Are Translation and Localization the Same?
Learn the difference between website translation and website localization and why you need both for global success.
 17 min. læsning |  Jessica Rivera |  Juni 03, 2025 |
| 17 min. læsning | Jessica Rivera | Juni 03, 2025 |
To reach new global markets, it is critical to oversæt jeres hjemmeside to communicate with new customers in their preferred languages. While website translation helps attract international visitors, combining website translation and localization is what truly fosters genuine connections and drives higher conversion rates.
Many people use "translation" and "localization" interchangeably, but they are not the same. Both processes help businesses expand internationally, yet each serves a different role in delivering an optimal user experience. Without effectively "speaking" your audience's language-both literally and culturally-how can you engage them successfully?
While translation and localization offer similar functionalities, there are essential differences between them. Understanding what distinguishes these terms, processes, and services, helps you extend the reach of your website more efficiently and profitably. To understand how website translation and localization services differ, you need to define the two concepts.
The concept of oversættelse af hjemmeside is very straightforward. Website translation is the process of adapting your website content from its original language into other languages, often word-for-word, to make it accessible to global customers. Translated content mirrors the style and tone of source content but doesn’t consider the context.
[Button: Learn About MotionPoint’s Website Translation Services]
Website translation and localization services go beyond a word-for-word translation experience. Det involverer at forfine indholdet på webstedet gennem kultur, sprog og flow for at give brugerne den mest værdifulde og relevante oplevelse. Lokalisering tager højde for sprogdialekter, der bruges i en udvalgt region eller et land, og tilpasser alle indholdselementer til en lokal eller regional opfattelse. The localization method modifies the language and website elements to appeal to the linguistic and cultural preferences of the target customers.
There are several elements of website translation and localization that are important to consider when developing a multilingual website:
While translation is one aspect of localization, localizing website content is a fundamental next step after translation. Therefore, website translation and localization are equally important for multilingual website development, both as standalone practices and together.
Transkreation is a creative way of translating a message from one language to another. It keeps the same tone, style, and context, and makes sure the original meaning is not lost. The goal of transcreation is to recreate the message in a way that resonates with the target audience and maintains cultural relevance.
Used in marketing and branding, transcreation complements website translation and localization by adding creative flexibility for emotional or persuasive messaging across cultures.
When travelling to another country, it’s helpful to know simple phrases in the local language such as "please," "thank you," and "how much". But if you weren’t fluent in the language, you probably became frustrated by your inability to communicate in other situations.
Your target market may face a similar challenge when interacting with your business online. De har brug for et websted, der "taler deres sprog", så de nemt kan forstå, hvad du formidler. Der er ikke plads til frustration eller forvirring. Hvis de oplever ubehageligheder, forlader de som regel webstedet inden de konverterer.
Websites presented in local languages yield better market responses than those that aren't. According to Common Sense Advisory, nearly 73% of customers prefer to purchase a product or service from a site that provides information in their own language, and 56% of consumers said the ability to obtain information in their own language is more important than price. This shows that website translation and localization play a critical role in conversion.
So, why should you localize your website? In a nutshell, while translation is vital, it will only get you so far.
Dine globale kunder må ikke opleve modstand, når de besøger din hjemmeside. Hvis det sker, ser du dem ikke igen.
Machine translation (like Google Translate) is cost-effective for basic translations, but it lacks cultural and contextual accuracy. It also doesn't generate SEO-friendly, indexable pages, limiting organic traffic potential.
Human translation, on the other hand, ensures nuance, accuracy, and cultural appropriateness. Combining AI-powered tools with human review often yields the best results-especially for high-stakes website translation and localization projects.
Google Translate also doesn’t create searchable, indexable versions of those translated pages, which is important from an SEO standpoint.
Website localization goes beyond the word-for-word linguistic conversion of conventional translation and instead uses words and phrases that resonate within specific markets. Pairing website translation and localization can dramatically improve trust, engagement, and brand perception in new regions.
Regionsneutrale oversættelser er meget effektive, men lokalisering er mere overbevisende for mange flersprogede kunder.
Overvej for eksempel forskellene mellem ordene "trousers" og "slacks". Ordene er identiske i mening, men et af dem resonerer langt bedre i UK end i USA.
But website localization can go beyond word choice. Dygtige markedsføringsfolk tilpasser ofte deres flersprogede websteder for at fremhæve lokale helligdage, festligheder og skikke. Dette illustrerer indgående kendskab til et lokalt markeds kultur, hvilket hurtigt genererer kundetillid.
Andre eksempler på lokalisering omfatter oprettelse af særlige kampagner for specifikke markeder eller udformning af unikke, tillidsskabende budskaber for at etablere troværdighed på helt nye markeder.
