Best AI Tools for SaaS Product Translation and Localization

Adapting software for a new market can be challenging. Translating text from one language to another is just the starting point with SaaS localization, with countless other tasks involved to ensure products are fully ready for new markets. SaaS localization can be expensive and resource intensive, but it’s an essential step if you’re looking to broaden your reach to include international customers. Alongside a wider market reach, localizing SaaS products can also improve user experience and lead to an increase in product adoption, significantly boosting your revenues and return on investment.

Why SaaS Localization Matters in Today’s Global Market

Imagine you’ve enjoyed great success with your SaaS product in a domestic market. Now you’ve exhausted all available revenue streams, it’s time to look elsewhere for opportunities. Localizing SaaS products is the only way forward if you want to expand into untapped markets and engage with new customers.

Localizing SaaS products also allows you to enhance existing software with new users in mind. By revisiting software development with the localization process, it’s easy to redefine SaaS products, enhancing the user experience to increase accessibility. The more you tailor a product to new users and their specific needs, the more positive the interaction and the more likely you are to generate conversions. The more satisfied users are, the more likely they are to continue to use your product. This makes localization an obvious choice if you’re eager to increase retention rates.

Localized SaaS products also give you an advantage in competitive markets. If you’ve outgrown the market at home, international expansion is often the only way forward to secure new revenues. Fully localized software not only allows you to create a best-in-class SaaS product, it also lets you stand out among competitors, enabling healthy returns in crowded marketplaces. These revenue gains shouldn’t be underestimated. According to one survey by DeepL, 96% of companies reported a positive ROI after investing in localization.

Key Challenges in SaaS Localization and Translation

Saas localization can bring many benefits. By investing in software localization, you can dramatically expand your user base, accelerate time to market, and give your brand awareness efforts a significant boost. Additionally, by offering software in the native language of new users, you instantly gain a positive reputation and can generate brand loyalty. Perfect if you’re serious about customer retention and plan on competing in crowded markets. However, SaaS localization and translation come with obstacles that need to be overcome.

Common Translation Issues

Inaccurate translations are one of the most common issues you’re likely to come up against during the localization process. Some languages have drastically different DNA, meaning text expansion and contraction can become an issue. Depending on the language pair you’re using, this can lead to text being unable to fit within the screen’s available space. Reading direction is another common concern. Some languages, such as Hebrew and Arabic, read right to left, whereas the likes of English and German read left to right. You’ll need to bear reading direction in mind if you’re targeting problematic languages, as it can have ramifications for page layouts.

You’ll also need to think about the translation process itself. You’ll need to ensure that translators are provided with sufficient context to complete reliable translations. Do you plan on relying on machine translations to complete translation workflows? The best machine translation tools can speed up SaaS localization considerably, but they’re far from perfect. Make sure you’re including human linguists somewhere in the process to avoid inaccurate translations and embarrassing cultural faux pas.

Time to Market Concerns

Localizing SaaS takes time. You’ll need to allot time to gather the resources needed for localization, create a schedule for customization, and account for localization testing. Before all of this, you’ll also need to spend time actually investigating target markets to identify what needs to be captured during the localization process. While it’s tempting to cut corners to beat competitors to the finish line, compromises can cost you dearly when dealing with localization.

Consistency Across Languages

If you’re targeting multiple languages as part of a larger localization project, some language pairs will likely be better provided for than others. You might have ready access to all the resources needed to undertake English to Spanish localization, while your in-house resources fall short when it comes to targeting an Asian language, for example. Even if you’re pulling in third-party resources to plug the shortfall, you invariably end up with an inconsistent user experience across languages and cultures.

Essential Features of AI-Powered SaaS Localization Tools

Interested in using localization tools to help you penetrate new markets? There are many tools on the market that can help with SaaS localization, meaning picking the right one for your needs can be a challenge. Below, we’ll explore some of the most important features to look out for when choosing AI-powered SaaS localization tools.

API Integration

Do you plan on using a raft of different tools and services to complete your localization project? You’ll need to use localization tools that support API integration. API-enabled SaaS localization tools allow for streamlined data exchange, ensuring all of your systems are working together as they should. As well as connecting systems, API integration can help with task and workflow automation, helping you minimize manual workloads. API integration is also scalable, making it the ideal fit for localization projects with ever-expanding scope.

