Navigating the world of translation can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of tools, platforms, and service providers available. Whether you are translating a website, localizing software, or managing global communication projects, having a list of translation resources can help streamline the process. This guide consolidates some of the best options to save you time and offer a solid starting point for your project.
Translation projects can vary widely in scope, complexity, and budget. From website translation platforms to translation services and end-to-end management solutions, it’s important to understand which tools and services best suit your needs. Having a list of translation resources ensures you can:
This guide offers curated recommendations for platforms, plugins, and agencies, tailored to specific translation needs.
In today’s interconnected world, a multilingual website is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity for businesses looking to expand their global reach. Whether you’re a small business owner targeting new markets or an enterprise managing global operations, leveraging a comprehensive list of translation resources can make a significant difference in efficiency and results.
Translation is more than converting words from one language to another; it’s about creating meaningful connections with your target audience. Consider these benefits:
When creating a list of translation resources, it’s important to include a variety of tools and services to cover different project needs. Here are the main types:
These platforms are tailored for creating multilingual websites quickly and efficiently. They provide automation, customization, and professional editing options.
Localization tools are ideal for adapting apps, games, and software to different languages and regions. They ensure that content fits cultural expectations and technical requirements.
Plugins integrate with popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Weebly to add multilingual functionality with minimal effort.
Agencies provide human expertise for high-quality, culturally nuanced translations, making them ideal for complex projects like legal documents or marketing campaigns.
For those managing translations in-house, learning resources and professional networks can provide valuable knowledge and best practices.
Platforms like ConveyThis don’t just simplify the translation process—they offer additional benefits such as:
Translation plugins are ideal for businesses already using CMS platforms like WordPress or Shopify. They:
Before starting a project, clarify your objectives:
Select resources that align with your goals. For example:
Ensure translations are accurate, consistent, and culturally appropriate by:
For multilingual websites, optimize translated content for search engines by:
After completing the translation, test the content across devices and browsers to ensure proper formatting, alignment, and functionality.
For the best quality-price ratio I found ConveyThis the best option. Their website translation services allow you to create a multilingual version of your site without needing coding skills or to change your layout and content. The results can be seen in minutes since the first layer of translation is done with machine translation. This means that as soon as you decide to have a multilingual wesite, our visitors will be able to start browsing!
And the results are highly customizable, you can change the appearance of your language button, exclude pages from being translated, and edit the translation directly yourself (or you can the ConveyThis team of bilingual editors to do it!).
ConveyThis‘ services are the most complete and thorough. Here’s a summary of their features:
ConveyThis is a versatile and complete translation solution for those looking to engage a global audience. The service fits seamlessly with all websites, from the most minimalist, to the largest and most complex.
Similar to ConveyThis, the process starts with a layer of automated translation. You input the code and the pages, and once you get the translation, you can edit it before posting.
From the team that created SDL Trados comes a cloud-based alternative that also works with machine and professional translations.
Regarding the machine translation process, you have two options to choose from: a self-learning machine (which makes suggestions and learns from you as you input translation) or a custom one.
Though the dashboard you can manage and create projects, hire linguists, check your progress, and edit your TM.
Anyone can use Trados, it’s a great translation tool that allows for a clearer understanding of how the project is progressing.
It’s also very easy to use, just drag and drop your files to start a new project and add your glossaries.
InWhatLanguage offers translation services for all kinds of projects. They have their own cloud-based platform called UNIFY, which 12 fully customizable modules to address any translation or language project.
Specialized in localization, some of PhraseApp’s features are:
This platform allows you to create and manage translation projects for websites, mobile applications, and global communications.
10,000 experts on app translation work at Localize. Just like ConveyThis they have a simple code that, once implemented, will translate your website.
With Transifex you can choose between two types of projects. They use a system called File for translation projects for apps, but if you are looking to translate a complex website, they offer a system called Live for faster updating.
This may seem redundant but let’s give credit where credit’s worth: you can translate any text, that’s it.
You are definitely going to need human help later but Google Translate works with the most language combinations.
The ConveyThis translation plugin is powered by the best machine translation API from Google translate and other options like Bing and DeepL.
This plugin is compatible with most WordPress themes and it performs well with all kinds of WordPress sites. It is very thorough as well since it will translate any and all information it finds.
A Shopify version of the former plugin so you can turn your store multilingual! It has had rave reviews since it launched.
An option for those looking to translate their Weebly site, find it in the Weebly App Centre.
A translation agency that can work in any linguistic project, their services span Translation-Editing-Proofreading to DTP (desktop publishing).
To get an estimated cost for your project send them the area of expertise you need and a summary of the characteristics.
Their versatile team works with any and all file types and language combinations. You can get a price estimation in three simple steps right from the home page.
The process for getting an estimation is similar to the one mentioned. Their team is very flexible and can work with the delivery times you need and the platforms and software you use.
These following agencies fear nothing.
For companies who want to be local, anywhere… everywhere. This is a great option for those companies that need a Translation Management System to handle all their varied and highly complex projects.
This agency markets itself as “The only translation SaaS you will ever want to use” thanks to their translation software, which allows for friction-free translation workflows. Their use of translation memory can help you reuse stored translations, guarantee language consistency, and save money. They offer different plans for different needs and budgets.
