How to Create a Website for Japanese users｜Key Considerations and Steps
Key Considerations for Creating a Website for the Japan market
If you’re looking to create a website targeting the Japan market, this guide will outline the key considerations and steps involved.
1. Three Key Points for Creating a Website for the Japan Market
① Multilingual Support
The first essential step in creating a website for Japanese users is deciding on the languages to support. A website that is only available in English will only reach those who understand English, however, majority of Japanese users are hard to understand.
For seamless language switching, you should design a system where, for example, Japanese is the default language, and clicking an "English" button navigates users to the English version. Additionally, users accessing the English Website should see the appropriate English menu and navigation options.
Key points for multilingual support:
- Support for Japanese
- Implementation of a language-switching feature
② Translation
It is essential to provide content in the target country's language. Relying solely on Google Translate can lead to unnatural expressions, so professional translation and native proofreading are highly recommended.
Key points for translation:
- Avoid automatic translations; use professional translations that reflect the appropriate business nuances
- Implement a language-switching feature
③ Seamless Design and User Experience (UX)
Japanese and English differ in font sizes and text lengths. English text tends to be longer than Japanese but appears smaller in font size.
Considering these differences in language is crucial for designing a smooth user experience.
Additionally, design preferences and user behavior vary between Japan and other countries.
Key points for international design:
- Mobile-friendly (mobile-first approach)
- Layout considerations for language differences
2. How to Create a Website for the Japan Market [Basic Steps]
Step 1: Define Purpose
Before deciding on the content of each page and the overall scope of the website, it is essential to clearly define the purpose.
Website purpose:
- E-commerce Website: Selling products to Japanese customers
- Corporate Website: Establishing credibility and serving as a digital business card for Japanese companies
- Content-based Website: Providing information in both Japanese and English
Step 2: Multilingual Support and Translation
As previously mentioned, multilingual support is essential for international websites, and there are various ways to implement it.
- Use multilingual plugins or apps for CMS or e-commerce platforms
- Create separate Japanese and English pages manually
- Outsource the entire website development to a professional web developer
Step 3: SEO and Marketing Strategy
- Optimize for different search engines in each country
- Integrate with social media marketing
Step 4: Testing & Launch
- Tests for payments, contact forms, and data transfer
- Make necessary adjustments and proceed with the official launch
3. Build It Yourself or Outsource? [Checklist]
- Have experience in website development → You can try creating it yourself !
- Have knowledge of translation and design → Partial self-creation is possible !
- Want to focus on SEO and marketing → Outsource the Web development is more effective !
- Need an international website within a few months → Outsource the Web development is recommended !
If you feel that building a website on your own might be difficult, Outsource the Japanese Web development is a great option.
Need Help with Your Japanese Website?
Creating a website for international audiences requires expertise in design, SEO, and localization. It is often more complex than developing a website for a domestic audience, requiring careful consideration of various factors.
At Goat WebCreation Japan, we offer comprehensive support, from planning and design to translation and ongoing site management. Regarding Japanese website development, the entire process - including emails and online meetings - is also available in English.
Even if you’re unsure where to start, feel free to contact. Happy to help you bring your vision to life.