Software translation
Product descriptions that take the pressure off support teams and ensure successful releases.
When it comes to software, language is key at the most critical points: during onboarding, in error messages, in the help section and in release notes. oneword translates and revises product-related content in such a way that users can achieve their goals more quickly – and your team has fewer queries, fewer tickets and less rework.
Why IT and software teams need translation
If the text in your product isn’t quite right, you’ll notice it straight away: in support, in conversion rates and in the feedback from your users. Things often become problematic when you’re rolling out a product internationally, when releases need to be explained, or when help articles end up causing more confusion than they solve.
It is crucial that your terminology remains consistent – across the user interface, help sections, website and product-related communication. This reduces the need for follow-up enquiries and ensures a consistent user experience.
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What content is typically translated in digital products
We translate all texts that users see when working with your software – from the user interface to the help section.
Typical content includes:
- UI text: navigation, buttons, system messages, microcopy
- Help & knowledge base: articles, FAQs
- Release communication: release notes, in-app announcements, status messages
- Onboarding communication: e-mails and notifications regarding launch, activation and new features
Depending on the product and target audience, this may also include product-related documentation, such as admin and user guides. In practice, it is often worth taking a look at smaller text elements such as tooltips, confirmation messages, or empty states (“No data available yet”), as these are read particularly frequently.
Day-to-day improvements
- Reduced support workload: clear, easy-to-understand texts reduce the number of queries.
- Faster access: people who understand concepts straight away benefit more from features – rather than giving up.
- Less rework to do before the release: if the wording and terminology are clarified at an early stage, there will be fewer "last-minute text tweaks" during the final stages.
- Brand consistency: the tone and terminology are consistent – even in error messages and help texts.
How to keep your translations under control
To prevent translations from becoming a hindrance, you need clear lines of responsibility, effective coordination and deadlines that fit with your publication schedule. It is also important that the terminology is aligned with your product logic – so that new concepts do not appear in the interface with every version.
The technical implementation (tools, interfaces, file formats) will be set up to suit your environment – you can find further details on the software localisation services page.
Trust delivers results.
Find out what our clients have to say about working with us.
"What really impresses us as a global company in our day-to-day work is the consistently high quality of the collaboration. AI translation using MTPE not only works well for us from a technical point of view, but also delivers reliable results when it comes to content. The connector between our CMS and oneTask, in particular, substantially enhances efficiency – so processes run stably and much more smoothly. It saves time and gives us peace of mind in our day-to-day operations."
Andre Korff
Head of Communication Concepts IAM, HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
"For over a decade, we have valued oneword as a reliable partner in a wide range of areas, including terminology and data management, machine translation and artificial intelligence, as well as a diverse range of translation and language services. For us, professional, trusting and mutually beneficial collaboration is the key to a stable partnership that delivers high-quality results."
Dr. Christopher Kurz
Head of Translation Management, ENERCON Global GmbH
"oneword has been working with us for many years now as an expert and reliable partner in translation management. Our collaboration is characterised by professionalism, commitment and high quality standards. We particularly value their technical expertise in project management, as well as their innovative strength and commitment to continuous improvement. Whether it’s AI, MTPE or international review processes, oneword delivers impressive solutions tailored to your needs."
Nikolina Čabraja
Manager Translation & Language Management, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
"At oneword, you quickly get the feeling that you’re working with people who really know their stuff – both in the traditional language services sector as well as in the field of AI-supported translation processes. The team not only answers your technical questions, but also understands the context of the questions and meaningfully thinks through the implications. It’s at this intersection of language, technology and processes that their experience really shines through. This builds trust and makes working together a pleasant and productive experience."
Andre Korff
Head of Communication Concepts IAM, HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
"oneword is always a reliable partner for us. Projects are always handled promptly and competently, whilst always keeping our often challenging deadlines in mind. At oneword, every member of the team is always willing to listen to our needs and works with us to find the right solution through constructive dialogue. What I really appreciate about oneword is that translation jobs are always delivered on time, if not ahead of schedule. Thank you for your valuable cooperation."
Christian Derse
Team Lead Technical Writer, medion GmbH
"We have been working closely with oneword for several years now. We have no hesitation in approaching oneword even with complex requests, as they possess a high level of specialist expertise and the team keeps our specific requirements firmly in mind, providing comprehensive and purposeful advice. The excellent customer service is also particularly worth highlighting."
Lucia Laurer
Translation Management, implantcast GmbH
FAQs
Which content should be translated first?
Start with the text that users see most frequently and which directly prompts them to take action: navigation, buttons, system messages and critical notices. Next come help articles and related texts, such as onboarding e-mails or release notes.
How can you ensure that the concepts within the product remain consistent across different languages?
It is essential to use consistent terminology: key concepts are defined once, stored in a database and then used consistently across the user interface, help documentation and product-related communication. This way, users will recognise the same words, and the number of queries will fall.
Do the UI, help articles, and release notes need to "sound the same"?
They don't have to sound exactly the same, but they do need to complement each other. The tone and terminology should be consistent. The style can be adapted: minimalist UI, informative help section, and clear and easy-to-follow release notes.
What is the best way to handle UI strings that are very short but become longer in German?
A pragmatic approach to the text is key here: alternatives with a similar meaning, shortening the text without losing its meaning and making minor adjustments to the UI layout where necessary. It is important that clarity is not sacrificed due to a lack of space. We’ll work together here to find the right solution.
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