Essential Questions for Choosing the Right Translation Company
Many translation companies face challenges in finding new clients, and this situation affects potential clients as well. What’s the problem?
Translation teams often seem very… samey.
Their marketing strategies tend to follow a stereotypical pattern: they are sticklers for deadlines, always aim to provide the highest quality translation, boast high customer satisfaction rates, and offer the largest variety of languages. The list goes on…
This makes it difficult for clients to choose the right translation company for their needs. It also challenges translation companies that have not yet found a way to stand out from the crowd. For potential clients, one of the best indicators of quality is the range of questions a translation company asks before starting a project.
Outside the languages involved and the project deadline, good translation companies will ask you these standard questions. We do.
- Are the materials you want to translate internal documents of a company that will be used only internally, where meeting the deadline is more critical than achieving 100% linguistic perfection?
- Does the client want native speakers involved in the proofreading or writing process, or will anyone proficient in the language(s) suffice?
- Does the project need to be consistent with a past project or other work that has already been translated or may require translation in the future?
- Are there any terms that should remain in the original language because they are product brand names or must be preserved for legal, copyright, or other reasons?
- Does the client have their own glossary with a list of preferred terms? Is there a preference for certain words? Does the client use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools internally? Does the client maintain a translation memory (TM) from previous projects with other translation companies?
- How do you manage your translations? This question helps determine the best workflow and whether translations can be delivered directly into your CMS or via a cloud-based solution.
- Would the client like to receive a translation memory file along with the translated materials for future consistency?
- Is the client comfortable with multiple translators working on one project to help meet deadlines?
- What style should the content adopt? Consider how the reader is addressed, the formality of the project, and the desired directness of the text.
- What is the target audience of the text? This may include considerations such as sex, gender, age, or education level.
- Does the client require a desktop publishing (DTP) service in addition to the translation?
- If the project includes illustrations with text, should that text also be translated? If so, should the text be edited using photo editing software, or should a translated script be provided separately?
- Is there a specific file format in which the client prefers the final submission, such as .DOCX or PDF?
- What issues have they experienced with previous translation companies (if applicable), and how can their needs be best met to avoid these conflicts?
- Is a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) necessary because the documents are confidential?
- If the project involves technical content, does the client have a demo version of the software or manual to ensure accuracy? Are there any reference materials available?
In conclusion, make an informed decision about the translation service that best meets your needs before sealing the deal.
Some translation companies may not meet the quality standards you expect, so considering these questions when making your decision can help guide you.
Here at BeTranslated, we take your needs and demands seriously.
Feel free to get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.