Ever downloaded an app that looked amazing but made zero sense because it wasn’t in your language? It was probably frustrating, right? Now, imagine how many potential users might be skipping your app for the same reason! Mobile app localization is a great deal. It has transformed many businesses, but only when used right.
How do you think Airbnb went from a small startup to a global travel giant? It has millions of users worldwide. Is that a work of magic? Or perhaps it’s just the correct use of localization!
Airbnb started expanding beyond the U.S. in the early 2010s. They realized quickly that simply translating their app wasn’t enough. So, they customized listings for each country. Airbnb even added local currency options with region-specific payment methods. They also added more features like this.
Hence, their platform felt truly native to every user. Thanks to this, they saw a 700% increase in Chinese bookings alone… that was just the beginning.
Now, think about your app. Imagine your business growing like Airbnb. Thanks to one change: adding mobile app localization! It could be the missing puzzle piece that you need! In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about it so you can make the right decision. Let’s dive in!
What is Mobile App Localization?
Imagine if you could make your app feel custom for every user. Almost as if it was designed specifically for them. No matter where they are in the world. This isn’t just a dream. It’s the power of mobile app localization. This term isn’t limited to translating apps to native languages. It is more than that.
Localization is about delivering a whole experience that feels natural and intuitive. This includes audiences from different backgrounds. It is about every aspect of your app. Think of your app as creating an emotional connection with your users. A connection that’s so deep that it motivates users to buy from you.
More than 75% of users tend to purchase products in their own native language. It just helps them feel more confident in what they’re doing. Think about how much localization can do for you. Only when you use the right strategies.
Why should you localize your mobile app?
What’s the purpose of an app that looks great, but you can’t do anything with it? The text is in a language you don’t fully understand, and the currency doesn’t match. The whole experience just feels off. You’ll get confused and leave.
Instead, think of an app that resonates with you. It feels native, no matter where you’re from. Won’t you want your app to give your users the same experience? As a business, your answer should be yes. Here’s why you should localize your mobile app:
- More App Downloads: When an app speaks a user’s language, they’re far more likely to download it. Specifically when it aligns with their region.
- Cultural relevance: Every culture has unique things like signs and colors. Localization can help apps feel culturally relevant, resonating with users at a deeper level.
- Retain more users: There is just something unique about familiarity that makes you feel at ease. Localizing your mobile app can help users stay with your app.
- Better conversion rates: users convert when they find a source credible enough. Localized apps tend to get higher in-app purchases and sign-ups.
These are just a few reasons. When you localize your mobile app, you’ll discover why it’s so worth it. Adding it to Android app development can be easy. They are the most common types of apps out there.
What is the importance of Mobile App Localization?
Sure, English is a universal language. It is spoken almost everywhere, globally. Strangers worldwide can connect because of it. Yet, in the end, it’s just a language. Everyone can’t be good at it. There are other parts of the world, like the Caribbean or the Middle East. These regions don’t have English as their first language. They have their own regional languages.
Their regional languages are deeply connected to their culture. They even connect to their identity. This is why mobile app localization can help create deep bonds. It can make your app culturally relevant. It has several benefits that make it essential. Let’s learn a few of the important reasons why you should go for mobile app localizations:
Expand your market
Localizing your app can help you break down cultural barriers. It can help users connect deeper. This way, you automatically expand your market to millions of potential users. That, too, is all across the globe.
So, instead of limiting yourself to English-speaking audiences, you reach out to huge markets. Think China, South Asia, and more. Here, localized apps perform significantly better. Localization will also make your app more accessible. The more accessible your app is, the bigger your user base will be.
Deliver a better user experience
Familiarity has always had power over the human brain. It gives a sense of nostalgia that makes things twice better. Localization does something similar. This is why it feels more intuitive. Mobile app localization follows cultural norms and speaks their language.
It even makes users feel more confident. This is because localization displays content to users worldwide in a way that they understand clearly. This can easily increase user satisfaction rates and make them return for more.
Grow your revenue
Would you feel comfortable making a first-time in-app purchase? Especially if the pricing was in an unfamiliar currency. What if the payment methods didn’t match what you normally use? Probably not. That’s exactly why localization automatically leads to higher conversion rates.
