As you might already know, localisation is the process of adapting a product, document, brand, or service to a new market. This market can typically be described as being culturally different from the brand’s original market, with varying linguistic requirements.
To cut a long story, localisation is what you do when you want to sell your products and services to markets outside of your national or domestic markets. To penetrate such a market, you will need to translate and transcreate your content. This involves making necessary changes to your software applications and websites as well.
But, how do you know if your website or software application is up to par with local requirements? Well, that’s where localisation testing comes in. Bear in mind the cultural and linguistic rules of the target market. Localisation testing helps you determine whether or not certain aspects of your software or website conform to these rules.
The Process
The localisation testing process is determined according to the outcomes of globalisation testing. The outcome of the globalisation test can verify the functional support offered to the target market. Localisation testing is strictly carried out on the localised version of the website or application.
The testing primarily focuses on the areas that are affected by language, culture, region, UI, and content. Other than that, the localisation testing process also covers functionality, setup and upgrade tests, which are carried out in a localised environment.
Then, you also have critical business scenario tests, hardware compatibility tests, and application compatibility tests. These tests are carried out with respect to the target market.
The localisation test for linguistics and UI usually covers:
- Linguistic accusation verification
- Resource attributes verification
- Application/site resources validation,
- Typographical errors
- Usability of UI,
- System/input/display environment standards adherence confirmation
- Cultural appropriateness of messages
- Consistency checking for messages/online help/printed documentation, etc.
Politically sensitive content is deleted, and other basic parameters, such as spelling rules, date formats, video content, language, accent, sorting rules, and address formats are also checked.
Also Read:
What You Shouldn’t Do When Localising Your Website
The Benefits
Carrying out localisation testing helps businesses identify defects at an earlier point in time. By doing so, this can protect them from future failure or crisis. Other than that, it helps them deliver an optimized product/service right away – one that offers a unique and top-notch user experience.
The first impression is always the best one, and localisation testing ensures that businesses make the first impression. Once a business manages to impress a new market, it’s smooth sailing from that point in time. Eventually, opportunities to spread across other locations will start to show up.
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