Localisation is often treated as a mere "high-tech translation", but this view does not capture its importance, its complexity or what it encompasses. Though it is sometimes somehow difficult to draw the limits between translation and localisation, in general localisation addresses significant, non-textual components of products or services. In addition to strict translation (and, therefore, grammar and spelling issues that vary from place to place or from country to country where the same language is spoken), the localisation process might include adaptation of graphics, adoption of local currencies, use of proper forms for dates, addresses and phone numbers, and many other details, including rethinking the physical structure of a product. All these changes aim to recognise local sensitivities and to enter the local market by merging into its needs and desires. For example, localisation aims to offer country-specific websites of the same company or different editions of a book depending on the place it is published.

The overall process: internationalisation, globalisation and localisation
Globalisation "versus" localisation
Language tags and codes
Translation "versus" localisation