How to Translate a Website for Global Growth

Why Website Translation is Essential for Global Expansion  

A well-translated website allows businesses to connect with international audiences, increase revenue, and establish credibility in new markets. With 64% of websites publishing content in English, companies that invest in website translation gain a significant advantage by reaching non-English-speaking consumers more effectively.  

Beyond accessibility, translating a website helps improve search engine rankings, conversion rates, and customer engagement by offering a localized experience. But how can businesses translate a website efficiently while maintaining accuracy, SEO value, and cultural relevance? 

Which Website Pages Should You Translate First?

Not all pages require translation immediately. Prioritizing high-impact pages ensures a cost-effective and strategic approach. Focus on: 

• High-conversion pages: Landing pages, CTAs, case studies, and product descriptions. 

• SEO-driven content: Meta descriptions, keywords, and URLs to optimize search rankings. 

• Navigation & user experience elements: Forms, buttons, and signup pages to maintain usability. 

Analyzing website analytics can help determine which pages receive the most traffic and engagement, ensuring that translation efforts focus on the most valuable content first. 

What Are the Best Practices for Website Translation?

Human Translation: Accuracy and Cultural Sensitivity 
For businesses prioritizing high-quality translations, human translation remains the best option. Professional linguists understand industry-specific terminology and cultural nuances, ensuring that translations are not just accurate, but also resonate with local audiences. 

This method is ideal for marketing materials, legal documents, and highly specialized industries but can be more time-intensive and costly than automated solutions. 

Machine Translation: Fast and Scalable 
For companies managing large volumes of content, machine translation (MT) offers speed and efficiency. Tools like Google Translate and DeepL provide quick, automated translations, making them useful for internal documentation and non-customer-facing content. 

However, MT lacks contextual accuracy and may struggle with industry-specific language or nuanced phrasing. Businesses often use machine translation with human post-editing to refine content quality while maintaining efficiency. 

Hybrid Translation: Combining AI with Human Expertise 
The most efficient approach for scaling website translation is a hybrid model, where AI-powered translation is supplemented with human editing. 

This approach: 

• Reduces time and costs compared to full human translation. 

• Improves accuracy and cultural sensitivity compared to machine-only translation. 

• Ensures consistency across multiple languages and regions. 

This method is particularly beneficial for e-commerce sites, global enterprises, and businesses with ongoing content updates. 

Website Localization: Beyond Translation 

Translation alone is not always enough to create an engaging user experience for global audiences. Website localization involves adapting content, design, and functionality to match local cultural preferences. 

Key localization considerations include: 

• Currency, date formats, and measurement units tailored for each market. 
• Cultural adaptation of images, colors, and messaging to align with regional expectations. 
• Optimized navigation and user experience to accommodate different reading patterns (e.g., right-to-left languages). 

A localized website ensures that international visitors feel connected to the brand, leading to higher engagement and trust. 

Optimizing Website Translation for SEO 

A successful multilingual website also requires search engine optimization (SEO) for global visibility. Best practices include: 

• Using hreflang tags to indicate language and regional targeting to search engines. 
• Conducting region-specific keyword research to optimize translated content. 
• Creating localized URLs to improve search rankings in different languages. 
• Building international backlinks to strengthen domain authority across global markets. 

By implementing these strategies, businesses can increase organic traffic, improve user experience, and maximize conversions in international markets. 

Choosing the Right Website Translation Platform 

Selecting the right technology ensures that website translation is efficient, scalable, and accurate. 

Businesses should look for cloud-based translation software that offers: 

• CMS compatibility for seamless integration. 

• Translation memory to ensure consistency across pages. 

• Automated quality assurance tools to improve accuracy. 

TransPerfect’s GlobalLink Web provides API-based automation, CMS integrations, and advanced management tools to help businesses scale website translation effortlessly. 

How TransPerfect’s GlobalLink Helps Businesses Translate Websites 

As part of TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of translation technology and services, GlobalLink Web simplifies website translation by combining AI-powered automation with expert linguistic oversight. 

Key Features of GlobalLink Web: 

• CMS Integrations – Works seamlessly with WordPress, Shopify, and Adobe Experience Manager. 

• Hybrid AI + Human Translation – Balances speed, efficiency, and accuracy. 

• SEO Optimization – Ensures translated content ranks in global search results. 

• Translation Memory & Workflow Automation – Saves time and reduces costs. 

• Brand Management Tools – Maintains consistent messaging and terminology across languages. 

By leveraging cutting-edge translation and localization technology, GlobalLink Web allows businesses to expand globally without compromising content quality. 

Need Help Translating Your Website? 

With TransPerfect’s GlobalLink, businesses can scale website translation effortlessly, ensuring accuracy, cultural relevance, and SEO optimization.