How to translate product feature bullets using AI

In the world of eCommerce, the devil is in the details, and nowhere is that more evident than in product feature bullets. These short, concise statements capture the key selling points of a product, providing customers with essential information quickly. But what happens when you need to reach global customers who don’t speak the language in which your product descriptions are written?

Translating product feature bullets into different languages is critical to expanding your reach, but traditional methods can be slow and expensive. Enter AI-powered translation tools. With AI, businesses can efficiently translate their product descriptions at scale. But it’s not always as simple as running your text through a machine—there are challenges to navigate, especially when it comes to cultural differences, tone, and localisation.

Challenges of translating product feature bullets using AI

While AI offers impressive speed and efficiency, it’s important to understand that direct translation can introduce potential issues. Here are some key challenges:

• Cultural differences: AI often translates words and phrases literally, which can lead to awkward phrasing or even misunderstandings. For example, a phrase that works well in English might come across as too formal or casual in another language. Cultural context, idioms, and regional expressions need to be considered to ensure that the content resonates with the target audience.
• Context and specificity: Product feature bullets often contain technical terms or industry jargon. Without proper context, AI can mistranslate these terms. For instance, “non-slip grip” for a kitchen knife might be translated into a phrase that loses its specific meaning in another language if the AI doesn’t understand the product’s functionality.
• Tone and formality: Different languages require varying levels of formality depending on the product and audience. A casual tone in English may not be appropriate for the same product description in a more formal-speaking market, like certain regions in Spain or Latin America.
• Localisation: Beyond mere translation, localisation adapts the content to the norms, measurements, and expectations of a specific market. For example, a feature listing “12-inch pan” must be converted into the metric system for countries using centimetres, and price listings may need to reflect the correct currency.

Benefits of using AI for translating product feature bullets

Despite these challenges, using AI to translate product feature bullets offers significant benefits for eCommerce businesses.:

• Speed and efficiency: AI can process thousands of translations in the time it would take a human translator to complete just one. This speed is invaluable for large eCommerce platforms with constantly updated product lines.
• Cost-effectiveness: AI provides a scalable and affordable way to translate content without the need for a large translation team. For smaller businesses, this opens up the opportunity to reach new markets without incurring heavy costs.
• Consistency: AI can ensure uniformity in translations, maintaining a consistent tone and style across product descriptions. This is particularly useful when managing vast product catalogues.
• SEO Optimisation: AI can also be programmed to optimise translations for search engines by incorporating relevant local keywords. This ensures that translated product descriptions are not only understandable but also discoverable.

Best practices for using AI to translate product features

To get the most out of AI translations, follow these best practices:

• Clarity of original content: Ensure that the source content is clear and free from ambiguous or overly complex phrases. The more straightforward your original text is, the better the AI will perform in translation.
• Post-editing: AI translations are a great first draft, but it’s essential to have human editors review and refine the output. This helps catch cultural nuances and ensures that the text feels natural to native speakers.
• Contextual instructions for AI: Providing the AI with contextual information about the product and its audience improves the accuracy of the translation. For instance, specifying whether the audience is casual or professional can influence the tone of the output.
• Incorporating localisation: Go beyond mere translation by localising content for different markets. This includes adapting measurements, currencies, and even reordering feature bullets to align with local priorities.

Use case: translating product feature bullets for a kitchenware product (English to Spanish)

Let’s look at an example translation of product feature bullets for a stainless-steel chef’s knife from English to Spanish:

• English feature bullets:
  
  • Premium stainless-steel blade for superior durability and sharpness.
  • Ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable, non-slip grip.
  • Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and convenience.
• Spanish translation using AI:
  
  • Hoja de acero inoxidable de primera calidad para una durabilidad y nitidez superiores.
  • Mango ergonómico que garantiza un agarre cómodo y antideslizante.
  • Apto para lavavajillas, fácil de limpiar y conveniente.

Analysis

• Cultural differences: The term “primera calidad” may be interpreted as “first quality” but lacks the premium branding effect that “alta calidad” (high quality) might convey in Spanish-speaking markets. Local nuances like these should be reviewed.
• Wording & tone: The term “ergonómico” directly translates well from English, preserving the technical meaning. However, it’s vital to ensure consistency in tone across all features to maintain a professional voice.
• Localisation: The word “lavavajillas” is appropriate for most Spanish-speaking regions, but terms like this should always be reviewed for regional variations (e.g., dishwasher terms may differ slightly between Spain and Latin America). Measurement systems (like metric) should also be localised.

Closing thoughts

AI is an incredibly powerful tool for translating product feature bullets, allowing eCommerce businesses to reach new markets efficiently. However, combining AI with human oversight ensures high-quality translations that resonate with local audiences. With the right approach, businesses can harness AI tools like Descriptionwise to create accurate, culturally relevant, and SEO-optimised product descriptions for customers worldwide.

Harness the power of AI with Descriptionwise, the ultimate tool for generating product descriptions, titles, and meta descriptions. Tailored for both B2B and B2C markets, Descriptionwise offers seamless integration with leading PIM platforms like Akeneo, Pimberly, and Sales Layer. You can customise your content to match your brand voice and generate bulk descriptions in multiple languages effortlessly. Our AI ensures consistent quality and optimised SEO, backed by expert professionals. So, now you’re ready to elevate your eCommerce game, try Descriptionwise for free and get a taste of how it can help you attain efficiency and precision in your product descriptions and feature bullets like never before.