How Hungarian Businesses can wisely globalize their web assets

Globalization of online content assets permits expansion to foreign markets and increased revenue. By targeting additional languages and marketplaces, Hungarian businesses can rapidly and cost-effectively expand their reach and worldwide customer base. And the translation and localization processes are surprisingly affordable. How do small businesses go global without breaking their bank accounts? We’ll look at strategies and tactics for adding languages and localities, step by step, outlining best practices, tips, and tricks for localizing content in the most efficient ways.

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Seeking Guidance from a Professional Translation Company

Instead of rushing headlong into foreign markets, it makes sense to consult with agencies specializing in localization and globalization as their bread and butter. According to Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes – a professional translation services agency supporting more than 100 languages for 50,000+ clients in over 100 countries – “Haste makes waste. Look before you leap into a globalization campaign. Most translation companies, as well as language and localization service providers, will offer free strategic consulting even before you spend a Euro. Take full advantage of that.”

In that spirit, let’s consider the basics for Hungarian business as it relates to language translation. We could discuss the pros and cons of globalization but, at least in the economic context, the only “con” is if you globalize imprudently, overextending yourself or making poor decisions about how best to go global.

It’s not news: Hungary is a small country of less than 10 million. The domestic market is not big enough to feed a company with global ambitions.

If a company’s products or services have potential appeal to foreigners, and it’s not aggressively pursuing these export markets, it’s leaving money on the table and missing the benefits of globalization.

The natural place to start might seem to be other European countries. Sure, there are practical and economic advantages of trading within the Eurozone. But make no mistake: neighboring states may not be the most cost-effective places to grow. What is translation if not the adaptation of language for a new target audience? Just translating one’s content assets from Hungarian to English is hardly the answer. (Don’t laugh: many businesses in Hungary consider this the start and finish of their globalization.)

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Going in the other direction, companies targeting Hungary and Hungarians in English also need to rethink — and do so before spending a Euro.

Hungary’s business community may fare well with English, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which an expert Hungarian to English translation would not aid a campaign.

There are a few distinctions to be made. What is globalization in essence? The “globalization” definition describes the overall effort to reach foreign markets, usually focused on digital content assets like websites and social media. Website translators and website localization refer to adapting those online assets to a local (national or regional) market. What does localization mean? This term encompasses the “translation” definition but also includes aspects like numerical and date formats, currencies and measurements. It also includes more understanding of cultural likes and dislikes. What is preferred in Hungary may not be so desired in Slovakia or Austria? For these reasons, you need a localization strategy.

How Does a Translation Company Localize Digital Content Assets?

Localization involves modifying one’s website and social media to support additional languages and local versions. There is a software to translate page after page, efficiently and automatically, as well as document translation. There is specialized software for localization management. However, these are complex B2B applications. Software localization services target developers and software localization products target localization service providers — not export businesses.

Your best bet is to ask for a free quote from a localization services company.

You should ask which countries make the most sense to target and let the agency give you some of its acquired experience and wisdom.