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Do’s and don’ts of translations and SEO writing

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We know our Resources portal contains a lot of information so here’s everything about translation and SEO writing in a nutshell. Want to become an excellent language professional? Please do stick to the most important points and do stay well clear of the don’ts, especially with SEO writing!

What should I watch out for again?

Translation

Do:

know your source and target languages inside out. Although it is impossible to have a 100% knowledge of every single aspect of your source and target languages, it is possible to know how to use appropriate tools and how to carry out in-depth research.
be comfortable with the fact that you’ll always be on a constant mission searching for the correct terms!
preferably, choose a couple of industries as your areas of expertise so that you can build up your terminology and specialize as a translator in these areas. In the long-run, this will save you time and free your mind to concentrate on other aspects of your translation.
find the right tone for your translation and all about its intended target audience. Research to find out more if necessary, e.g. by visiting a company’s website.
use your text editor’s spell check function and set the correct language settings correctly.

Don’t:

do direct or literal translations. Instead, always focus on communicating meaning.
assume you know the right translation and context of certain terms or phrases just because it proved correct in a past translation of yours. Language is in constant flux and there may be new developments you might not be aware of.
think that punctuation is a given. Punctuation rules vary from one language to the next. Know your target language’s punctuation rules and apply them consistently!
keep questions and doubts to yourself. Nobody is perfect and the help of your peers can smooth out your way to an excellent translation.

SEO writing

Do:

keep your SEO writing content unique!
stick to the right keyword density (approximately 1.5% if not indicated otherwise).
use synonyms (approximately 0.5%) and word and phrases related semantically to your keywords.
know how to use keyword tools.
know the basics of HTML code.

Don’t:

NEVER copy paste content!! Always paraphrase and make sure your texts are unique.
“over-optimize”, i.e. make your SEO intentions obvious by sticking too much to SEO guidelines.

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