Website Internationalization
One easy way to make your website easier for foreign readers is to offer a glossary.
A good glossary takes some time and effort. You need to make sure your glossary is as clear and concise as possible. You want to make your glossary easy to understand for all of your foreign visitors with a basic level of English.
What To Include In Your Glossary
Of course, the glossary’s function is to explain terms that your audience is not familiar with.
A glossary can be helpful within a company:
- For new employees
- Different departments within a company
- Different workers on the same project
And this becomes crucial in a multinational company, with employees from different cultural backgrounds.
However, a glossary takes on additional functions for an international audience.
The key is to find out what your international audience may not be familiar with. You should also pay attention to processes that are different and where confusion may crop up.
Your international readers may also have questions that you may not be able to think of on your own. This is why it is a good idea to review your glossary with all of the questions you get from your foreign clients.
Even apparently simple terms can have slightly different cultural meanings in English. You never know which definition your non-native English speakers are familiar with. A simple explanation may be helpful.
A glossary can be extremely important for your international readers.
Many companies underestimate its value. When you are familiar with something, it is sometimes easy to forget how others may appreciate a little extra clarification.
How To Deliver Your Glossary
There are several ways you can publish your glossary.
- Hard copy
- Online help
- Document to download
- Web page
How you decide to deliver your glossary depends on the type of document and your industry.
Where you publish your glossary also depends on where it is most effective. Remember, a glossary builds clarity.
It is always best to deliver your glossary where and when your foreign readers will look for it and appreciate it most.
A Published Glossary
Most people think of the glossary you publish with your communication materials. This is its most common use.
A well thought out glossary can:
- Dispel confusion
- Be informative
- Lead your readers to understand your message
- Have a strong marketing appeal
- Increase your credibility
- Provide online link bait
A Translation Glossary
If you anticipate translations, you should also look at an additional role for your glossary. In today’s world of website localizations a translation glossary is a necessity.
Online companies are currently increasing the number of languages offered. Even if you do not anticipate translations in the foreseeable future, this might become part of your projects.
A translation glossary covers more words and terms. They are not published. They are only used by translators.
Translation glossaries ensure that you get accurate and consistent translations in multiple languages.
Important to note: Translation glossaries are very helpful to translators if you have them before website localization starts.
Do You Need A Glossary?
Most companies that actively sell to international clients will benefit for a glossary of some form.
You need to determine the format and where to deliver it for your best marketing value. And this will depend on:
- Your website - domestic, international, country specific
- Your industry jargon
- Differences in your industry and foreign industry equivalents
- Your international audience
Remember, to write a good glossary you need to work on it. It is not always as simple as copying something from a dictionary or Wikipedia. You also need to make it applicable to your business and your communication.
Here are a few more Website Internationalization articles:
- How To Get Your Communication Platform Ready For International Marketing
- Why I Am Creating An Information Product On Website Internationalization
- Write A Better International Website
- Buying Logos For International Websites
- Design Websites For Speed In International Internet Marketing
- First Transition To A Global Market Internet Business
- Stop Pushing Your Foreign Visitors Away
- Easy Content For All Of Your Web Site Readers
- Be Reachable To Everyone
- Show The World Your Location
- An Easy To Read Website For Your International Visitors First Impression
- Is Your Website Sabotaging Your International Business Development?
- Small Business International Development In Three Easy Steps - First Transition To A Global Market Internet Business
And read even more in the…
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Cindy King is a Cross-Cultural Marketer and International Sales Specialist, with over 25 years field experience in international business development.
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