Indeed, statistics published by app store analytics platform App Annie suggest they're right to do so, at least on first glance.
The global game
The firm claims 34 percent of all app revenue on iOS is generated in the US, with the likes of the UK, Australia and Canada also generating a combined share of 17 percent.
Interestingly, however, taking second spot is Japan on 9 percent, with App Annie claiming developers need to pay attention to Asia in order to maximise their app revenue.
"In both cases of free download and revenue share, the number two spot behind the U.S. is occupied by an East Asian country with a non-Latin writing system - China and Japan," says the firm on its blog
"Also, 50 percent of the countries within the top 10 for downloads and revenue are non-English speaking countries from Europe and East Asia.
"The question is, if an app publisher wishes to gain traction in these countries in terms of downloads and revenues, how important is it to localise one's apps?"
Advice from Annie
Based on the fact 60 percent of iPhone apps in South Korea sport Korean names (other major territories in East Asia also boasting figures of between 30 and 60 percent), App Annie concludes yes.
The firm also states developers would benefit from localised versions in Europe, where despite close to 90 percent penetration of English language apps success enjoyed by the likes of Zynga and 6waves with localised versions of the firm's output on Facebook suggests a similar tactic on the App Store could prove fruitful.
Revenue rundown
"We speak to many app publishers globally, and the appetite to localise one's apps is strong indeed," App Annie concludes.
"When you weigh the cost-benefit ratio, you have to consider the incremental downloads and revenue you can gain from strategies like this.
"The preliminary evidence so far indicates that localisation will go a long way to expanding your download and revenue funnel internationally."
Nonetheless, despite the profits to be made in Asia, English speaking territories remain the dominant force, accounting for more than half of all revenue generated on the App Store.
[source: App Annie]
