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Posted on6 May 2025

5 Signs It Could Be Time to Switch Your Localisation Partner

By Rachel Lambert | rachellambert.biz | Copy & Content | White Papers | Case Studies

Rachel Lambert

Not all localisation partners are created equal. And while sticking with the same agency can feel comfortable, especially if you’ve worked with them for years, comfort doesn’t always mean quality. If things are starting to go sideways (even a little), it could be time to re-evaluate that working relationship. Whether it’s missed deadlines, underwhelming work, or just a nagging feeling that you could be getting more, here are five signs it could be time to switch your localisation partner.

Call us on +44 (0)1727 812 725 or email us at team@atlas-translations.co.uk to let us know what you need. We respond quickly to all enquiries!

1. You’re Doing Too Much Hand-Holding

A great localisation partner should lighten your load, not add to it. If you spend more time managing the process than benefiting from it, something’s not quite right.

Are you constantly:

  • Re-explaining your brand tone and terminology?
  • Correcting the same types of mistakes?
  • Following up to make sure deadlines are being met?

That’s a red flag. The best localisation teams quickly get to grips with your voice, your audience, and your expectations. You shouldn’t have to start from scratch every single time.

If you’re playing project manager more than client, it might be time to switch your localisation partner.

2. Quality Has Become Hit-and-Miss

We all want to trust the final draft will be solid, but if you’re bracing yourself before opening a delivery, that’s not a good sign.

Clunky phrasing, cultural missteps, or simple grammar errors can undermine your brand and your message. Maybe it’s not all bad, but if quality feels inconsistent or like a gamble, that’s a problem.

Look out for:

  • Translations that miss the mark on tone or intent
  • Lack of clarity in meaning
  • Awkward or literal renderings that obviously weren’t reviewed by a native speaker

If you’re doing more fixing than you’re approving, it might be time to expect better by switching your localisation partner.

3. Response Times Are Slower Than a Monday Morning

Silence can be just as frustrating as sloppy work. If you’re sending emails and hearing crickets 🦗, or chasing basic updates, you’re not being valued as a client.

Signs you’re being left on the back burner:

  • It takes days (or longer) to get answers
  • Questions are met with vague or dismissive replies
  • There’s no sense of urgency or ownership

Your localisation partner should act like part of your team—communicative, accountable, and proactive. Not someone you need to chase down when things get busy.

4. There’s No Sector-Specific Knowledge

It’s not enough for a translator to speak two languages fluently. They need to understand your world, too.

Whether you’re in legal, medical, marketing, tech, or finance, sector-specific knowledge matters.

A translator who isn’t familiar with the language of your industry won’t spot the subtle distinctions that make content accurate, engaging, and compliant.

You might notice:

  • Translations that miss crucial terminology
  • Regulatory requirements are not being met
  • Explanations that feel overly simplified—or just wrong

Expertise makes all the difference between “technically accurate” and “professionally appropriate.”

switch localisation partner happy customer quote from atlas translations client tottenham hotspur fc

5. You Feel Like You’re Just Another Brick in the Wall…🧱

A good localisation partner should care about your content as much as you do. If you’re starting to feel like a thinly veiled Pink Floyd reference, that’s not a good thing.

Maybe they deliver what’s asked—but nothing more. No suggestions, no improvements, no anticipation of your needs. No curiosity about what you’re trying to achieve.

That kind of passive service might work in the short term, but it’s not how long-term partnerships are built. The right partner will:

  • Ask smart questions
  • Flag potential issues before they become problems
  • Offer insight, flexibility, and a genuine interest in helping you succeed

If your current provider is just ticking boxes, it might be time to look elsewhere and switch your localisation partner.

It’s a Wrap!!

Sticking with a partner that no longer fits can hold your business back—especially when your messaging is going global. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s not about assigning blame. It’s about finding someone who treats your content (and your time) with the respect it deserves.

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You shouldn’t have to settle for “good enough.” Sometimes the smartest move is to move on.

Contact Us

We’d love for you to contact Atlas Translations! We’re always here for a chat or to answer questions!

Call us on +44 (0)1727 812 725 or email us at team@atlas-translations.co.uk to let us know what you need. We respond quickly to all enquiries!

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The A-Team (l to r: Steffi, Rhys, Clare, Joanna, Jim, and Anna—not shown is our Amy)

If you’d like to meet us face to face, learn more about our translation and language services, or deliver documents, please email or call us beforehand to arrange a meeting.

Use the Live Chat option during UK working hours to ask us any questions. You’ll chat with a real, live human—we’re a bot-free zone! Just click the little icon at the bottom right of your screen to start chatting with us.

If you need a quick quote, we have a handy Get a quote button at the top of our website, where you can get an estimate for your needs.

Can I Trust Atlas Translations?

Yes, you can! But if you’re after something a little more concrete, here’s some info:

Atlas Translations holds two ISO certifications — ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 17100:2017 (Translation Services).

If the project is highly confidential, we can sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for added peace of mind.

Are we up to date on privacy? Yes, we are! We registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over 20 years ago and have always placed a high importance on data protection.

You can read more about our commitment to our quality standards here.

Atlas Translations prides itself on providing fast, friendly, high-quality language services. But don’t just take our word for it—see what our clients say about us.

We’re also on TrustPilot, and you can read our reviews here.

Global Voice, Local Touch

If you’re looking for top tips on partnering with Atlas Translations, we have some top tips to share! We answer 25 of our clients’ most frequently asked questions, ranging from typesetting queries to discussing reference materials.

Click to download Global Voice, Local Touch

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