How much would non-native speaker's English mistakes affect conversion?

20 replies
Hi there,
I've been doing IM for over 10 years but I'm originally from Japan and everything has been done in Japanese (i.e. products in Japanese, marketing in Japanese etc.). It came to the point I need to (and also want to) start a completely new project and I want to do it in English (and sell it mainly to native English speakers).

As you can judge from this post, I can write in English without a problem.However I still leave a trace of being a non-native speaker here and there. That means sometimes I use "wrong" words, grammar, and/or "unnatural" expressions etc. Also my English skill is not as good as that of a native speaker's of course.

When it comes to making a main sales letter, I could use a copy writer or I can pay and have a native speaker check it, however it is not practical to do so every time I add a page to a website/blog or write an email to send out.

I can imagine it would depend on a product too, but in general how much your conversion could be affected by "wrong" English or English mistakes? Would you be put off by them as a buyer? If your product is good, or overall message/copy is good then it doesn't really matter?

Any suggestions, advice from a perspective of either a buyer or a seller would be appreciated.

Thanks!
#affect #conversion #english #mistakes #nonnative #speaker
  • Profile picture of the author dlane1987
    I think it could have a rather large effect, I would get a proofreader to help.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10269984].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    I think it is going to vary from reader to reader and buyer to buyer.

    Some people want to see perfect English and expect a product to have been proofread so that it is mistake free (or nearly so).

    Others will forgive an occasional mistake here and there. No one is perfect, right?

    Then there are those that will say . . . if the quality is in the product, I can forgive the English writing mistakes.

    Personally, I believe that your business should take pride in paying attention to the little details. Mistakes suggest sloppiness and a make one wonder if this same trend will carry over into the products from this business.

    I would suggest paying a proofreader to check your sales letter, your product, your web site copy, etc. Make these things as mistake-free as possible. There shouldn't be a huge expense for proofreading.

    When it comes to blog posts, emails, etc, (the more personal communications) to me at least, I am not so picky because I understand that bloggers come from varying backgrounds and they are speaking in their natural everyday voice where some mistakes can be expected.

    However, when mistakes are rampant, and every sentence has one or more, it gets to be irritating. The numerous mistakes take one's attention away from the content because one looks for the next mistake.

    Just my thinking,

    Steve
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10269991].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DRP
    Stick with Japanese (your native language). Language mistakes will cost anyone dearly in terms of conversions.
    Signature
    I'd rather tell you an ugly truth than a pretty lie.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270012].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by DRP View Post

      Stick with Japanese (your native language). Language mistakes will cost anyone dearly in terms of conversions.
      Thank you for your reply.

      There are actually some reasons why I won't do a new project in Japanese(it's off topic so I won't get into detail but as a non resident of Japan it is getting more difficult to do any business there and actually that includes internet marketing ) - therefore either in English or not doing anything when it comes to the new project. So I would like to know more about "how much" it would actually affect conversion.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270047].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
    Originally Posted by dlane1987 View Post

    I think it could have a rather large effect, I would get a proofreader to help.
    Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

    I think it is going to vary from reader to reader and buyer to buyer.

    Some people want to see perfect English and expect a product to have been proofread so that it is mistake free (or nearly so).

    Others will forgive an occasional mistake here and there. No one is perfect, right?

    Then there are those that will say . . . if the quality is in the product, I can forgive the English writing mistakes.

    Personally, I believe that your business should take pride in paying attention to the little details. Mistakes suggest sloppiness and a make one wonder if this same trend will carry over into the products from this business.

    I would suggest paying a proofreader to check your sales letter, your product, your web site copy, etc. Make these things as mistake-free as possible. There shouldn't be a huge expense for proofreading.

    When it comes to blog posts, emails, etc, (the more personal communications) to me at least, I am not so picky because I understand that bloggers come from varying backgrounds and they are speaking in their natural everyday voice where some mistakes can be expected.

    However, when mistakes are rampant, and every sentence has one or more, it gets to be irritating. The numerous mistakes take one's attention away from the content because one looks for the next mistake.

    Just my thinking,

    Steve
    Thank you both for your replies.

    Especially Steve, you cleared up a lot of my questions.
    Yes I was going to have my product, sales letter, main website pages etc. proofread anyway. I was more worried about blog posts (articles) and emails because if I wwere to have them proofread too then that would be endless, and also it'll take time before I can actually publish/send it after I write them.

    I think I'm going to not worry so much about blog posts or emails, but I'll do my best to "perfect" the product and the "formal part" of my website.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270030].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
    You can either hire a proofreader or completely outsource to an English writer if you want perfect writing.

    But then again, I'm a native speaker, and suck in every other language.... And I don't even do English very much justice lol.
    Signature

    Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270033].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

      You can either hire a proofreader or completely outsource to an English writer if you want perfect writing.

