Whether you’re a business owner trying to go mobile, an app developer or a marketer, one of your primary objectives should be increasing the exposure and visibility of your application. An increase in your apps’ number of monthly active users will naturally lead to a boost in revenue, and profitability is the ultimate goal here.

For an application to reach its maximum potential, it should have the capabilities demanded to serve users from different regions. As great as the functions and characteristics of your app might currently be if the app is not designed for a global market, achieving the level of success you are targeting won’t be possible.

Mobile app development should be followed by app localization. This process will allow you to extend your reach to international markets and attract more users from different countries and with different preferences. Increasing sales, boosting the number of downloads, exceeding competition – app localization comes with a variety of appealing benefits.

Because you need to take several important steps here, familiarizing yourself with the topic is critical. Here’s how you can handle this project successfully:

Understanding the concept – what exactly is mobile app localization?

First things first, you need to obtain a full understanding of what mobile app localization actually means.

What does this concept stand for?

To put it in simpler words, app localization refers to the process of customizing an application to properly function in other languages than your default choice. Localization can also imply dialects or variations of the same language, known as locales. An example here would be English variations for Canada, the UK, and the United States.

Application internalization

Without extensive knowledge on the subject, you could end up confusing localization with internalization. These two processes depend on one another but aren’t the same time.

Mobile app internalization is the process of customizing your code for localization – preparing it to be modified, and after, releasing it in other languages.

Before you can begin your localization approach, you need to handle internalization. Your application should already have the capacity to handle content localization before you actually start creating that content.

So, the first step is preparing your code and taking care of app internalization.

Choose target markets

One of the first and probably most important decisions is choosing target markets.

In which languages will you customize your content?

Through app localization, you can reach out to all international markets, but that doesn’t mean you should actually do that. Expanding just anywhere isn’t always advantageous, involving money and time you may not afford to waste.

Market research is demanded here. Find out which countries or regions come with a promising status, where it makes sense to expand. Based on the data you gather through your research, you can then decide on the language or locales to use in your customization process.

Think about the specifics of your app, its features and the users who might take an interest in it – some countries might have a higher demand for certain apps than others.

Check app reviews and analytics

Because going in one direction or another with the expansion of your app’s reach means doing research, you should use app reviews and analytics to your advantage. If you have released the application already and have an established base of users, you can use your app’s analytics to figure out where most of your users are actually coming from. Once you figure out the countries where most downloads are generated, you can cater to that group of users further through localization.

Going over app reviews is also useful here. Discover what users from different demographics have to say about features and functions.

What do they like and what needs improvement?

If more users from the same country have left positive feedback, it means you should expand the capacity of your app in that region.

Research competition

Analyze the development and global growth of apps with the same profile, or with similar characteristics.

What are your competitors doing?

See what international markets they have accessed (use statistics for that), and explore in-depth the countries where they are currently most successful. The answers obtained here can provide you with the direction needed.

Incremental growth

Each new international market you will extend to will demand a financial investment from your part. Because the costs involved might exceed your budget, it’s safer to focus on one version at a time.

Incremental growth will make your localization more successful.

It will give you the possibility to master each language or locale instead of compromising on localization efficiency just because you’ve headed towards too many directions.

Be thorough with translations

Next comes the step where you actually start working on your content. Successful and reliable localization isn’t something you can achieve just by using google translate. Collaborating with professional translators will help you obtain the outcomes targeted.

Note: Put together brand-specific style guides and glossaries, so the translators can maintain the same tone of voice and app personality across all languages used.

Be thorough with translations, search for services that actually rise up to high-quality standards. As suggested by PickWriters, regardless if you’re seeking Vietnamese translation services, Chinese translations or professional translators for other languages, review their work before handing out this project to a particular translator.

Besides your app-related texts, translate your marketing materials as well. App name, app description, audio files and any other element related to digital marketing should be localized as well.

Keep in mind cultural nuances as well.

Go over app store content

Even with your app customized for international markets, if your app store content isn’t updated, you could end up losing users. An app store is where people will interact with your application for the first time, so the content found here should be appropriate for that specific market.

Include the customization of the following app store content elements: text, app previews, keywords, videos, screenshots, in-app purchases.

Test before and after launch

Just as you would test an online platform an after extensive website designing project, implement the same approach when you are launching a localized app version. This will allow you to find potential errors in presentation, formatting, and text. Choose a variety of commonly used devices.

Based on the results obtained from your first test, update the application. Release a beta version and make it available to a small target group. See what feedback you receive, make further adjustments if necessary and proceed with the official launch.

Keep a close tab on download stats and post-launch ratings. Some issues could appear, so address the problems that are affecting the users.

Market the app internationally

With your asp ready to be used in other countries, spread the word out. Implement a localized marketing campaign. Use the materials and resources you believe will work for an exposure boost. Increase your app’s discoverability by attaching a download button to your website, and use SEO techniques to increase your visibility in search engines.

Final thoughts

App localization can help you reach global popularity. Follow each important step to handle the entire process in a resourceful and productive manner. With your application available in countries where interested users exist, your application can become an international success.