How to Grow Your Business with Translations

3 Minute Read

You may wonder how translating your content will help your business succeed.

Think of translation not as an end goal, but rather a means to increase your reach and revenue by connecting with foreign language audiences.

Both domestic and foreign multilingual markets offer opportunities for businesses to grow. Translation is the bridge to those opportunities.

Translations Can Increase Your Reach and Revenue in Your Local Market

Countries around the world are increasingly multilingual and the USA is no exception. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, almost half of residents in America’s largest cities speak a foreign language.

If you aren’t connecting with multilingual consumers, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table.

Some may argue that since many foreign language speakers also speak English, there isn’t a need for translation. However, a study highlighted in Harvard Business Review states that there is an undeniably strong link between in-language content and a consumer’s likelihood of making a purchase.

According to the study, 72.4% of consumers said they would be more likely to buy a product with information in their own language.

Translations Facilitate International Expansion and Improve Global Brand Awareness

Global internet use is accelerating and this means an increasingly non-native English speaking world economy. According to internet world stats, English only makes up 25% of the languages used on the web.

Translation isn’t only helpful to reach global audiences—when linguistically and culturally relevant it can have a positive impact on brand awareness and help your business to resonate with foreign target markets.

Translations Are Legally Required to Do Business in Some Countries

Sometimes translation isn’t an option but rather a requirement to do business.

In the USA, for example, virtually all health care providers must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the courts—including the U.S. Supreme Court—have interpreted Title VI to protect national-origin minorities with limited English proficiency (LEP). Therefore, health care providers receiving federal funding must ensure that they offer meaningful access to LEP patients.

Internationally, several governments mandate that for a product to be sold in their countries, its literature needs to be translated into the local language.

For example, Canada’s official languages are Canadian French and English and each region has varying language regulation per province. Businesses can be penalized if they don’t adhere to the laws of each region.

In Quebec, for example, the Charter Of The French Language outlines a list of product content that needs to be in French, including marketing collateral like catalogs and brochures. Software and product warranties must also be available in French.

Translations Allow You to Tap into the Global Workforce

Translation can empower businesses to expand their global workforce, giving them access to international talent pools and lower manufacturing costs.

The translation of HR material like contracts, employee handbooks and codes of conduct is essential to global business management.

Also, by translating internal communication, newsletters, and social media posts, global companies can maintain high employee engagement and a positive global organizational culture.

Translations Increase Global Participation and Enrollment

Global participation in research and development can enhance data and contribute to the success of new products.

For example, clinical research organizations (CROs) leverage translations to conduct both domestic and global trials and attract diverse participation.

Accurate representation of patient populations in clinical trials equates to a reduced risk of post-market unexpected adverse events.

The FDA also actively encourages more diversity in clinical trials.

Multilingual Audiences Offer New Opportunities

As online domestic and global markets become increasingly multilingual, there are more opportunities for businesses to grow.

Companies that understand the value of translations will use them to increase their revenue, enhance global brand awareness, and collaborate with diverse populations.