10 Tips Before Ordering a Translation

The shorter the text, the lower the translation cost. Therefore, the most effective cost-saving measure is to reduce the amount of material to be translated. Think carefully about whether every single page of a 100-page document must be translated. Focus on identifying less important sections based on the purpose of the translation.

2. How much will it cost?

The price of a translation depends on the length of the text and on how common the language pair is. The level of technical difficulty and the delivery deadline also influence the final cost.

The length of the text is measured in characters, including spaces. (After all, you would not want to receive a text with no spaces in it, right?) 🙂 It is understandable that the more common a language is, and the less specialised the field, the lower the translation cost will be.

The translation fee depends on several factors, but this does not mean that the more expensive translation is always the better one. At the same time, going below a certain price range is not advisable, as it may indicate a lack of expertise. In most cases, translation fees are directly proportional to the time required.

3. Does style matter? And if so, how much?

Some translations are inherently and hopelessly poor—such as machine-generated translations, or work produced by inexperienced translators. Even grammatically correct translations may lose the tone or energy of the original. You can avoid this by informing your translation agency about the intended use of the text. Our job is to ensure that the final translation is excellent.

Our service focuses on producing professional, specialised translations. However, if the text is intended for thousands of readers, translation alone may not be enough. In such cases, linguistic proofreading is necessary. During proofreading, a language expert reviews the translated text and corrects any errors.

4. If you are not a professional translator, do not start the translation yourself

You may speak the language fluently, but speaking is not the same as writing. Texts produced by amateur translators sound unnatural to native speakers. If you want to create a positive impression—about yourself or your business—ask a professional translator to handle the work.

5. Finalise the text before submitting it

Even if you are pressed for time, experience shows that translating an incomplete text takes longer than translating a finalised one. Tracking multiple versions and applying corrections is time-consuming—and therefore expensive. If you must begin the translation before finalisation, always label the versions with dates and highlight the changes clearly for the translation team.

6. Is online translation good enough?

When time is short, online translation tools often seem tempting. They are fast and free—but unfortunately inaccurate.

If you are forced to use machine translation and the text is intended for a client, always inform them in advance. This avoids misunderstandings.

You can also ask a translation agency whether they can take on the work. Flexible agencies—like ours—are often able to offer quick, simple translation solutions at a reasonable price. And in many cases, our solution may be cheaper than having a machine translation corrected by a professional later.

7. What is the purpose of the text? Tell us!

You certainly know how the translation will be used. It is equally important that your translator knows this. Tell our team about the purpose of the text when placing your order. This allows us to ensure the translation matches the intended style. Translators appreciate clear instructions, and this always results in a higher-quality translation.

8. Should your translator be familiar with the field?

For specialised translations, absolutely! This is why translation agencies offer multiple subject-matter experts for each language pair. If you request the translation of a contract, for example, a legal translator will handle it. Never entrust a translation to someone whose subject-matter knowledge is uncertain. Our translation agency finds the right expert for you.

If you prefer certain terms to be translated in a specific way, send us a short glossary. We will always respect your terminology preferences.

9. Why is linguistic proofreading useful?

Even professional translators are human, and humans make mistakes. This is why multiple reviews are essential. More eyes see more—and increase the chances of catching errors. Proofreading involves reviewing the entire translated text, but only if you request this service when placing your order.

Proofreading is indispensable when the text is intended for print. It is unnecessary if simple comprehension is the goal. The client must decide which option suits their needs.

10. Do not pay more than necessary — gather information first

As mentioned above, the cost of translation depends on the amount and quality of the service. The way you submit the order also affects both. Often, the volume of text can be reduced in advance or certain parts can remain in the original language.

You may request the removal of unnecessary services at any time. A professional translation agency will always adjust the work to your needs.