How Per Word Translation Pricing Benefits Customers
Pricing translation services based on the number of words is according to published reports (and our experience) the most popular method for pricing services. As a working translation agency we’re in contact with, and work with translators and other translation companies around the world. When business discussion turns to calculating the value of translation services the pricing metric of per word rates is the near universal standard.
Much of the discussion concerning translation pricing relates to the interactions of translation companies and individual translators. Below are a few ways that translation clients benefit from per word pricing.
- Clients can more directly compare pricing of services between multiple vendors (assuming equivalent levels of service).
- Project costs are fixed and known in advance, removing total translation project cost uncertainty/risk.
- Translators have incentive to be efficient in their work and complete projects in the most favorable time frame (relative to hourly rates).
- Translators are encouraged to utilize modern translation technologies to increase translation efficiency and enhance translation quality.
- The per word rate method for pricing translation services has stood the test of time.
Translation companies and freelance translators are free to adopt whatever pricing method for services they choose. Ultimately though their customers decide on pricing methodology by virtue of their purchasing behavior.
