Software & App Localisation

Internationalisation (i18n) is the technical process of designing software to support multiple languages—separating translatable strings from code, using Unicode, supporting different date/time formats, and enabling locale switching. Localisation (l10n) is adapting the internationalised software for a specific market—translating strings, adjusting formatting, and cultural adaptation. If your platform isn't internationalised, we identify technical requirements before localisation begins.

Standard localisation: £0.12 per word (minimum £150). Complex projects (software with extensive UI, RTL languages, technical documentation): £0.15-£0.17 per word. Translation memory saves 30-40% on updates (repeated content discounted). Additional costs: SEO keyword research (£200-500 per locale), functional testing (£300-800 per language), continuous localisation setup (one-time £1,500-3,000). Volume discounts available for 5+ languages. Request detailed quote with content audit.

Software: JSON, XML, XLIFF, PO/POT, YAML, .strings, .stringsdict, .resx, .properties, CSV. CMS: WordPress (WPML, Polylang, Weglot), Shopify, Magento, Drupal, custom platforms via API. Version control: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket integration. CAT tools: Trados, MemoQ, Phrase TMS, Smartcat. E-learning: Articulate 360, Storyline, Rise, Captivate, SCORM packages. We extract strings, translate, and reintegrate maintaining technical formatting.

We integrate with your CI/CD pipeline using webhooks or API connections. When developers commit new strings to your repository, our system detects changes, flags new content for translation, and returns translated strings within agreed SLA (24-48 hours standard). We support GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, and custom workflows. Translation memory ensures terminology consistency across releases. This prevents localisation becoming a bottleneck in your release cycle.

Five-stage QA: 1) Linguistic QA—second native linguist reviews translation accuracy, terminology consistency, and tone. 2) Functional testing—we test all user flows in each language (navigation, forms, checkout, error handling). 3) Visual QA—identify text truncation, layout breaks, font rendering issues, especially for RTL and Asian languages. 4) Technical QA—validate character encoding, special characters, URL structures, hreflang tags. 5) In-market validation—native reviewers in target market validate cultural appropriateness. All issues logged and resolved before launch.

Timeline depends on content volume and complexity. Small website (5,000 words, 2 languages): 2-3 weeks. Medium SaaS platform (25,000 words, 5 languages): 6-8 weeks. Large enterprise system (100,000+ words, 10+ languages): 12-16 weeks with milestone-based delivery. Rush service available (+50%) for urgent market launches. Continuous localisation reduces ongoing updates to 24-48 hours per language. Timeline includes: technical analysis, translation, QA, integration, testing, and launch support.

Yes—we build and maintain translation memory (TM) databases for your projects. TM stores previously translated segments, ensuring consistency and reducing costs on updates (30-40% savings). We create terminology glossaries for brand-specific terms, product names, and technical vocabulary. TM is yours to keep and can be used with any CAT tool. For enterprise clients, we provide ongoing terminology management, quarterly TM audits, and style guide updates as your product evolves.

Yes—we specialise in RTL languages (Arabic, Persian, Urdu). RTL localisation requires: mirrored layouts (navigation, UI elements flipped), proper text alignment (right-aligned), bidirectional text handling (mixing RTL text with LTR numbers/URLs), font support for complex scripts, and extensive visual QA. We test on actual devices to ensure proper rendering. RTL projects require additional QA time (typically 20-30% more than LTR languages). We identify and fix layout issues before launch.

Our SEO localisation includes: 1) Local keyword research (not literal translation)—we identify terms your target audience actually searches. 2) Hreflang tag implementation—proper language/region targeting to avoid duplicate content penalties. 3) Localised meta titles and descriptions optimised for each market. 4) URL structure recommendations (subdomain, subdirectory, or ccTLD). 5) Local backlink building strategy. 6) Google Search Console and Analytics setup per locale. 7) Ongoing performance monitoring and optimisation. SEO research included in standard pricing.

Minimum requirements: 1) Externalized strings (translatable text separated from code). 2) Unicode support (UTF-8 encoding). 3) Locale detection and switching mechanism. 4) Flexible UI design (accommodate text expansion—German 30% longer than English, character limits cause truncation). 5) Date, time, currency formatting functions. 6) RTL layout support if targeting Arabic/Persian/Urdu markets. If your platform isn't ready, we provide detailed technical recommendations and can coordinate with your development team to implement required changes before localisation begins.

Yes—we adapt legal content (terms of service, privacy policies, cookie notices) for local regulations including GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), LGPD (Brazil), and market-specific requirements. We work with legal reviewers in target markets to ensure compliance. For regulated industries (finance, healthcare, gaming), we have specialist translators with industry knowledge. We flag content that may require legal review and recommend jurisdiction-specific modifications. Legal translation costs £0.15-£0.20 per word due to specialist expertise required.

Yes—we integrate with leading TMS platforms: Phrase, Smartcat, Lokalise, Transifex, Crowdin, and others. If you have an existing TMS, we can work within your platform using our linguists as a service. If you don't have a TMS, we provide access to our Phrase TMS workspace for project management and collaboration. Integration includes: API connections for automated content sync, webhook notifications for new content, translation memory sharing, and real-time progress tracking.

Post-launch services include: 1) Performance monitoring—tracking analytics, conversion rates, user feedback in each locale. 2) Translation updates for new features, content, or product releases. 3) Quarterly content audits identifying outdated translations or broken links. 4) SEO optimisation based on actual search performance data. 5) A/B testing of key pages to improve conversions. 6) Rapid response for critical fixes (24-hour turnaround). We offer monthly retainer packages for ongoing localisation needs, or project-based support for periodic updates.