Mistakes to avoid while hiring a translation agency
Most businesses are unsure of what to expect when hiring a translation or a language service provider for the first time. They also frequently downplay their contribution to the process, which can quickly cause misconceptions.
When linguists lack context or have incorrect material to work with, even the most accomplished translation company is susceptible to making mistakes. Fortunately, if you’re aware of the scenarios you can run into and know how to safeguard your business when employing a language service provider, you can easily prevent any faux pas.
To get what you want while working with an agency, having clear goals is important. You should request references and samples of prior work during the initial consultations. Request to explore a portfolio of translations from other languages, for example ask for quality Assamese translation services. Before establishing any cooperation or arrangement between the translation agency and yours, be certain the latter is aware of your needs.
Keep in mind that verbal agreements are not enforceable in court. Also, remember you have the right to a written contract from your agency that outlines both your obligations and theirs. Before signing it, kindly read it over carefully and request any modifications you deem necessary.
Not having a plan is another typical error businesses make when choosing a language service provider. You want to have a plan in place before you begin working with a group of linguists. Like, knowing the kind of content you want to translate, the target demographics, and the tactic to employ for your marketing campaign is all useful information for translators.
To design successful messages that can increase engagement, translators require context information as well as previous knowledge about your business. As a result, you must be clear about your brand voice, your audience, and their expectations. The processes of translation and localization are intricate. It involves a number of technical modifications as well as the participation of various linguistics and regional experts, depending on our sector and necessity.
Naturally, with so many individuals involved in the project, keeping track of spending is challenging. Therefore, it is essential to decide on a budget and share it with your translation service provider before the job begins.
Many businesses are unaware of the potential costs associated with the projects, for example, photographs need to be edited or video content needs to have a professional voice over. This is especially true when hiring for the first time. As a result, you should talk about this with your agency. A reputable translation company will allay your concerns and provide reliable information regarding the project’s specifications and associated costs. They will also assist you in determining the ideal option depending on your requirements and financial constraints.
One of those errors you may avoid with a quick phone call or email is not asking for references. When you’ve never dealt with a translation agency, it’s simple to be duped by “experts.” Because of this, it’s preferable if you inquire more than what is stated on their website and speak with a few of their prior customers who have undertaken comparable jobs.
A warning sign is a language service provider who is reluctant to disclose information about prior projects. Working with a startup that doesn’t yet have a client list is acceptable, but you should be aware of this from the beginning. Make sure to call the references if you’re not prepared to entrust your global expansion to just anyone with a website.
Find out from prior customers how the translation company handled their localization job and whether they would suggest the group to a friend. By doing so, you’ll be able to tell if the customers are happy with the service.
The final mistake on the list has to do with how you handle the language service provider’s relationship after you’ve hired them. Even if you lack the language or international business expertise, you are still the best person to understand your firm. Therefore, you should be involved in all decisions affecting your global presence. Assign employees from your firm to collaborate closely with the language service provider and monitor every step of the process.
Although you might not be fluent in all the target languages, you can assess the procedures that are designed to ensure high-quality translations. To ensure that your target audience receives the superior user experience they deserve, request tests before going live and reviewing the findings. LanguageNoBar is one of the leading translation agency in India and we believe in delivering high quality content to our customers. We provide translation in 150+ languages ensuring full transparency with the customers.