Should I implement multi-language support? (i18n: A Global Challenge)

Man, you've hit the nail on the head with this question. i18n is truly a love-hate relationship. Calling it a "global troublemaker" isn't an exaggeration at all.

Here's my direct opinion: If you're just starting out and your product isn't even used by many people yet, absolutely do not touch multi-language support.

Why?

Think about it, what's most important for you right now? It's validating whether your idea works, and if there's actual demand for your product. It's like opening a small restaurant; your top priority is to perfect one or two signature dishes, so your first customers rave about them and want to come back.

At this stage, does it make sense for you to go research how to translate your menu into eight languages? No, it doesn't. If your food isn't good, translating it into alien languages won't help.

Implementing multi-language support (i18n) is a huge pitfall, far more complex than just "translating some text":

A huge drain on money and time: Translation costs money, and it's not a one-time expense. Add a new feature, and all languages need to be updated. Change a piece of copy, and all languages must follow suit. This entails endless communication and management costs.
Design headaches: The two Chinese characters for "Login" become "Log In" in English, and might be even longer in German, potentially breaking your carefully designed button. Various interfaces and layouts might need readjustment; a change in one place often requires checking everywhere else.
Cultural differences: This isn't just a language issue. The icons, colors, or even example names you use might mean something entirely different in other countries. For instance, while we might associate red with festivity, some places see it as a warning. A gesture you think is cool might be offensive elsewhere.
Technical implementation complexity: Date formats (YYYY/MM/DD vs MM/DD/YYYY), number formats (1,000.00 vs 1.000,00), currency symbols, time zones... handling all these things is a hassle.

So, when should you consider multi-language support?

It's simple: When your data tells you "it's time".

For example, you notice a large number of users from a non-Chinese speaking region accessing your website backend, and they're stubbornly using your product even if it means struggling with Chinese. Or foreigners start emailing you, using clumsy translation software to ask: "Hey, do you have an English version?"

If this happens, congratulations! It means your product is so awesome it can overcome language barriers. At this point, providing a native language version for these "die-hard fans" isn't a cost issue, but an opportunity to expand your reach and capture market share. This is called seizing the opportunity.

My advice to you:

Early stage: Forget about multi-language support. Focus all your energy on serving your core user base and perfecting your product. Survival is paramount.
Prepare for the future: You can tell your developers to manage all user-facing text (like 'Confirm' on a button, or 'Login successful' prompts) in a separate file when writing code, instead of hardcoding it into the logic. This is a professional habit that doesn't take much effort, but it will save you immense pain of digging through code when you eventually implement multi-language support.
Wait for the signal: Always pay attention to your user data. When overseas demand is clear and strong, and your human and financial resources are ready, then launch your multi-language initiative.

To sum it up: Don't waste your valuable current resources on imagined "internationalization" needs. First, prove yourself in your local market, then go conquer the world.