When you launch your product in a new market, users will expect the user experience, including language and function, to be perfect. They won’t notice that it’s perfect, but you can be sure they will notice if there are errors and bugs to be found. Localization testing is your secret weapon. It makes sure your content works like it should and has no language issues. It helps you to prevent unhappy users, costly delays, and expensive updates.

But here’s the kicker: your in-house team likely handles only source language testing. If they do look at the localized versions, they will likely miss subtle errors and essential nuances. Outsourcing localization testing fills this gap, bringing in expertise to polish your product for every market. Here’s a quick primer on what you need to know about these services and how they can save you time, money, and headaches.

Optimize the global user experience with these types of localization testing

When launching a product globally, different types of localization testing are crucial, and our team of testing experts provides them all. Let’s break down the four main categories:

• Linguistic testing guarantees that translations are accurate, culturally appropriate, and make sense in the context of the product. This testing catches grammar errors, mistranslations, and inappropriate cultural references. Linguists or native speakers of the target language typically handle this task, making sure the content resonates with local users.
• Functional testing ensures that your product works as intended. It verifies that all features and functionalities perform correctly across different regions and catches bugs like broken links, crashes, and incorrect data processing. Functional testers are usually software engineers or QA specialists.
• Localization testing combines both functional and linguistic elements. It confirms the product is not only correctly translated but also properly adapted to local conventions, including elements like date formats, currencies, and units of measure. This testing catches issues related to regional customization and is often conducted by testers with knowledge of both the product and the local market.
• Internationalization testing happens before localization and checks that your product can be easily adapted to various languages and regions without requiring significant changes to the codebase. It catches potential issues with character encoding, text expansion, and the use of locale-specific settings. Developers with expertise in global software architecture usually conduct this testing.

What types of products and content need to be tested?

All of it! Different products and content require thorough localization testing. Software applications, websites, mobile apps, and games are prime candidates due to their interactive nature. Marketing content, user manuals, and help documentation also need testing to make sure they convey the correct message across different languages and cultures. Testing these products and content types creates a smooth user experience and protects your brand’s reputation worldwide.

Why testing is critical for quality, controlling costs, timely launches, and UX

Testing is a vital component of the localization process, which is why we provide it alongside translation and localization. Testing ensures quality, helps contain costs, keeps launches on track, and improves user experience (UX).

Imagine the repercussions of launching a product globally, only to discover that a translation error, cultural insensitivity, or poorly localized user interface (UI) has alienated your target audience. Users are quick to abandon a buggy app or a glitchy website, leading to a tarnished brand image, lost sales, and reduced market share. These are also costly consequences of not conducting thorough testing.

For example, when Uber launched their food delivery service in Japan, their app was incompletely localized and buggy. The UI did not contain the correct address fields for Japan, and the name fields used the American order (first name, last name) instead of the Japanese (last name, first name). Poorly chosen translations did not fit on the screen and were cut off. The result? An app that was difficult to use, a user experience that did not meet expectations, and poor reviews. (That was so avoidable.)

Fixing errors like these after launch is much more expensive than catching them during testing. Finding them early on saves time and resources, prevents costly rework and makes sure that your product meets the high standards expected by your international users.

This is important: User experience is a key differentiator in the competitive global market. For example, companies that improve their customer experience see a 42% improvement in customer retention and a 33% improvement in customer satisfaction. Bugs and errors equate to a poor user experience. It’s that simple.

If your product offers a superior quality and user experience compared to your competitors, it has the potential to dominate the markets.

How Acclaro approaches testing

At Acclaro, our approach to localization testing is not just about the process, but also about the people. We combine industry expertise with flexible, scalable solutions, ensuring that your product is in the hands of professionals who understand the nuances of global markets.

Our testing capabilities

We specialize in functional testing, linguistic testing, localization testing, and internationalization testing. Our services encompass everything from verifying software functionality and UI consistency to ensuring accurate translations and cultural appropriateness. By simulating real-world scenarios, we catch and resolve issues before they impact your users, delivering a flawless product launch.