Naturally, users are far more likely to subscribe and make purchases. When they fully understand the content and trust the experience, they’re just comfortable enough to do it. Studies show that localized apps see a 26% increase in revenue from in-app purchases!
Boost the App Store Optimization
App Store Optimization (ASO) is like SEO but for apps. It is the key to getting organic downloads. It even gives you a major visibility boost. This way you know that users are coming to you because of interest. Not because someone is making them.
You can improve its ranking in regional app stores. Translating your app’s title and description into different languages makes this possible. A well-localized app ranks higher in local searches. So, more people discover and download your app without spending extra on ads.
Competitive Advantage
As a business, you would always want to be better than your competitors. It takes seconds for users to switch to your rivals. Instead, you can be the business that provides something so unique that your competitors can’t replace you.
Not all businesses are using agile methodologies. Localize your app and get ahead of them. Uniqueness is all about personalization. These days, your business needs to deliver that to stand out. An app that feels “local” will always outperform the app that feels “foreign.”
What are the types of mobile app localization?
Localizing a mobile app isn’t a project that fits all as is. That’s why we have different types of localization types. This way, they’re able to adjust according to other projects. It helps enhance the user experience. The app feels truly native to every market. Here are the main types of mobile app localization:
Minimum viable localization (MVL)
Minimum viable localization kind of works like an MVP. An MVP is a lighter version of an app that lets you test your app concept. It focuses only on the core features. Similarly, MVL doesn’t go all in. It is a common preference for early-stage startups.
You can localize only the app’s key features or content. This can even include the app store descriptions and app store metadata. This type of app localization prioritizes a fast time to market and a high ROI. It demands less effort and resources compared to full app localization.
Full app localization
Think of a company that’s already doing well in its own region. Now, it has the budget it needs to expand to other areas. It is committed to creating a fully localized app. It will maximize their app’s reach and revenue opportunities. The ROI will also increase. This is when they should consider full app localization.
Why? Because here, they can adapt each element of their app for the target markets. This involves app store localization. Full app localization guarantees that users feel comfortable when using your app. It helps them get a more engaging experience. 65% of users prefer content in their own language anyways.
Hybrid localization
Can’t decide if you want an MVL approach or a full-app localization one? It’s natural. Especially if you don’t have a national reach already. This is where hybrid localization can help you. It’s an approach that balances out both. It can help you localize your app without going all in.
You might want to optimize and manage your resources. Yet, at the same time, you may want global reach. Hybrid localization can help you manage this. With it, you only localize the most important elements of the app. This includes the features and payment methods. It can also be custom based on your needs.
Each type of localization improves the user experience in different ways. The best mobile apps combine multiple types of localizations. This helps them create a seamless and native-like experience for users worldwide.
Which elements of your app do you need to localize?
When you’re localizing your mobile app, it’s essential to adapt various elements. This helps deliver a great experience for users. Mainly across different markets. Simply translating text isn’t enough. It’s boring. You need each element to resonate with the local audience.
If you truly want your app to make an impact, you should follow this. Here are the key components you should consider when localizing your app:
The Interface
The user interface (UI) is the face of your app. Users interact with it first thing. It needs to feel intuitive and natural to every user. Localization ensures that. It oversees all aspects, and navigation is to suit the necessary elements. This involves the language and culture of the target audience. You should consider to:
- Make sure your app supports right-to-left (RTL) languages. This could be Arabic or Hebrew if needed.
- Adjust the layout to accommodate longer words or phrases. It could be the case in some languages.
Date and time formats
Different regions use different formats for dates and times. When not used correctly, it could confuse users. Localization ensures that users see the correct format they are familiar with. It automatically adjusts based on their region. Think of the classic MM/DD/YYYY format. Everyone won’t get this globally. You should consider to:
- Adapt the time zones. Specifically, the 12-hour and 24-hour formats. This would be based on user preferences.
- Localize weekdays and public holidays for regional relevance. This will help users understand better.
Currency
Digital currency is an online form of money. Of course, money is different in different parts of the world. Currencies change region by region. So, the currency displayed in your app should match the local currency. It should adjust for every user’s country. This includes the symbol and also the decimal places.
