Do you run an eCommerce business? Imagine expanding your business across the globe with people accessing your online store to buy products. With Shopify localisation, you can turn this imagination into reality.
Online stores or eCommerce websites have provided businesses with the opportunity to stop worrying about geographical borders and connect with potential customers across the globe. There are more than 2 million businesses using Shopify, but not every business is able to penetrate into new markets.
One of the reasons why businesses fail to expand their reach is the language barrier. The language barrier becomes even more challenging when it comes to linguistically diverse countries like India where 57% of Internet users in urban areas prefer accessing the internet in Indian languages. But there’s a silver bullet – Shopify translation and localisation.
If you’re wondering what Shopify store localisation is and how to implement it effectively, then this guide is for you. This guide aims to provide you with the steps to follow for successful and effective Shopify localisation, and how it can benefit your business.
What is Shopify Store Localisation
Shopify localisation is a comprehensive process involving adapting your website’s various elements to align with the cultural and linguistic preferences of your target audiences. These website elements mainly include:
- User interface
- Design
- Date formats
- Images and videos
- Content
- Product descriptions
- Web pages
- Blogs
- Functionality
- Payment methods
- Shipping options
While translation is a part of the localisation process, localisation is different from translation. It customises your website or eCommerce store so that it resonates with your audience, making them feel valued and understood.
You can think of it as if you’re inviting people from all over the country to your website. Shopify language translation
Strategic Steps to Effective Shopify Localisation
There are several key steps involved when it comes to localising your Shopify website:
Step 1. Laying the Groundwork
The first step in localising is laying the groundwork for localisation, which primarily includes conducting market research and selecting the right tools.
- Market Research: Conducting thorough market research can help you understand the potential of the market in your specific targeted region or country. The research may involve identifying the language preferences of your target audiences, their cultural nuances, and shopping preferences. By getting familiar with what your target market demands, you can keep your efforts aligned with them.
- Select the Right Tools: Shopify translation and localisation can often be a complicated process, but with the right tools, you can simplify the entire process. Solutions like Reverie’s Anuvadak, which is a localisation and translation management platform that supports efficient translation workflows.
Let’s take the example of Netflix entering the Indian market. They played it very smart by going beyond mere translation of their existing content. Instead, they invested in extensive research and created original content that was region-specific.
Step 2. Translate Your Content
Shopify language translation
- Machine Translation: Machine translations are automated, fast, and cost-effective, however, they may lack cultural and linguistic nuances. Hence, it can be a good option for initial drafts of your content.
- Human Translation: Human translations are done by professional translators, hence, it provides you with high-quality and culturally relevant translations. However, human translations can be more time-consuming.
- Hybrid Translation: This approach combines the efficiency of machine translation with the supervision of the human translator, resulting in cost-effective and accurate translations.
Step 3. Adapt Visuals and UX Design
While Shopify language translation
What might have worked for a particular region might not work for another. You don’t always have to create new visuals for different markets but to stay mindful of cultural sensitivities. Here are a few aspects to consider:
- Cultural Appropriation: Focus on ensuring that none of the images on the website depicts any gesture or symbol that might be offensive in certain cultures.
- Seasonal Relevance: Consider adjusting the imagery to reflect local festivities and holidays.
Step 4. Optimise for Local SEO
After translating the website’s content and adapting its visuals, the next step is optimising your store for local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). It starts with focusing on keyword research and finding out which keywords work the best for local search behaviours.
- Keyword Research: To ensure your localised website is visible on search engines, start by identifying keywords that are relevant to local search behaviours.
- Leverage Shopify’s Features: Using Shopify’s features, you can create localised URL structures and implement hreflang tags to enhance your search engine visibility.
- Content Optimisation: Make sure your content reflects cultural nuances by adding region-specific terms, phrases, and cultural references.
Step 5. Launch and Monitor
After you have launched your localised website, the next step in the Shopify localisation process is to monitor the performance of your website continuously.
- Monitor Performance: You can leverage analytics tools to track user behaviour, conversions, and other metrics in a region.
- Gather Feedback: Collect feedback from your customers through reviews to refine your approach.
Benefits of Shopify Localisation
- Better Market Reach: Shopify store localisation helps you reach new customer bases and expand your market reach.
- Improved User Experience: Offering a tailored and seamless shopping experience to your local customers increases their satisfaction.
- Increased Trust: Adding culturally relevant content to your Shopify store helps build trust with your local customers.
- Enhanced SEO Performance: Shopify language translation
and localised keywords and hreflang tags help in improving search engine rankings. - Increased Revenue: Localised checkout process and payment options lower cart abandonment rates and increase conversion.
Your Localised Journey Begins Now
Shopify localisation helps you expand your business into the markets that were once out of reach. From translating your content to optimising the checkout experience, each step makes your website more trustworthy and relevant to your users. Tools like Reverie’s Anuvadak make the entire Shopify language translation
Faqs
How does Shopify support localisation?
Shopify offers various features to facilitate localisation, including:
- Multi-language support
- Localised URLs
- Integration with translation tools
Why is local SEO important for Shopify localisation?
Local SEO helps your store rank higher in search results for specific regions, increasing visibility and driving traffic from target audiences.
What role does Anuvadak play in localization?
Anuvadak simplifies website localization with robust translation management, allowing businesses to efficiently adapt their Shopify stores for various markets.
How can I ensure my checkout process is user-friendly for all regions?
Here are a few things you can do:
- Enable region-specific payment options
- Use local currencies
- Minimize checkout steps to enhance user experience
- Reduce cart abandonment.
Do I need to localize all aspects of my store at once?
Not necessarily. You can prioritize critical components like language translation and payment options first. Gradually, you can localize other elements based on customer feedback and market demand.
