Let’s Look at the Numbers

Translation is important for any company that does, or wants to do, business with customers abroad.

According to a 2011 survey by the European Commission, although English is the most commonly used language on the web, even by non-native English speakers, the vast majority of users (90%) choose to visit websites in their own language where possible. Moreover, 1 in 5 users will only browse the internet in their own language. In Italy, this figure is even higher: more than 30% only use Italian language websites to browse for information or read or watch the news, and have never bought a product unless information about it was provided in Italian.

A 2020 survey carried out by the Common Sense Advisory revealed that 76% of people who shop online prefer to buy a product if information is available in their own language. Interestingly, 75% of those interviewed are more likely to buy a product if customer support is available in their own language; 73% want product reviews, if nothing else, in their own language; whereas 40% say they will not buy from websites in languages other than their native language.

Put yourself in your clients’ shoes: would you buy from a website written in a language you only understand a little, or perhaps not at all?

Most people would answer with a clear and resounding ‘No’.