Typically, localization refers to the translation or the adaptation of one format into another, such that the changed format is more suitable for a specific area. Localization is most commonly done for software. It involves redesigning the software in such a manner that the requirements and expectations of the targeted segment can be met successfully. The first step would be changing the interface. An interface can be the audio or visual display that is used to communicate between the user and the machine or software. For instance, the messages that the program sends to the user have to be translated to the foreign language. The process is labor intensive and very comprehensive. A number of tools and software programs that assist in the process of localization can be bought easily.

Localized testing is done not only for software, but also for websites as well. Large websites of multi-national companies need to be accessible to a large variety of people. While localization testing, a few factors that need to be considered are character sets, keyboards, ASCII, error message identifiers, hot keys and hyphenation, spelling and sorting rules. The quality is not usually checked during localization testing. It includes additional inputs such as testing for upgrades, in-country testing, and hardware compatibility. Validation and verification of applications, linguistic accuracy, and consistency checks can be purchased separately. One of the advantages of localized testing is that potential errors can be weeded out, before they are localized and correcting them becomes costly. Localized testing providers also take care of post-release testing and corrections.

The advantage of letting professionals do localization testing is that it saves valuable time. Some websites contain politically sensitive or religiously objectionable material. Such gross mistakes could result in irreversible damage to the company's reputation.



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