10 Strategies For Effective Salesforce Language Translation

Salesforce is a powerful tool for businesses worldwide. But what happens when your team speaks different languages? This is where Salesforce language translation comes in. It helps break down language barriers and makes your Salesforce platform accessible to everyone.

Let's explore some key strategies to make Salesforce translation work for your business. 

1. Know Your Audience

Before diving into translation, take a step back. Who are you translating for? Are they customers, employees, or partners? Each group may need different types of content translated.

For example, customers might need translated product descriptions and support articles. Employees, on the other hand, might need internal documents and training materials in their language. Partners could require translated contracts and marketing materials.

Understanding your audience helps you prioritize what to translate first. It also guides you in choosing the right tone and style for each group.

2. Use Salesforce's Built-in Translation Workbench

​Salesforce provides a handy tool called Translation Workbench. It's a good starting point for your translation efforts. This feature allows you to translate custom labels, picklist values, and other metadata within Salesforce.

To use Translation Workbench:

• Enable it in your Salesforce setup
  
• Add the languages you need
• Enter translations for your custom labels and fields

While it's not a complete solution for all your translation needs, it's a valuable tool for basic translations within the Salesforce platform.

3. Leverage Advanced Machine Translation

Machine translation has made huge strides in recent years. While basic tools are useful for quick translations, more sophisticated AI-powered systems now offer near-human quality results.

These advanced machine translation services use complex algorithms and vast language databases to produce highly accurate translations. They can handle nuances, idioms, and even some industry-specific terminology with impressive accuracy.

However, it's important to note that even the best machine translation isn't perfect. While it can handle most content well, it may still stumble on highly technical terms, brand-specific language, or culturally sensitive material.

To get the most out of machine translation:

• Choose a high-quality, AI-powered translation service
  
• Use it for your initial translation of Salesforce content
• Have a human reviewer check the output, focusing on technical terms and brand voice
• Test the translated content with native speakers in your target market

Remember, the key is to choose the right salesforce translation platform for your needs. For routine, high-volume translations, advanced machine translation can be a game-changer. For highly sensitive or brand-critical content, you might still prefer human translation from the start. 

4. Invest in Professional Translation Services

For critical content or customer-facing materials, professional translation services are worth the investment. These services employ skilled translators who understand not just the language, but also cultural nuances and industry terminology.

When choosing a translation service:

• Look for experience in your industry
  
• Check if they offer specialized Salesforce translation
• Ask about their quality assurance process
• Consider their turnaround times and pricing

Remember, good translation is an investment in clear communication with your global audience. 

5. Create a Translation Glossary

​A translation glossary is a list of important terms and their approved translations. It helps maintain consistency across all your translated content.

Your glossary should include:

• Industry-specific terms
  
• Company-specific terminology
• Common phrases used in your Salesforce instance

Creating a glossary takes time upfront but saves effort in the long run. It ensures that everyone uses the same terms, reducing confusion and improving the quality of your translations.

6. Consider Cultural Adaptation

Translation isn't just about changing words from one language to another. It's also about adapting content to fit different cultures. This process is called localization.

For example, a sales pitch that works well in the United States might seem too aggressive in Japan. Or a casual tone that's perfect for Australian customers might be too informal for German audiences.

When translating your Salesforce content, think about the following:

• Cultural norms and values
  
• Local business practices
• Humor and idioms (which often don't translate well)
• Images and colors (which can have different meanings in different cultures)

Adapting your content culturally helps it resonate better with your global audience. 

7. Plan for Text Expansion

Here's something many people forget: translated text often takes up more space than the original. This is especially true when translating from English to languages like German or French.

This text expansion can cause layout issues in your Salesforce interface. Buttons might overflow, labels might get cut off, or page layouts might break.

To avoid these problems:

• Leave extra space in your designs
  
• Use flexible layouts that can accommodate longer text
• Test your translations in the actual Salesforce interface

Planning for text expansion from the start saves you from headaches later. 

8. Implement a Translation Management System

As your translation needs grow, consider using a Translation Management System (TMS). A TMS helps you manage the entire translation process, from assigning tasks to storing approved translations.

Key features to look for in a TMS:

• Integration with Salesforce
  
• Support for multiple file formats
• Translation memory (to reuse previously translated content)
• Workflow management
• Quality assurance tools

A good TMS can streamline your translation process, saving time and improving consistency. 

9. Train Your Team

Effective Salesforce translation isn't just about the tools and processes. It's also about your team. Make sure everyone involved understands the importance of good translation and knows how to use your translation tools.

Consider providing training on:

• Using Translation Workbench
  
• Best practices for writing translatable content
• Cultural sensitivity in global communications
• How to use your Translation Management System

Well-trained team members can spot potential translation issues early and help create better global content.

10. Regularly Review and Update Translations

Translation isn't a one-time task. Languages evolve, your business changes, and new content is always being created. That's why it's important to regularly review and update your translations.

Set up a schedule to:

• Check for outdated translations
  
• Update your translation glossary
• Review feedback from users in different languages
• Incorporate new content into your translation workflow

Regular reviews help maintain the quality and relevance of your translated Salesforce content.

Wrapping up 

Effective Salesforce language translation is key to global success. It helps you communicate clearly with customers, employees, and partners worldwide. 

By following these strategies, you can make your Salesforce platform truly global. Remember, good translation is an ongoing process. Keep refining your approach, and you'll see the benefits in better global communication and business growth.