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English to Spanish Translations for eCommerce: The Spanish Market Awaits!

Aug 18, 2023

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What’s the point of translating an Amazon listing from English to Spanish? The answer is clear: expansion to a Spanish-speaking market is lucrative.

Here are a few reasons why:

  • Growing market: There are over 500 million Spanish speakers in the world, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years. This represents a huge potential market for Amazon sellers.
  • Low competition: In some Spanish-speaking markets, there is less competition than in English-speaking markets. This means that Amazon sellers have a better chance of success.
  • Ecommerce adoption: Ecommerce adoption is growing rapidly in Spanish-speaking markets. This means that there is a growing demand for online shopping, which Amazon sellers can tap into.
  • Lower costs: The cost of doing business in some Spanish-speaking markets is lower than in English-speaking markets. This can lead to higher profits for Amazon sellers.

However, it’s important to remember that translating listings involves more than just converting words. It requires keyword research and strategy to ensure your listings rank well in Spanish search results. That’s why hiring a professional translation agency with native Spanish speakers is crucial. They can provide accurate and persuasive translations that resonate with your target audience, adapt product specifications, adjust imagery, and even offer localized customer support.

So, if you want to unlock new opportunities for success in the Spanish-speaking market, it’s time to translate your Amazon listings from English to Spanish.

The Benefits of Translating a Listing from English to Spanish

If you’re looking to expand your business and reach a new market, the Spanish market is definitely worth considering. Mexico, in particular, is a top destination for product sourcing, with a skilled and affordable workforce for nearshoring. Additionally, Amazon Spain has great potential for sellers, offering access to a large customer base and the opportunity to tap into the growing e-commerce market. Furthermore, Latin America is a marketplace that is showing real potential for growth (Amazon is the second most popular eCommerce site, right after Mercado Libre).

So, don’t overlook the potential of Amazon Spain, Mexico, and Latin America for expanding your business internationally.

Mexico as a top product sourcing destination

Let’s explore the potential of Mexico first. Whereas most Amazon sellers look to China for their product development needs, Mexico should be considered as a top product sourcing destination. The country is recognized for artisanal products, cotton, textiles, and others. It’s a great place to find a truly unique product that will be easy to differentiate in the jungle of products on Amazon.

Now, if you’re sourcing from Mexico, you might as well consider selling there, as well. (Did we mention the quick lead times? Shipping across the border from the US to Mexico takes one day!)

Mexico has a large and growing e-commerce market, with a population that primarily speaks Spanish. There are more than 50 million people in Mexico who use Amazon Mexico shopping.

Skilled and affordable workforce for nearshoring

Mexico offers a skilled and affordable workforce for nearshoring, allowing businesses to benefit from cost-effective production and manufacturing capabilities.

With a vast pool of talented workers, Mexico is an attractive destination for companies looking to outsource their operations.

The country’s proximity to the United States also ensures efficient supply chain management and reduced shipping costs.

By leveraging Mexico’s workforce, businesses can achieve higher productivity, lower labor costs, and maintain high-quality standards.

Potential of Amazon Spain

With its challenging VAT registration process, Amazon Spain may be a less popular choice for sellers looking to expand internationally. However, it still holds great potential in the European marketplace.

In 1994, when Amazon launched, it would have been hard to imagine that just three years later, its annual revenue would approach $150 million. Fast forward 20 years, and Amazon has become the world’s leading online retailer, with product sales exceeding $108.35 billion and a year-over-year retail product sales growth of 19% in 2017. Amazon’s strategic partnership with third-party sellers has been instrumental in this success, allowing the company to diversify its business endeavors while maintaining an extensive product selection. This symbiotic relationship is evident as third-party sellers account for over 50% of Amazon’s total sales. However, the benefits are not one-sided; in 2017, more than 140,000 Amazon sellers reported annual revenues exceeding $100,000.

Meanwhile, Amazon Spain, which launched just seven years ago, has quickly ascended to become the country’s largest eCommerce platform, surpassing eBay Spain. While the 2008 European crisis significantly impacted the Spanish economy, recent years have seen a strong recovery. This is highlighted by Amazon’s reported revenue in Spain, which nearly doubled from €59 million in 2015 to €106 million in 2016. Spain’s EU membership further enhances its appeal, facilitating cross-border commerce with Amazon France and other European nations.

Keep in mind, the keywords you’d generate for Amazon Spain are different from the keywords you’d generate for Amazon Mexico. Here’s where you can hear more, from YLT’s Spanish team lead, Aida.

Potential of Amazon Mexico

Tap into the immense potential of Amazon Mexico and captivate a whole new market of eager customers. This will skyrocket your sales and unlock endless possibilities for growth.

With a population that primarily speaks Spanish, it’s crucial to translate your Amazon listing from English to Spanish. This will effectively reach and engage with Mexican shoppers.

By adapting your product descriptions, keywords, and imagery to resonate with the local audience, you can establish a strong presence and boost your sales in this thriving marketplace.

Note: before deciding to sell your products on Amazon Mexico, consider your capacity to manage customer service inquiries, returns, and product replacements. Numerous sellers on Amazon.mx have encountered significant shipping problems, including lost packages and delivery delays. Addressing these issues demands a robust infrastructure: customer service representatives to handle inquiries, fulfillment staff to repackage, replace, and resend products, and sufficient time and resources to effectively manage these operations.

