Keeping residents updated in their own language

A consultation website in more than one language helps more people take part. The conversation does not end on the website, though. Residents who sign up for updates expect to hear about the planning application, the start of works or a live Q&A in the language they chose.

Update emails can now be sent in each subscriber’s own language. Sign-up has also been made more robust, with every new subscriber confirming their address. The examples here are from Boyd Park, our demo project: a fictional garden village scheme by Dalton Developments.

Choosing a language

When someone signs up for updates, ConsultOnline records the language they are reading the website in. On websites with more than one language, the form also asks which language they would like emails in, starting with the one they are using. Residents can change it later from their preferences page.

Sign-up in Welsh

The standard wording in update emails, such as greetings, buttons and the link to change preferences, is available in English, Welsh, French and German.

Your team stays in control of the wording

When the team sends an update to subscribers, the dashboard shows how many people will receive it in each language. The team can have it translated automatically and sent straight away. Alternatively they can review each translation first. A reviewed update can be approved and sent. If a translation is not ready, the update can go out in English with a short note.

Updates sent this way include changes to the planning application and the council’s comment period opening and closing. They also include construction updates, the website moving to a new stage and the start of a live Q&A session.

Project languages

Confirmed sign-up

Every new subscriber now receives an email asking them to confirm. Only confirmed addresses receive updates. This keeps lists accurate and protects people from being signed up by someone else. The confirmation link opens a page with a button, so the automatic link checkers in some email systems cannot confirm on a resident’s behalf.

Residents choose what they hear about. The options are the planning application and other key milestones; news and updates, including construction notices; and new surveys and other chances to have their say. Every email has a link to change these choices or unsubscribe.

Subscribers can return to their preferences page at any time to change their language or what they receive. In the dashboard, the Notifications page lists each subscriber with the updates they have chosen and whether they have confirmed.

Why it matters

In Wales, offering updates in Welsh is part of treating both languages fairly. Elsewhere, many communities include residents who are more comfortable reading in another language. Letting each person choose once, at sign-up, means they hear about the scheme in a language they understand for as long as they stay subscribed. It also means project teams have a clear record of who asked for what.

How it works

• Add the project’s languages under Translations in the project dashboard.
• Set the project’s default email language in Project settings, under Access.
• When you notify subscribers, choose whether to translate automatically or review each translation first.
• See which subscribers are confirmed and which are waiting for confirmation under Notifications.

Inclusive from first visit to final update

Email updates with confirmed sign-up are included in every package. Additional website and email languages are part of our Enhanced and Bespoke packages. To see Boyd Park in Welsh, book a demo. You can also read more about accessibility.