In the early days of serving a multilingual market, it was not uncommon for a company to be greeted with local skepticism. Lokale kunder overvejer ofte, hvor engageret en virksomhed er i markedet og dets behov. Når brands bruger lokaliseret indhold, virker de ikke opportunistiske – de fremstår autentiske.
While website translation covers language, localization considers how language is visually and functionally presented. Layout adjustments, reading direction, and word count all play into effective website translation and localization.
For instance, certain romance languages like French and Spanish need about 30% more words than English to get the same message across. Conversely, Finnish actually requires 30–40% fewer words. Website translation only deals with the language, but localization makes sure copy looks right.
At this point, you're probably asking yourself: Should I invest in translation or localization for my website? The answer often lies in using both. Together, website translation and localization allow businesses to scale internationally while creating deeper, more authentic user experiences.
Websites usually contain several content types, from marketing copy to legal and technical information and user-generated forum content. Af hensyn til effektiviteten og omkostningerne skal du overveje, hvilke typer indhold, der kræver lokalisering, og hvor du blot kan bede om oversættelse. Website translation and localization help you connect with your target audience and reach them on a more personal level.
Oversættelse alene kan være nyttig til at henvende sig til mange mennesker, der taler det samme sprog, selvom de oprindeligt kommer fra forskellige lande. At oversætte bredt giver læserne mulighed for at forstå beskeder, uanset deres oprindelse. Dette fænomen finder ofte sted i USA med personer, der taler det samme sprog, såsom spansk.
Når USA har spansktalende fra mange forskellige dele af verden, rummer de forskellige sæt af kulturelle nuancer, sætninger og dialekter. I det tilfælde ville en veludført bredere oversættelse bevidst undgå at bruge regionale udtryk eller ord fra et bestemt land og anerkende det bredere spanske marked på det lokale, amerikanske marked.
Oversættelse alene er en billigere mulighed. Nogle websteder eller oversættelsesopgaver er ikke så vigtige, at de kræver menneskelig oversættelse. MotionPoint kan bruge maskinoversættelse til én side og menneskelig oversættelse til andre, vigtigere sider.
Lokalisering skaber mere sammenhængskraft, men det er dyrere. Localization also requires content verbiage translation upkeep and considers web design as well. Det kan omfatte ændring af grafik eller udvikling af helt nye websteder, afhængigt af målsproget og kulturelle forskelle i forhold til det originale websted.
[Button: Get Started with Translating Your Website Today]
Website translation and localization are best used when:
MotionPoint tailors solutions for brands based on whether they need translation, localization, or a blend of both. These success stories show how website translation and localization power growth:
Master Lock, a leading U.S. manufacturer of retail and commercial security and safety products, needed both website translation and localization when they began expanding globally. Lokaliserede websteder giver en ægte strategisk værdi for Master Lock. Distributører og salgsteam bruger Master Lock-webstedet til at indsamle produktinformation til regionale kunder, og kunder kan også få adgang til Master Locks omfattende online produkt- og serviceinformation. Derudover ændres Master Locks websteder regelmæssigt, baseret på hyppige opdateringer, når et nyt produkt eller segment udrulles, så nøjagtige oversættelser er afgørende for virksomheden. Til dato har Master Lock oversat og lokaliseret websteder, der understøttes på forenklet kinesisk, hollandsk, fransk, tysk, italiensk, japansk, portugisisk og spansk.
Rio Bank is a community bank with branches throughout the heart of Southern Texas, many of them near the Mexican border. Forretningen voksede, men Rio Bank fandt ud af, at de ikke fik tilstrækkelig kundefeedback, som var vigtig for markedsføring og kundeservice. Da en kundeundersøgelse blev udviklet på spansk, og feedback steg kraftigt, indså Rio Bank hurtigt behovet for bedre kommunikation med deres spansktalende kunder. Så Rio Bank bad MotionPoint om at oversætte deres websted og skabe en fyldestgørende tosproget oplevelse for alle kunder. Oversættelse af deres websted gav øjeblikkeligt øget kundetilfredshed, hvor mere end 90 % af deres kunder taler spansk.
[Button: Help Your Business Grow Through Website Translation]
Expanding into new markets requires accurate translation and engaging localization. If your website doesn't feel native to your target audience, you risk losing potential customers.
MotionPoint forstår, at markedsrelevant lokalisering på tværs af flersprogede websteder er mere udfordrende, end det lyder. It requires powerful website translation technology to customize website code to present the appropriate localized content to the right customers. MotionPoint combines technology and expert linguists to deliver true website translation and localization—not just words, but intent, relevance, and conversion-ready content.
It also requires world-class translators who are fluent in languages, cultures, and customs. MotionPoint helps your business find the solutions you need for anywhere you want your business to be in the world.