How we leverage automations to speed up work and improve quality

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach localization testing and quality assurance (QA). Automated, AI-powered localization testing tools can be integrated into the overall localization process to do quite a few things:

• Test automatic translation updates before they go live.
• Test newly translated content.
• Move QA’d content to the next stage of the process automatically.
• Take screenshots of builds to identify possible errors, and route them to human testers for more thorough evaluation.
• Generate automated unit tests that are more thorough and comprehensive than template-based tests.
• Monitor code and update existing functional tests accordingly
• Generate test cases tailored to customer needs
• Build test automations
• Diagnose failed tests, finding the root cause so you can release faster.

Flexible, optimized resourcing and pricing models

We can provide you with testing under several resource models. We build dedicated teams for continuous engagement, on-demand resources for peak periods, and hybrid models that combine on-site, in-market, and/or offshore talent for maximum flexibility and cost efficiency. Our testing team includes QA engineers, linguistic experts, and software testers who deliver comprehensive coverage and high-quality results.

When you work with us you can pay-as-you-go, go with a subscription, or engage us on a project-basis.

Our testing workflow explained

Our testing workflow is designed to be thorough and efficient, covering all aspects of the project from start to finish:

• Requirements review: Collaborate with stakeholders to understand project needs and confirm requirements are complete, clear, and testable.
• Test planning: Outline testing objectives, scope, and deliverables; identify necessary resources and tools; define schedules and timelines.
• Test case design: Create detailed test cases, including positive and negative scenarios, using techniques like boundary testing and equivalence partitioning.
• Test environment setup: Configure test environments to replicate production conditions and install necessary software, databases, and dependencies. Acclaro has 1,000 different hardware pieces available for testing, so we can test on physical devices for greater real-world accuracy.
• Test execution: Execute test cases manually or through automated tools, and record and document test results.
• Defect reporting: Document defects in a tracking system, providing detailed information on reproducing issues, including screenshots and logs.
• Defect resolution: Collaborate with developers to resolve defects, verify fixes, and conduct regression testing to confirm resolution.

Tips for effective localization testing

Approaching localization testing with a strategic mindset can save you time, money, and effort. Here are some essential tips that will help you as you add this to your localization program:

• Be an educated buyer: Understand the importance of localization testing and the different types involved.
• Plan ahead: Integrate testing into your product development cycle from the start. Early planning helps avoid last-minute rushes, costs, and errors.
• Engage with a qualified vendor: Choose a vendor that offers comprehensive testing services and specializes in localization, over a vendor that just provides testing. A vendor who offers all services related to localization (translation, transcreation, engineering, testing, language quality assurance, etc.) services under one roof provides consistency and efficiency.
• Set aside budget: Allocate sufficient budget for thorough testing. Investing in quality assurance upfront can prevent costly errors later.
• Be aware of linguistic complexity: Some languages, like bidirectional ones, present unique challenges in functional and linguistic areas. Make sure your testing plan accommodates these complexities to maintain quality and usability.

Ready to test? Questions to ask a localization vendor

When selecting a localization vendor, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to make sure they meet your needs:

• What types of testing do you provide?
• What are your pricing models?
• Where are your resources located? Find out the geographic locations of their testing teams to understand their capabilities and time zone coverage.
• What are the testing resource qualifications? Confirm that their team has the necessary expertise and experience to handle your project effectively.
• How do you ensure security? You’ll be having the test an unreleased product after all.

There are plenty of companies that offer testing as a stand-alone service. However, as we noted, we recommend selecting a vendor that offers all types of testing and localization services.

A comprehensive service provider can handle every aspect of localization, maintaining consistency and quality across all areas. This reduces the risk of errors and delays and can streamline the entire process, ultimately saving time and money while delivering a higher-quality product.

Time to get rid of those bugs

Effective localization testing is essential for a successful global product launch.

By leveraging Acclaro’s comprehensive testing services, you can make sure your product is ready for global markets, delivering an exceptional user experience across languages and cultures.

Ready to take your product global without the headaches? Contact us today for expert testing services.