English is, according to many sources, the most spoken language in the world by both native and non-native speakers. That should put a smile on your face if you developed your website to cater to this massive group of people.
However, you might find it surprising that at least 70% of online consumers would rather browse content in their native language. Moreover, around 75% of online consumers prefer buying products bearing information in their native language.
With that said, multilingual web content has become an asset in which website owners are willing to invest. Still, how exactly would such a website unlock global audiences? Here is all you need to know about the power of multilingual web content.
How Multilingual Websites Unlock Global Audiences
With the world being a global village thanks to the internet, websites cater to audiences far and wide. However, some have a better reach than others using multilingual web content. Clearly, they are more valuable. Here are some reasons why:
Cultural Link
Each language is an important component of the culture of its native speakers. It is impossible to understand a group of people without understanding their language. A website with content in different languages enables every user to embrace varied cultures.
Sense of Belonging
Imagine stepping into a room where no one speaks your language. You will feel left out because while others interact, you have no way of communicating. Well, that is the feeling online visitors get when they visit a website that does not feature a language they understand. A multilingual website embraces different people, allowing them a sense of belonging.
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Benefits of Multilingual Website Content
As the internet grows, so does the conduct of business online. Clients now come from every corner of the globe, and it is crucial that they all feel seen and heard. As a result, web owners have embraced producing content in multiple languages, which has paid off in various ways.
Wide Customer Base
With customers being ready and willing to buy products simply because it is in their native language, your multilingual website will play a huge role in attracting more orders. Some studies show that at least 73% of customers prefer product reviews in their native language, so you can use this to your advantage.
SEO Standards
Suppose you are looking to implement international SEO (search engine optimization) strategies. In that case, the first thing to do is identify the languages and countries in which you need to grow your business. With multilingual website content, you will likely rank high in the countries you target. The higher your SERP rankings, the bigger your chances of potential customers visiting your site.
High Conversion Rates
Prospective customers browsing your site are likely to stay on the page as soon as they spot content in their native languages. The longer they browse, the more probable they are to find a service or product that sparks their interest and buy it.
Brand Loyalty
The moment users visit your site and see product information in their native language, you create a bond with them. They become aware of your brand, and the next time they want to shop online, they will automatically reach out to your site, thereby building brand loyalty.
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Hurdles to Jump When Creating Multilingual Web Content
There is no denying that a multilingual website will go a long way in boosting conversion rates and promoting significant sales. Unfortunately, to develop the ideal site, you are likely to face challenges, and here are some of them.
How to Translate
You might want to go for machine translation through plugins that automatically translate your content. Although this method is fast, you will not benefit from the poor quality and lack of accuracy of the content produced.
Human translation, on the other hand, may not be as fast as a machine translator, but you will be happy with the accurate results. Website translation services with a human touch can localize content to suit the target audience’s norms.
Which Languages to Include
There are over 7,000 languages in the world, and it is impossible to include all of them on your website. When selecting languages, consider your target market and the most spoken language by the target audience.
How Much to Spend
Translating web content involves some costs, whether you choose human or machine translators. All the same, remember that cheap can be expensive, especially when you pick automated tools over humans, due to the poor quality associated with machine translation.
Final Thoughts
You have the potential to unlock global audiences with multilingual web content. However, until you transform that prospect into reality, you will continue losing out on the benefits of multilingual websites.
Take charge of your website and revamp it to be the best it can be. Many customers hope to see a language they call their own, so start translating your web content and reap the much-deserved rewards.