When selecting the best tool or service from your list of translation resources, consider the following:
A multilingual website should not only cater to diverse languages but also address accessibility and usability. Here are some advanced strategies for taking your site to the next level:
Use tools like Optimizely or Dynamic Yield to personalize website content based on the visitor’s location, language preference, or browsing behavior. This approach ensures every user feels valued and understood.
As voice search becomes more prevalent, optimizing your translated content for voice queries can give you an edge in international markets. Use long-tail keywords and natural phrasing in each language to cater to this trend.
Platforms like Google Analytics and Hotjar can provide insights into how different language versions of your website are performing. Monitor metrics like bounce rates, session durations, and conversion rates to refine your multilingual strategy.
If you’re managing translations internally, investing in training and resources can improve the quality and efficiency of your team’s work.
Organizations like Translators Without Borders and ProZ offer workshops and webinars on industry trends, best practices, and advanced translation techniques.
Consider enrolling your team in certification programs offered by associations like the American Translators Association (ATA). This not only enhances their skills but also builds credibility with clients and stakeholders.
Platforms like Udemy and Coursera provide courses on translation management, localization strategies, and multilingual SEO. These courses are a cost-effective way to upskill your team.
The translation landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology and globalization. Stay ahead by incorporating these trends into your resource list:
AI-driven tools like DeepL Pro are continually improving in terms of accuracy and speed. Their ability to learn from context and user input makes them indispensable for large-scale projects.
Platforms like Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services are enabling real-time translation for live events, webinars, and customer interactions. This is particularly valuable for businesses with global audiences.
Emerging platforms are leveraging blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent transactions in translation projects. This innovation is especially useful for industries like finance and law.
Translation is a critical part of expanding into global markets, but it’s not without its challenges. From cultural missteps to technical inconsistencies, businesses must navigate a range of potential pitfalls to deliver accurate and impactful multilingual content. Below is an expanded guide to overcoming key translation challenges, ensuring your translation process is efficient, culturally relevant, and optimized for success.
The Challenge:
Machine translations, while fast and cost-effective, often miss critical cultural nuances. This can result in content that feels awkward, inappropriate, or even offensive to your target audience. For instance:
The Solution:
The Challenge:
Managing translations across multiple platforms—websites, mobile apps, marketing materials, and customer support channels—can lead to inconsistencies. For example:
The Solution:
The Challenge:
Translated content that isn’t optimized for search engines risks poor visibility in international markets. Without localized SEO strategies, your website may struggle to rank for regional keywords or attract organic traffic from global audiences.
The Solution:
example.com/fr
for French content) to structure your multilingual website effectively and improve SEO rankings.The value of leveraging robust translation tools and strategies cannot be overstated. Businesses across industries have achieved significant growth by implementing multilingual solutions tailored to their needs. Here, we dive deeper into two real-world case studies demonstrating the impact of effective translation resources: one for an eCommerce brand and another for a SaaS company.
Challenge: A mid-sized eCommerce business selling lifestyle products wanted to expand its reach to European and Latin American markets. While its website was well-optimized for English-speaking customers, it lacked multilingual capabilities, creating barriers for non-English-speaking users. The company faced challenges such as low traffic from international regions, high bounce rates, and limited engagement from global audiences.
Solution: The company integrated ConveyThis to translate its website into four key languages: Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. The platform was chosen for its ease of use, automation capabilities, and robust SEO optimization for multilingual sites. Here’s how the company executed its plan:
Results: Within six months of implementation, the company observed the following:
Key Takeaway: By investing in a robust multilingual solution like ConveyThis, the eCommerce brand overcame language barriers, boosted its global presence, and achieved measurable growth in both traffic and sales.
Challenge: A growing SaaS provider aimed to scale its operations to Asia and Europe. Its platform, which offered project management tools, needed localization to cater to diverse linguistic and cultural preferences. The company struggled with fragmented workflows, inconsistent translations, and escalating costs due to manual processes.
Solution: The SaaS company adopted Smartling, a comprehensive Translation Management System (TMS), to streamline its localization efforts. Here’s how the tool was used:
Results: Over the course of the project, the SaaS provider achieved the following outcomes:
Key Takeaway: Smartling’s advanced features and collaborative workflows enabled the SaaS company to scale its operations globally, providing a localized experience that resonated with diverse users while optimizing costs and efficiency.
Creating a multilingual website is easier than ever with the right tools and resources. This list of translation resources offers a comprehensive starting point, whether you’re building a small website or managing a large-scale localization project. From platforms like ConveyThis to end-to-end solutions like Smartling, there’s an option for every need and budget.
Take the time to explore these resources, and you’ll find that translating your website doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right approach, you can connect with a wider audience, enhance user experience, and expand your global reach.
Translation, far more than just knowing languages, is a complex process.
By following our tips and using ConveyThis , your translated pages will resonate with your audience, feeling native to the target language.
While it demands effort, the result is rewarding. If you’re translating a website, ConveyThis can save you hours with automated machine translation.
Try ConveyThis free for 7 days!