What Should I Know Before Translating My Business Website?

1.  Introduction – Why website translation matters

Your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your business. But if it’s only available in English, you may be missing out on entire markets. A study by CSA Research found that 76% of online shoppers prefer to buy products in their own language, and more than 40% never purchase from English-only websites.

For UK businesses looking to expand internationally, website translation isn’t just about words… it’s about building trust, reaching new audiences, and complying with local expectations. Done well, it can open doors to new revenue streams. Done poorly, it can damage your brand.

So, before you dive in, what do you actually need to know?

2.  Website translation vs. localisation

It’s important to distinguish between translation and localisation:

• Translation is the direct conversion of text from one language into another. For example, changing “Free delivery on all orders over £50” into Spanish or German.

• Localisation adapts the content so it feels natural for the target audience. This includes:

  • Currency changes (pounds to euros/dollars).

  • Units of measurement (miles to kilometres, ounces to grams).

  • Cultural differences (UK humour might not resonate in Japan).

  • Legal differences (refund policies, disclaimers, age restrictions).

👉 Example: An online fashion retailer expanding into France might need to update not only language but also sizing charts, fabric care symbols, and consumer law references.

Localisation is what makes your site feel like it was built for that audience from the ground up.

3.  Factors to consider before translating your website

4. a) Define your target markets

Don’t translate your site into every language at once. Start with the countries where you already get traffic or enquiries. Tools like Google Analytics can show where visitors are coming from.

1. b) Industry-specific terminology

A medical device website, for example, will need precise translations that align with regulatory standards. A tourism site, on the other hand, needs creative, persuasive text that inspires travel. The more complex your industry, the more important it is to work with specialists.

1. c) SEO for multiple languages

2. Use multilingual keyword research rather than direct translations. A phrase that ranks well in English may have no search traffic in Spanish.

3. Add hreflang tags in your code so Google knows which language version to show in which country.

4. Avoid duplicate content penalties by properly tagging translated pages.

5. d) Design and layout challenges

Some languages, like German, use 30% more characters than English. Others, like Chinese, may require larger font sizes to stay legible. Right-to-left languages (Arabic, Hebrew) need mirrored layouts. Translation isn’t just text — it impacts design.

1. e) CMS and technical setup

Does your current website platform support multilingual sites?

• WordPress offers plugins like WPML or Polylang.

• Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify have their own multilingual features.

• Some setups may require manual integration.

The choice of CMS affects how easy (or difficult) updates will be once the site is translated.

4.  Costs involved in website translation

One of the first questions businesses ask is: “How much does it cost to translate a website?”

The answer depends on:

• Word count – A 5-page website costs far less than a 500-page e-commerce site.

• Languages – Translating into French only vs. 10 languages.

• Complexity – Legal, medical, and technical industries are more expensive due to specialist knowledge.

• Format – Translating text in editable Word files is cheaper than extracting content from images, PDFs, or code.

• Ongoing updates – Websites are rarely static. Each update adds to cost.

Typical UK costs (2025 rates)

• £0.10–£0.14 per word for general business content.

• £0.12–£0.18 per word for technical/regulatory/financial content.

• £50–£100/hour for SEO optimisation and technical integration.

👉 Example: A 10,000-word website (about 40 pages) translated into French could cost would be around £1,150, depending on complexity. However there is usually a large discount for repeated text.

5.  Common mistakes businesses make

6. Relying on Google Translate

   
   

    It’s tempting, but it often produces awkward, untrustworthy results. Customers spot poor translations instantly, which harms your brand.

7. Ignoring SEO

   
   

    If you don’t optimise translated content for local search engines, you won’t rank in target markets.

8. Forgetting ongoing updates

   
   

    Many businesses translate their site once, then neglect future changes… leaving different languages out of sync.

9. Overlooking legal content

   
   

    Privacy policies, cookie notices, refund policies, and disclaimers must be translated accurately. These are often overlooked but carry serious legal risk.

10.  Benefits of professional website translation

When done properly, website translation pays for itself:

• Stronger trust – Customers feel more comfortable buying from a site in their language.

• Higher conversions – Visitors stay longer and convert more when content feels tailored to them.

• Regulatory compliance – Essential for industries like healthcare, finance, or consumer goods.

• Competitive edge – Many competitors cut corners with machine translation. Professional quality sets you apart.

•  How to choose the right website translation partner

Not all translators are equal. Look for:

• Proven industry experience – Have they worked in your sector before?

• Technical skills – Can they handle CMS plugins, metadata, and design files?

• SEO understanding – Do they know how to adapt keywords for search engines abroad?

• Scalability – If you expand into more languages later, can they handle it?

• Clear communication – You need ongoing support, not just one-off delivery.

A strong partner will save you time, avoid mistakes, and deliver ROI.

8.  FAQs

Q: How long does it take to translate a website? Depends on length and complexity. A 20-page website may take 1–2 weeks; a large e-commerce site can take months.

Q: Do I need to translate everything? Not necessarily. Many businesses start with high-value pages (home, product pages, checkout flow) and expand later.

Q: What’s the difference between machine and human translation? Machine translation is fast and cheap, but lacks nuance. Human translation, especially by professionals, ensures accuracy, tone, and compliance.

9.  Conclusion

Website translation is one of the most powerful tools for UK businesses aiming to grow internationally. But it requires planning, expertise, and investment to do it right.

If you treat it as more than just swapping words, your translated website can become a key driver of global revenue.

📧 Email: sales@ttmltd.com 📞 Phone: +44 1606 352 527