Website translation makes your business user-friendly and culturally appealing to multilingual customers. So, what is the website translation process, and what do you need to know? At Lang Bay, we have our own strategy for translating websites. In this blog, we share our approach, the benefits of website translation, and other practical recommendations.
There are 5.18 billion internet users worldwide, which is 64.6% of the global population. (April 2023 - Statista)
As more than one-third of all internet users are non-English speakers, creating websites in people’s languages makes sense. If people visit your website and cannot read the information they need, they will move on.
A user-friendly, multilingual website must provide a helpful experience with information in people's native language and culturally relevant elements. This makes it easier for your potential customers to relate to what your website offers and, ultimately, to buy from you.
As English-to-Polish translation specialists, for example, we would translate your website into content relevant to a Polish audience. Our team has a deep knowledge of the Polish people, country, and marketplaces, so we can add value to your website translation. Poland has a fast-growing and stable economy, making it an attractive market for international businesses. Read our blog, 5 Reasons why it’s worth setting up a company in Poland.
Below is our five-step process for translating a multilingual website:
Whether you need to translate a website from English to Polish or another language, ensuring your users can relate to your website content is essential. Otherwise, they will exit from your website, and they may never return. As a result, your prospects could buy from one of your competitors instead. If they have translated their website into the native language of your target market, they will have a competitive edge.
People prefer buying from localized websites because they are much more likely to trust a business that speaks to them in their own language. Due to e-commerce, there’s an ever-increasing number of companies wishing to expand internationally. Translated and localized websites are a growing need for any business targeting foreign markets.
Businesses need to be able to communicate through their websites using different languages to avoid any barriers. People who understand what you offer in their own language are much more likely to buy from you. Sales and any online transactions also become smoother because your website users are more likely to become repeat customers.
Lang Bay has a proven and professional website translation process, and we work with businesses worldwide. We will learn about your business, objectives, offering, and your target market. We will then translate and localize your multilingual website to engage your target audiences. If you need SEO translations, we can help you with those too.
Our team is a specialist in English-to-Polish translation, localization, and subtitling. We can help your company enter the Polish marketplace with engaging website content tailored to your brand's tone of voice.
Do you want to develop your business in Poland and have a website that needs translating? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how we can translate your text for the Polish market.
Over the years, we have translated subtitles for a variety of TV and media companies, including Netflix and the BBC. When it comes to translating subtitles for videos and movies, you need a specialist audiovisual translator. So, what exactly is audiovisual translation?
Put simply, audiovisual stands for sound and image, and covers videos and films for entertainment and corporate purposes, TV series and documentaries. It can also apply to educational or training materials, multimedia presentations and e-learning platforms.
Businesses are increasingly using audiovisual as a key part of their marketing collateral on their website and social media channels. This includes product demos, support or explainer videos, tutorials, webinars, interviews and customer testimonial videos. On social media, subtitles are very important, as many people switch off the sound when watching videos.
80% increase in the view-through rate when subtitles are applied to videos. (Tubular Insights)
There are many important factors to consider when it comes to audiovisual translation. Translating dialogue for a film, for example, needs to ensure viewers of different languages understand the nuances and can easily follow the plot. Linguistic correctness is essential for ensuring viewers from different countries can equally enjoy the film they are all watching.
When it comes to film and TV subtitles, the text has to be localized and adapted to suit the culture of the viewers’ country. The sound may still play the original actors’ or presenters’ voices, so the subtitling must not distract the viewer. Special attention has to be paid to the length, spacing and timing to ensure a seamless flow of understandable words on screen.
If you are a business, using subtitles can help you build trust in your brand because it will make your audiovisual more accessible for target customers in different countries. When people can understand your videos, this will boost engagement on your online platforms. Consider subtitling videos on your website, social media, apps and online stores.
Below are some important factors to consider when you are translating any type of audiovisual medium.
The key to successful subtitle translation for video, TV or film is quality assurance. A professional translator for subtitles will use sophisticated software to translate the audiovisual, but they will also localize the subtitles. They will also perform grammar and spelling checks to ensure the subtitling is linguistically correct and accurate.
Lang Bay has worked with some of the largest entertainment companies in the world, providing audiovisual subtitles and also voiceovers. We specialize in English-to-Polish translation, and we are localization experts. Our team can translate your movie, TV series and corporate videos to engage your intended audience.
