professional localization service providers who can guide you through the translation process. Utilize translation memory and glossaries to reduce effort and maintain translation consistency.

8. The Final Step to ROI – Merchandizing to Make Sales with Global Apps

After ensuring that your marketing and development efforts are well-aligned for a positive ROI, focus on merchandising. Customers need to be aware of the localized product. Effective advertising and PR can create awareness and drive user adoption. It’s crucial to adapt to cultural differences and expectations, as success abroad relies on excellent preparation and execution.

Interpreting Services and Their Role in Global Apps

Interpreting services play a vital role in your global expansion strategy. When conducting business internationally, clear communication is essential. Interpretation services facilitate effective communication during meetings, negotiations, and interactions with foreign partners, clients, and customers. By bridging language barriers, interpreters ensure that your message is accurately conveyed and understood, fostering trust and successful collaboration. Whether it’s simultaneous interpretation in conferences or consecutive interpretation during one-on-one discussions, professional interpreters are your key to seamless cross-cultural communication.

In conclusion, taking your business abroad requires careful planning, market analysis, and a focus on localization. Success hinges on thorough preparation and execution, as well as utilizing interpreting services to bridge language gaps and enhance international business interactions. Achieving global success is not only about translating your product but also understanding and adapting to diverse cultures and expectations.

Seldean Smith

Seldean is a multi-skilled content wizard that dedicates herself to writing content that goes beyond merely sparking interest in the audience.