About this video
In today's video, my guest was Jana Krekic, founder and CEO of YLT Translations. Learn from Jana about the best ways to get started in international markets.
Learn about: 1) the added value of using native professional translators to translate your Amazon listings 2) what localization means 3) best tips for writing good listings for Spanish, French, and the Italian market 4) mistakes to avoid when doing listings translations 5) 2020 tip - join the newly opened Dutch market
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Transcript
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between translation and localization for Amazon listings?
Translation converts your text from one language to another. Localization goes further: it adapts your listing to match the buying mindset, cultural expectations, and search behavior of shoppers in a specific market. A direct translation of a US listing into German, for example, will retain the emotional sales pitch and benefit-forward language that works in America but tends to alienate German shoppers, who prefer precise technical specifications and clear factual descriptions. Localization means rewriting the content to fit the expectations of that market, not just replacing the words.
Which European Amazon marketplace should a US seller start with?
For US sellers, the UK is the most common starting point because there is no language barrier. However, Germany is the largest European marketplace and covers buyers from several surrounding countries that do not have their own Amazon marketplace. The German market consistently outperforms Spain and Italy in sales potential, and products that sell well in the US tend to transfer well to Germany. If a seller can only commit to one non-English European market, Germany is the stronger business case.
Why should I do separate keyword research for each international marketplace rather than translating my US keywords?
Search behavior varies significantly between markets, and translated keywords do not always match what local shoppers actually type. A high-volume search term in the US may have very low search volume in Germany, Spain, or France, while a different term for the same product concept may dominate that market. Using translated US keywords in your title means your listing may not rank for the terms shoppers are actually using, regardless of how well the rest of the listing is written. Each market requires its own keyword research conducted by someone who speaks the language and understands how buyers in that market describe products.
What specific mistakes should I avoid when writing listings for the German market?
The most common mistakes are applying a US-style sales pitch to a German listing and omitting basic product information. German shoppers expect bullet points that answer practical questions: what the product contains, how it is used, whether it is safe for children or compatible with certain conditions, and what the dimensions are. They are also the highest-return market in Europe, which means any ambiguity in the listing is likely to cost you a sale or generate a return. Avoid emotionally charged language, metaphors, and superlatives. Use formal language and present information in a clean, structured format that respects the reader's time and intelligence.
Can I use Google Translate or Amazon's automated translation tools for my international listings?
Automated translation can produce a functional first draft for internal reference, but it should not be the final version customers see. Automated tools lack contextual awareness, produce unnatural phrasing in compound-language markets like German, and cannot conduct keyword research in the target language. Most critically, they will replicate the tone and structure of your source listing rather than adapting it to the expectations of the new market. A listing that reads like a machine translation signals low quality to shoppers and reduces conversion rates, particularly in demanding markets like Germany.
How should I handle backend search terms for international listings?
The same principles that apply in the US apply internationally: do not repeat keywords already in your visible listing, use the full available character allowance, and include synonyms, alternate product names, and related search terms that are specific to that market. For the German market, pay particular attention to compound words, since German buyers often search using a single combined term rather than two or three separate words. A keyword research tool set to a word count of one rather than two will surface compound keywords that might otherwise be missed and that can carry significant search volume.