Do you need subtitles translating for a video, movie or TV? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how we can translate your subtitles from English to Polish.
Using the right brand tone of voice for your translated marketing is essential for maintaining your brand reputation on the global stage. But why is using tone of voice in translation so important?
Investing in your brand tone of voice from a translation perspective will help you attract new customers in new markets. This involves curating your branding in a way that ensures you can achieve your marketing objectives, as well as maintaining your brand reputation.
A brand tone of voice is a set of principles used to convey your brand to your customers or an audience. It's often considered one of the most critical elements of a company's marketing communications. It's the way your company “speaks” both internally and externally.
One way of thinking about a brand tone of voice is to consider its personality. Just like human beings, brands have personalities. And just like human beings, every brand is different. So, think about describing your brand’s tone of voice like you would describe somebody's personality. How would you like your business to appear to your customers?
You might want your brand to appear professional yet friendly, for example, or caring and trustworthy. You might want your business to appear fun but not silly, or informal but authoritative. These are all tone of voice attributes and will affect the types of wording you use in your communications. It’s helpful to create tone of voice guidelines you can stick to.
When you are thinking of launching a business in a new country, it’s essential that your brand tone of voice translates correctly to the new target market.
Your brand tone of voice is an important tool to help distinguish your brand from any competitors. But a brand identity can easily be lost in translation. So, it’s important to use a translator who knows how to stick to the right tone of voice.
One mistake many businesses make is assuming that because their brand tone of voice is well received in their home country, it will work in the same way in a new target market. This is not always the case due to different language nuances and dialects. Your brand tone of voice might not translate in the way that you intend.
Sometimes businesses overlook certain phrasing, which might be perceived negatively, culturally insensitive or even offensive in other languages. If the tone of voice hasn't been translated effectively to the new target market, your brand's reputation could be seriously damaged. It’s advisable to avoid using any slang words or colloquialisms that could be misinterpreted, and also avoid using long-winded explanations. Keep wording concise.
So, if you want to maintain your brand reputation and reach global audiences, ensure you have effective translation of your brand’s tone of voice.
A professional translator experienced in tone of voice looks at ways to bring your brand personality to life so it appeals to your desired target market. This means using references that people understand such as cultural nuances. They would avoid using wording that might be perceived as offensive to that local market. This would include any text that might appear sexist, inappropriate or insensitive in the target market’s language.
Lang Bay knows the importance of retaining a brand's tone of voice. Our professional translator can translate your marketing and any text required from English-to-Polish. As your localization expert, your text will include cultural nuances relevant to your target market.
Unsure how to translate your marketing content, while keeping your brand tone of voice intact? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how you can convey and retain your brand identity on the global stage.
Marketing translations require different types of extra skills such as creativity, research and an in-depth knowledge of marketing channels. So, why are marketing translations important for your business? Effective translation of your marketing will ensure your campaigns are engaging and persuasive, resulting in more customers and more sales.
A marketing translator pays greater attention when translating marketing text to avoid any misinterpretations. Their services go beyond standard translation, which focuses mainly on grammar and style. A professional marketing translator will understand the context and culture of the target market, as well as how to translate text into different marketing channels. They will customise your marketing, so it’s relevant to the market being targeted.
There have been numerous marketing translation blunders over the years, which have cost companies millions. Financial corporation, HSBC, used the slogan “Assume Nothing” as a way of promoting security and transparency. But when translated into different languages, the meaning changed to “Do Nothing” which negatively implied that their financial managers do not take action. So, it’s important to get it right when it comes to marketing translation.
Marketing translation is the process of adapting marketing content from one language to another to ensure it resonates with the target market. The translated marketing should also reflect the brand’s tone of voice for consistency.
When done correctly, your translated marketing will increase your brand awareness so you can reach a wider audience. You will also minimize any risk of misinterpretation, removing the need for support costs to resolve any issues. You can also boost your website’s online search ranking (SEO).
When it comes to marketing translation, people often confuse translation, transcreation and localization. So, what are the differences?
Marketing translation involves the adaption of any type of marketing text from one language into another. Usually, minimal changes are made to the original text or the structure to ensure the text still fits with the original style and objectives.
