The verdict in three sentences
A migration to an international multilingual B2B website (FR/EN/DE) takes in 2026 10 to 16 weeks for a budget of 20,000 to 45,000 EUR. The two line items that blow up the schedule are translation/localisation and per-country sign-off, not development. To hit a launch deadline, freeze the source content before kicking off translation.
The phase-by-phase timeline
Each phase sits on a critical path. Some overlap, some don't: translation can only start once source content is frozen.
| Phase | 2026 duration | Overlap possible | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multilingual scoping | 2 weeks | No | IA, glossary, specs |
| Technical migration | 3 - 4 weeks | With translation | Working EN site |
| Translation / localisation | 3 - 5 weeks | With dev | Reviewed FR/DE content |
| Hreflang + i18n integration | 1 - 2 weeks | No | Reciprocal tags |
| QA + country sign-off | 2 weeks | Partial | Signed QA report |
| Go-live | 3 - 5 days | No | Launch + redirects |
Combining critical paths with realistic overlaps, the overall timeline lands between 10 and 16 weeks.
What makes budget and timeline slip
Overruns are predictable. Here are the most common factors and their 2026 quantified impact.
| Slip factor | Timeline impact | Budget impact | Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source content not frozen | +2 to +4 weeks | +3,000 to +8,000 EUR | Editorial freeze |
| Slow multi-country sign-off | +1 to +3 weeks | +1,500 to +5,000 EUR | 1 approver/country named |
| No glossary | +1 week | +900 to +2,500 EUR | Glossary at scoping |
| Underestimated volume | +2 weeks | +90 to 150 EUR/page | Initial content audit |
| Third-party integrations (CRM/ERP) | +1 to +2 weeks | +2,000 to +6,000 EUR | API specs upfront |
A terminology glossary validated upfront, often neglected, alone prevents back-and-forth that costs a full week of delay.
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Mini case study
James, export director at a 180-person French-owned B2B mid-cap with a London office, must deliver a 90-page FR/EN/DE site before an international trade show in 15 weeks. He hands the project to a French-speaking agency (day rate 350-550 EUR) rather than a local London provider (day rate 700-1,100 EUR). Budget: 34,000 EUR vs ~58,000 EUR estimated locally. By freezing source content in week 3 and naming one approver per country, he hits the deadline 4 days before the show, with a saving of ~24,000 EUR reinvested in premium translation.
FAQ
Can the timeline drop below 10 weeks? Yes, by narrowing scope (2 languages instead of 3, fewer localised pages at launch) or doubling the translation team. Below 8 weeks, QA quality suffers.
Do all pages need translating at launch? No. A common strategy: 100 % of commercial and product pages in FR/DE at go-live, with blog/news translated gradually. This cuts the initial cost by 20 to 35 %.
Why is a French-speaking agency cheaper? A French-speaking agency day rate (350-550 EUR) is 45 to 55 % below a London or DACH provider's, at equivalent quality, thanks to a different cost structure. Coordination happens over video calls in English.
How do I protect existing SEO during migration? An exhaustive 301 redirect plan, keeping URLs where possible, and submitting a multilingual sitemap on go-live day. Plan 2 to 4 weeks of post-launch monitoring in Search Console.
What budget for QA? Around 10 to 15 % of the total budget, i.e. 2,000 to 6,000 EUR. Never sacrifice it: rushed QA costs more in post-launch fixes.
Let's scope your project. Give us your deadline, target languages and page volume: we build a realistic timeline and a budget between 20,000 and 45,000 EUR. 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.
