Important Factors for Choosing the Right Multilingual Content Partner

When finding a translation and localisation partner, everything looks broadly the same on paper. They all promise fast turnaround times and (naturally) a “unique approach” to your brand.

However, the truth is that no two content partners are alike. It’s easy to think, “This one’s the cheapest; it’ll do the job.” But we’ve all been burned by that logic before. It isn’t uncommon for businesses to choose a budget-friendly option and regret it later. Price matters, but factors like expertise and long-term value make the real difference. So, before you make that decision, let’s discuss the key elements that’ll help you make a choice you won’t have to revisit in a month.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Translation and Localisation Company

Numerous localisation and translation services claim to be able to localise. Still, not all partners can adapt your message for a global audience. You need to find and work with a professional translation agency that genuinely understands the language, culture, tone, audience preferences as well as your content.

Here’s what separates good from great.

EXPERT’S TIP: How important is the audience’s culture during the translation process? Find out in our expert’s latest article!

Ensuring Quality Through Every Step

When it comes to localisation services, quality is everything. The truth is, cheap usually isn’t better. You might save a few pennies upfront, but in the end, you could pay for it with rework and missed opportunities.

So, how do you ensure quality through every step of the process? It all begins by asking the localisation expert some tough questions. Does your agency have transparent quality control processes in place? Do they monitor each phase of the translation workflow to spot issues before they become problems? A reliable partner will monitor everything, from the translation to the review to the final output.

Streamlined Communication

We all know that sinking feeling about a project’s status when left in the dark. You’ve sent your content off to the translation team, but where’s the update? Where’s the feedback?

If your translation partner doesn’t have a centralised system to keep track of everything, you’re in for a world of unnecessary headaches. That’s why a smooth communication system matters.

A cloud-based translation management platform that consolidates everything — from project status to translation memories — into one place fixes everything. You’d never have to chase down a team member for an update or worry about what’s happening with your translation project.

You can easily monitor the status of every project and approve or request changes right from the platform. Plus, it keeps everyone on the same page — approvers, requesters, and translators. What does this mean for your bottom line? Your translation projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and with a boost in quality.

EXPERT’S TIP: Learn about the importance and role professional translation project managers play in today’s translation process

Using Cutting-Edge Technology

Your translation partner should be no stranger to innovative technology. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional methods. If you want your content to shine in global markets, it needs to be as forward-thinking as the product you’re selling.

Technologies like neural machine translation (NMT), AI, and machine learning help greatly with modern localisation. They can comprehend language nuances that go beyond basic sentence structure.

Likewise, implementing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can take your brand’s message beyond the screen and into the real world. For example, you can turn your product brochure into an interactive experience while speaking your customer’s language.

The best localisation services are the ones that constantly leverage new tools to stay ahead of the curve.

Ownership of Translation Memory as Intellectual Property

Translation memory (TM) is one of those hidden gems in the localisation world that can save you both time and money (but only if you’re using it to its full potential). It’s a sophisticated library where every phrase or sentence you’ve ever had translated is stored. So, when similar content pops up again, it’s already pre-translated.

This TM drastically reduces the per-word cost, which can add up quickly and significantly when scaling content across multiple languages. Plus, linguists don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time. They can simply pull from your translation memory, leading to faster turnaround times and more consistent translations.

Before getting too comfortable with a translation partner, do your homework and ensure their TM technology is cutting-edge. Most importantly, you need to ensure that the translation memory belongs to you. Your TM is intellectual property and should remain in your hands — no questions asked. Some suppliers make it difficult to access your TM or charge extra fees for it later, which can be a real pain if you decide to switch providers.

Ensure your partner understands the importance of giving you complete ownership and access to your translation memory minus the hidden costs. This is an asset you’ve built over time, and it should stay yours.

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Scalable Solutions for Growing Business Needs

As your business grows, so do your translation needs. One year, you might just need a handful of documents translated. The next? Thousands of words across multiple languages, all with tight deadlines.

If your translation partner can’t keep up with that pace, you’ll quickly find yourself looking for a new provider (something nobody wants to deal with mid-project).

That’s why choosing a partner that can scale with you is important, not just today but for the future. A genuinely scalable translation provider will not bat an eye when you need to handle a large volume of content.

Whether it’s a massive product launch or ongoing international communications, your partner should have the technology to handle thousands of words in multiple languages. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a provider who can’t keep up.

Conclusion

Picking the right content partner is about finding someone who can effectively translate your vision into something meaningful and do so consistently across borders.

You could take the shortcut and pick based solely on price, but if you’ve ever chosen the cheapest option, you know the consequences.

In the long run, what truly matters is whether the partner can deliver quality and manage your growing needs. So, as you ponder who to team up with, think long-term. The right partner doesn’t just help you get the job done—they help you do it right every time.

About TS24 Translation Company

Translation Services 24 (TS24) is the UK’s leading translation agency in London with professional translators working in over 200 languages. We provide services to clients in all corporate and public industries and specialise in sector-specific linguistic solutions. With over a decade of experience in the industry, 15+ million words converted every year and 100,000+ projects completed, TS24 is a leading provider of expert translations and interpretation services and an officially certified member of the ATC. Contact TS24 here. You can also read all of our recent articles here.

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