It’s 2018 and great communication is more important than ever. When it comes to communicating with diverse communities, organisations often have to face the challenge of partnering with a translation agency.

So, if you are buying a house, you will have a set list of requirements that will make the decision process fairly simple – or at least more structured.

Those requirements could be the number of bedrooms, whether it has a garden and the suburb where the perfect home needs to be located.

The same applies when it comes to choosing the right translation agency. To make an informed decision, you need to work out what’s important to
you and your organisation for the right translation agency to deliver.

The real challenge that comes with selecting the right translation agency is actually having that list of requirements that we are talking about.

What’s important to you, as a consumer, for a translation agency to offer?

If you don’t know, here are a few things to consider:

Finding the right translation agency

1. Avoid generalists

Translation agencies that work in any field of expertise probably don’t have a deep specialisation in any of them. The lack of expertise will reflect on the processes they have in place, their strategies and the guidance that you’ll receive.

2. Find a translation agency that specialises in your field

Translation agencies focus on different areas of expertise. Try to find the one that is an expert in your field.

3. Know your objectives

A good translation agency will ask you what your objectives are. Understanding what you want to achieve determines the services that you need and the level of quality control required.

4. Understand the translation agency’s processes

Is quality your number one requirement? Then the right translation agency will be able to tell you what processes they have in place to ensure quality.

5. Enquire about their translators’ panel

The experience and expertise of the translator assigned to your project go a long way. Will your project be assigned to a translator with expertise in the field? Will you have access to their resumes?

6. Think long term: service continuity

If it’s not a once-off, you’ll want to partner with a provider that can offer your team a long-term solution.

Ask how they ensure brand and terminology consistency long term.

Will you have a designated point of contact for all your projects?

7. Consider technology

Computer-assisted translation technology helps translators and translation companies to manage the quality of translation projects.

This software reduces the cost of translations by allowing translators to recycle previously translated content.

This, at the same time, reduces turnaround and improves consistency (and therefore accuracy and brand management).

8. Pay attention to the translation agency’s customer service

Dealing with a service provider can become a dream or a nightmare.

What procedures do different translation agencies have in place if you need to get the translation edited after it has been delivered?

9. Think value rather than price

Finding the cheapest translation agency might not deliver the value that you could get with a different provider.
It could save you headaches down the line.

For example, can the translation agency give you advice on the design of your document?

Do they review the source document before they get it translated?

At Sylaba we believe in excellence. We believe that’s what you deserve, because your success is our success. We offer NAATI Certified translations in over 150 languages. Contact us today!