Mirela
If you’ve started looking for translation services, you already know the options are endless. From boutique agencies to massive global providers, everyone claims to deliver “high-quality, accurate translations.” But can you really be sure of that? Take it with a grain of salt. This guide walks you through how to choose a translation vendor that’s more than just a service provider, so that you can find a true partner in your road to localization.
Establish your requirements
Hold on! Before anything, is everything clear in regards to what you need? Are you translating product descriptions, legal documents, marketing campaigns, or user interfaces? You don’t treat these documents in the same way; each demands a certain expertise.
It’s not just about the type of content you have. You should also think about the languages you’ll need, how much content you expect to translate, and how often. If it’s a one-time project, you might prioritize speed and cost. But if you’re building a long-term localization pipeline, you’ll obviously want a partner who can scale with you.
Look for real expertise
Many times, a translation team that excels in translating content for certain industries might not be the right fit for other types of translation. So you need to ask the vendor what their specialization areas are. Do they regularly work with companies like yours? Have they translated similar content? You need a vendor that understands your market, because they’ll already know the terminology and tone your audience expects.
You must also check the translators’ qualifications. The kind of translation vendor you want is one that don’t rely on random freelancers from generic databases. Instead, they build teams of vetted linguists who are native speakers of the target language. That matters because a native translator knows when something sounds off.
Don’t hesitate to ask about their workflow and quality controls. It important to know who actually handles your content, and whether it’s translated, edited, and proofread by different people, or if it’s a one-person job. Do they follow the TEP model (Translate–Edit–Proofread) that tends to deliver more accurate results?
Ask for references and case studies
Speaking of expertise, when you’re evaluating translation vendors, don’t want to just take their word for it. Every company will tell you they deliver high-quality translations, but what really matters is how they’ve performed for clients like you. That’s why you ask for references and case studies.
Another good sign: clients who’ve stayed with the vendor for years. Long-term relationships are usually indicators that the vendor is reliable and easy to work with. Localization is rarely a one-off task, as it’s an ongoing process for most companies. If a vendor maintains long-term clients, it likely means they invest in continuous improvement and learn the client’s preferences.
Check their quality process
Ask your prospective vendor if they have a clear process for proofreading, reviewing, and maintaining consistency across projects. Certifications like ISO 17100 or ISO 9001 are a good sign, as they show the vendor follows recognized quality management standards. And don’t be shy about asking for a test translation. What better way to see how they handle things like tone, terminology, and brand voice? Then do a quick internal review to see whether they truly get your message.
Make sure they can scale with you
If your business is growing, your translation needs will grow too. That’s why you want a vendor who can handle multiple languages, tight deadlines, and fluctuating volumes… without sacrificing quality, naturally. Ask how they manage projects: Do they have dedicated project managers? Can they integrate with your CMS or translation management system? Do they use translation memory tools to keep terminology consistent and reduce costs over time?
There’s also the project management part. A scalable translation vendor will assign a dedicated project manager (or even a team) who keeps track of schedules and approvals. They can handle tight deadlines and high-volume surges. See if they have the right resources to handle a situation like you launching a product simultaneously in multiple countries, or maybe the need to update an entire website before a major event.
Pay attention to communication
Communication is a key to every great… client-translation vendor partnership. You should feel like you’re working with a responsive, reliable partner. You definitely don’t want to chase down updates or clarifications. As such, look for a vendor who assigns a dedicated project manager, responds quickly, and proactively shares progress or issues. It’s as simple as that.
Choose your translation vendor at POEditor
For projects that require professional human translation, POEditor offers direct integrations with Gengo and TextMaster, two well-established translation services.
Gengo is known for its large, diverse network of native-speaking translators who specialize in quick, reliable translations across dozens of language pairs. It’s particularly well-suited for teams that need accurate, natural-sounding translations delivered fast.
TextMaster offers another layer of professional translation support, combining linguistic expertise with content creation and proofreading services. It’s ideal for teams looking for consistent tone, brand alignment, and stylistic quality. TextMaster’s translators are carefully vetted and experienced in specialized domains such as marketing, e-commerce, and technical documentation.
Regardless of what you choose, you can manage your entire workflow—from source text to final translation—without leaving the POEditor platform.
Wrapping up
As you narrow down your options, try to look beyond pricing and promises. Pay attention to things that matter: expertise, scalability, communication, and real results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, request samples, and trust your instincts. And that’s how to choose a translation vendor!