Best Examples of Localization by Big Companies

The process of localization involves adapting a product’s entire identity to suit the needs of a particular region, ethnic group, or any form of a target audience. Moreover, the goal of localization is to establish a two-way communication between the brand and its customers. Thus ensuring success, growth in business, and the establishment of an asset. Currently, many companies have and are doing a great job of localizing their business. Moreover, people often use localization services to help them establish their business in different regions.

The reason is that website localization service providers are those with loads of prior experience. They already know how different regions have different cultures and how each population resonates with something different. For example, the color yellow is generally thought of as a happy color, used in restaurants and children’s books. But in France or the UK, the color is associated with weakness, anger, betrayal, and even jealousy. A few centuries ago, the French would paint all criminal and traitor’s doors as yellow.

So you kind of get the picture. Sometimes what seems normal or harmless in one region may have very different implications in another region. People around the world consider eating a steak a treat and a delicacy. In India, doing it might result in you getting lynched.

Well, here are some great examples of successful companies that have used localization services to succeed around the world.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

This company has been working in animal and forestry conservation since way back in the 1960s. Also, WWF’s awareness campaigns are the perfect example of how localized education can help companies reach their goals. Their online presence and website are one of their leading factors. Moreover, their campaigns always involve a localization strategy. Furthermore, they collaborate with local schools, hospitals, and celebrities, and host localized events.

Thus, they have properly used localization services to not only translate their materials but also provide the right material to the right audience.

Airbnb

The company has managed to disrupt the hotel and travelling industry by increasing its presence in over 220 countries. Interestingly, they did what Uber did to taxi drivers and now have almost a monopoly kind of business. Many people recommend Airbnb because it lowers their costs and helps them find more homely accommodations. To localize they change all their website metrics to suit the customer’s needs. These include logos, currency, language, laws, and more. Airbnb’s website is the perfect example of website localization services used correctly.

Netflix

The Netflix experience is giving users content they can relate to. Their algorithm is based on location and preferences. Also, they go above and beyond offering different movie titles in different regions. Their localization efforts are admired the world over, by incorporating dubbing and subbing. Moreover, they have helped movies reach diverse audiences that previous directors only dreamed of reaching. Moreover, this kind of globalization has offered them a very profitable asset. Netflix translates its interphase and its content. Interestingly, you can watch shows in potentially 60+ different languages.

Sony

The Japanese tech giants have made Sony a household name with their products and their localization strategy. Sony cameras, consoles, TVs, mobile phones, and many other products are associated with high quality. The gaming console Playstation itself is a great example. How games and interphase have been adapted in different languages. Moreover, how consistently the company has utilized its localization strategy is commendable. The localization is so strong that people feel nostalgic for Sony memories. Furthermore, Sony sells its products in over 70 countries and others even import them based on demand.

McDonald’s

This fast food chain is again a household name in many countries. Moreover, their localization goes beyond their menu, content, and advertising. McDonalds caters to the customer by localizing their offerings. Also, you will see different menus in each region and the taste can slightly differ too. Moreover, changes in metrics like prices, signboards, and even ingredients used are localized. In Muslim countries, McDonald’s does not serve Ham for example, while the Japanese McDonald’s has a larger seafood menu. Similarly, India has a vast vegetarian menu, and no beef in most of the country.

Some Notable Names

• Samsung
• KFC
• Dominos
• Spotify
• Asos
• Nintendo
• Amazon
• Disney
• Starbucks
• H&M
• Ikea
• Tinder
• Revolut
• Honda
• Suzuki
• Toyota
• Google

Conclusion

These are some of the common companies that you might have not even noticed were employing localization strategies. Well, this is actually how well they did it, that many people of the local population do not know the origin of most of these companies. They adapted their business to meet local demands and preferences. Thus, successfully creating a good localization strategy has enabled them to grow quickly and establish large businesses. Remember, almost 70% of people prefer reading materials in their language. Furthermore, this includes the website and all marketing efforts.