Mirela
In a previous article, we discussed some ways you can reduce localization costs. But what if your main concern is the translation process? Let’s focus on this. Rest assured, there are smart, sustainable ways to reduce translation costs without cutting corners on quality even if you have to make do with a restrictive budget.
Audit what actually needs translating
Before sending your entire website or document off to be translated, take a step back. Do you really need everything translated? Most often, not all content needs to be translated. Start by identifying your “must-haves”. It’s usually content like marketing materials, product descriptions, support content, and legal materials. Blog posts, legacy pages, and user comments might not need to make the cut. If you’re working with a localization platform, you can segment content based on priority levels and phase the translation rollout accordingly.
Use a style guide and glossary
One of the most overlooked but impactful ways to save money is by being consistent. Every time a translator encounters inconsistent terminology, they’ll need to stop, guess, clarify. That costs time, and time costs money. Create a glossary of approved terms and a style guide to maintain consistency across all languages and reduces revisions. It also speeds up future translations because translators don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time.
Leverage translation memory tools
Translation memory tools store previously translated content so it can be reused later. So, if you have a lot of repetitive content like FAQs, legal disclaimers, or product specs, it’s a great tool to use. Once a sentence or phrase has been translated, you don’t have to pay for it again (or at least not the full rate). Over time, this can save you a ton, especially if your content tends to follow similar formats or you’re regularly updating the same documents.
Avoid last-minute requests
Rush jobs are expensive. If you’re always sending content at the eleventh hour, you’re probably paying premium rates for urgency. Build a realistic content pipeline and loop your translators or localization team in early. Give them time to work efficiently, and you’ll likely get better pricing. Plus, when you’re not rushing the translators, they’re less likely to make errors that need costly revisions later.
Write with translation in mind
Yes, how you write your original content matters. Overly complex language is harder (and more expensive) to translate. If you can write clearly and avoid wordplay, puns, idioms, and so on, your content becomes easier and cheaper to translate. Think of it as writing “globally” from the start.
Use machine translation (but wisely)
Machine translation has come a long way, especially when paired with human post-editing. For internal documents, user-generated content, or low-risk materials, machine translation can be a cost-effective option. Just be careful where you use it. Anything customer-facing, brand-critical, or legal should still go through a professional. You don’t want to risk an error that damages your brand’s reputation.
Centralize and streamline your process
One of the best ways to streamline localization is by using a translation management system or partnering with a localization agency that offers scalable services. This way, you can manage timelines, track progress, reuse content, and get volume discounts. Centralizing helps reduce translation costs because it decreases all that back-and-forth, duplication, and versioning errors. These are all things that add to add to the final bill.
Think long-term
Most likely, translation won’t be a one-and-done deal for you. If you’re entering new markets, you’re in it for the long haul. So treat your localization strategy as an investment, not a cost center. Reusing content, building relationships with reliable translators, and optimizing your workflows now will help you scale efficiently later. The more organized and intentional you are from the beginning, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
Wrapping up
Trying to reduce translation costs doesn’t mean going cheap; it’s a smart of managing your budget. With a little planning, the right tools, and a clear process, you can reduce your spending while still delivering quality content to your audience, wherever they may reside. It’s a great way of making your message resonate in every language, without breaking the bank.