Web Localization

Web Localization is the process of enabling a website to communicate and conduct e-business on a global basis. It involves translating your website's content, including all text and graphics, as well as designing you multilingual website to display menus, dialog boxes and error messages in various languages and allow for text expansion in the interface. Web Localization is required to derive the maximum benefit from your website as a global business tool or facilitator.

The process of Web Localization includes the following 12 steps:

  1. Localization Kit Review, Analysis and Preparation
  2. Project Kick Off Meeting
  3. Subject Matter Training and Research
  4. Glossary and Terminology Development
  5. Cultural Correctness Assessment
  6. Translation, Edit and Proofreading of User Interface and Documentation Content
  7. Localization Engineering
  8. Localization of all Graphics
  9. QA/Testing According to Client's Requirements
  10. Client Review and Approval
  11. Final QA
  12. Project Delivery

In order to analyze an English site to determine the Web Localization Requirements, you will need to gather the following information (This information is collectively referred to as a "Web Localization Kit".):

  1. Your current website(s) URL
  2. Summary of website architecture
  3. Summary of any technologies and/or development tools used to develop your website
  4. All files that make up your site in their original folder/file structure
  5. All original graphics used in your website (artwork, background, navigation buttons)
  6. All application source files (Word, FrameMaker, Quark, etc.) for any documentation available via your website
  7. All application source files (Flash, Director, Authorware, etc.) for any multimedia available via your website

With this information in hand, you or your localization services provider can determine the scope and costs of a Web Localization effort.