Lokalisierung – Definition

Localization is the adaptation of content and functionality to the cultural, linguistic, and legal requirements of a specific market — going beyond mere translation.

While translation carries wording over into another language, localization goes further: units of measurement, date formats, color symbolism, regulatory disclosures, and cultural references are all adapted to fit the target market. In the SFCC context, localization affects both commerce data (prices, availability) and CMS content (copy, images, taglines). A structured localization process is a prerequisite for successful international e-commerce. Color symbolism is a particularly easy-to-miss localization detail with real business consequences: red signals danger in many Western markets but represents luck and celebration in Chinese culture, which means campaign imagery that works well in one market can send an unintended message in another if colors and symbolism aren't deliberately reviewed per locale. Localization maturity is often visible in how a business handles edge cases: sizing charts that need to switch between metric and imperial units, payment methods that vary by market preference, and legal disclosures that differ not just in wording but in which markets require them at all.