Transcreation is important for when you are working on any type of marketing materials or a campaign, especially slogans and social media content. Also known as ‘adaptive’ or ‘creative’ translation, this usually requires significant changes being made to both the wording and the structure.
Localization can be applied to all types of marketing. This is the process of adapting text to suit a target market, using cultural references and nuances. Although the marketing message might remain the same, there could be cultural changes to suit the target audience. This ensures the message is not misinterpreted in any way.
An example of when a global company failed to localize their marketing is KFC, the fast-food chicken chain. When they were looking to expand into Beijing back in the 80s, their slogan “Finger Lickin’ Good” did not translate well into Chinese. When translated, this slogan changed to “Eat Your Fingers Off”.
Adding more insult to injury, KFC failed to do any research of the local market, and further discovered that their slogan would not have worked anyway. Market research showed the Chinese do not lick their fingers as a way of showing whether food is tasty. So, even if the slogan had been translated correctly, the meaning wouldn't have achieved the desired result. Cases like this show the importance of using localization to market products.
Marketing translations can help you reach millions of new customers, especially in prosperous countries like Poland with growing economies. As marketing translations require creative, research-based skills and knowledge, it’s important to use an expert in marketing translation. They will ensure the brand tone of voice is consistent across every channel.
At Lang Bay, we know the importance of professional marketing translations, and our team can translate English-to-Polish and Ukrainian. We are also localization experts, which means we will use culturally relevant references and nuances to suit your target market.
Do you need professional marketing translation? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how we can translate your marketing materials and campaigns.
Overseas expansion can be very lucrative for a wide range of commercial enterprises. If your business is expanding internationally, it’s important to avoid making costly mistakes.
An international business strategy will require significant due diligence if you want to position your brand effectively on the international stage. You will need a thorough and strategic understanding of the people, culture and economic dynamics of the country you wish to trade in.
Research is the foundation of any business expansion. Companies fail in their expansion plans when they have not carried out enough market research. Often, they haven’t qualified whether customers are likely to buy from them or considered short and long-term trends. There are different ways to test out the viability of a new marketplace. Carry out a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the country’s market.
Different countries trade in different ways. In-depth market research can also be carried out, and this could include social advertising and surveys. These should be translated and localized in the customer’s language, reflecting cultural nuances for better engagement.
Put simply, your products and services need to appeal to the customers in the country you wish to expand in. This is where market research will pay dividends in the long run. Businesses need to understand the culture of the country, along with any social-political influences which could affect future trade. Never make assumptions about what will sell before you have tested the marketplace; you will have to try different offers to get it right.
Why should people in the new country buy from you? What makes you different to other international competitors? What needs do you fulfil, or problems do you solve for the people in your chosen country? These questions will help you create a suitable offer for customers when you start international business.
Every country has its own set of rules and procedures when it comes to tax and the legal requirements for trading. Overlooking specific issues or areas relating to how a company needs to be run in a certain country could prove disastrous later. When you expanding internationally you will need to understand whether there are any applicable trading and pricing regulations.
Research the business structures allowed in the country you wish to trade in. There could be certain tax exemptions or liabilities for foreign investors. Understanding the attitude towards foreign investment is key because this could hinder further foreign expansion..
Opening a bank account in the country you wish to trade in will enable you to receive and move money more easily. Otherwise, your business could face costly international transactions and bank fees. It’s worth getting a full understanding of common payment methods for the country, as this will affect your choice of card merchant and their fees.
If you don’t open a bank account in your chosen country of trade, you will need to know the rules on cross-border transactions. There is a risk your company might have to face hefty tax liabilities, which could impact your profit margins.
Don’t expect potential customers in your new country of expansion to engage with English marketing. If you want to promote your business in Poland, for example, you will need to translate mobile apps and website content into Polish. To take this a stage further, one big mistake is when companies fail to localize the content to their intended audience.
Localization enables your marketing content to connect with your audience. A localized product or service will include relevant metaphors, images, slang, and other small details that allow you to make a big impression. You can test language out in focus groups.
Lang Bay can help you expand in foreign expansion with professional translations. I produce English-to-Polish translation, localization and subtitling, working with businesses worldwide. Effective translation will help you position your brand to the Polish marketplace. With my help, you can successfully expand your business in Poland, the largest Central European country.
