In India, a significant portion of the population struggles to engage with English-only websites; nearly 60% of non-native English speakers rarely or never make purchases on such sites. Businesses that ignore regional languages are missing out on half of their potential audience, which in turn limits their reach, engagement, and conversions.
Localisation is the solution; it goes beyond simple translation, adapting websites to local languages, cultural nuances, and user expectations. Done right, it turns a standard website into a platform that genuinely resonates with diverse audiences.
This blog breaks down real-world website localisation examples to show exactly how organisations are making their digital experiences more accessible, engaging, and effective. Reading this will give you clear insights and practical takeaways on what works and why localisation matters now more than ever.
At a Glance:
- Localisation Beyond Translation: Adapts language, visuals, navigation, and UX to match local culture and expectations.
- Audience Engagement: Failing to consider regional languages in India can exclude a significant portion of potential users.
- Proven Strategies: Both global and Indian enterprises succeed by tailoring content, design, and interactions to local preferences.
- Accessibility & Inclusivity: Government initiatives highlight the importance of multilingual websites for wider citizen engagement.
- Technology Support: Platforms like Anuvadak streamline localisation with automated workflows, APIs, and multilingual capabilities.
- Best Practises Matter: Research, local SEO, human review, and testing ensure localisation is effective and resonates with users.
The Importance of Website Localisation
A website in one language can only reach a fraction of its potential audience. Website localisation is about meeting these expectations; adapting not just the language, but also the content, visuals, and navigation so users can interact naturally.
When done thoughtfully, localisation improves clarity, reduces confusion, and makes digital experiences more accessible. It helps users find what they need quickly and builds a stronger connection with the audience.
Here are the main reasons why website localisation matters:
- Better Engagement: People spend more time on websites that speak their language. 72% of global consumers prefer browsing in their local language.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Localised content enhances user understanding, increasing the likelihood of actions like purchases, sign-ups, or information submissions.
- Compliance with Local Rules: Local regulations around digital content vary. Localisation ensures websites meet these rules, reducing the risk of legal issues.
- Cultural Relevance: Localisation considers local customs, formats, and imagery. Content that fits cultural expectations builds trust and makes the experience feel natural.
With the value of localisation clear, it helps to see how some of the world’s leading brands have applied these principles to connect with audiences across languages and cultures.
Global Brands Leading in Website Localisation
For global brands, localisation has moved beyond translation; it’s a measure of cultural fluency. The most successful companies don’t just speak a customer’s language; they reflect local habits, holidays, and humour in every interaction.
From layout choices to seasonal campaigns, these brands treat localisation as brand design at scale, not a technical afterthought.
The following examples demonstrate how leading companies have built trust, relevance, and measurable growth by tailoring their websites to local audiences.
1. Nike: Tailoring Content to Local Markets
Nike localised its digital presence in Japan by tailoring products, content, and design to local tastes. It introduced Japan-specific collections, adapted its website with native payment options and culturally relevant UX, and featured local athletes in campaigns. This approach built stronger consumer trust and positioned Nike as a brand that understood Japan’s cultural and aesthetic preferences.
2. IKEA: Balancing Standardisation with Local Adaptation
IKEA maintained its global identity but adjusted its websites for local markets. For example, its Arabic site version uses right-to-left layout, local currency, and cultural imagery tailored for Middle Eastern users.
In India, the website takes into account regional design and language variations; its Indian homepage references local festivals, family-oriented visuals, and provides content suited for Indian living spaces.
3. Netflix: Localising Content for Global Audiences
Netflix has achieved significant growth by tailoring its content offerings to local preferences. By analysing viewer data and collaborating with local content experts, Netflix identifies genres, themes, and storytelling styles that resonate with audiences in each country.
This localised approach has led to increased viewer engagement and satisfaction, contributing to higher retention rates and global business expansion.
4. Airbnb: Adapting to Local Cultural Norms
Airbnb changed its Chinese-market name to “Aibiying” (爱彼迎), meaning “welcome each other with love”, to resonate with local users. The company also built a China-specific version of its platform, staffed locally and customised for Chinese user behaviour, such as featuring a homepage with carousel images and a streamlined search form distinct from its Western version.
