Localization errors are not merely typos that can be corrected with damage control. Localized content directly connects with an audience’s culture, reflecting their thoughts and feelings. A single error can not only confuse your audience but also offend them, which can negatively impact your global presence and success.
Keep reading this post to safeguard your brand reputation, avoiding mistakes many other brands, even major ones, have encountered.
Translation vs. Localization: Why AsiaLocalize Does More Than Words
Translation is a basic conversion of text from one language to another, focusing solely on the linguistic aspect. While localization goes much deeper, involving comprehensive functional, legal, and cultural adaptation. It considers regional preferences like humor, religious taboos, and user experience (UX) design to ensure the content resonates with the target audience.
Take IKEA, for instance. IKEA’s “Fartfull” kids’ workbench, despite meaning “speedy” in Swedish, startled English-speaking consumers with its unfortunate name, leading to giggles rather than admiration. The confusion and humor surrounding the name highlighted the importance of thoughtful localization to better connect with a diverse audience and avoid misunderstandings.
At AsiaLocalize, our native linguists are adept at adapting slogans, menus, and campaigns specifically for all Asian markets. We tailor messages that effectively communicate with your audience on a deeper level.
Discover AsiaLocalize’s translation services for Asia-Pacific markets.
Mistake #1: Literal Translations That Damage Brand Reputation
Localization failures arise from literal translations without taking into account cultural sensitivity, negatively impacting your brand presence in your target market.
Take Pepsi’s slogan “Come Alive,” for instance. It’s translated to “Bring Your Ancestors Back from the Grave” in Chinese, which backfired spectacularly.
Also, Coca-Cola has had its share of translation blunders in Eastern countries like China and Taiwan. In China, the initial Mandarin translation of “Ke-Kou-Ke-La” inadvertently meant “bite the wax tadpole” or “a female horse stuffed with wax,” prompting a swift change to “ko-kou-ko-le,” which translates to “happiness in the mouth”—a significant improvement over the original.
At AsiaLocalize, our certified translators leverage both language expertise and cultural nuance. We hire native speakers with at least 5 years of experience who are well aware of all cultural sensitivities of your target Asian markets.
Avoid costly errors!
Learn more about our Back translation services.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Compliance Regulations
Did you know that 45% of companies reported facing compliance-related issues? One of the main reasons for this is localization gaps and the lack of a localization strategy.
The Chinese government has mandated the removal of Didi, the nation’s premier ride-hailing platform, from app stores due to significant concerns regarding the handling and utilization of customer data.
At AsiaLocalize, our comprehensive compliance audits ensure that your website or app adheres to essential regulations like GDPR, PDPA (Thailand), and China’s CSL and data privacy laws.
Mistake #3: Poor UX Design for Local Markets
Did you know that businesses typically forfeit around 35% of their sales due to poor user experience (UX) design? Additionally, they miss out on driving actions from 40% of online consumers when their websites are not available in different languages.
Arngren, a Norwegian e-commerce website, presents a dated 1980s aesthetic, featuring a cluttered homepage where overlapping images of products with inconsistent dimensions hinder user experience.
Navigation is challenging due to the absence of a hamburger menu and the presence of non-uniform fonts and colors in the category list, further exacerbated by slow loading times that elevate bounce rates.
At AsiaLocalize, our UX localization service adapts layouts, payment methods (e.g., GrabPay in SEA), and color symbolism (e.g., avoiding green in Singapore).
Mistake #4: Overlooking Cultural and Religious Norms
One significant mistake companies often make is failing to consider the cultural and religious norms of different regions, leading to backlash and boycotts that could have been easily avoided from the outset.
For example, Nike faced considerable backlash and was boycotted in Indonesia in 1997 when it was discovered that some of the shoes had Quranic verses on them, which many found disrespectful.
At AsiaLocalize, we provide solutions focused on cultural sensitivity and awareness. For instance, our native linguists and localization experts advised a fashion brand to avoid using red in South Korea, as it is associated with communism, to prevent offending potential customers.
Learn more about our services at AsiaLocalize.
Check out our Document translation services.
Mistake #5: Neglecting Local Payment Preferences
Neglecting local payment preferences can indeed be a business’s worst nightmare. When shoppers are forced to use local payment methods that they are uncomfortable with or don’t trust, it creates a barrier that can lead to cart abandonment. With 69% of shoppers ready to walk away under such circumstances, it illustrates how critical it is to cater to the needs and expectations of your audience.
Alibaba’s Lazada made a strategic move by integrating local digital wallet options like GrabPay and GCash, enabling it to dominate in Southeast Asia. This adaptability to local payment preferences helped them build a strong customer base.
At AsiaLocalize, our approach involves evaluating current payment gateways and tailoring payment options to suit regional preferences and increase customer trust. For instance, in Indonesia, we offer support for local methods like Dana, while in India, Paytm is widely favored.
Partner with AsiaLocalize to Avoid These Mistakes
For the past decade, we have been dedicated to providing multilingual content that speaks directly to the hearts and minds of millions of consumers across the Asian world. Curious about how you can benefit from our services?
- Native Linguists: We boast a team of over 200 experts proficient in various Asian languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and more.
- Full-Service Localization: Our services cover everything from translation to UX design and compliance, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your localization needs.
- Proven Results: We helped thousands of clients achieve their goals, from attracting global customers to driving enormous sales.