Want to develop your business in Poland? I will help your company enter the Polish market with engaging content tailored to your brand’s tone of voice. Get in touch.
If you have ever tried to translate text for your website content, you will see why professional translation is essential. So, how can SEO translations help you in your marketing? Search engine optimization (SEO) involves many different elements, from having a well-coded website on a fast hosting platform to linking with relevant external websites. It also includes the practice of using keywords that reflect real search phrases people are using online.
SEO translation helps your website to rank highly in the search engine listing for certain keywords in multiple languages. The aim is to make your website more visible and to drive people to your website. Increasing your website visibility will increase the number of potential customers visiting your website, generating more leads to help boost your sales.
SEO works best when you use keywords that relate to the people living in and searching online within a specific geographic region. When a translator specializing in website content translates your text, they will interpret the required keywords accurately and add these in.
If a UK-based company wanted to sell bathroom taps, for example, they might optimize a webpage for the key phrase “how to replace a tap”. Despite being an English-speaking country, in the USA people are more likely to search for the phrase “how to replace a faucet”. Further problems occur when keywords are translated into different languages, due to grammar differences. A translated keyword may no longer reflect the original keyword.
The aim is to use relevant keywords that relate to the people where the marketing is being targeted. If the translated keywords are not relevant to the people in the destination country, the SEO won’t work. A straight translation of text may also lack the right meaning, which can sometimes result in a different sense altogether!
Creating a translation that takes SEO into account is not an easy task, as keywords from one market do not translate 1:1 to the other market. Therefore, it’s also important to carry out keyword research in every destination language.
If you want your translated website to rank well in terms of SEO, you will need to research suitable keywords that reflect the search patterns of the destination country. You will also need to check which search engines, such as Google and Bing, are more popular in that particular country. There may also be small differences in the approach to optimization.
Remember, an SEO strategy in company blog might work well in one area or country, but not so well in another. So, your translation will need to be edited in line with your SEO strategy. If you want to rank higher on Google, for example, you need to include keywords in the URL, SEO Title and Headings on a webpage.
Another important factor is the readability and correctness of the text. Most SEO website plugins check how well the content reads and give it a score. If the wording is easy to read, this improves the webpage and will affect the SEO rating. It is always important to use a human to review the final text, as SEO plugins can affect the quality of the wording.
Acquiring new and relevant weblinks is also useful for improving your domain authority. A website targeting a Polish audience would benefit from being linked to other relevant and trusted Polish websites.
Website localization is connected to SEO translation but focuses more on creating an enhanced user experience on your website. Localized website content would reflect details relevant to the user, such as currency, measurements, images and language nuances.
When you are choosing which phrases to weave into your website text, a full understanding of every language to be used on your website is crucial. It’s always better to choose a translator who knows SEO rules rather than trying to correct the text yourself. Ideally, your translator would take care of the SEO at the same time as translating your text.
Lang Bay provides professional English-to-Polish SEO translations. I can translate and localize your website to attract Polish customers. With my translation services, I will help your e-commerce business succeed in Poland with accurate and engaging website content.
Are you looking for a translator who will ensure your website content is SEO-friendly and matches your brand tone of voice? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how I can help you with SEO translations.
If you’re looking for Polish translation, you might be asking whether it is better to choose a freelance translator or an agency. There are pros and cons for both, although for most businesses, a freelancer is much more likely to work as part of your extended team.
There are important reasons why you should take your time to choose the right translation solution. You will need to consider accuracy, confidentiality, communication, quality, and whether you would prefer a more personalized level of service. You will also need to make sure the person translating your text fully understands your industry or any specialist areas. If you want to avoid machine translation mistakes, you need a human to proofread your text.
The choice between a freelance translator and a translation agency for Polish translations depends on your specific needs and situation. There are some instances when a translation agency might be a more suitable choice, although there will always be clear disadvantages.
Firstly, you will be paying a higher rate to cover the agency’s overheads, and they might be paying for freelancers anyway! But if you have a large volume of materials that need translating at short notice, an agency is likely to have more staff to take on the workload.
