The verdict in three sentences
For a Montreal B2B exporter, a trilingual FR/EN/AR website costs $18,000 to $45,000 in 2026, of which $3,000 to $8,000 is Arabic RTL support done properly. The real differentiator isn't translation but the hreflang + per-market SEO architecture, which decides whether Google shows you to the right prospect in Paris, London or Dubai. Plan for 8 to 14 weeks and maintenance of $600 to $1,800/month.
Native i18n vs plugin: the structural choice
How you handle multilingual content drives your international SEO and long-term costs. Arabic RTL (right-to-left) often settles the debate.
| Criterion | Native i18n (Next.js) | Plugin (WPML, Polylang) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost, 3 languages | $18,000 - $45,000 | $9,000 - $22,000 |
| Arabic RTL quality | Excellent | Fair to good |
| Performance | High | Variable (overhead) |
| hreflang / per-market SEO | Native, clean | Often needs fixing |
| Editorial autonomy | Good | Excellent |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium (plugin updates) |
| Lifespan | 4 - 6 years | 2 - 4 years |
Trilingual website cost structure 2026
| Line item | 2026 range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Design + design system | $6,000 - $14,000 |
| Multilingual development FR/EN | $7,000 - $18,000 |
| Arabic RTL support (AR) | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Professional translation | $0.10 - $0.20/word |
| hreflang config + per-market SEO | $1,600 - $5,000 |
| QA in 3 languages + go-live | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Maintenance | $600 - $1,800/month |
Translation example: a 25,000-word site into 2 target languages (EN + AR) = 50,000 words, i.e. $5,000 to $10,000 of professional translation.
Why Arabic RTL costs more
RTL isn't a simple "mirror". It affects layout, directional icons, forms, tables, Arabic typography and responsive behavior. A botched RTL looks amateurish in the Gulf market, precisely the one with the highest purchasing power.
Mini case study
Amine is export director at an industrial SME serving Montreal and beyond (agri-food components). He targets Europe (FR/EN) and the Gulf (AR). His current French-only site generates zero international leads.
He invests $32,000 in a trilingual Next.js site (including $6,000 of Arabic RTL) delivered in 11 weeks, plus $1,400 of professional translation and $1,000/month maintenance. Within 6 months, per-market SEO generates 22 qualified inquiries, 3 of them signed for $280,000 in export revenue. Payback is reached on the first Gulf contract.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does a trilingual FR/EN/AR site cost in 2026?
Between $18,000 and $45,000 depending on page count and complexity. Arabic RTL support alone adds $3,000 to $8,000.
Is hreflang really essential?
Yes: without correct hreflang, Google may show your French version to an English-speaking prospect and undercut your international SEO. It's the ($1,600-5,000) line you never sacrifice.
Machine or professional translation?
For B2B export, professional translation ($0.10-0.20/word) is essential on commercial pages. AI can draft, but a native reviewer is required for credibility.
How long to deliver a 3-language site?
Between 8 and 14 weeks. Arabic RTL and translation coordination explain the gap versus a monolingual site.
What maintenance budget should I plan?
Maintenance of $600-1,800/month covers updates, security, multilingual content additions and per-market SEO monitoring.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target markets, content volume and export timeline, and we'll price the trilingual build, RTL and per-market SEO. 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.
