Any sized business can benefit from translation services if they are looking to branch overseas. On a very basic level, a company with experience in a foreign market will clearly know the language, local dialect and understand the culture. There are however, many more benefits to hiring a translation when you are trying to improve your overseas market.

When you are looking to trade overseas, there can be a massive advantage if you have someone working for you who knows the native language. Some companies may well believe that cultural differences and language differences don’t pose any issues or barriers. This could be true in the sense that business can always be done in some shape or form, regardless of language or culture.

But how effective the marketing strategy is, the project approach and the research will all be influenced by language and cultural barriers. Using a professional translation company as part of your strategy to ensure language and cultural differences are considered, will ensure you not only are able to be more successful overseas, but that you have an edge over competitors as well.

Here are just some of the reasons translation services will improve your overseas market:

Issues Can Present At Any Time

At any time, language and cultural barriers can occur. They might be an issue at the beginning of a project, in one business meeting, or they may be an issue for a complete marketing campaign. It is important to remember this, as a professional translation company can and will help you at any stage, and to any level that you want them to.

Interest May Come In Another Language

People enquiring about your services – customers, clients, sponsors – may do so in another language. A translation company can ensure you are able to understand and respond to these enquiries correctly.

Cultural Differences Might Negatively Affect Your Campaign

Your marketing campaign might make sense in terms of the language, but culturally it may not fit and so might be ineffective. Translation companies can provide you with cultural recommendations.

Product Orders Might Be Difficult To Process

Orders might be difficult to process because they are coming to you in a completely different language. A translation company would be able to translate orders for you effectively.

Invoices Might Not Be Dealt With

If a person doesn’t understand what you think is a clearly worded message, because of language or cultural differences, invoices or other directions may not be dealt with.

Aftercare Will Suffer

Aftercare is likely to suffer because of language or cultural differences creating potential misunderstandings. A translation company can ensure this does not happen.

Regardless of your experience doing business in a certain country, it is wise to enlist the help of professionals to ensure you give your overseas endeavour the best possible chance of succeeding.

It isn’t a good idea to completely forget or ignore the local cultural and language of your target customer. In fact, doing this could be extremely expensive and potentially embarrassing.

When looking for a translation company remember to:

• Look for specific expertise related to your project or plan – don’t just get a general translation company if the job isn’t general
• Do your research – look at lots of different companies and whittle them down to your top 3
• Have meetings with the company – don’t be afraid to sit down and discuss your needs with them before agreeing to anything
• Have a clear idea of what you need, but also keep an open mind to innovative strategies you may not have heard of – the best translation companies are both experienced and knowledgeable, and forward thinking

This article was written and provided by Josian Phillips from Brightlines Translation, offering a wide range of translation services, including website translation, audio and video translation, document translation and other project based work.