What to Look for When Hiring a Translation Agency
If you have hired a translation company in the past, then you know how difficult it is to get the right agency that meets your needs. Ideally, the task becomes easier when you understand what you should look for. It is vital to find the best when you want to convey a business document accurately. You should note that the reputation of the company you choose depends on the quality of the translated material like a newsletter, brochures, and company site. These are some of the things to look for in a translation agency.
Your Requirements
As far as promotional written materials are concerned, you should choose an agency that accurately conveys your message, benefits of your products, and call to action. For instance, the right translator ought to know how to translate information about your operational manual. Ensure you read some samples when looking for an agency and find one that can suit your needs.
Quality Work
Quality of translation work the chosen agency delivers depends on their skills and expertise. For instance, do they have quality control measures? Are there editors that revise their translations? Do they pass the original tone of the text? The right agency is one that checks every translation and has editors that work around the clock to offer quality.
Specialized Fields
It is advisable to choose a translation service with expertise across different industries. Having an approach that is one-size-fits-all cannot serve your communication purposes and goals. You should note that not all translators can translate complex medical or legal documents. That is also the case with financial and IT content. Therefore, you should find an agency that works with professional translators who have expert knowledge on various topics.
Speed
You should find out the turnaround times and whether the agency can carry out orders outside the standard working hours. Ideally, when an agency has translators in your time zone, they can deliver your work on time. A company with an international pool of translators is a sign of excellent reputation.
Confidentiality
You should ask about procedures the translation agency undertakes to ensure the confidentiality of the documents. For instance, does the agency have signed agreements with their translators and editors? Do translators sign non-disclosure agreements on critical projects?
Customer Service
Ensure you pay attention to what the translator asks when you seek price estimates. For the purpose of preserving consistent voice and tone in written materials, you should work with only one translator.
