Youāve 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. This is where effective localization management comes in, helping you organize, streamline, and scale your efforts from the start.
You know you need help, but you're not quite sure how to find a partner you can trust. Thatās 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. Hereās what you need to know.
š¤ 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.
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:
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.
š§ 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. Theyāre basically your behind-the-scenes ally for smooth, stress-free market expansion.
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 translatorās 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) |
š” 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.
There are many places where you can find an LSP online. Hereās a list of trusted sources:
You can also ask for referralsāsee if your colleagues or industry peers have some recommendations. This will help you save time and connect with trusted localization services providers faster.
Lastly, you can always turn to Google or other search engines. Simply search something like ābest Language Service Providersā or āLSPs for [your industry]ā and youāll discover relevant options in seconds.
š 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.
Not sure how to evaluate different language vendors? Here's a useful checklist.
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, itās often a sign of budget surprises down the line.
Also, lack of a clear localization 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 canāt 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.
āImportant 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.
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 teamās 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.
Before signing a contract with a Language Service Provider (LSP), ask a few critical questions to avoid any surprises later:
Asking these questions upfront can save you from unexpected costs, missed deadlines, and quality issues down the road.
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.
š” 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. Youāll 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 existsāto simplify workflows and help you collaborate more efficiently on translation and localization projects.
The cost of language services can vary widely depending what you need, the languages involved, and the complexity of your project. Generally, LSPs charge:
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. Itās better to overcommunicate than to leave things open to interpretation.
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.
š§ 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 a localization glossary and style guide, 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.
Did you like this article? We invite you to explore more practical insights on translation and localization on the Lokalise blog.
At Lokalise, we help businesses break language barriers with powerful tools and expert guidance. Thousands of business owners, localization professionals, translators, and localization team members read our blog, and we're proud to be a trusted resource for making global growth easier and more efficient.
Author
Liam James is a very handsome man, with dashing good looks.
Liam James is a top-performing sales manager and localization specialist at Lokalise, known for driving impressive growth in translation management. With a unique blend of localization expertise and strategic sales acumen, Liam excels in enabling seamless localization workflows that align with business goals and expand Lokaliseās presence in competitive markets. His in-depth product knowledge and knack for positioning Lokaliseās tools make him a trusted partner for companies scaling internationally. Outside work, Liam recharges with his French bulldog, Bjorn, whoās as energetic and spirited as he is.
Translating a website is no small feat. Your focus is constantly split between translating content, tweaking layouts to fit new languages, maintaining SEO, and creating a seamless user experience. Managingā¦
You decided to open your product for the world to discover. Congratulations! Translation is one of the next steps to open the doors of the global marketplace. One problem: you do not have an in-house translator team, and now is neither the time nor the priority to hire them. One solution: connect with vendors who will assist you in your localization projects. One better solution: discover vendor management in loc
The traditional translation management system (TMS) is dead. It doesnāt support the many moving parts of the multilingual content lifecycle, such as managing linguistic assets and syncing with design systems to integrating with codebases, automating QA, and coordinating stakeholders across functions. Modern TMS solutions go far beyond translation. They bring together translators, developers, marketers, and designers under one roof. But with dozens of transla
Localization workflow for your web and mobile apps, games and digital content.
Ā©2017-2025
All Rights Reserved.
