7 Questions to Ask Before Your Next B2B Translation

Dec 16, 2016 | Good to Know

b2b translation

If your goal is to expand your company beyond domestic or even international markets that predominantly speak English, you will realize how important it is for you to communicate your message to your global market as accurately and as efficiently as you have been doing with your English-speaking customers.

You have probably recognized that B2B translation is now more of a necessity than a luxury if you want your future B2B marketing campaigns to be successful. This is where a translation agency comes in. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right translation service for your business.

Who Is Your Audience?

The tone of the message conveyed will depend on the readership.

Is There a Need for Your Product in That Market?

When you’ve identified who your audience is, you can put your focus on the language that requires translation.

Would Your Product Benefit More From a Translator Who Also Speaks the Language of Your Industry?

Considering that B2B translation covers all industries, translation often needs to go beyond just basic language in many cases. For example, if you are looking to expand your services to a software company in Germany, it would be beneficial for you to have an English to German translator who is also familiar with tech jargon.

Translation services have been keen on finding translators who are not only native speakers, who can communicate accurately and on a cultural level, but who also specialize in specific fields such as information technology, healthcare, finance or insurance.

Which Languages Do You Need to Translate Into?

Will you need French as used in France or, if your customers are in Belgium, would you prefer to use the services of a Belgian translator? This may seem like a detail when considering translating, but it can imply significant differences based on your industry.

Will You Need to Localize Parts of Your Message?

Once you’ve established what your target market is and the language that you need to translate into, you need to recognize if there are parts of your message that ought to be localized to serve a specific region.

Localization is the second phase, going beyond basic translation to adapt the cultural background of your message and giving you a stronger connection to your audience.

Have You Considered Translating Your Company’s Website?

If you hope to have a strong presence in the country of your target market, it would be advisable to translate your website into the language used where your products will be sold.

When you make an effort to communicate, your audience will respond positively and appreciate it. The last thing you want to do is use an automated translation option for your website, because these can’t identify context, and you may end up “saying” something regrettable and embarrassing. Not everything has a direct translation.

Will the Country Require You to Comply With Local Regulations?

You may encounter a country or a region that will require to you to translate information found on your product packaging, such as disclaimers or instructions.

Again, it is absolutely critical to have an excellent and, more importantly, accurate translation for this information, as it could lead to a lawsuit or injury if the message is not delivered correctly.

The essence of language is communication. If you have found success in communicating your products, company mission and goals in English, you should be aiming to deliver the same clear message to your international market in the language they understand and present it in a way that makes sense. Feel free to contact BeTranslated for your translation needs.