If you’re looking for a translation service provider, you’ll inevitably be confronted with endless questions. We’ve previously explained what a translation agency does, but what’s the difference between working directly with a freelance translator and working with a translation agency?
Knowing exactly what a translation agency does is a big help for many clients when looking for the right translation service provider. But they may be thinking: why even get an agency involved at all? Wouldn’t it be better to work directly with a freelance translator and avoid the markup the agency will add?
The best option depends on your individual circumstances. There are a number of benefits from working with translation agencies rather than directly with freelancers that may apply to you:
You might imagine that working with an agency is less personal than working directly with freelancers, and sometimes that is the case. But a good translation agency will work hard to establish a personal relationship with you. At MEINRAD, for example, we always put people first and value the personal touch – and that includes giving you direct contact with the translators working on your texts if that’s important to you.
On the other hand, if you’re an individual (rather than a business) looking for translations, working directly with a freelance translator is likely to be the better option. Websites like proz.com or universitas.org are a good place to start looking for the right translator.
A good translation agency won’t just produce translations: it will also give its clients the support and guidance they need across all aspects of their projects. For instance, it will give clients access to a portal that allows them to monitor the translation process. The agency will also check source texts for consistent style and terminology, as these factors can have a big impact on the quality of the translation (so clients don’t just get good translations – they also learn how to produce better source texts, which in turn will help with future translation projects). And the agency will also offer support when it comes to file formats, connectivity and process optimization, with the ultimate aim of giving their clients even better value for money from their translations. If you’re still unsure whether the translation agency you’re looking at is right for you, these 6 questions will help you make your decision.
The translation market is highly competitive, and that has a big impact on prices. But price is often not a reliable indicator of how good a translation agency is – even if you’re prepared to pay more, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee high-quality all-round service.
The key questions are: will the agency offer the support I need, and do they work with state-of-the-art technology? This may not be reflected in their quote, but in the long run it can end up costing you more than you bargained for in the form of slow, inefficient processes or poor translations. If you need technical documentation to be translated, errors in the translation can lead to the risk of expensive liability claims which damage both your finances and your reputation. So don’t rush into a decision you may later regret.
What matters most is that your translation partner is by your side to offer the support and guidance you need. If you’re unsure whether it’s best for you to work with an agency or directly with freelance translators, you need to find out what added value the partnership can offer you. So don’t be seduced by the price, or by a provider who simply offers “high-quality translations”: if they don’t offer all-round support, they probably won’t be right for you.
Main image: © MEINRAD