They introduced local payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay, and enabled login and social sharing through WeChat and Weibo to align with digital habits. To ensure compliance with regulations, Airbnb implemented local ID-verification and data-hosting practices in China.
5. Spotify: Creating Culturally Relevant User Experiences
Spotify adapts its website and app so users feel culturally recognised, not just linguistically served. Its localisation teams design flexible interfaces for varied scripts and layouts, tailor tone and visuals to regional sensibilities, playful in India, direct in Japan, and modify playlist imagery to reflect local culture.
This approach makes Spotify feel native to each listener’s world, wherever they log in.
Indian Enterprises Benefiting from Website Localisation
Indian enterprises often focus on translation but miss how localisation shapes user decisions, loyalty, and perception. Small changes in language, layout, or content context can dramatically affect engagement.
The following examples show how thoughtful localisation guides user behaviour and strengthens trust beyond mere comprehension.
1. eCommerce Platforms: Boost Engagement and Conversions
In the eCommerce sector, platforms achieve better engagement by providing product descriptions, menus, checkout processes, and customer support in multiple Indian languages. Websites also adapt visuals, pricing formats, and payment options to align with regional preferences.
Why it matters: Customers are more likely to browse and purchase when the site feels familiar and easy to navigate. Multilingual eCommerce sites experience higher engagement and lower cart abandonment rates, as users can interact with content without confusion or hesitation.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Multilingual Website SEO: Boost Your Ranking
2. Healthcare Providers: Improve Patient Communication
Healthcare providers enhance patient communication by localising appointment booking systems, information portals, teleconsultation platforms, and prescription details. In some cases, text-to-speech or voice-assisted navigation is included to assist patients with low literacy or accessibility needs.
Why it matters: Patients understand instructions better, can book appointments accurately, and feel more confident using digital health services. This reduces errors, improves compliance, and enhances trust in healthcare platforms.
3. Educational Institutions: Expand Reach and Accessibility
Educational institutions expand their reach by offering course materials, exams, and learning interfaces in regional languages. The content and interaction flows are adapted to reflect culturally relevant examples and visuals, making learning more intuitive.
Why it matters: Students are more likely to engage with and retain content when it reflects their language and culture. Localised platforms can reach underserved regions, increasing enrolment and improving learning outcomes.
Are your product pages, patient portals, or learning platforms reaching users in the languages they understand? Anuvadak makes it easy to localise every touchpoint, ensuring your audience can engage, navigate, and act with confidence.
Beyond businesses, government initiatives are also recognising the value of website localisation to make public services more accessible and inclusive for citizens across India.
Government Initiatives in Website Localisation
In India, the digital divide often stems from language barriers, hindering access to critical information. To bridge this gap, the Government of India has undertaken significant initiatives to localize online content, ensuring inclusivity for all citizens.
1. MyGov Portal: Anuvadak’s Role in Translating the COVID-19 Information Portal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, making accurate health information accessible in multiple Indian languages was critical. Anuvadak enabled the MyGov portal to reach a wider audience and support timely public health communication.
Key Highlights:
- Translated portal content into 10 Indian languages, catering to non-English speakers.
- Used neural machine translation for fast and contextually accurate translation.
- Automated website updates and content workflow management.
- Optimised content for SEO, ensuring information was discoverable online.
- Made life-saving health information accessible to citizens nationwide, improving public understanding and engagement.
2. Digital India Campaign: Localisation Efforts to Promote Inclusivity
The Digital India campaign, launched in 2015, seeks to make government services accessible electronically to all citizens. Localisation of websites and digital platforms plays a central role in ensuring that people from diverse linguistic backgrounds can engage with essential services and participate in the digital economy.
Key Highlights:
- Official websites and platforms are translated into multiple regional languages.
- Ensures accessibility for citizens from different linguistic backgrounds.
- Supports better communication and understanding of government services.
- Empowers citizens to participate actively in the digital economy.
