How to use localization for your changelog, release notes and in-app notifications

In-app notifications and product release notes are useful tools for keeping users engaged and informed about updates, promoting new features, and sharing important information related to your app or service that will improve their experience.

However, if you want to reach new markets or already have a global customer base, it’s important to communicate in multiple languages to reach a wider audience and improve the user experience. Thus, start localizing. Think of localization as the GPS for your business. It helps you navigate the cultural landscape and reach your destination – success in a new market.

Why and how localization can boost your changelog, release notes and in-app notifications.

Firstly, why do you need to localize product updates?

Before jumping to the technical aspect of creating multilingual in-app notifications and release notes, it’s essential to understand the importance and benefits of localization in general. Localization refers to the process of adapting a product or service to a specific market or language. It involves not just the translation of content but also the cultural adaptation of elements such as graphics, layout, and design.

Improved Customer Experiences.

Localization is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps to improve the user experience by ensuring that users can understand and interact with the app in their own language. This is especially important for apps that are used for critical or daily tasks, such as navigating or managing finances, as users need to be able to rely on the accuracy and clarity of the information provided.

A study by Forrester found that 52% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product with information in their own language, while only 20% would buy a product if information was only in English.

Successful Expansion.

Localization is also important for reaching a wider global audience. By making an app available in multiple languages, developers can tap into new markets and potentially increase their user base. This can be especially valuable for apps that rely on a subscription model or in-app purchases, as a larger user base can lead to increased revenue.

According to a Common Sense Advisory report named “Can’t read, won’t buy”, companies that localized their content into multiple languages saw an average increase in revenue by up to 36%.

Finally, localization can help to build trust and credibility with users. By showing that an app is available in their language and has been adapted to their cultural context, developers can demonstrate a commitment to meeting the needs of their users. This can help to build loyalty and encourage users to continue using the product.

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Competitive Advantage.

By localizing your content, you gain a competitive advantage over other companies who have not yet localized their content. According to a Common Sense Advisory report, 77% of consumers prefer to buy products from websites in their own language.

Brand Development and Loyalty.

Localization can also help to improve brand image and reputation by showing a company’s commitment to serving its customers in their own language and culture. In summary, localization is an important aspect of app development. Creating multilingual in-app notifications and release notes is one way to ensure that an app or service is accessible and relevant to a global audience.

Some more stats (based on an Analytical report about User language preferences online) to prove you need to start localizing and speak to global customers in their native language:

• 9 out of 10 Internet users said that, when given a choice of languages, they always visited a website in their own language.
• Nearly 1in 5 Europeans (19%) said they never browse in a language other than their own.
• 42% said they never purchase products and services in other languages.

How to deliver multilingual in-app notifications and release notes using Beamer.

Creating and translating posts at Beamer.

Before you can make your notifications multilingual, you’ll need to set up available languages, and then you’ll be able to enter translations in Beamer.

This article from our Help Center will walk you through a detailed process of how to translate your posts into multiple languages!

It’s incredibly easy and should only take your team a few minutes to set up! No external apps or software required so you can start taking advantage of all the benefits of localization right away!

Automate and Scale Localization Of Your Beamer Content.

Automating the localization of Beamer can offer many benefits for teams looking to scale their translation of content. There are many different tools available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular options include:

1. Translation management systems (TMS) or localization software like Crowdin: These tools are designed specifically for better localization management. They typically include a translation memory, which stores previously translated content, and can automate the translation of repetitious content, integrations with machine translation engines, and more. It also ensures quick automated sync and translation of all new content and minor content updates, like a new sentence or a changed word.
2. Machine translation tools like Google Translate: They use algorithms to automatically translate content. While they are not always accurate, they can be a quick and cost-effective way to generate a first draft of your localized content. Keep in mind that this option includes either manual copy-pasting of source text and translations or implementation of automatic solution using API by your team.
3. Automation tools like Zapier: It helps to automate repetitive tasks by connecting various web applications. It can be used to automate localization by connecting services like machine translation tools, content management systems, and collaboration tools to streamline the localization process. For example, a user can set up a “Zap” that automatically translates new content in a CMS and sends it for review to a team of translators.

It is important to note that automating the localization process does not mean you can entirely eliminate human involvement. There will likely still be some manual work involved in checking and editing the translations to ensure that they are accurate and appropriate for your target audience.

By automating the localization process, you can save time and reduce the cost of localizing your Beamer content. Additionally, by using software tools to manage the process, you can ensure that your content is translated consistently and accurately, helping to improve the quality of your presentations.

Automating Content Localization.

One of the ways to create multilingual in-app notifications and release notes without spending time on manual content copy & pasting or implementing the automated solution by yourself is to use a translation tool like Crowdin.

This way, you can automate the translation of your Beamer content, and also use translation memory, machine translation engines, translation context, and one-click translation orders to get translations quickly and make sure they are accurate and consistent.

If you decided to automate in-app notifications localization using localization software, you’ll need to:

1. Create your first localization project at Crowdin or other localization software of your choice that provide automatic integration with Beamer. And install the Beamer app.
2. Choose the sync schedule, so the app will automatically upload all new content from Beamer to Crowdin and vice versa every hour, day, or week. Or synchronize content manually in one click.

Final Words.

Localizing in-app notifications and release notes is a crucial aspect of app development, as it helps to improve the user experience, reach a wider audience, build trust and credibility, and gain a competitive advantage. Thus, it is a must-have in today’s globalized world and is key to success in new markets. Read the full guide on creating release notes and customize Beamer’s release notes template to boost user engagement.

Communicate with a global audience and save time by automating most of the content-related tasks with the help of tools like translation management systems, machine translation engines and more!