Depending on the agency, however, there’s a risk they could just churn out the translation at speed without taking the time to check the output. As you’re unlikely to have direct contact with the translator, there’s a greater risk of errors and poorer accuracy.
Your translation experience could be impersonal because you’re unlikely to work with the same translator twice. The lack of personal contact means that meaningful discussions about phrasing do not happen, resulting in no brand consistency and possible repeated errors.
An agency team might cover a range of different specialisms. They are likely to have a large client base, resulting in more experience writing for certain industries. The team could also have greater capacity to work across different time zones if this is relevant to your business.
If you need translations in multiple languages, an agency might have a team of multilingual translators. Also, translation agencies often have the capability for localization services. Not all freelance translators are trained in localization, so you would need to carefully check someone’s credentials.
Freelancers are cheaper than agencies because they have fewer or zero overheads. A dedicated freelance translator, who specialises in Polish to English, will stay with you for the entire duration of your project. Freelance translators can often work quickly and flexibly if you give them enough notice, so you can still enjoy a fast turnaround. You will have direct contact with the person translating your text, who will be on hand to answer any queries.
As you will have direct contact with the freelance translator, miscommunications are less likely to occur. This means there are fewer errors and better consistency when it comes to phrasing, style and tone of voice.
Working with a freelance translator is often a better option if you need specialized expertise on a particular subject area. Whether you need website translation, business translations or another type of translation, you choose your specialist.
Freelancers use specialist CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) software, which can create translation memories. These translation tools remember any specialist or brand phrasing. Over time and through regular work, costs for translation will become cheaper because your freelancer will save specialized phrasing. Using one regular Polish translation freelancer instead of an agency will always ensure that your brand voice stays consistent and on point.
To conclude, your choice of translator will depend on whether you want direct contact, closer collaboration and a flexible or specialist service to suit your needs. If you decide to opt for an agency because you prefer a fast turnaround, remember that you’re unlikely to know who will translate your text. If you want flexibility and individually adjusted content to suit your brand, this is often more difficult to achieve with an agency. Freelancers work to your brief.
Looking for highly flexible Polish translation that will reflect the tone of voice for your brand and align culturally? Email info@langbay.eu to find out how I can support your project.
Polish is within the Indo-European family of languages, and although primarily used in Poland, it’s also spoken in 10 countries worldwide. So, with 39.7 million speakers worldwide, translating your website into Polish could transform your business profitability.
“Seventy-five per cent of respondents say that they are more likely to purchase from the same brand again if customer care is in their language.”
CSA Research Survey
We look at seven benefits of English-Polish website translation
Our number one reason for translating your website into Polish! Put simply, the more languages you can use to communicate to your customers, the more customers you will be able to reach. If you are a company in the UK or USA, why limit your customer base to English-speaking customers? If you don't provide a Polish language version, with Polish communities across the world, and a burgeoning economy in Poland itself, you could be missing out on sales.
When you have reached those new customers, you will want them to enjoy using your website. Known as “user experience” or “UX” for short, this is how people feel when they use your website, from page loading speed to the words on each page.
How easy is it for people to navigate your website? Text on translated websites enables people to find what they need when they visit your website quickly.
Localised website content will also help you improve your website’s user experience. Polish localisation is where the translated text includes culturally relevant wording that appeals to Poles. Creating a strong connection with your website users is important to encourage them to become loyal repeat customers. So, ensure your content is relevant and resonates with people; they are much more likely to buy from you.
Depending on the nature of your business and what you sell, you may need to comply with local regulations. Certain industries and markets are required by law to have localised content, or you could face legal penalties, such as fines. Ensure that your website privacy and data policies are translated to stay compliant with international regulations.
SEO stands for “search engine optimisation”, and this technique enables your website to be found online by the right customers. Keyword research is necessary to match real search terms used by Poles. Polish SEO translation and localisation will make it easier to find your website. Translate meta descriptions into Polish to act as adverts on a search engine listing. Boost your SEO ranking with Polish page titles.
From a branding perspective, the more people identify with your company across the world, the stronger your brand identity will be. Creating high-quality content in Polish by translating your website will help you build trust in your brand with this community. Some market research studies have found that customers are much more likely to buy an expensive item translated into their own language rather than a cheaper item in another language.