Automated Workflows

Localization is a resource-intensive process. If you’re previously put off localization because of the amount of resources and manhours required, API integration will help put your mind at rest. With API integration, even the most complex workflows can be automated, meaning you won’t have to invest a small fortune in expanded teams to undertake localization to-do lists.

Context Preservation

Context-based translation should be at the heart of any localization project. When context isn’t properly maintained, the result is woefully inaccurate translations. As well as being jarring for the reader and impacting user experience, these second-rate translations can also damage your brand reputation. AI-powered SaaS localization platforms can help with context preservation, providing linguists and machine learning tools with sufficient resources to complete quality translations with context intact.

Collaborative Features

SaaS localization involves extensive collaboration between interdisciplinary teams. Editors need to work closely with translators to undertake the bulk of localization workflows, while your linguists also need a direct line to developers. While it’s ultimately down to project managers to ensure clear lines of communication are maintained, you’ll need to use localization platforms that boast collaboration tools as standard. Collaboration tools ensure everyone involved remains on the same page, while making it easier for individuals to report on updates and amendments. As well as streamlining communication, collaboration tools help foster a culture of accountability.

Top AI Translation Tools for SaaS Localization

Nowadays, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to translation tools. However, SaaS localization calls for a smarter suite of features that many standard translation tools fail to deliver. We’ve singled out some of the most ussrful AI translation tools currently on the market for you to consider as you start perfecting your SaaS localization strategy.

TextUnited

Searching for powerful AI-enabled translation tools to help with your SaaS localization efforts? TextUnited is a smart choice, making quick work of multilingual content. Robust machine translation tools form the foundation of TextUnited, with additional features like translation memory and management tools enabling streamlined workflows and consistent results. Although TextUnited is one of the more accurate solutions out there, translated content does veer closer to the formal end of the spectrum. However, this is no bad thing when it comes to SaaS localization. This localization tool also supports a host of integrations, making it an obvious pick if you’re looking for something that will effortlessly syncronise with your other tools and systems.

Lokalise

If you’re keen to automate as many processes as possible, a localization tool like Lokalise is something to consider. With automation features aplenty, you can translate at speed, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be dealing with accurate and reliable results.

Machine translation comes as standard here, with translation memory features helping speed things along. Quality assessment can also be automated, helping raise the bar without you having to invest additional resource. API integration makes this a suitable choice if you’re dealing with countless other systems, while there’s broad scope for customization.

Crowdin

Searching for a budget-friendly tool to help with your SaaS localization project? Crowdin is something worth considering. Despite being a fairly cost-effective solution, this localization doesn’t disappoint when it comes to translating at scale.

Advanced project management features make it a good shout if you’re looking to simplify workflows, especially if you’re handling multiple localization campaigns simultaneously. This platform also offers impressive functionally, with more than 600 integrations boasting full syncrhonization. Just the ticket if you’re looking to boost productivity and reach localization milestones more quickly.

Phrase Strings

Separate from Phrase TMS, Phrase Strings is designed with app and software localization in mind. As it’s been designed with SaaS localization in mind, you can expect a host of tailored features that make translating and localizing software content a breeze. Despite being fairly comprehensive, Phrase Strings is relatively accessible, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that won’t alienate new users.

If you’re looking to create customized workflows, the Phrase Orchestrator feature will make a welcome addition to your operation, while context-enhancing tools ensure incredibly reliable results. Hundreds of integrations with the likes of WordPress, GitHub, AWS, and more are also supported, broadening the functionality of Phrase Strings.

DeepL

If you’re looking for a free-to-use tool that doesn’t skimp on features, DeepL is something to consider. A long-time rival to Google Translate, DeepL is easy to use and scores well when it comes to quality translations that maintain context.

A user-friendly interface makes it accessible to the beginner, while seamless integrations ensure smooth running with just about nay system. Offering quality translations with a nuanced understanding of the original text, DeepL is a good choice if you’re looking for a translation tool that maintains context. It also supports a wide selection of language pairs, making it a welcome asset if you’re looking to target multiple territories at once.

