Maximising Market Penetration with Ecommerce Website Translation
The Internet penetration in India is at an all-time high, with more than 820 million people actively using the Internet. This increase in internet penetration opened up several opportunities for online businesses, leading to the growth of e-commerce in India.
Most SMEs are now online and many have even ventured into launching their own online store. It’s safe to say that the future of e-commerce is bright with reports suggesting that the Indian e-commerce market is set to grow to $292.3 billion by 2028. The same reports show that the e-commerce platforms in India grew to a GMV of $123 billion in fiscal year 2023. However, to ensure that your e-commerce business is able to tap into this huge market, you need to ensure that your website is accessible to your target audience and your business connects with them effectively.
Reaching out to your audience in their local language can be a game-changer for your business. The majority of Internet users in India prefer consuming content in their native language, and they are more likely to buy from a website that offers information in their preferred language. This is where ecommerce website translation comes into the picture. By offering local-language experiences on your e-commerce store, you can make your products accessible to a much larger audience, build trust, and dramatically grow your business. In this blog, we’ll learn how translating your ecommerce website can be beneficial for your business.
What does website translation mean?
Website translation is the process of converting your website’s content from one language to another. Unlike a simple word-for-word translation, effective ecommerce website translation requires cultural adaptation, local nuance, and attention to context. For instance, consider how KFC’s tagline “Finger Lickin’ Good” was once mistranslated into Chinese as “Eat Your Fingers Off,” which clearly failed to capture the brand’s original intent and appeal. A direct translation can lose its impact—or worse, become misleading—if it doesn’t address local references, expressions, and traditions. By focusing on culturally relevant language, your brand can better resonate with a diverse audience.
Properly translated websites enhance user experiences, improve brand credibility, and encourage meaningful engagement. If your brand aims to connect with India’s diverse audience across multiple linguistic regions, investing in ecommerce website translation services can help you stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
How does ecommerce website translation benefit your business?
nvesting in ecommerce website translation can be a smart move for your business, as it allows you to:
- Tap into regional markets, where customers prefer engaging in their native languages
- Establish trust and credibility among diverse demographics
- Gain a competitive edge in a growing e-commerce market
Here are a few ways that ecommerce website translation can benefit your business:
1. Impact a wider audience
Imagine a small-town entrepreneur in India who initially set up their online store only in English. They quickly noticed that many potential customers, although familiar with English, still felt more comfortable shopping in their native language. This experience isn’t unique to this small-town entrepreneur. While about 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide, in India, more than 70% of the Internet population prefers Indic languages. Translating your e-commerce site into key Indian languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, or Marathi can therefore help you connect with millions of untapped customers. Not only will this broaden your reach, but it also elevates user confidence, paving the way for higher conversion rates, repeat visits, and ultimately, a substantial boost in sales.
2. Achieve higher search engine rankings
If you’re just peppering your site with random keywords in hopes of improving your ranking, you won’t get very far. The terms you use in your content need to resonate with your target audience and make them feel understood. With ecommerce website translation, you can effectively tap into a goldmine of popular search phrases in languages like Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. For example, when you carefully weave these locally relevant keywords into product descriptions, banners, blog posts, and emails, search engines see your site as more applicable to users searching in regional languages. This relevance can lead to higher visibility and, consequently, better search engine rankings.
3. Improve the user experience and satisfaction
Think of a potential customer scrolling through your product pages in their own language. The clear descriptions and simple checkout process can make them feel at home. This sense of familiarity enhances her user experience. A well-localised ecommerce platform personalises the journey for the consumer, leading to higher customer satisfaction and fewer cart abandonments. People tend to spend more time and money on websites where they feel understood and valued.
4. Your audience trusts your brand more
When potential customers see that you’ve made an effort to speak their language, they feel respected and are more likely to trust your brand. Trust plays a massive role in determining whether an individual completes an online purchase. By providing content in your audience’s preferred language, you not only fulfil a basic need but also demonstrate empathy—the key to creating loyal relationships with your buyers.
5. Increased traffic = higher ROI
Localised e-commerce sites often experience a surge in traffic, partly due to better visibility on search engines and partly because word-of-mouth spreads faster when people see content in their own language. More traffic means more leads and more leads translate to a better return on investment (ROI). Coupled with targeted marketing campaigns in local languages, this can accelerate growth and set you up for long-term success.
6. Stay compliant with local regulations
A major benefit of leveraging ecommerce website translation services is that they can help your business stay compliant with local regulations. By translating and localising your website, you often comply with language requirements and avoid potential legal complexities. For instance, some state-level guidelines encourage the use of local languages for disclaimers or product labels. Adhering to these requirements helps you maintain a hassle-free legal standing, so you can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about penalties or policy breaches.
In essence, investing in ecommerce website translation is like opening multiple new storefronts across India—but without the overhead costs of physical expansion. You meet customers where they are, reduce cultural barriers, and set the stage for long-term brand loyalty.
Read More: What Are the Major Translation Challenges in E-commerce Websites?
Translate your ecommerce website with Anuvadak
Reverie’s Anuvadak – a robust website localisation and translation management platform that can manage translations, automate workflows, and ensure quality through built-in review tools. You can also integrate seamlessly with your existing e-commerce platform to deliver a holistic experience in every language you serve.
Reverie’s advanced language solutions can help your website go multilingual and witness remarkable growth in user engagement. To learn how Reverie’s e-commerce website translation services can revolutionise your brand’s presence in India, book a free demo with us today!
Faqs
How many Indian languages should I consider for my e-commerce site?
It depends on your target regions and audience segments. Many businesses start with major languages like Hindi, Bengali, or Tamil, then expand based on user feedback and growth strategies.
Will localising my e-commerce website be expensive?
Costs vary based on the complexity of your site and the number of languages. However, the long-term ROI from improved customer reach and trust often justifies the expense.
Do I need to translate product reviews as well?
Yes. Translating user-generated content like product reviews boosts authenticity and helps new customers make informed decisions in their own language.
Does website translation affect site speed?
It shouldn’t, if done correctly. Using optimised platforms like Anuvadak ensures minimal impact on page load times while maintaining translation quality.
Is machine translation enough for an e-commerce site?
Machine translation can be a starting point, but combining it with expert review or professional e-commerce website translation services ensures accuracy and cultural relevance, which is crucial for user satisfaction.