How many of your competitors have translated their websites into Polish? By entering a new language marketplace, you can stay one step ahead by translating your site. If you are competing with businesses that are already using translation to reach other markets, then it is important to do the same. Otherwise, you could lose your market position. Read our blog, 27 million potential customers are waiting for you to open your store in Poland.
If your site has not been translated into Polish, your business could be losing out on vital sales. Don’t ignore this important market. Translate your website from English into Polish to grow your customer base. And if you are a Polish company, talk to us about translating your website into English. We're here to help you take your business to a global marketplace.
For more insights and demographics on Polish customers, please read our previous blog, Translating your online shop to Polish.
Communicate to Poles across the world and increase your sales by using an experienced translator - get in touch today.
Sources:
https://toppandigital.com/translation-services/website-translation/polish/
https://localizejs.com/articles/10-great-reasons-to-translate-your-website/
This article aims at foreigners who want to start a business in Poland and are looking for step-by-step instructions on how to do it.
If you already run a business abroad, you can set up a branch or a representative office in Poland (see biznes.gov.pl for details on how to do this).
To run a business in Poland under the same principles applicable to Polish entrepreneurs, you need to be a citizen of a Member State of the European Union (or of the European Economic Area) or hold a special permit (e.g. permanent or temporary residence permit, refugee status, or a valid Polish Card).
You may choose from various legal forms when you decide to establish a business in Poland. Each of them offers different possibilities and imposes multiple obligations. The two primary forms of business activities in Poland are as follows:
Some activities are subject to additional requirements. For example, if you want to act in Poland as an insurance agent or a broker, you must notify the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego, KNF). Residents of non-EU countries need an additional permit to establish a company in Poland. If you want to sell excise goods in Poland, you need a tax representative's authorisation. To see if your business is subject to additional requirements, go to the PKD code browser [1]
The multitude of legal forms and the number of permits an entrepreneur must obtain from various authorities makes the process challenging to navigate. Consider using the services of a professional legal or accounting consultant who will help you avoid potential mistakes and choose the most suitable form of business and taxation.
Company registration is easy as long as you know which documents you need. You register as a sole proprietorship in the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity (CEIDG). Commercial companies need to be registered in the National Court Register.
If you have a Trusted Profile or a qualified electronic signature, you can submit your applications to KRS and CEIDG online. While the CEIDG platform offers an English version, registering in KRS requires knowledge of the Polish language.
To conduct and benefit from your business legally, you need a business identification number (REGON). Getting a company stamp to validate any future business documents is also a good idea. The REGON number is assigned automatically to every Polish company when it is registered in CEIDG or KRS
Let us not forget taxes! You must apply for a personal tax identification number (NIP) at the local tax authority that is competent for your business's registered office. When you register in CEIDG, the NIP number will be assigned to you automatically. Sole proprietors pay the Personal Income Tax (PIT), and companies pay the Corporate Income Tax (CIT). You will also need to choose the method of taxation.
If you have any doubts about paying taxes in Poland, you can contact the National Tax Information at the following telephone numbers:
Every entrepreneur needs to register the company with the Social Insurance Institution (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, ZUS) and pay obligatory health and social insurance premiums. In addition, you can choose to pay voluntary sickness insurance contributions.
The costs of setting up a company in Poland depend on the type of company. Entry into the Central Registration and Information on Business (CEIDG) is free of charge! The registration fee for entering the company into the National Court Register (KRS) is PLN 250. There is also a PLN 100 fee for a mandatory announcement in the Court and Economic Monitor (Monitor Sądowy i Gospodarczy). When registering a company, you must also pay the tax on civil law transactions (PCC). The tax base (0.5%) is the value of your share capital reduced by the fees paid to the KRS and the Court and Economic Monitor.
For more information on setting up and conducting business, please visit the official information and services website for entrepreneurs in Poland: https://www.biznes.gov.pl/en
Translating English documents into Polish is not the only service I offer – I provide comprehensive support services for entrepreneurs operating on the Polish market. Whether you need a document translated or a phone call made to the authorities on your behalf, I am the right person to do it. I am experienced enough to know the rules and tricks of the trade. Starting a business in Poland as a foreigner is a rather daunting experience. Fortunately, I know how to make it easier for you.
Read more about my services here >>
