Glossary

Website localization

Website localization is the process of adapting a website’s language, design and functionality so it resonates with users in different countries and cultures. It ensures that every visitor – regardless of location or language – enjoys a seamless, relevant and authentic online experience.

Description

Website localization combines translation, cultural adaptation and technical integration to make online content work naturally in each target market. It covers every visible and structural element: text, visuals, metadata, navigation and user experience (UX).

Localization goes further than translation. It involves adjusting layout for text expansion, modifying imagery for cultural sensitivity and ensuring date, currency and measurement formats match local expectations. Technical teams configure Content Management Systems (CMS), Multilingual SEO and hosting to handle multiple language versions efficiently. A well-localized site does more than display information – it builds trust, increases engagement and converts visitors into customers by speaking their language and reflecting their culture.

Example use cases

  • Brand: Deliver consistent messaging across regional sites while adapting to local preferences.
  • E-commerce: Localize product data, checkout flows and regulatory information for each market.
  • Corporate: Communicate clearly with stakeholders worldwide through investor sites.
  • Public sector: Provide equitable access to multilingual information and services.
  • Travel: Inspire confidence and conversion with localized storytelling and UX.

Key benefits

Reach
Attract global audiences through localized language and SEO.
Relevance
Reflect local culture, tone and values authentically.
Consistency
Maintain brand identity across all language sites.
Performance
Improve engagement, dwell time and conversion rates.
Performance
Meet accessibility, privacy and localization standards in each region.

RWS perspective

At RWS, website localization is about creating experiences that feel local everywhere. We combine linguistic expertise, cultural intelligence and intelligent automation to help organizations go global faster – without losing authenticity.

Our teams integrate directly with leading CMS and web-delivery platforms to manage multilingual content efficiently. Using Trados, Language Weaver and specialized connectors, we automate translation workflows while preserving creative control. Through services such as multilingual SEO, UX and accessibility testing and continuous localization, RWS ensures that every element – from microcopy to metadata – performs effectively in each market.