When it comes to translating a product, there are several routes one can take.
The most important thing is clearly to find a professional who is well-versed in their craft. Once that is established, the next step is deciding whether to contact a translation agency or a freelance translator. Which is the better option? Which one best suits your individual needs? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both.
Finding a Professional
Translators have a variety of ways to advertise their services. Some still work from physical offices, but for the most part, the job is done digitally. As a result, translators often use social media or websites to promote their work. A prime example is LinkedIn, a professional networking site where translators showcase their experience and skills.
We can also find personal websites created by and for freelance translators or translation agencies.
In general, freelance translators tend to rely on platforms like LinkedIn or dedicated personal websites that focus solely on the services they offer, making it easy for clients to get in touch. While translation agencies also provide this kind of information, they typically present themselves as a business entity rather than highlighting individual translators.
While both can provide a professional and effective service, if you value knowing the specific translator handling your project, it’s better to go with a freelancer. However, if personal contact is less important to you, a translation agencies may be more convenient, as it gives you access to a wider pool of professionals.
Range of Services
Freelance translators usually offer fewer services, since they are individuals working alone. They typically handle only a limited number of languages and specializations. On the other hand, translation agencies consist of various teams of professionals, allowing them to offer a broader range of specializations and languages.
If you’re looking for a wide array of services, there’s no doubt that a translation agency is your best bet. However, if you’re after a specialized, personalized service, a freelance translator is a solid choice.
Workload Capacity
There are times when a client needs more than just one document translated. Freelancers may struggle to handle multiple projects simultaneously. When working with a freelancer, it’s essential to discuss how much work they can take on and the estimated turnaround time for each document.
This changes with a translation agencies, which usually consists of several teams of translators. That means they can manage more projects at the same time, more efficiently and more quickly. So, if you have a large volume of documents, a translation agency is the better option.
Communication Between Professional and Client
Clear communication between professionals and clients is key in any type of service. This can also be an important factor when deciding who to work with.
When working with a translation agency, direct contact with the translator or translators handling your document is rare. Communication usually goes through a social media manager or secretary, then to a project manager, and finally to the rest of the team. This layered process can delay communication and increase the risk of misunderstandings due to the “broken telephone” effect.
Hiring a freelance translator, on the other hand, usually means faster and more effective communication. This reduces the chance of miscommunication and helps streamline that part of the process.
The Ideal Option
We’ve outlined several reasons why both translation agencies and freelance translators stand out. Each option may be more or less suitable depending on the client’s needs and the type of service required. Disregarding one just because it’s less effective in a particular area is a flawed decision.
At Maxtraducciones, we advocate for hiring translation agencies for the following reasons:
- High-quality assurance: Working with a company ensures that your project is handled by certified translators who are specialists in both the language and the subject area your project requires.
- Wide range of services: Translation agencies offer great versatility, including more technical translations that demand specialized knowledge, as well as a wider variety of language options.
- Efficient organization: Translation agencies divide their translators into teams to better distribute tasks and manage multiple projects. This structure speeds up the work and increases the volume they can take on.
These are just a few reasons why we at Maxtranslation believe that hiring a translation agency is the most optimal option. However, we also reaffirm the importance of freelance translators and encourage anyone interested in translation services to consider working with them as well.
A quick way to find professionals—whether freelance translators or agencies—is to use LinkedIn or websites like Translated.
If you’re looking to hire services from a translation agency please contact us.
