You’ve got your eye on new markets, but the thought of translating all your content, managing different languages, and keeping your brand voice consistent feels kind of daunting. Where do you start?
You know you need help, but you’re not quite sure how to find a partner you can trust. That’s where Language Service Providers (LSPs) come in.
In a nutshell, LSPs are the behind-the-scenes pros who make sure your content hits the right notes with every audience, no matter where they are. Here’s what you need to know.
🤓 Beginner-friendly guide
In this guide, we’ll answer 10 different questions about LSPs and walk you through everything you need to know. Discover what they do, how they can help your brand enter global markets smoothly, how to choose the right one, and more.
1. What is a Language Service Provider?
A Language Service Provider (LSP) is a company that offers professional translation, localization, and other language-related services to help businesses communicate effectively across different languages and cultures.
Typically, LSP cover the following services:
- Translation and localization: Converting text from one language to another while keeping the original meaning intact, or adapting content to fit cultural, linguistic, and regional preferences (e.g., currencies, date formats, cultural references)
- Transcreation: A mix of translation and creative writing (often used for marketing content where the message needs to evoke the same emotions in different languages)
- Interpretation: Real-time translation for spoken language (often used in meetings, events, or customer support)
- Multimedia services: Subtitling, voice-over, and translation for audio and video content
Whether you need website translations, software localization, or marketing materials adapted for new markets, LSPs handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on growth.
🧠 Good to know
A good LSP does all of the above while integrating seamlessly with your tools. The best ones will help you scale without adding complexity to your workflow. They’re basically your behind-the-scenes ally for smooth, stress-free market expansion.
2. Should I choose an LSP or a freelance translator for my project?
Language service providers (LSPs) and freelance translators both offer translation services, but they differ significantly in scope, capabilities, and approach.
Check out the table below to understand the main differences.
| Language service providers (LSPs) | Freelance translators |
| Full suite of services | Translation or light localization work |
| Large-scale and multi-language projects | Best for smaller projects, with specific language pairs |
| Follow a multi-step quality assurance process | Quality assurance depends on the translator’s individual process |
| Use advanced tools like CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, TMS, and machine translation | Many use CAT tools, but not all have access to or familiarity with enterprise-grade technology |
| Maintain translation memories and glossaries | Consistency may vary (especially if you work with different translators over time) |
| Defined pricing models based on the scope and complexity of the project | Often provide more flexible pricing (per word or per hour) |
💡 Pro tip
Choose an LSP if you need a broad range of services, scalability, consistent quality, and advanced technology. On the other hand, it might make more sense to opt for a freelance translator if your project is smaller, requires specific language expertise, or if you prefer a more personalized working relationship.
3. Where do I find a Language Service Provider?
There are many places where you can find an LSP online. Here’s a list of trusted sources:
- American Translators Association (ATA): Offers a directory of certified LSPs
- European Language Industry Association (ELIA): Lists reputable LSPs in Europe
- Globalization and Localization Association (GALA): Connects businesses with LSPs globally
You can also ask referrals. See if your colleagues or industry peers have some recommendations. This will help you save time and connect with trusted providers faster.
Lastly, you can always turn to Google or other search engines. Simply search something like “best Language Service Providers” or “LSPs for [your industry]” and you’ll discover relevant options in seconds.
📚 Useful resource
Because we know just how painful it can be to go through and vet different Language Service Providers, we did the heavy lifting for you. Check out our list of 12 trusted translation companies, along with a framework for selecting the perfect vendor.
4. How do I evaluate different LSPs?
Not sure how to evaluate different language vendors? Here’s a useful checklist.
5. What red flags should I look for when evaluating a Language Service Provider (LSP)?
When evaluating a Language Service Provider (LSP), a few red flags should make you pause. If their pricing is vague or filled with hidden fees, it’s often a sign of budget surprises down the line.
Also, lack of a clear quality assurance process (e.g., skipping proofreading or not involving multiple linguists) can lead to inconsistent translations and embarrassing mistakes.
Experience matters, too. If an LSP can’t provide relevant case studies or show a track record in your industry, they might not understand your specific needs. Pay attention to how they communicate. Slow responses or unclear answers now could spell trouble when your project is on the line.