Best Practices for Implementing SaaS Localization Strategy

When handled effectively, SaaS localization can generate impressive results. Enhanced user experience can enable deeper market penetration, helping you win out in competitive markets and generate enviable revenues. However, SaaS localization calls for a unique strategy, separate from what you might have implemented when localizing general content or a marketing campaign. Below, we’ll examine a few key best practices to bear in mind when implementing an SaaS localization strategy for the first time.

Embrace Automation

If you’re looking for productivity and efficiency gains, you’ll want to embrace automation as much as possible during your SaaS localization project. From importing and exporting data to handling repetitive tasks, countless elements of a workflow can be automated. To make use of automation, make sure you’re using a centralized CMS, allowing everyone involved in the process to access content as and when required.

Automation also allows you to make effective use of translation memory. Approved translations can be stored, enabling automatic translations that can dramatically speed up workflows. The other obvious advantage here is consistency, reducing the need for needless revisions that can eat into precious resources.

Another central pillar of automation is machine translation. Although they’re not as reliable as an experienced human linguist, machine translation tools are becoming increasingly proficient. Generating impressive initial results, machine translation-enabled translations can be then picked up by a translator to deliver polished results.

Continuous Localization

Many companies find themselves localizing SaaS products after they’ve already been built in a specific language. While this scenario is unavoidable for some, it’s an inefficient way to handle localization. The localization process can slow down or bring other project workflows to a standstill, while any associated bugs need to be fixed on an ad hoc basis.

To avoid these issues and more, it makes sense to think about localization from the start of software development. By utilizing the continuous localization model, all localization steps are handled alongside development itself. This allows for better collaboration between interdepartmental teams and boosts efficiency. With this approach, you can localize SaaS content the moment it’s created, while urgent actions can be carried out immediately. This model is particularly useful for SaaS localization projects in multiple languages, allowing you to enter new markets simultaneously.

Internationalize Your Product with User-Friendly Strings

Before you localize an app or software product, you’ll need to internationalize it. This process involves designing code and strings that will help circumnavigate potential issues that arise during the localization process. Avoid hardcoding things like times and dates, opting for universal formats instead. When coding numerical values, always use variables and ensure that strings are stored in an external platform.

You’ll also want to avoid breaking strings into smaller pieces. Strings that contain only a single word are going to prove confusing when presented to translators. Instead, use placeholders and variables to provide context and user intent that will help guide linguists.

Be Comprehensive When Localizing

Localization is an exhaustive undertaking and involves far more than translating text from one language into another. When localizing SaaS products, make sure everything is being adapted for new markets, not just text. Consider things like pricing, including region-specific pricing points and models, currency conversions, and more. To increase conversions, you’ll also need to ensure you’re offering the right payment platforms, enabling users to pay for your product via locally accessible methods.

Images and graphics also need to be adapted for new audiences during the localization process. If your SaaS products contain certain image types, you may need to adapt them to ensure new audiences feel properly represented and included. Color choices are also important, with different colors holding unique meanings across the globe. Due diligence will ensure you’re not breaking any local taboos or using a color that’s going to generate an unwelcome reaction.

How Blend’s Solution Transforms SaaS Localization Workflows

Are you thinking about localizing your SaaS products for new users? Whether you’re weighing up the pros and cons of going global or have already a target market in your sights, BLEND can help you succeed. Our SaaS localization services make quick work of adapting software from one language into another, with streamlined solutions that can help you scale with ease. Offering an impressive list of API integrations, our SaaS localization services will effortlessly synchronize with your existing tools and systems, meaning you won’t have to worry about retrofitting your localization project.

A full suite of translation management and computer-assisted translation tools means you can translate large volumes of text in moments, while automation comes as standard. Perfect if you’re looking to expedite workflows and maximize minimal resources. Neural machine translation technology delivers incredibly reliable results, while on-demand translations from experienced linguists is on hand for added peace of mind. With BLEND, you reap the benefits of AI-driven localization that combines the latest translation technologies with the human touch.

Ready to find out more about how BLEND can help you with SaaS localization project? Get in touch with the team today to discuss your project in more detail.