German translation of start-up website

So, you currently have a start-up website. It’s going pretty well and you now feel you’re ready to take things a step further and develop the German language equivalent of the site.

First of all, it might be an idea to decide whether you want to purchase a completely new domain address for that purpose or whether the new content will exist on your current site. If you’re going with the first option, then all you need to do is create a sub-domain on your existing site (i.e., german.yourcurrentdomain.com, or yourcurrentdomain.com/german). For the latter option, you need to either register a totally new web address either with a de. or .com extension.

If you’re registering a new site, decide on a name for it. Will you use the name of your existing site, but with a .de extension? Or do you plan to, perhaps, find out the German Translation of your current site and name your new German-language site after it? Bear in mind that there might already be a .de extension of your existing site. Someone might have already bought it. You therefore need to have a backup plan should that happen. If you’re lucky, the owner might be prepared to sell it to you - but at the end of the day, you have to decide whether it’s worth it for you in the long run.

Before looking for someone to handle the website translation, you need to decide on what your budget is along with what the going market rate is for translators. Do not cut corners if you can help it. Be prepared to pay for quality. It is also worth noting that any seo web development may also need to take place in both the source and target languages. Do you want one translator to maintain flow and consistency throughout the site, or do you want to hire more than one translator in order to achieve a quicker turnaround time? Do you want them to work on location or off location? These might be things to consider even before you actually go out there and start looking to hire one.

There are several places where you can find translators. The method chosen depends on how much time and energy you have at your disposal. You could try searching online or hiring an agency to look for a translator for you. Alternatively, you could advertise the position in local newspapers. Another idea might be to search for websites out there that have achieved something similar to what you’re looking to achieve with your new site - ask them for the contact details of the translator they used. They just might be willing to share that information with you.

Other things to think about might be deciding whether you want the same design for the German-language site, or a different one? Do you plan on hiring the same web designer/developer you used for your start-up site? What if they’re booked up for the next 6 months, what’s your plan then? Is there someone else they can recommend, or do you have a back-up designer/developer in mind?

Whatever you decide to do and however you decide to do it, good luck!?