- Use local currency symbols (e.g., $, €, ¥)
- Update the payment methods to region-specific options like PayPal, Alipay, etc.
Measurement units
There are more than only cultural differences in regions. It also expands to mathematical differences. Most countries use diverse measurement systems. You’ll see that some use imperial systems, such as inches and pounds. Meanwhile, others use metric systems, such as centimeters and kilograms.
- adapt measurement units to the local system. This will ensure the accuracy and ease of use.
- Update the measurements to adjust according to region. Yet, let the users change it. If possible.
Cultural expressions
Certain phrases or cultural references may not translate well in other languages. They could even sound like something inappropriate. So, it may be misunderstood in other languages. Avoid this confusion. Adapt to cultural expressions to suit the target region.
- Use culturally relevant sayings. Avoid phrases that could be offensive. They shouldn’t have negative meanings in other cultures.
- For example, “break a leg” could confuse non-English speakers. This is why a more appropriate local expression will work better.
Images and graphics
Visual elements, such as images and illustrations, should be adapted properly. Think about the cultural and regional context. Colors and symbols can have different meanings in regional cultures. So, it’s important that you don’t unintentionally offend or confuse users.
- In some cultures, red might symbolize good luck or prosperity. In others, it could represent danger.
- Use local imagery that aligns with the traditions and lifestyle of users. It should be so in the target market.
Voiceovers
If your app includes audio or video content, voiceovers are a part of it. Your app must be localized to reflect native speakers. This should also include the local accent. Native speakers can help a lot with this.
- The voiceovers should be clear and understandable for the target audience.
- Add local slang, expressions, and humor. This will help you align with cultural norms.
How can you create a mobile app localization strategy?
No matter which region your user belongs to, it’s essential to deliver a good user experience. When the UX is good, it automatically raises conversions. It even generates more revenue. Just think about it. Your users are putting time and effort into your app. Naturally, they’d want something working perfectly.
You have to understand the local culture. You will even have to optimize the app’s performance. This is why you need a powerful mobile app localization strategy. Here’s how you can make one:
Research your target market
In Android app development, we use many agile methodologies. But before that, it’s important to know who your audience is. How else would you know the right strategies to use? This is where you will conduct research on your target market. Ask yourself:
- Where are my current users coming from?
- What cultural differences affect how they use my app?
- Which new regions are worth expanding to?
This will also help you recognize which potential regions to expand to. Your cultural clothing retail store might not work for a modern city. Yet it will work in a cultural city. This is why proper market research is necessary.
Analyze your app’s performance
You can use tools for this. It will help you get an idea of how your app is currently doing. There are many metrics, like user retention and conversion rates. By keeping track of them, you’ll know where your app is lacking. So, before localization, you can fix those issues, too. Think of:
- Where are most of your downloads coming from?
- In which regions are users spending the most time?
- What are your top-performing features?
Fixing potential bugs before mobile app localization is vital. Why? Because you’re expanding to a new region. Here, your business will be new. If you debut with bugs and crashes, you might start losing potential users. It doesn’t take too long to move to the competitors.
Prioritize the right languages
So, let’s get one thing straight. Each region has several languages. Some of them are so local that only a few people speak them. So, you don’t need to localize to like, 50-60 languages. It’s not practical and may even result in loss. Spend your budget wisely. Before localizing, you should:
- Identify your top regions
- Localize in the main language spoken there. Example: Hindi for India.
- Use simple terms and words
Localizing to cities like China and India is mostly an excellent option. It’s all thanks to the huge size of their population. Your app will get downloads right away. That’s why localizing to these cities is more befitting than you think.
Prepare Your App for Localization
Now, how do you do this? It isn’t easy. This is the part where you will need a skilled developer. In the technical world, this step is called internationalization (i18n). Here, you’ll restructure your code to adjust to different languages and regions. Before choosing a developer, think about:
- The developer’s skills. Is your chosen team qualified for this?
- Can your team easily implement right-to-left language support?
- Is their expertise rich? Or is there room for error?
