Localisation done badly is more damaging than no localisation. This checklist surfaces the failures that cost the most reputational capital and are the cheapest to prevent.
Linguistic quality
Native review by at least two in-market reviewers. Brand tone preservation, not just translation accuracy. Idiomatic phrasing tested with non-marketing native speakers. Terminology consistency against an in-market glossary. Pricing, dates, addresses, and units in local conventions.
Cultural and regulatory
Imagery reviewed for cultural relevance and unintended associations. Consent, privacy, and accessibility standards checked against local regulation. Industry-specific regulatory disclosures present where required. Pricing displays inclusive of taxes where the local convention requires.
Technical and performance
Hreflang tags configured. Local domain or subfolder strategy implemented consistently. Page weight and Core Web Vitals tested against local-market device and network norms. CDN edge presence verified for the target market.
Operational readiness
In-market customer service capability live. Local payment methods tested. Local privacy contact and data subject request workflow functional. Marketing automation localised for date, time, and language sensitivity.
Last updated May 2026 · Filed under Checklists