3 Tips on Choosing a Translation Service for Your Business

The Internet has radically changed our world in a number of different ways. Not only is it easier to communicate with friends and family, but it has also revolutionized the way small businesses operate. Instead of having a brick-and-mortar store, you can have an online store and reach customers from around the world.

What do you do when you need to communicate with customers or clients who speak a different language, though? Hire a translation service, of course! Read on to learn all about choosing a translation service for your business!

1. Know Your Target Market

As with all things in business, it’s important to gather all the facts about your customers before you make any kind of decision about your business and its products and services. Currently, there are over 1,000 languages spoken throughout the world. That doesn’t mean that you need to be translating business documents into every language possible.

Think about your customer or client base and the languages they might speak. For example, businesses in Southern California might be interested in a translation service that helps them with popular languages in the area, like Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. Businesses in Vermont or upstate New York might want translation services in French because of their proximity to Quebec.

2. Freelance vs. Agencies

In general, there are three translation service options. The first is an automated translation service. This includes free apps like Google Translate where you input text and it spits out a translation. 

If you want something more precise and nuanced, then you’re going to want to hire a freelance translator or an agency. A freelancer is someone who doesn’t work for anyone in particular but offers their services to a number of different businesses. They are a great option if you need to hire a translator for a specific small project that needs to be done ASAP.

Translation agencies are the most reliable out of all the options. They have a host of professional translators that are up to date and experienced in document translation and much more. They’re super effective for large or long-term projects.

3. Ask for References

You wouldn’t hire an employee without asking for references. The same is true for translators!

When considering your options, don’t be afraid to ask for references or work samples. A good translator or agency should be more than willing to back up their claims with references.

Choosing a Translation Service Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult!

There are many decisions you’re going to have to make throughout your life as a business owner. Choosing a translation service is one of the most important decisions since you don’t want anything to get lost in translation on either side of the deal. Following these tips will have your business ready to work with international customers before you know it!

Owning a small business comes with lots of unexpected surprises. You’re bound to have a ton of questions as you get started. Check out the rest of our blog for all the tips you need for success!