      But then again, I'm a native speaker, and suck in every other language.... And I don't even do English very much justice lol.
      Haha Thank you for your reply!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270060].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author webmarketer
    Occasional mistakes are fine, but it largely depends upon your target demo. You already received good inputs from others.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270057].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by webmarketer View Post

      Occasional mistakes are fine, but it largely depends upon your target demo. You already received good inputs from others.
      Thank you for your reply.
      Yes, I think I have a good idea about it now!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270064].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author stackman
    I've never used grammar-checking software before, other than that which is included in word processors and other text editing software, but I would think that a program like the one in the link below might be of great help in eliminating most of those "little" errors that you might make.

    https://www.grammarly.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270068].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by stackman View Post

      I've never used grammar-checking software before, other than that which is included in word processors and other text editing software, but I would think that a program like the one in the link below might be of great help in eliminating most of those "little" errors that you might make.

      https://www.grammarly.com
      Thank you for your suggestion. I'm sure a program like this will come in handy when I write a blog article or email letter etc. It's reasonably priced as well - though I'm not sure how good it is at this point :p
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270086].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AhmedFouad96
    If they got your point, why would they care about the grammar mistakes?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270110].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan S
    It depends, as long as your grammar won't change the definition or the things you really want them to know. If they need what you offer, nobody gives a s**t about your grammar.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270124].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      If you say in advance that you are not a native speaker and your content is good, people interested in you will overlook a mistake here and there.
      If you were a writer for hire, like I was for a long time, things are different. I used edition for every piece I delivered to overcome my "Spanish accent".
      But for personal communication, that is you being you, I haven't found issues. Sometimes you meet an ass who feels important fixing your mistakes, but they are isolated cases.
      So... if you will be yourself, the non native traces will not make a difference. if you want to pose as native speaker, better get everything proofread.

      My humble opinion...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270141].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        If you say in advance that you are not a native speaker and your content is good, people interested in you will overlook a mistake here and there.
        If you were a writer for hire, like I was for a long time, things are different. I used edition for every piece I delivered to overcome my "Spanish accent".
        But for personal communication, that is you being you, I haven't found issues. Sometimes you meet an ass who feels important fixing your mistakes, but they are isolated cases.
        So... if you will be yourself, the non native traces will not make a difference. if you want to pose as native speaker, better get everything proofread.

        My humble opinion...
        Thank you for your reply.
        Yes I will say I'm not a native speaker in advance.
        Thank you for your input - it really helps!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270182].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by AhmedFouad96 View Post

      If they got your point, why would they care about the grammar mistakes?
      Originally Posted by Jonathan S View Post

      It depends, as long as your grammar won't change the definition or the things you really want them to know. If they need what you offer, nobody gives a s**t about your grammar.
      Thank you for your replies. I appreciate your inputs
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270177].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    I am impressed with your excellent English writing. Just skimming I only saw a few minor mistakes.

    You have a good plan. Hire a well-qualified proof reader for the most important "first impression" pages. You might even prepare your readers by letting them know English is not your first language and there may be some occasional slips.

    Depending on your niche and your products most people are more interested in authenticity and the value you bring. I would rather read awesome content with real value that had a few grammatical errors than perfectly written fluff.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270198].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

      I am impressed with your excellent English writing. Just skimming I only saw a few minor mistakes.

      You have a good plan. Hire a well-qualified proof reader for the most important "first impression" pages. You might even prepare your readers by letting them know English is not your first language and there may be some occasional slips.

      Depending on your niche and your products most people are more interested in authenticity and the value you bring. I would rather read awesome content with real value that had a few grammatical errors than perfectly written fluff.
      Thank you for your reply. Also thank you for your comment on my English!
      I'm nervous now to write anything here in case I make a huge mistake and you go "Sorry, but I have to take it back..." :p

      Joking aside, yes I think I'll stick to this plan.
      I hope it works. Thank you again!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270319].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    It does matter. If i have to put up trying to piece things together on your sales page... then i know for a fact that i'm going to have to do the same thing when i get your product. This can be something that can cause a ton of refunds. Create your product, then have someone fluent in English edit and proofread it for you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270221].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ikuret75
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      It does matter. If i have to put up trying to piece things together on your sales page... then i know for a fact that i'm going to have to do the same thing when i get your product. This can be something that can cause a ton of refunds. Create your product, then have someone fluent in English edit and proofread it for you.
      Thanks for your reply. Yes, for the product itself and sales page, I will hire someone for editing/proofreading. As I have written I was more concerned about blog posts, emails etc. but now I think I don't really have to concern about them that much judging from the replies here.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10270329].message }}

Trending Topics