The pros and cons of working with a translation agency

If you are the owner of a company and need translations there are three primary options: you can employ an in-house translator, work in a translation service or hire freelance translators. These options have their respective pros and cons which is what we’re going explore in this article.

Though in essence, an in-house translator and translation agency do the same thing, they can provide solutions for various needs and circumstances. Some large companies will even employ both. In addition, companies may ask translators on freelance basis however the drawbacks are the same as managing an in-house translation department. Additionally, it won’t always be possible to check the quality in the absence of an employee within the team who can perform the task.

Why should you pick a translation company?

There are at the very least four circumstances when a translation agency is probably your best choice. Let’s take a look at each individually:

You require translation and localisation

A full-time translator doesn’t have the expertise and experience to provide both of these services. As you’ve seen from our previous blog post, localisation is a more thorough process that addresses every non-textual and cultural elements of the translated text along with other linguistic issues. In order to properly localize the text it is necessary to have an experienced native speaker, and most importantly, one who lives in the nation of the target. For all of this, if you’re requesting business or marketing translations that need localisation, the agency will usually be the best option.

You need more than one language

A translator usually works with only two languages: your native (source) language, and a second, foreign, (target) language. In many cases, businesses need to translate the same text into a variety of languages. This is often the case with marketing material, such as information sheets for products, for example. If you’re in need of product information sheets that are available in three or more languages, you would be smart to choose a translation agency. Translation agencies are able to work with a variety of languages, therefore this kind of task should pose no issue for them.

You’d prefer to pay for the work that’s been completed

The translation service is a more affordable alternative. You pay just for the translation, and the rest of the costs. You can end and begin your collaboration at almost any time and you won’t have to worry about insurance or any other non-wage expenses. That’s not the case with the in-house translator, however. So, if you want to cut costs on translations, consider using an agency for translation.

You’ve got a large amount of items that have to be translated quickly in a short time

A single translator has two hands with one head, and can work for approximately eight hours of work per day. This means that what they can perform each day is a bit restricted. With a translation agency, you have no such constraints. Agencies work with many translators, and therefore they are able to translate large amounts of text within a limited duration, without affecting the quality.

What is the right time to employ a full-time translator?

Certain businesses decide to employ full-time translators. Why? Again, there are 3 different reasons:

You would like to provide customer service in other language

If, for instance, you run an e-commerce business and wish to provide services to customers from other countries, it is best to give them the chance to be able to talk to your company in their native language. In this case, you may decide to employ a native speaker of a specific language and train them in the customer service role. Alternatively, you could employ an all-time translator and request for them, in addition to providing customer service support, but that’s not an option you’ll find.

You’re able to perform a steady amount of work every month

If your company needs to order the same quantity of website translation each month the services of a full-time translator might prove to be essential. In this case, paying a salary every month could be cheaper than hiring a translation service. However you must consider the extra overhead costs, such as insurance and providing the translator with a fully equipped workstation.

It is essential to find a translator who specialises in your industry

Translators typically are able to work with a variety of industries and niches and you’ll be able find an agency that’s focused on your sector. But if you wish to be 100% sure that the person you work with is knowledgeable about your field (and your business) inside out, it’s probably best to pick a full-time expert that can dedicate all their time to your company.