Localization Vendor Selection Matrix (Onboarding)

Localization Vendor Selection Matrix (Onboarding)

1. 01

   Map client content types to platform capabilities

   Identify whether the client's assets are software strings, marketing pages, or documentation, then match them to platforms that handle those formats natively, such as Crowdin for developer-heavy stacks or Weglot for website-only needs.

2. 02

   Score each candidate on integration depth with the client's stack

   Check for native connectors to the client's CMS, repo, or design tools. A platform like Lokalise with 60+ integrations may cover more ground than a tool with fewer, but verify the specific ones the client actually uses.

3. 03

   Evaluate AI translation quality controls and human review options

   Review how each platform handles glossaries, style guides, and in-context editing. Phrase and Transifex both offer AI translation with human review workflows, but the depth of quality scoring varies.

4. 04

   Estimate total cost of ownership per language pair

   Factor subscription fees, per-seat costs, and any overage charges for machine translation characters. Compare this against the client's monthly content volume to avoid surprises at invoice time.

5. 05

   Test the platform's white-label or agency branding options

   If the agency wants to present localization as its own service, check whether the tool supports white-labeling. Bablic explicitly offers this for agencies, while others may require custom agreements.

6. 06

   Run a pilot with a sample of the client's actual content

   Upload a representative set of strings or pages, run the translation workflow, and assess output quality, turnaround time, and ease of use for both the agency team and the client's reviewers.

7. 07

   Document the decision and share it with the client

   Produce a short comparison table with scores and rationale, then present it to the client for sign-off before committing to a multi-month retainer.