The key to a successful translation project lies in a professional agency and their team of experienced specialists. Professional translation agencies delegate work to people who understand the nuances of your particular industry and understand the unique demands of your audience. A successful translation project requires trouble-free communication. If possible, contact the translation agency as soon as you need to discuss any specific issues. Make sure that you speak the same language and that they respond to your needs. Here are some tips for selecting a translation agency.
Service provided by a translation agency
Customer service plays a crucial role in the translation process, and using a professional translation agency can give you a significant edge. According to Accenture, US companies lose more than $1.6 trillion in revenue every year because of poor customer service. According to McKinsey, 70% of the customer journey is determined by how customers are treated. Customer service expectations are high across industries, and the translation sector is no exception.
When choosing a translation agent, you need to think about what types of services you need. For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry, data security is a must. Data security is particularly important in this industry, especially for electronic medical devices. Another service that you may need is interpreting services. Document translation agencies can perform a wide range of interpreting services, including court, legal, sign language, business, and medical interpretation.
Cost of a translation agency’s per-word rate
While the language industry has been exploring alternative pricing models such as an hourly rate and subscription-based billing, the per-word rate is the industry standard. However, the language industry remains heavily dependent on this metric. In addition, it is difficult to gather reliable data from the private sector. Most large contracts are governed by non-disclosure agreements, and clients are reluctant to divulge sensitive pricing information.
Pricing for a translation agency is normally calculated on a per-word basis, based on the number of words in the source document. This method can be difficult to calculate when the language pair is different, such as Spanish and Portuguese, or Japanese. Per-word rates can also differ considerably based on the genre of the content. For example, if the translation is for a technical document, the per-word rate will be higher than for a standard document.
Savings from a translation agency
One of the best ways to save money on your translation is to hire a translation agency. These companies often quote the lowest price possible, so it’s important to keep your budget in mind when choosing a translation company. Most translation agencies will quote prices on a per word, per character, or per line basis. You can save some money by trimming out the empty spaces in your documents. Then, once the translation is complete, you can pay the agency with a credit card. Besides, it will also establish a good relationship between you and the translation vendor, which will ultimately lead to further discounts, improved services, and other perks.
When selecting a translation company, make sure to choose one that offers discounts based on volume. If you have a large number of translations to produce, it’s easier to negotiate a discount. However, you should ensure that you’re able to meet the deadline. A deadline of less than two weeks can help you save money. Moreover, if your translation project is lengthy, consider hiring a company that offers fast turnaround times.
Choosing a translation agency
When evaluating translation agencies, check the company’s quality management system. Is it regularly audited? Is the translation service ISO9001 or 17100 certified? These certifications prove that the translation agency goes through a stringent vetting process. Check whether they have a well-documented glossary of all the language pairs they translate, and whether their translators are native speakers of the target language and subject matter.
Look for the experience of the agency’s point of contact, especially in the language of the translated document. Do they have experience translating technical texts? Do they offer personalized support? How many languages are they capable of translating? Does the agency provide other services, such as subject-matter experts? What are their turnaround times? Are they experienced with the most common file formats? And what about confidentiality? When choosing a translation agency, it’s critical to ask about the type of partnership the agency plans to maintain with you.