Localizing is more than just translating to different languages. It’s more about delivering the experience to users. It shouldn’t make them feel like they’re using a foreign app. Especially one that’s translated into their language. They want one that feels local, like home.
App store optimization (ASO)
Localization is not limited to the inner parts of the app. It also excludes the external parts. Now, you’d wonder how that’s the case. But you actually need to tell your users why your app is worthy. That can only be done before the download. This is where app store optimization (ASO) comes in. So, localize your:
- App title and subtitle
- Keywords and tags
- App descriptions
The key is to “lure” potential users in. A strong ASO implementation can lead to a 40% increase in an app’s visibility. There’s also an 18% surge in installs via search results. App store optimization (ASO) is a powerful technique. Especially when used correctly.
What are the Challenges with mobile app localization?
Despite the fun of mobile app localization, it isn’t that simple. Sugarcoating the process won’t change the reality. It does come with certain advantages. This mainly includes global market reach. But it isn’t worth the effort if you encounter these challenges. You should be aware of them. This way, you’ll be able to avoid them.
Precise translation issues
So, you only know English. Now, you’re expanding your app to Spain. How will you know if the translation from English to Spanish is correct? It could have errors. You’re only trusting AI and ML to translate your app. In rare cases, it could be inappropriate.
Overcoming this challenge isn’t that complex. But it could be tricky. If you want to make sure that your app is translating things correctly, you’ll need native speakers. Or you’ll have to find human translators for better accuracy.
Cultural Context
What works in one culture might completely flop in another. For instance, a thumbs-up emoji might be friendly in the U.S. but offensive elsewhere. It’s natural when you think about it. Even colors have different meanings.
When you don’t prioritize cultural sensitivity, you risk confusing or offending your users. We don’t want that. Your company’s reputation might be in a bad place if you face international damage like this.
Text expansion
Some languages just naturally take up more space. Although it’s surprising, that’s the beauty of literature. But this beauty could get you in trouble. One small English word can translate into a lengthy one in German. Similarly, it might look even weirder in Urdu.
If your developers can’t find a way to adjust this, it will mess with the app’s user interface. The design and layout will feel off. Sometimes, you won’t be able to adjust things. Instead, you’ll need flexible design elements. It will give you enough room in your layout for expansion.
Right-to-left (RTL) Language Support
English and many other languages go from left to right. However, there are many languages that don’t make sense like that. This is because they use the right-to-left format. Think of Arabic as an example.
This is why you need to guarantee that your app can support these languages. Especially if you’re targeting places like the Middle East or South Asia. In these regions languages already start from right to left. Hence, it’s essential.
Let’s wrap it up
So, mobile app localization is more than just a bunch of words. It’s about the whole experience. Making your app feel “at home” to users is an excellent digital escape for them. Think of your app and put yourself in the user’s place. Imagine how you would feel understood and why it’s an experience that’s worth the effort.
However, localizing a mobile app comes with its challenges. It takes skilled expertise to overcome these issues. This is why Linkitsoft is here. We have professional developers on our team. They’re capable of localizing any app. It’s one of the agile methodologies that always brings results. Only when you implement it correctly.
Why choose Linkitsoft to localize your mobile app?
If you’re aiming to expand your app globally, mobile app localization is the way to go. Without customizing the experience for every user, what’s the point of increasing your reach? Linkitsoft can help you ensure that this localization is error-free. One small mistake can cause you a big loss. Our years of experience allow us to leave no space for error.
Yet, it isn’t just our years that have taught us to be error-free. It’s about all the projects and clients we’ve worked with. We’ve seen how mobile app localization has helped businesses expand above and beyond. With Linkitsoft, you’ll get:
- An app that feels truly native to users. They won’t visit your app and stay confused. Instead, they’ll start using it almost instantly.
- A user interface and formats that adjust accordingly. This also includes currencies. This will be based on the region.
- Whether it’s iOS or Android app development, we test all our apps. We don’t want our apps to crash after development.
- A strong app store optimization (ASO) strategy for your app. This will help your app get noticed.
Localize your app today. This isn’t something you should wait around on. Maybe your app could be the first of its kind in another region. It could be the key to your success. So, contact Linkitsoft today! Let’s work together for mobile app localization. Are you ready?
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