Internationalization and Localization on Your Portal: Multi-Language Support
Benefits
The
Advantages of Multi-Language Support
From a company’sperspective, offering multiple language options expands reach, promotes inclusivity, and ensures non-English speakers feel welcome. It also opens doors to new markets as it supports international growth.
For administrators and content editors, this feature empowers them to craft a truly user-centric experience. By enabling users to choose their preferred language, editors facilitate better comprehension and engagement with the content.
As a user, the freedom to switch between languages allows for a deeper understanding of the content, especially for those who may be more comfortable reading in their native language. This flexibility ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.
From Missed Meaning to Missed Markets: Why Localization Matters
For a non-native speaker, understanding every content on a developer portal might be challenging and time-consuming.
Issues like the misinterpretation of technical documentation increase the risk of implementation errors, leading to inefficiencies. Without properly localized documentation, developers are more likely to rely on customer support for clarifications or ultimately choose another vendor. This can decrease adoption rates and limit the reach of APIs, SDKs, or other developer resources.
From a strategic business perspective, the absence of localization hinders global expansion and reduces competitiveness.
Requirements and Limitations of Multi-Language Support
Managing multilingual content demands thorough editorial oversight, even with automated translations. At least one editor should be fluent in the target language(s) and have technical expertise in the developer portal’s subject matter to ensure linguistic and technical accuracy.
We recommend an active subscription to a translation service for automated content translations upon creation or updating of the original English content. Each option has its advantages and drawbacks, but some carry more risks than others:
Conventional machine translation tools (excluding GenAI solutions) are not recommended for technical documentation, as they may produce inaccurate or misleading results.
Professional translation services involving human translators can deliver high-quality results, but they are often expensive, and the translators may lack the technical expertise required for API documentation.
AI-powered machine translation is generally effective, but it still requires human review, particularly for core documentation where accuracy is critical.
Do you need help or want to know more about how Multi-Language Support can enhance developer experience and accessibility, and provide market growth? Reach out to us and let’s discuss your case.
