Localization

Definition

Localization in a PIM context is the comprehensive process of adapting product information for different geographical markets. It goes beyond simple translation to include cultural adaptation, compliance with local regulations, market-specific attribute requirements, currency and measurement conversions, and regional pricing strategies. Advanced localization capabilities in PIM systems include workflow management for translation processes, translation memory to reduce redundant work, country-specific validation rules, locale-specific digital asset management, and support for managing product information across multiple languages and regions while maintaining a single source of truth.

Why It's Important for E-commerce

Effective product localization is critical for global e-commerce success as it directly impacts customer experience and conversion rates in international markets. It creates authentic connections with local customers by speaking their language and respecting cultural nuances, ensures compliance with regional regulations to avoid legal issues and product restrictions, enables market-specific SEO by using local search terms and conventions, supports regional pricing strategies and promotions, provides accurate sizing and measurement information familiar to local customers, and ultimately delivers a shopping experience that feels native to each market.

Examples

• Translating product descriptions and specifications into multiple languages
• Adapting marketing copy to reflect cultural preferences and references
• Converting measurements and sizes to local standards (inches to centimeters, US to EU sizes)
• Adding market-specific compliance information and certification details
• Optimizing product titles and keywords for regional search patterns

How WISEPIM Helps

• **Translation Management:** Built-in workflows for requesting, tracking, and approving translations.
• **Language Fallback:** Automatically display default language content when translations are missing.
• **Market-specific Validation:** Create unique data requirements for each target market.
• **Translation Memory:** Reduce costs by reusing previously translated segments.
• **Regional Asset Management:** Associate market-specific images and documents with products.

Related Terms

Also Known As