Today, with around 7 billion mobile app users worldwide, mobile app localization has become crucial. Having an app that works only in one language or region feels like having a local store where no one understands the customers. The result? Poor sales and conversions.

If you want your app to skyrocket in the global market, real localization is the answer. However, localization does not simply mean translating your current app content into a specific regional language.

It goes beyond it by adapting the cultural visuals and language, which makes people feel it is native. Today, this blog will tell you why real localization matters in mobile apps.

Understanding Real Localization for Mobile Apps
Localization means adapting your app content to a specific region, culture, and language. Now, you might think that translating your app content is all you need to do for app localization. However, the reality goes beyond that. To understand it precisely, let’s take an example.

Imagine your app showing a thumbs-up emoji as a sign of approval or wishing good luck. That makes sense in countries like the US, UK, or Canada.

But did you know that in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries, people take the thumbs-up gesture as offensive or inappropriate?

So, now if you keep the same image or gesture in your app and target it in such regions, people are likely to feel uncomfortable and delete your app. This is how localization becomes different from translation.

Translation changes meanings, while real localization changes both meaning and experience. It involves:

• Translating the text precisely
• Using local dates, formats, and measurement units
• Adapting local visuals, symbols, and layouts
• Supporting region-specific payment methods

So localization in reality makes people feel that your app is truly and intuitively made only for them.

Why Localization Matters the Most for Mobile Apps
Now that you have understood mobile app localization in the true sense, it’s obvious for you to wonder about the hidden reasons behind implementing it for your mobile app’s success in a specific region. So, here are the answers that tell you why.

1. Extends Your Global Reach and Presence

We often think that having mobile app content in English will help you achieve global presence. But is it so? Not. Today, you would find around a billion mobile users across the globe, but not all of them speak English as their first language. So, if your app is available only in English, you are missing out on reaching millions of mobile users already.

In contrast, if your app is localized for every targeted region in their culture and language, it will help you rule billions of hearts across the globe.

2. Enhances User Engagement
Think of your app having captivating visuals, engaging content, and intuitive navigation, but not localized to all your targeted regions.
Result? It will fail to engage most users. Because users are more likely to engage with apps that speak their language. It makes people feel personalized. This includes:

• Using preferred language
• Similar cultural references
• Using local trends

Localization makes the app completely relatable for users, which ultimately adds to higher engagement and conversion rates.

3. Improves App Store Ranking

Launching an app on the App Store will not drive the required visibility for your app. It will become possible only when it is visible at the top of the search results in the App Store.

And app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store rank localized mobile apps higher for regional searches.
Localized keywords, titles, and descriptions allow your app to rank higher in the App Store, which enhances its visibility to a greater extent.

4. Enhance User Experience

Imagine yourself visiting an app that is poorly translated or not appropriately formatted according to your language.
You will feel frustrated deleting the app instantly and never downloading it back. The same thing can happen with your app. But you can prevent it with localization. With real localization:

• Text does not overflow.
• Visuals and content feel personalized.
• Local units of measurement and payments are used.

For this reason, businesses often combine localization with professional Android app development to ensure their apps work flawlessly across different regions.

Real-World Mobile Apps Using Localization as a Success Weapon

Real localization is not the current trend. But its unawareness among developers has made it unpopular.
However, many leading apps have been using real localization as a powerful weapon, which has helped them conquer global hearts easily. Let’s have a glimpse at the most popular mobile apps using localization.
Netflix, the famous OTT platform, offers its content and interfaces in several languages so it can reach a global audience easily.
Spotify is another example, which offers customized playlists in over 60 languages as per region.
TikTok became a global favorite through its local content feeds and features based on regionally specific leading trends.

Final Say

Now you may have understood how localization plays a crucial role in the success of any custom mobile app.

By extending global reach, user engagement, app visibility, and user experience, real localization helps the app achieve lasting success. So next time whenever you are likely to introduce the next update of your mobile application, simply ask, “Is it truly localized?”
If the answer is no, localize it. If you cannot do it, look for a technical support partner that is adept in custom mobile app development services.