Remember, the cost of labor in Mexico is relatively affordable, so consider keeping your customer service localized by hiring someone in Mexico to help you navigate these issues.

Potential of Latin American eCommerce

In Latin America, there are over 300 million digital consumers, a number that is projected to increase by over 20 percent by the year 2027. While the adoption of e-commerce in this region lags behind that of other parts of the world, online retail sales in Latin America were approximated to be nearly $168 billion in 2022. By 2026, it is anticipated that these sales will make up almost 20 percent of the region’s total retail market. At the country level, Brazil and Mexico are in close competition for the top spot, with each country representing nearly 30 percent of Latin America’s e-commerce market. Nonetheless, other nations such as Argentina, Colombia, and Peru are gaining increased attention due to their rapid e-commerce growth.

Why localizing your listing is important

When localizing your Amazon listing, it’s important to consider new keywords per marketplaces. This includes different cultural nuances and context, as well as different idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.

You need to understand the specific keywords that resonate with your target audience in each marketplace to optimize your listings for search.

Additionally, cultural differences and language nuances play a significant role in effectively communicating your product’s benefits and connecting with potential customers.

By adapting your listing to the local language and culture, you can increase the chances of success in international markets.

New keywords per marketplaces

Expanding your business to different Amazon marketplaces means uncovering new keywords that resonate with diverse audiences in each marketplace. It’s crucial to conduct thorough keyword research to optimize your listings for maximum visibility and sales. Don’t make the common mistake of simply translating keywords from English to Spanish; this is a point in the selling journey when localization, not translation, is needed.

By understanding the language and search habits of your target audience in each marketplace, you can tailor your keywords to attract the right customers. Don’t underestimate the power of localized keywords in driving traffic and conversions on international Amazon platforms.

Check out our helpful Do’s and Don’ts for the European marketplace here – not only does it cover keywords, it also goes into how long your copy should be.

Different cultural nuances & context

The cultures of Spain, Mexico, and Latin America are all influenced by Spanish culture, but they have also developed their own unique characteristics over time. Here are some of the key differences between these cultures:

  • Language: Spanish is the official language of all three countries, but there are significant differences in the way it is spoken. For example, Mexican Spanish uses different slang terms and pronunciations than Spanish Spanish.
  • Food: The food of Spain, Mexico, and Latin America is all influenced by the region’s indigenous cultures, but there are also many Spanish influences. For example, Mexican food is known for its use of chili peppers, while Spanish food is known for its use of olive oil and garlic.
  • Religion: The majority of people in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America are Catholic, but there are also significant Protestant and non-religious populations in each country.
  • Family: Family is very important in all three cultures, but there are some differences in the way families are structured. For example, Mexican families tend to be larger and more extended than Spanish families.
  • Time orientation: Spain and Latin America tend to be more relaxed and less time-oriented than Mexico. For example, it is more common for people to be late for appointments in Spain and Latin America than in Mexico.

These are differences that should come into consideration when translating your listings from English to Spanish. Remember, not all Spanish is the same, and the cultures, while similar, are still disparate.

Different idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms

Understanding different idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms is essential for effectively connecting with international customers and conveying your message in a way that resonates with them.

When translating your Amazon listing from English to Spanish, it’s important to consider the cultural nuances and context of the Spanish-speaking audience. By incorporating idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms that are commonly used in Spanish, you can create a more authentic and relatable listing that will attract and engage Spanish-speaking customers.

This will help you build trust and credibility, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales.

Mind you, only a native speaker can do this well, so make sure you get someone who understands how your target market thinks, feels, and communicates.

Popular idiomatic expressions in English translated to Spanish

We asked our translators for help translating idioms from English to Spanish. Here’s a handful:

  • A blessing in disguise = un lobo vestido de cordero (a wolf dressed as a lamb)
  • A dime a dozen = (IN PERÚ) chancay de a veinte (20 cents “chancay”, a kind of sweet bread)
  • Bite the bullet = al mal paso darle prisa (hurry up with the unpleasant step)
  • Break a leg = mucha mierda
  • Cutting corners = tomar atajos (take shortcuts)
  • Give someone the benefit of the doubt = dar el beneficio de la duda
  • Go back to the drawing board = volver a fojas cero (go back to page zero)
  • It’s not rocket science = no es tan complicado (It’s not that complicated)
  • Miss the boat = se te fue el tren (miss the train)
  • Speak of the devil = hablar del rey de Roma (speak of the king of Rome)
  • That’s the last Straw = la gota que derrama el vaso (the drop that makes the glass splii)

Note: These are idiomatic expressions translated into Spanish from a Peruvian perspective

Conclusion

In conclusion, translating your Amazon listings from English to Spanish is essential for expanding your business and reaching the Spanish-speaking market.

With over 460 million Spanish speakers worldwide, tapping into this market can significantly increase your customer base and sales potential.

By providing localized product information, adapting imagery, and offering customer support in Spanish, you can enhance the customer experience and open up new opportunities for success.

Hiring a professional translation agency, like YLT Translations, with native Spanish speakers ensures accurate and persuasive English to Spanish translations that resonate with the target audience.

Don’t leave money on the table – consider expanding to this lucrative market today!