The verdict in three sentences
A bilingual FR/AR site is not simply two monolingual sites: Arabic requires RTL (right-to-left), dedicated typography and native proofreading. In Casablanca in 2026, expect a premium of about +30 % vs a monolingual site, a range of 25,000 to 70,000 MAD depending on depth. The real risk is not the budget but sloppy RTL, which breaks the layout and undermines the brand with Arabic-speaking clients.
How much bilingual FR/AR costs in 2026
The budget depends on page count and the quality of the Arabic translation, which must be native to stay credible. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude in Casablanca.
| Service | Monolingual FR | Bilingual FR/AR | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-page showcase | 18,000 MAD | 25,000 MAD | +39 % |
| 10-page showcase | 32,000 MAD | 42,000 MAD | +31 % |
| Site + blog | 45,000 MAD | 58,000 MAD | +29 % |
| 15-page corporate site | 55,000 MAD | 70,000 MAD | +27 % |
| Native Arabic translation (word) | — | 1.2 MAD/word | — |
Native Arabic translation is essential: machine translation is spotted immediately and hurts credibility, particularly in a Moroccan B2B context.
RTL pitfalls and bilingual SEO
RTL is not just reversed text: it affects layout, icons, forms and carousels. Here are the sensitive points to budget from the quote stage.
| RTL / SEO element | Stake | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| RTL layout switch | Full mirror layout | High |
| Arabic typography (web font) | Readability, page weight | Medium |
| Icons and directional arrows | Visual consistency | Low |
| RTL forms and fields | Natural input | Medium |
| FR/AR hreflang | Correct indexing | Low |
| Arabic SEO metadata | AR search visibility | Medium |
On SEO, each version needs its own hreflang tags and translated metadata. A site that neglects Arabic SEO misses a large Arabic-speaking audience in Morocco and the Gulf.
Mini case study
Karim runs an accounting firm in Casablanca targeting French- and Arabic-speaking clients. His monolingual FR site captured no traffic on Arabic queries, yet those are searched by a large share of his prospects. He invests 42,000 MAD in a bilingual FR/AR version with clean RTL and native translation. Result over six months: 45 % of his traffic now comes from Arabic queries, with 6 new clients on engagements averaging 8,000 MAD, or 48,000 MAD in additional revenue. The investment is covered within the first half-year.
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FAQ
Why does FR/AR bilingual cost more than simply adding a language?
Because Arabic requires RTL, which means rebuilding the layout in mirror mode, plus native typography and proofreading. This technical work justifies the roughly +30 % premium.
Can I use Google Translate for the Arabic version?
Not in B2B: Arabic machine translation is instantly recognizable and undermines the brand. Budget 1.2 MAD/word for quality native translation.
Does RTL slow the site down?
Not if the Arabic typography is well optimized. A poorly loaded Arabic web font can add several hundred kilobytes to the page: watch this from the design stage.
Do I need two separate sites or one bilingual site?
One site with a language switch and FR/AR hreflang. Two separate sites double maintenance costs with no SEO benefit and complicate content management.
How long to deliver an FR/AR site?
Expect 4 to 6 weeks for a 10-page showcase, with 1 to 2 weeks dedicated to RTL and native Arabic translation. A 15-page corporate site can reach 8 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your scope (pages, content to translate into Arabic) and your indicative budget between 25,000 and 70,000 MAD. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
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.
