Localisation: Shipping Your App in Multiple Languages
If your audience spans more than one language or region, localisation makes your app feel native to each of them — not just translated text, but dates, currencies, formats and even layout direction.
Planning for localisation early is far cheaper than retrofitting it once the app is built around a single language.
Translation Is Only the Start
People often assume localisation just means translating the text, but a truly local app respects far more than words. Dates, currencies, number formats, the direction text reads and even the examples you choose all signal whether an app was made for someone or merely adapted at the last minute. Getting these details right is what makes users in each market feel genuinely catered for.
What Localisation Covers
- Translated interface text, ideally by native speakers.
- Local date, time, number and currency formats.
- Right-to-left layouts for languages such as Arabic.
- Images and examples that make sense in each market.
How We Prepare for It
- Keep all user-facing text out of the code and in language files.
- Design layouts that flex when text grows or shrinks.
- Test each language on real screens before release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we add languages later?
Yes, and it is straightforward if we build with localisation in mind from the start. Adding it to an app that ignored it is much more involved.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.