Mobile App Localization Services | Android and iOS Solutions
Mobile app localization is more crucial than ever if you want to be successful in new markets. Thanks to the over-saturation of mobile apps on Android and iOS platforms, consumers tend to judge an app solely based on first impressions of the UI (user interface). If a mobile app isn’t localized to meet cultural and linguistic standards, users quickly delete it and find another. Localization success for mobile apps hinges on creating a comprehensive strategy that highlights end-user experience instead of oversimplifying the process.
Having access to a localization management platform that can provide all the tools necessary for a great user experience is the key to successful mobile app localization. Working with a strategy that highlights testing and quality assurance can provide a well-adapted mobile app for any device.
What is Mobile App Localization?
Mobile app localization refers to the process of translating and adapting content on a mobile app to meet the standards of a specific region. This process includes reviewing color schemes, graphics, symbols, phrases, etc., to ensure all content is culturally appropriate. Mobile app localization typically involves less content than other localization projects because it must be reduced to fit the mobile UI. In doing so, it becomes even more crucial to use words and phrases that get the point across within a limited space without sacrificing brand integrity. Acknowledging the following considerations when making a mobile app localization strategy can help you make a significant impact on new markets:
- Audit your code to ensure strings can be easily translated and reintegrated to reduce reliance on post-translation file engineering
- Consider continuous localization to maintain language consistency after updates and bug fixes
- Verify what languages are supported by the AppStore and Google Play before picking languages to target
- Evaluate feedback options for internal and external beta users to improve the UI/UX and have consistent quality assurance
- Audit your code to ensure strings can be easily translated and reintegrated to reduce reliance on post-translation file engineering
- Understand testing limitations or resources provided by the operating systems. For instance, Android offers emulators to test products, while iOS requires testing after the product is live
- Evaluate the growth potential for each new market before localization
Incorporating these guidelines into your mobile app localization strategy will help you assess the profitability of each market to optimize your ROI.
Understanding iOS and Android Localization
While mobile app localization aims to reach as many consumers as possible, it is crucial to understand the varying nuances between the two central operating systems: iOS and Android.
iOS apps exist in the Apple AppStore, which is accessible in 175 countries and supports 40 languages. While Apple does offer multiple APIs and developer documentation references to aid developers, they lack the APK file formatting and require .ipa extensions, so their content is mutually exclusive to iOS systems. Apple also lacks a testing environment for developing stages, so testing formulates after the app is fully developed and released.
Android apps exist in the Google Play store, are accessible in many countries, and support 51 different languages. While apps must be optimized for Android Oreo and adhere to size specifications for optimization, Android does offer various APKs to assist developers and allow app testing before it’s released.
Avoiding Typical Mobile App Localization Mistakes
There are a lot of providers offering translation services. However, few concern themselves with the end-to-end strategy, aiding success in new markets and the ability to scale. With that in mind, it’s essential to know how a comprehensive platform tackles common mistakes companies make when localizing mobile apps.
Mistake |
Bureau Works Solution |
| Over-reliance on translation tests to indicate the quality of future vendor translation services | We offer casting services that allow clients to see results from many different translators per language to ensure you get the level of service you expected |
| Confusing subject familiarity with subject matter enthusiasm | We provide linguists that can grow with your brand and mission to evolve with you and love your work to improve the integrity of their translated content |
| Lack of industry-specific knowledge to understand what’s relevant | We provide linguists that focus on the culture surrounding your product and each market to provide quality content |
| Focusing on short-term results instead of the long-term growth | We focus on the long-term results and your product’s scalability to expand your company’s reach globally |
| Compromising the integrity of your content | We focus on your brand’s integrity instead of a solely transactional approach to help your content feel genuine to consumers |
Find the Best Mobile App Localization Partner for You
Successful mobile app localization requires an end-to-end approach that focuses on giving your consumers a positive user experience. A comprehensive approach requires managing an extensive workflow and ensuring everything is reviewed and meets the given standards. Having a single platform that can aid you with this approach and steer you towards the right choices can help mitigate the strain of entering new markets. A robust platform can help guide you towards global expansion more efficiently.
Bureau Works provides you with an end-to-end solution to ensure your mobile app is adapted successfully and ready to compete in new markets. Contact our team to get started.
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