Getting your app adaptive to a country’s local language can be an advantage and a step up against your competitors. As you aim to expand your app globally, software localization may be needed to get your existing products to reach the global market. After localizing your entire app, localization testing can be done to ensure that it works well in a local language.
Generally, localization allows your app to blend with the local language and culture. It creates a mutual understanding which is crucial in building trust and customer satisfaction.
Reaching the global market has been one of every developer’s objectives. Connecting with the worldwide audience means getting access to a possible user’s multiplicity. Since the digital age has evolved and anyone can access the internet, app developers are now capable of providing their products and services across the globe.
More About Localization Testing
Generally, when an app is developed, it undergoes testing before it is released to ensure that it is running smoothly on high quality. It goes the same for localization. It undergoes a testing technique to assess if the software is working correctly in a specific language and country.
By having the software tested, you will be able to identify if the app is customized well according to your target audience in a specific country or region. It validates whether the re-designing of the software is acceptable and relevant to the international market.
The localization testing covers the software’s performance, user interface, and content. Upon testing, the date, icons, language, images, and currency must be on a specific country’s standards. It is a vital step in preparing for international software launching.
It is important to double-check if everything has been localized properly to prevent bad reviews from the users.
Who Does the Localization Testing?
Localization testing is done by localization testing services. Usually, they are the native speakers of the target country. Aside from the translators, they proofread the content to ensure there are no errors in the contexts.
Aside from linguistics, the tester often has engineering expertise. Since the testing includes the app performance and the user interface, someone who is an expert on software development should do the testing and be able to do it thoroughly. Technical skills and understanding of the process are principal requirements for a localization QA tester.
Importance of Localization Testing
Once an app has been developed and finalized with low-quality context and translations, it may confuse the user. It may lead to multiple negative comments and customer complaints. For example, some users may share their bad experiences online or not use the app. It can be challenging to recover from the negative reviews.
Aside from customer experience, testing also prevents and fixes bugs that can delay or interrupt software upgrades and development. QA testers may disclose the issues in performance and translations so that translators and software engineers can work back and make necessary adjustments.
The testers also provide an in-depth analysis of the localization to inform the app owners whether there is a need for an upswing, or if the app is ready for global launching.
How Does It Work?
Before testing the app performance, a native speaker of a specific target country translates all the content. A build verification testing is done to ensure that the UI, content, and language are already localized.
Then the QA tester runs cosmetic and detailed testing to know if the content is displayed accurately.
A functionality test is done as the final step. Under this, the tester will be able to identify if the app performs properly under a specific region. Bugs and logs defects should be detected and fixed during this process before the app launches.
Key Factors to Consider in Localization Testing Services
A successful localization ensures the functionality of the app to its target users. It is vital to remember that before the app localization, it should be internationalized first under its coding standard (i18n). The following key factors should be considered in testing to determine if it is appropriate to target users:
- User Interface: This includes the software design elements that need careful testing. An example would be the changing of the language and writing system. Since there are languages that are read from right-to-left and left-to-right, the functionality of applying text direction changes to the design should be tested properly.
- Language and Script: Localizing an app is more complicated than translating it. Since some of the languages have variations, the testing process checks if the translated content is appropriate.
- User Experience: Every country differs from one another when it comes to date formats, currencies, measurements, punctuation marks, and many more. Since some use special characters in their language, these should be included in the localization testing and process to provide a better user experience to the locals.
- Country Regulations: Researching and complying with local laws may take much time. A country’s data privacy law should be checked and followed to have an app continuous operation.
- Image and Culture: For each country, certain symbols or images can be religiously or culturally offensive. Sacred symbols used on icons should fit the culture of the target audience. It should be reviewed on localization testing to avoid any misunderstanding.
Advantages of Localization Testing
One of the benefits of localization testing is reducing costs for a longer time. Efficient testing on apps can prevent future localization problems and issues. Also, it anticipates scenarios in terms of the volume of users. Necessary adjustments can be done to ensure that the app can handle a large load of users.
Conclusion
Preparing for market globalization is significant. Not all users can speak or understand your language, and this language barrier sometimes makes them decide not to use an app. Having the app localized efficiently can help local users utilize the app. Getting professional and expert localization QA testers can help an owner launch his app flawlessly.