- Ongoing initiatives focus on expanding digital literacy and providing equal access to online services.
If governments can reach citizens effectively through localisation, businesses can achieve the same by using Anuvadak to connect with users in their preferred languages.
Using Anuvadak to Localise Your Website
For Indian enterprises aiming to engage users across multiple languages, Anuvadak provides a comprehensive solution to localise websites and apps efficiently. Beyond simple translation, the platform ensures cultural relevance, accessibility, and consistency across all digital touchpoints.
Key Features You Can Use:
- Website & App Localisation: Anuvadak automates translation and content updates, allowing you to maintain multiple language versions from a single dashboard. Context-aware translation memory and glossary control ensure accuracy and consistency across your website.
- Translation API: Instantly generate multilingual content for web pages, blogs, or product listings. The API supports seamless integration with your existing CMS, enabling faster rollouts without manual intervention.
- Transliteration API: Convert text between scripts (e.g., Hindi to Latin or Tamil to Devanagari) to make content readable and accessible for regional audiences.
- Speech-to-Text API: Transform audio input into text in multiple Indian languages, enabling features like voice search, transcription, or accessible content for users with low literacy.
- Text-to-Speech API: Convert written content into natural-sounding speech, powering IVR systems, voice assistants, and audio-enabled learning or support platforms.
- Scalability & Security: Anuvadak is built on a secure, cloud-based architecture that supports enterprise-level content operations. End-to-end encryption protects sensitive data, while APIs enable seamless integration across multiple digital platforms.
With the right tools like Anuvadak, businesses can effectively localise their websites, but following best practices ensures these efforts truly resonate with users.
Website Localisation Best Practices
Reaching users in their own language is only the first step. A website that truly resonates must reflect local culture, usage habits, and expectations, from how information is structured to how visuals communicate meaning.
The following best practices show how businesses can move beyond translation to create digital experiences that feel intuitive, relevant, and locally authentic.
- Conduct Market Research: Understand local user behaviour, language preferences, and cultural nuances before localising. Tailor tone, imagery, and product offerings accordingly.
- Prioritise Human Review: Use AI translation tools for speed, but always include human editors to refine linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance.
- Localise Beyond Language: Adapt visuals, symbols, date formats, currency, and units of measurement to align with local conventions.
- Optimise for Local SEO: Incorporate region-specific keywords, meta tags, and hreflang attributes to improve visibility across local search engines.
- Maintain Brand Consistency: Ensure your brand’s tone, design, and core message remain consistent across all localised sites while allowing cultural flexibility.
- Test User Experience: Evaluate navigation, load times, and responsiveness on local networks and devices to guarantee accessibility and usability.
- Comply with Local Regulations: Ensure your website meets local data protection, accessibility, and e-commerce laws to maintain trust and compliance.
- Gather Local Feedback: Continuously collect input from local audiences to refine language accuracy, usability, and overall engagement.
Conclusion
Successful website localisation is less about checking boxes and more about creating experiences that feel native to every user. It requires careful attention to language, culture, and user behaviour, while also leveraging technology that can scale and adapt as needs evolve.
For businesses aiming to make localisation seamless, consistent, and measurable, platforms like Anuvadak provide the tools to manage content, integrate multilingual workflows, and ensure every user feels understood.
To explore how your website can reach audiences across India’s languages and enhance engagement, get in touch with us today.
FAQs
1. How can localisation improve sales on an Indian eCommerce website?
By offering product descriptions, payment options, and checkout processes in regional languages, users can browse and buy with confidence, reducing cart abandonment.
2. Do I need localisation for a small regional audience?
Even small audiences respond better when content reflects their language and culture, improving engagement and trust.
3. Can localisation help my website appear in local search results?
Yes. Using region-specific keywords, hreflang tags, and translated content improves visibility on local search engines.
4. How long does it take to localise a website properly?
It depends on content size and languages, but platforms like Anuvadak streamline workflows, speeding up translation, updates, and consistency checks.
5. Is website localisation only about language?
No. It includes adapting visuals, date formats, currencies, navigation, and UX to match local expectations and cultural norms.
