- Introduction:
The purpose of this case study is to analyze the process of localizing the website of a Lithuanian construction company into English, using the WPML plugin. This study aims to examine the challenges associated with ensuring the consistency and completeness of translations in content management systems (CMS) and present effective methods for resolving them. By analyzing this specific example, we want to identify key lessons regarding the optimization of website localization processes in the construction industry, particularly in the context of international collaboration within a holding company.
The translation industry constantly faces challenges related to the technical aspects of website localization, especially when complex CMS systems and multilingual management plugins are used. Ensuring that all content is correctly translated and displayed in different language versions requires not only linguistic skills but also technical knowledge and precision. In this context, the integration of tools such as WPML becomes crucial, but its incorrect configuration can lead to problems with the completeness and consistency of translations.
The main business goal of this case study is to document the process of identifying and resolving issues related to the incomplete localization of a website. We want to investigate how manual interventions and the use of additional tools can contribute to improving the quality and completeness of translations, as well as draw conclusions that can help streamline future localization projects.
- Background Information:
The subject of this case study is the website of a reputable construction company from Lithuania. The company has many years of experience and offers advanced, innovative, and sustainable construction solutions for the public and private sectors. Its specializations include professional general contracting, intelligent cost management, and the use of BIM. The company is known for its strong focus on customer needs, strict quality control, and flexible and collaborative partnerships, which has allowed it to establish itself as a leader in the Lithuanian construction market. It offers optimal solutions for industrial, residential, public, administrative, and cultural heritage construction.
The key stakeholders in this case were:
- Lithuanian colleagues from the construction company: Responsible for the website content in Lithuanian and submitting the translation request.
- Translation team (within the holding company): Responsible for translating the content from Lithuanian to English.
- WPML and Skrivanek platform specialists: Responsible for the technical implementation of the localization project, including uploading translations and correcting the configuration.
Prior to this example, the company’s website existed in Lithuanian. The decision to localize it into English was made as part of the holding company’s strategy to expand its reach and target international clients and partners. Previous experiences with translations within the holding company were generally positive, but in this particular case, problems were encountered related to the technical implementation of translations in the WPML system.
- Case Description:
This case concerns a specific assignment to localize part of the Lithuanian construction company’s website from Lithuanian to English. The assignment was carried out within the holding company structure. The project included translating product descriptions, approximately half of the news articles, and selected content fragments that were visible in the Lithuanian language version but did not appear in the English version.
The translation process proceeded as standard: the content in Lithuanian was passed on to translators who translated it into English. The translated files were then to be uploaded to the WPML hub, which manages the multilingualism of the WordPress-based website.
However, during the verification of the English version of the website, it turned out that some of the content had not been correctly translated and displayed. The problem was due to incorrect website configuration, which caused the settings from the Lithuanian language not to be properly transferred to the English version. As a result, some blocks on the website lacked translations, and some elements were not visible at all in the English language version.
A unique feature of this case was that the problem did not stem from deficiencies in the translation itself, but from technical shortcomings in the configuration of the WPML plugin and the website structure.
- Identification of Challenges and Problems:
The main challenge in this case was the incompleteness of the English language version of the website. Specific problems included:
- Missing translations in some blocks: Some content that was present in Lithuanian did not have equivalents in English.
- Invisible elements: Some content fragments, links, or other graphic elements visible in the Lithuanian version were not displayed in the English version.
- Incorrect transfer of settings: The WPML configuration was not working as expected, which prevented the automatic transfer of settings from the source language to the target language.
The impact of these challenges was significant. An incomplete and inconsistent website in English could negatively affect the company’s image among potential international clients and partners. The lack of key information in English would make it difficult to understand the company’s offer and establish cooperation.
Initially, the problem was identified during a routine quality check after uploading the translations. The first attempts to manage the situation involved re-uploading the files and checking the WPML configuration, but these did not yield the expected results.
- Implementation of the Solution:
To solve the identified problems, the following steps were taken:
- Manual verification and correction of WPML configuration: Specialists thoroughly analyzed the WPML plugin settings to identify the causes of the malfunction. Necessary corrections were made to the configuration to ensure the correct transfer of settings between language versions.
- Manual completion of missing translations: Blocks and content fragments that were not translated or were not visible in English were identified. Translations of these missing elements were done manually.
- Use of the Skrivanek platform: The Skrivanek platform was used to create the missing blocks/links in the English language version of the website. The previously prepared translations were placed in the newly created elements.
- Strict quality control: After implementing all the corrections, a detailed quality check of the English version of the website was carried out to ensure that all content was complete, consistent, and correctly displayed.
A methodology was used that combined technical knowledge of the WPML system with linguistic skills and attention to detail. The implementation schedule included several stages: problem diagnosis, manual correction of configuration, translation of missing elements, technical implementation of corrections in Skrivanek, and final quality control. Key decisions concerned the necessity of manual intervention and the use of additional tools to ensure the completeness of translations.
- Results and Impact:
Thanks to the implemented solutions, the problems related to the incomplete localization of the Lithuanian construction company’s website were successfully resolved. The direct results included:
- Complete English language version: All product descriptions, selected news articles, and previously missing content fragments have been translated and are visible in the English version of the website.
- Content consistency: Thanks to manual correction and quality control, consistency of terminology and style has been ensured throughout the English language version.
- Correct display of all elements: All links, blocks, and graphic elements are now correctly displayed in the English version of the website, which improves its functionality and aesthetics.
Although we do not have specific quantitative data in this case study, the positive impact of the implemented solutions is evident. A complete and professionally translated website in English increases the company’s credibility on the international stage and facilitates communication with potential clients and partners. Feedback from the Lithuanian colleagues at the construction company after the implementation of the corrections was very positive, and they emphasized the significant improvement in the quality and completeness of the English language version.
- Conclusions and Lessons Learned:
The key conclusions from this case study are:
- The crucial importance of correct CMS and multilingual management plugin configuration: Incorrect WPML configuration can lead to serious problems with the completeness and consistency of translations, even if the translations themselves are correct.
- The necessity of close cooperation between translation teams and technical specialists: Effective website localization requires close collaboration between those responsible for translation and technical specialists who manage the CMS and plugins.
- The value of manual verification and intervention: In cases where automatic processes fail, manual verification and intervention are essential to ensure high quality and completeness of translations.
- The significance of translation management systems (TMS): Platforms such as Skrivanek can significantly facilitate the localization process, enabling the creation of missing elements and the management of content in different languages.
The general lessons learned from this example can be applied to future localization projects, especially in the context of international collaboration and the use of complex CMS systems. They highlight the importance of paying attention to the technical side of the localization process and the need to have the right tools and experts who can effectively solve emerging problems.
The information and conclusions from this case study can be used to develop better quality control procedures in localization projects, as well as to train translation teams and technical specialists in best practices related to website localization. In the future, similar challenges can be minimized through more thorough project planning, early testing of WPML configuration, and the implementation of comprehensive quality control processes covering both linguistic and technical aspects.