App Localization Mistakes: 10 Avoidable Mistakes When Localizing an App

Your app plays a similar role to your website. It represents your brand or business.

Actually, in a few countries, it is highly crucial because a large number of consumers search or shop using a mobile phone than a computer.

But, sometimes you make a few mistakes while localizing your app, because of which your brand may not be able to reap the crucial benefits of mobile app localization.

Let’s find out what are those pitfalls so that you avoid making them while localizing the app in the desired language.

10 Avoidable App Localization Mistakes

Localization needs attention when it comes to localizing every detail of the app.

Here are the 10 mistakes you must avoid while localizing:

1- Setting Unachievable Launch Deadlines

Few languages such as German and French are way easier to localize in comparison to others, like Finnish and Japanese.

While beginning a localization project for your app, always know how long it possibly took. This will save you from making any false promises and even missing the app launch date.

2- Creating Unsupportable Design

Another problem that arises at the time of app development is failing to look for the format and style of the script.

For example, one can read Arabic from right to left, while Chinese is from top to bottom. So, when you do effective mobile game app localization in Arabic or Chinese language, your app should support such distinct scripts so that graphics and products are showcased in the best way.

3- Not Meeting Cultural Contexts

A word may sound differently in one language and objectionable or irrelevant in another.

While your translators will clearly understand such differences, what about your intelligent coders? Many brands forget to keep their expert coders aware of such linguistic complexities.

This causes a lot of errors when it comes to in-app linking as well as app performance.

4- Avoiding Differences Between Local Languages

While localizing, several brands think that everyone in the same region understands the same language. But this isn’t completely true.

Cities, towns and states every of them have their own language and dialect idiosyncrasies.

Hence, if you are conducting affordable web app localization for some specific locale, you must understand the differences.

5- Utilizing Wrong Date and Time Formats

Different areas have different techniques of displaying the date and time.

While localizing your app, always ensure that you adjust the date and time format according to the specific region.

6- Avoid Providing Sufficient Script Space

The English letters are comparatively small. But other languages like Korean, Hindi, and Mandarin Chinese have quite larger letters and likewise, come with accents.

This implies they require enough space on your app’s screen. Your developers should make sufficient space for the script on your app so that it doesn’t look out-of-shape or squished when viewed on other devices.

7- Concatenation of Coding

Most developers like making a string of sentences together utilizing a single code/placeholder.

Although this may work well in English, it can frequently backfire in a different language.

The comprehensive translation and localization process involves different languages that are mostly written in other formats and utilize other grammar rules. Hence, concatenating your codes may completely transform the meaning of your content.

8- Utilizing the Same Colors

Different countries have different meanings for colours.

For example, red stands for fertility in India whereas the colour of mourning in Africa.

Similarly, in Japan, pink colour is meant for men, and not for women. Along with text and graphics, you also have to localize your app’s colour from background to fonts.

9- Forgetting About Quality Assurance

Be it your translators or coder, everyone might make mistakes while they’re localizing your app.

Like rigorous quality assurance in translation process, in localization as well, a talented QA test can go a long way to determine any problems that require correction.

Regrettably, many companies hardly conduct proper checks of their well-localized sites. Forgetting this step can actually impact the effectiveness of the final product.

10- Avoid Paying Attention to Graphics

Localization mistakes are not just limited to the text; images can also create a problem.

For example, including images on your app may be acceptable in one culture but not so appropriate in another can ruin your app’s reputation.

You need to understand the sensibilities of your target market and use other graphics accordingly.

In Conclusion

To ensure these mistakes do not get repeated you need to look for a well known localization company comprising talented localization experts who can help you create a powerful, culturally relevant localized app, and also make it possible for your app to undergo the most stringent quality tests.

Do you want expert help to localize your app? If yes, then simply give us a call at +91-8527599523 or mail us at [email protected]