How to turn your digital product into a global success?

Quantity matters.

Here’s one example from the world of Web 3.0:

Roblox: 46
Second Life: 9
The Sandbox: 6
Decentraland: 1


That’s how many languages are supported by the top metaverse platforms.
The platforms with more languages also have more daily active users globally*:

Roblox: 58.8 mln
Second Life: 200,000
Sandbox: 39,000
Decentraland: 8,000

Coincidence?

For the sake of argument, let’s assume it’s not.

How to have more?

There are many factors that decide whether your metaverse platform, game or any other digital product will reach a global audience.

Of course, the quality of your product matters, your marketing campaign matters, and the level of security or available payment methods matter too.

But what’s equally important is to understand your target audience. Because only then your users will understand your product. And when your users understand your product, they’re more likely to trust you. That’s a starting point to convert one-time visitors into regular consumers. With more consumers, you can grow your presence and your profit.

But what about languages?

Digital products have the power to connect people — also across borders. It’s quite easy to make your product global if you know how to meet the needs of your international users. One such need is related to clear communication. Your users have to know what your product offers to be able to interact with it. Communication is based on language, so to let your users effortlessly engage with your product, your UI strings have to be available in the language your users can understand.

But that’s not all.

Is it really so important?

Adding a new language alone won’t make your digital platform an overnight success. You need something more.

It’s called localization.

By localizing your virtual experience, game, or app you can truly adapt your product to the target market. It goes beyond the translation of user interface strings. It’s like using a microscope to detect which details of your product can be tweaked. With localization, your sounds, visuals, or navigation patterns become aligned with the culture of your target market. Sometimes new features, events, or experiences are created as well to make the product more engaging for your international users.

In most cases, the more languages your product supports, the more global users you’re likely to attract. But to keep them coming back, you need to ensure a smooth experience on all levels: from correct language use, through relevant cultural items, to immersive technology and unique features.

What really matters?

Truth be told, what really matters is the profit. But since there’s no profit without users, the key is to understand what your users want. Once you figure that out, develop, tweak, and adapt your product accordingly, mixing quality and quantity in perfect proportions.

If your journey through the needs of your users takes you to the Localization Land, I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

*Data sources for daily active users:

• https://blockworks.co/news/metaverse-platforms-set-the-record-straight-about-daily-active-users
• https://decentraland.org/blog/announcements/how-many-dau-does-decentraland-have/
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192573/daily-active-users-global-roblox/#:~:text=As%20of%20the%20fourth%20quarter,and%20was%20founded%20in%202006.

Image credit: Freepik