Pricing App Localization: Balancing Quality and Budget

Mobile app localization has become a significant economic incentive for firms expanding into global markets. In 2019, more than 2 million apps were available in the Google Play Store, and mobile phone users totaled 4.68 billion.

App localization, tailoring an application to a specific target market’s linguistic, cultural, and functional needs, has emerged as a critical approach for app developers looking to grow their user base. However, as with any business choice, the app localization cost must be carefully evaluated against possible benefits. This post will look at the obstacles and opportunities of pricing app localization and how developers can strike the proper balance between quality and budget.

Understanding the Importance of Application Localization

App localization is the process of modifying software for a specific market, area, or culture. This includes altering language, currency, date and time format, text orientation, measurement units, and general design aesthetics that appeal to the target audience.

Getting started with app localization is dependent on the condition of your project. If you haven’t started preparing yet, you have greater flexibility in deciding which path to take. On the other hand, if your project already has numerous pieces of code running, it is better to use a staggered approach to localization to avoid disruption for your users.

Before getting into the complexities of pricing, it’s critical to understand why app localization is so important for developers trying to expand into international markets. The primary purpose of localization is to make an app feel more natural to users in various locations, resulting in a more engaging and user-friendly experience. This includes translating the app’s text, adjusting images and visuals, and changing functionality to reflect local tastes and cultural subtleties. Investing in app localization allows developers to raise user satisfaction, build trust, and ultimately increase their app’s chances of success in new countries.

The primary benefit of app localization is increased visibility to a larger audience, which leads to more downloads and income. According to a Distomo analysis, app localization generates 128% more downloads per nation and 26% higher revenue (per country) within a week.

Localization is often determined by niche and specialty, which makes estimating an app’s localization price difficult. Pricing varies based on word count, number of languages and their popularity, text repeats, project timeline, and other factors.

Once the localization is complete, you must engage a professional app localization service to undertake localization testing to ensure that the text looks correct and that nothing is missing. Depending on the language, this might cost anything from $16-38 per hour.

App Localization Pricing Challenges

While the advantages of app localization are apparent, selecting the best pricing plan can be tricky. Several variables add to the difficulty of pricing in this context:

1. Language Complexity and Market Demand:

Different languages have varying degrees of complexity for localization. Some languages may necessitate more substantial adaptation owing to linguistic intricacies or cultural differences. Furthermore, the demand for localization services in specific markets may influence pricing, with high-demand languages sometimes costing more.

In the gaming industry, translating from English to French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Hindi can cost between $0.13 and $0.14 per word. Translations from English into Scandinavian languages (Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish) can cost $0.16-0.18 per word. Translations from English to Russian (which are less popular) can cost between $0.06 and $0.07 per word.

2. Content Volume and Complexity:

App localization price is directly related to the volume and complexity of an app’s content. Apps containing a lot of text, multimedia assets, or complex user interfaces may demand additional resources for translation and adaptation.

3. Technical Challenges:

Technical parts of app localization, like coding and testing, might increase overall costs. Ensuring the software works effectively in several languages and meets numerous technological standards necessitates skill and resources.

4. Time Constraint:   

Developers may encounter time constraints while attempting to enter a new market quickly. Rushed localization processes might increase expenses since resources must be rapidly assigned to meet tight deadlines.

Strategies to Balance Quality and Budget

1. Prioritize Target Markets

To optimize budget allocation, developers should prioritize target markets based on user demographics, market size, and potential ROI. Focusing on critical markets enables more efficient resource allocation and higher-quality localization.

2. Flexible Localization Packages

Offering alternative localization packages based on the level of customization and complexity necessary can accommodate a wide range of app developers. Basic packages may provide the required translations, while premium packages may include more extensive cultural adaptation and user interface customization.

3. Invest in Scalable Solutions

Scalable localization solutions, such as translation memory systems and automated tools, can save expenses over time. These technologies serve to streamline the localization process, ensuring uniformity and efficiency.

4. Collaborate with Local Experts

Engaging local experts, such as translators, app localization services, and cultural consultants, can improve localization quality. Partnering with people who understand the complexities of the target market ensures that adaptations are accurate and culturally appropriate.

5. Budget for Continuous Update

Apps are dynamic, and they are updated frequently. Budgeting for continuous localization efforts is critical to keeping the app relevant in several areas. Developers should include a long-term commitment to localization in their overall plan.

Strategies That Can Impact The Cost Of Mobile App Localization

Of course, while discussing the pricing of your mobile app localization services, it is essential to consider more than simply which services will be charged and how. Many clients are unaware they can affect the final price by supplying the localization service provider with the necessary information to make the process move more smoothly. Similarly, the localization services will incorporate specific tools and adhere to workflows to improve efficiency and reduce costs, particularly in the long run.

Mobile app localization is a time-consuming and complex procedure. So, before you commit to localization, ensure that your budget and business priorities are in place. For example, you will not need to translate into all languages immediately following the internationalization process. Take your time deciding where to begin, and follow the advice above!

Conclusion

App localization is an effective tool for broadening the reach of mobile applications, but the app localization cost can be a considerable problem for developers. To strike the correct balance between quality and budget, a comprehensive strategy is required that considers market demands, flexible pricing structures, scalable solutions, and a continual commitment to updates. Developers may maximize the potential of their apps in a worldwide market by recognizing the constraints connected with pricing app localization and employing intelligent solutions.