The verdict in three sentences
In Doha, an architecture firm website redesign budgets at roughly USD 1,900 to 41,200 in 2026 depending on the provider, and Kolonell's fixed grid sits at $2,900 (Starter), $4,900 (Growth) and $8,900 (Premium). The two items that swing quotes are the portfolio (heavy images, credits, client permissions) and the right-to-left Arabic version, whose scope is set in the quote. Once content and rights are gathered, the redesign ships in 3 to 4 weeks.
Which signs show the redesign is due?
Firms in West Bay, Lusail or Msheireb working on residential, commercial or hospitality projects often share the same symptoms:
- project pages of 20 to 30 MB that take more than 8 seconds to load on mobile;
- an Arabic version that was machine-translated, or none at all;
- projects published without a photographer credit or the client's written consent;
- a careers page pointing to an outdated email address;
- awards mentioned without evidence, or the architect title used for staff who do not hold it.
The architect title appears only for people who actually hold it under the licensing rules that apply in Qatar, checked by the firm before go-live.
What budget should you plan in Doha in 2026?
2026 ballpark figures drawn from public local agency rate pages and typical agency quotes, converted at the fixed rate of about 3.64 QAR to 1 USD:
| Provider | 2026 range (QAR) | Approx. (USD) | Arabic RTL version | Usual timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doha freelancer | QAR 7,000 to 20,000 | USD 1,900 to 5,500 | rarely handled well | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Local design studio | QAR 20,000 to 60,000 | USD 5,500 to 16,500 | often optional | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Established West Bay agency | QAR 60,000 to 150,000 | USD 16,500 to 41,200 | priced in the quote | 10 to 16 weeks |
| Kolonell Starter | fixed grid | $2,900 | no, one language | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Growth | fixed grid | $4,900 | no, one language | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) | fixed grid | $8,900 | RTL scope set in the quote | 3 to 4 weeks |
Every tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Arabic translation goes to an independent translator (third-party cost); maintenance after 3 months, search work and custom development are on quote. Tiers are presented on the international offer page.
Which risks threaten a portfolio during a redesign?
| Risk | What happens | Mitigation | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic loss on project pages | URLs change, visits drop | URL inventory, project-by-project 301 map, Search Console monitoring for 6 weeks | provider |
| Images too heavy | slow pages, mobile drop-off | WebP or AVIF conversion, lazy loading, 250 KB target per image | provider |
| Image rights | photo published without consent | sheet listing project, photographer, client consent, date | firm |
| Poor Arabic layout | menus and numbers flipped | tested RTL templates, native review | provider and translator |
| Unverified claims | awards or press that cannot be proven | publish only what the firm supplies and can evidence | firm |
| Applicant data | CVs collected without a framework | minimal form, stated retention period | firm |
| Go-live outage | site down during a tender | DNS switch on a quiet day, rollback ready | provider |
On data, Law No. 13 of 2016 on personal data privacy applies to contact and application forms: collect the minimum and inform clearly. This is not legal advice. Copy about permit and planning processes stays general and is reviewed by the firm.
Timeline, lines on quote and questions to ask
Week 1: URL inventory, project selection and permission gathering. Week 2: English mock-ups and RTL templates. Week 3: portfolio build, image optimisation, redirects. Week 4: testing, Arabic review, go-live outside competition submission or tender weeks.
On quote: project extranet or BIM platform, client portal, recruitment tool integration, feeds to third-party platforms. Questions to ask: is the Arabic version a true RTL layout or a simple mirror? Who holds the source files of the visuals? Is the redirect map delivered? What is the maximum weight per project page?
When is a Doha agency the better choice?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
If you want regular site photography, native Arabic copywriting managed locally or in-person presentations to your institutional clients, a local agency has the edge. For a scoped redesign at a fixed price, with an Arabic version of defined scope, the remote model stays competitive.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Rania Haddad, founding partner of Studio Rimal & Partners in Doha, wants to redesign a site with 24 project pages.
- Current weight of a project page: 12 images of 2.4 MB, i.e. 28.8 MB. After conversion to about 250 KB per image: 12 x 0.25 = 3 MB, nearly 10 times lighter.
- Local studio quote: QAR 55,000, about USD 15,100.
- Kolonell Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote): $8,900, plus an independent Arabic translator (third-party cost, market assumption QAR 4,000, about USD 1,100): USD 10,000 in total, excluding the extranet on quote.
FAQ
How much does an Arabic version cost?
At Kolonell, it falls under the Premium tier at $8,900, RTL scope set in the quote, with third-party translation. With a local agency, it often adds 20 to 40% to the quote.
How many projects should the portfolio show?
Better 12 to 24 documented, approved projects than an exhaustive list without credits. Every project removed gets a 301 redirect.
Can we display our awards?
Yes, only if they are real and evidenced by the firm. The provider adds no claims of its own.
How long does the redesign take?
3 to 4 weeks once copy, visuals and permissions are gathered, against 10 to 16 weeks with an established agency.
Is the project extranet included?
No, the extranet, BIM and client portal are priced on quote, while the site stays fixed-price from $2,900.
Let's scope your project. A portfolio redesign with optimised images and an Arabic version of defined scope, from $2,900 to $8,900, in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
