Mirela
You’re convinced localization matters, but now you’ve also got to convince everyone else. That’s where a localization business case comes in. This document helps you in the hard task of having to convince internal stakeholders to invest in localization. Here’s how to craft one so that you get the job done successfuly.
What is a localization business case?
A business case is defined as a document or presentation that justifies the investment in a particular project, initiative, or solution. It outlines the reasoning, benefits, costs, risks, and expected outcomes to help decision-makers determine whether the proposed action is worthwhile.
As such, a localization business case is a document or argument that justifies investing in localization, translating and adapting content, products, or services for specific regional markets. It explains why localization is needed, what benefits it brings, how much it will cost, and what return on investment (ROI) to expect.
Knowing this, we can outline some elements of a business case:
- purpose (or objective)
- market opportunity
- scope of localization
- benefits
- costs
- risks and mitigation
- timeline
- ROI (or business impact)
How do you create a localization business case?
When you’re crafting a business case, the main idea is to show how localization drives real business results, not drown people in technical details. Here’s what we mean.
Start with the why
Leave metrics and plans aside. First off, what’s your company trying to do this year? Start there. Your localization pitch should tie directly into those big-picture goals. If you want to get the stakeholders’ attention, you need to position localization as a way to support things the business already cares about (like growth, retention, better CX). That’s how you speak the same language as your stakeholders.
Show the opportunity
You might know by now that customers prefer content in their own language. How many potential users are you not reaching right now because your product or site is only in a single language? Check what your competitors are doing in local markets, and see the conversion rates and user engagement in localized experiences. Back it up with numbers; you do need to show there’s real upside. The more concrete you can make the opportunity, the harder it is to ignore.
Make the impact clear
The part people care about most is knowing what the return is. Even if you don’t have exact ROI data yet, you can still tell a story. If you’ve seen even a small bump from a localized landing page or campaign, include it. These early wins are your proof points.
Lay out the plan
Now that you’ve got people’s attention, show them how it’ll work. Talk about the markets you want to target first, the content that needs localization, the timeline. Keep it simple and scalable. You don’t need a 12-month roadmap with every detail, but you do need to show you’ve thought it through. Include how you’ll manage quality, what tools or vendors you’ll use, and how you plan to measure success.
Address the risks up front
People will have questions about things like cost, brand voice, quality control, and so on. Address all this, and more. Don’t just talk about the positives. Show that you’ve thought about the hard stuff and have a plan for it.
End with a confident ask
Now it’s time to close the deal. Make a clear ask: budget, timeline, resources. It’s important not to be vague and, if possible, give options like a smaller pilot and a full rollout. In short, offer some flexibility. Because in the end, you’re not just requesting money, you’re proposing an investment with measurable value. Make it easy for people to say yes.
Wrapping up
Believe it or not, oftentimes, a localization initiative doesn’t get greenlit just because people believe in the idea. It gets approved because the business case holds up. So you need to build a case that ties directly to company priorities, frames localization as a strategic lever, and presents clear ROI. If the business case is solid, people will see why localization needs to happen now.