❗Important note
Promises that seem too good to be true usually are. Extremely low prices or unrealistic turnaround times often come at the cost of quality. If the LSP has a high turnover rate, it could affect the consistency of your projects. Watch out for rigid contracts that lock you into long commitments without a chance to test their services first.
6. Can an LSP integrate with my existing tools and workflows, or will I need to adapt?
A good Language Service Provider (LSP) should adapt to your existing tools and workflows, not the other way around.
Many LSPs offer integrations with popular platforms like content management systems (CMS), e-commerce sites, and project management tools. This means you can streamline translation projects without adding manual tasks to your team’s workload.
When evaluating an LSP, ask if they support the specific tools you use and whether integration is straightforward or requires custom development. The right LSP will make your translation process more efficient, not create more work for you.
7. What should I ask an LSP before signing a contract?
Before signing a contract with a Language Service Provider (LSP), ask a few critical questions to avoid any surprises later:
- What’s included in your pricing? Make sure you understand if project management, proofreading, or rush fees are extra.
- How do you ensure quality? Look for multi-step quality assurance, including translation, editing, and proofreading by different professionals.
- Can you handle my industry-specific content? Ask for examples of past work in your industry to gauge their expertise.
- What is your turnaround time, and what happens if deadlines are missed? Get clarity on timelines and their approach to managing delays.
- Do you integrate with my existing tools and workflows? Ensure they can work seamlessly with your content management or project management systems.
- How do you manage communication during projects? A clear point of contact and regular updates are essential.
- What happens if I’m not satisfied with the work? Understand their revision policy and how issues are handled.
- Can I start with a pilot project? Testing their services on a smaller scale can help you assess their quality and fit.
Asking these questions upfront can save you from unexpected costs, missed deadlines, and quality issues down the road.
8. What are the risks of not using an LSP when entering a new market?
You don’t have to hire a Language Service Provider (LSP), but you do have to ensure that your translations are accurate, culturally relevant, and consistent across all channels.
Whether you choose to work with freelancers, build an in-house team, or use automatic translation tools, the key is to maintain a robust quality assurance process.
This means having skilled translators, editors, and proofreaders who understand your industry and brand voice, as well as leveraging technology to streamline workflows and manage terminology consistently.
💡 Pro tip
Thinking of going DIY? Make sure to consider project management and the ability to scale. As your business grows, managing multilingual content can become complex and time-consuming. You’ll need a clear process for handling tight deadlines, coordinating multiple languages, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
This is one of the key reasons why Lokalise exists–to simplify workflows and help you collaborate more efficiently on translation and localization projects.
9. How much do LSPs charge?
The cost of language services can vary widely depending what you need, the languages involved, and the complexity of your project. Generally, LSPs charge:
- Per word: Rates typically range from $0.10 to $0.50 per word, depending on the language pair, specialization, and quality assurance processes
- Per hour: For services like interpretation, project management, or consulting, hourly rates can vary from $30 to $150 (and more)
- Per project: Fixed project fees are common for multimedia services, website localization, or large-scale translation projects
Additional costs might include project management fees, rush services, integration with technology, or specialized services like transcreation.
It’s always best to get a detailed quote and understand what’s included. Think proofreading, quality assurance, and technology use, and more. It’s better to overcommunicate than to leave things open to interpretation.
10. What technology do LSPs use to improve translation efficiency?
Language vendors use different tools to make translations faster and more accurate. We already mentioned Translation Management Systems (TMS) that help keep projects organized and automate repetitive tasks.
There are also Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools help maintain consistency by storing previously translated phrases.
🧠 Did you know?
Many LSPs use machine translation software to speed up the translation process, combining it with human editing to ensure quality.
To keep brand messaging on point, LSPs rely on glossaries and style guides, while automation tools handle everything from file management to integrating with your existing systems. Some also use dedicated quality assurance software scans for errors and inconsistencies.
Learn more about translation and localization
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At Lokalise, we help businesses break language barriers with powerful tools and expert guidance. Thousands of business owners, localization professionals, and translators read our blog, and we’re proud to be a trusted resource for making global growth easier and more efficient.
