| How are quotes calculated? Who calculates them?
We at Trad Online are a team of professionals.
Our project managers have extensive experience in managing translation projects, which allows them to estimate the investment required for a project quickly and precisely.
The price we quote you depends on:
- The complexity of the project (difficulty of the text itself, number of languages, file formats, number of files, etc.),
- A calculation of the number of words in the documents to be translated (which constitutes the volume for translation),
- Analysis of the timescale required (urgent or not),
- Any other client specification or request to be taken into account (such as for example use of a CMS, batch deliveries, use of specific software as requested by the client, etc.)
Based on this analysis, our project manager will offer you the best price for your project and your objectives.
What is a source word?
The source word is the basic unit used to calculate volumes for translation.
The number of source words in a document can be defined via various tools, including Microsoft Word (which most of our clients have available). Using this tool, clients can obtain a fairly precise idea of the number of source words to be translated for their project.
The Word Properties/Statistics function gives the number of source words in a document (this statistic is also available on the left hand side below the document, when it is open in Word). Note: Word does not automatically count text in text boxes, footers or images etc. This content must therefore be added to the volume to be translated.
What do you mean by the difficulty of the document?
The difficulty of the document to be translated describes its level of complexity in terms of terminology, syntax or technical formatting.
The more specific, technical and specialized the vocabulary, the longer it will take to produce a translation (and the more expensive the translation will consequently be).
So, for example, a translation of a document concerning a very specialized industrial process will cost more to produce than a translation of a simple sales brochure.
What is a translation "for information"?
A translation "for information" is a translation whose sole objective is to allow the client to understand the contents of the source text, where there is no intention to distribute the translated document externally. A frequent example of this is the translation of contracts and calls for tenders produced for our clients, or of various legal documents (company statutes, etc.) which are translated for the purpose of being understood precisely. This type of translation is less costly than translation "for publication".
What is a translation "for publication"?
In contrast with a translation for information, a translation "for publication" is written with the intention of being made public, or used by the company for external purposes. It must be used for all commercial, advertising and communications documents, in the widest sense.
The question we generally ask our clients is: could this document one day be seen or read by one of your company's clients or partners? Does this document serve to convey your company's image or reputation? If so, it is a document "for publication". This type of translation is more expensive than a translation "for information", as levels of attention and quality control are maximised.
What does your translation service include?
We do everything possible to ensure peace of mind for our clients!
Trad Online offers its clients a comprehensive quality process:
- Translations are produced by professional, native, experienced translators, chosen for their expertise in the relevant sector.
- Translations are reviewed by a second linguist, also a native speaker.
- An "expert" may be asked to provide a technical point of reference, if the specific project requires this.
- Your layout and file formats are preserved.
- Project management ensures excellent quality delivered within agreed timescales.
- Our team (after-sales service) is available to answer all your questions, both during and after the project.
- If necessary, a consultancy approach is offered to help you optimize translation costs where significant investments are involved (e.g. for e-commerce websites, lengthy instruction guides to be translated into multiple languages, etc.).
What are the source language and destination language?
The source language is the language in which the documents you send us to be translated are written.
The destination language(s) are the languages you ask us to translate the source documents into.
Could you give me some sample prices?
All projects are different and consequently the price examples below are provided for information purposes only:
Example - simple "Website translation" into multiple languages:
A client asked us to widen his Internet audience by making information about his company available to non French-speaking internet users.
We therefore translated his website (management consultancy sector) from French into English, Spanish and Italian, ensuring that terminology used was suitable for search engine optimization (SEO) on Google.
The volume for translation was approximately 2,400 source words, with an average level of difficulty. Texts to be translated were provided in Word format (they could have been in php, xml or html formats).
There were no particular constraints in terms of timescale.
Our offer, and our client's investment, were as follows:
- 0.130 euros before tax per source word for Italian and Spanish, giving a total of 0.130 * 2,400 = 312 euros before tax for each of these two languages,
- 0.140 euros before tax per source word for English, giving a total of 0.140 * 2,400 = 336 euros before tax for this language.
Total project price: 960 euros before tax.
Example - "Translation of a contract for information":
A regular client asked us to translate a contract from English into French "for information". This fairly technical contract was 4,600 words long.
The price per source word of a standard translation (for publication) would have been 0.165 euros before tax. As the client required a translation "for information", we were able to offer a price of 0.15 euros before tax per source word, giving a total of 690 euros before tax.
To request a quotation from Trad Online, please click here |
