Translation is the starting point, not the finish line
A translated website converts the text. A localized website also adapts date and currency formats, cultural references, imagery, and even navigation patterns so the site feels built for its audience rather than adapted for them.
Don't forget SEO
Localizing a website usually means localizing its metadata and keywords too — the search terms a Brazilian buyer uses often differ from a literal translation of the English keyword.
Technical considerations
hreflang tags, locale-specific URLs, and font support for accented characters (like ã, ç, õ) all need attention during a localization project — small technical details that affect how the site performs for its new audience.
Key takeaways
- Localization adapts formats, imagery, and tone — not just words.
- SEO keywords should be researched in the target language, not translated literally.
- Technical details like hreflang and accented character support matter.
Need help with this?
A localized website adapts more than words — here's what actually changes.