Website Translation: How to Choose the Languages to Prioritize

As globalization continues to expand, more and more businesses are recognizing the importance of translating their website content. Translating your website allows you to better reach global users, enhance brand influence, and increase market share. In this article, we will discuss how to prioritize the languages for website translation and explore the cost, technical, and market factors behind your decision.

1. Cost Considerations in Website Translation

The number of languages you choose to support directly impacts your translation costs. The more languages you select, the higher the cost. However, the cost per language is not uniform; it can vary depending on the availability of native translators and the complexity of the language. For instance, translation costs for languages like Arabic, Japanese, and Korean are usually higher due to the scarcity of professional translators for these languages. On the other hand, more widely spoken European languages, such as Spanish, French, and German, tend to be less expensive.

2. Technical Challenges and Preparations

When deciding which languages to support, it’s crucial to consider the technical implications. For example, Arabic and Hebrew are written from right to left, which means your website's design and layout will need adjustments to accommodate this. You'll also need to ensure that your content management system (CMS) can support these languages properly.

Moreover, to enhance SEO (Search Engine Optimization), it's recommended to set up a separate domain for each translated language. This helps improve search engine rankings and allows users to more easily access your localized content. Ensuring seamless technical integration across all language versions of your website is critical for success.

3. Market Research: Which Languages Are Right for You?

Before choosing which languages to prioritize, it's essential to research your target markets. Here are some key questions to guide your decision-making:

• Which countries are already visiting your website? Do they speak a different language? Use analytics tools (like Google Analytics) to check which countries your visitors are from and analyze their language needs.
• If visitors are not converting, why is that? For instance, if a specific group of visitors who speak a language your website doesn’t support are browsing your products extensively but not making any inquiries or purchases, it might be worth adding that language.
• Are you interested in entering new markets? Some rapidly growing markets, like Southeast Asia or Latin America, may still be underdeveloped and present good opportunities for expansion.
• What are your competitors doing? Observing your competitors' language strategies can provide valuable insights into what languages are gaining traction in global markets.

4. Size and Purchasing Power: Focusing on Real Market Potential

While it's true that more than half of the global population now has internet access, as estimated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the size of a country's internet user base doesn't necessarily correlate with its purchasing power.

When it comes to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the usual economic powerhouses dominate the top 10, including the US, China, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Brazil, Italy, India, and Russia. However, when considering purchasing power per capita, the picture changes. Smaller countries with high purchasing power, such as Qatar, Luxembourg, and Singapore, rank higher in terms of individual spending power.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks countries by their spending power per person (adjusted for cost of living and inflation). Countries like Qatar, Luxembourg, and Singapore dominate the top of the list, even though their populations are relatively small. These nations have high per capita income, making them attractive markets for certain types of products and services.

5. Key Statistics and Trends to Consider

• Growth of internet users: The number of internet users continues to rise globally, with emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America seeing the most significant growth in internet penetration.
• Language distribution: While English remains the most widely spoken language globally, languages like Spanish, Arabic, and French are also seeing significant demand across the globe. This trend is particularly strong in regions such as the US, Western Europe, and the Middle East.
• Purchasing power by region: Countries with high purchasing power, such as those in the Middle East, Northern Europe, and parts of Asia (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan), continue to be key markets. However, emerging economies like Brazil, India, and China still present strong potential due to their large consumer bases.

6. Conclusion: How to Make Informed Language Choices

When selecting the languages to prioritize for translation, it's essential to conduct thorough market research and consider various factors such as cost, technical challenges, and consumer behavior. Only by taking these elements into account will you be able to make the best decision for your business.

If you need professional advice or services for translating your website, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to assist you in expanding your global presence and reaching new markets.

◀️：Translation Technology: Our Top Three Trends for 2025

▶️：The Key Steps to Good Website Localisation