1. Planning ahead is _half the battle_

Based on experience, the subject of internationalization / localization in the planning of a new project usually has low priority.
In software projects, for instance, functional (provisional) prototypes (usually in English) are transformed into production systems very quickly. In doing so, the logic with regard to contents and the suitability of the user interfaces from the perspective of the target language are usually not sufficiently tested.
Print projects are similar. Printouts that are concentrated with regard to content are developed very quickly here without being clear about the consequences of a prematurely designed layout that is usually too restricted and overloaded with regard to content.

Tip!
Before you even write one line of source code in a software project, first create a schematic preview of the user interfaces, a so-called mockup. This mockup should give your customers or your focus group an initial impression in the planned languages, an impression of how the spatial distribution and positioning of the contents affects the user interface and whether essential program sequences are coherent for the end user.

The advantages:
► Customer wishes can be substantiated, visualized, and agreed to much earlier (and ensure fewer unpleasant surprises towards the end of the project).

► Different ideas from all project participants are clearly unified.

► Crucial errors and misunderstandings in content, the layout structure, and in the operation sequences can be clarified earlier.
Even with basic tools such as MS PowerPoint, simple mockups can be implemented quickly and relevant processes can be simulated.
The advantage of PowerPoint versus specialized mockup tools is that PowerPoint is more well-known and prevalent.

2. Translations take time

A translation is your gateway to a country/culture that speaks a foreign language; therefore, translations for high-quality products require an appropriate amount of time.
Time for research, for consultation, and fine tuning between you and the language service provider.

You can inflict massive damage with hasty rush translation offers / contracts on projects to which you have already devoted much time to carefully adapt content details. At best, all of your efforts would then become unwanted humor in the respective foreign country. (For this, see our homepage link titled “Humor.”)

Tip:
Plan / request a foresighted and realistic timeframe for your translation.
A professional language service provider will be happy to assist you with this.