The verdict in three sentences
A 25-to-60-page corporate website in four languages costs between USD 28,000 and 50,000 in 2026, editorial governance and a headless CMS included. The price gap comes not from design but from real i18n: structured translation, Arabic in RTL, and multi-level approval workflows. Then budget USD 350-700/month for maintenance and a 99.9 % SLA for a group that speaks to investors and international clients.
What an industrial group actually pays for
A multilingual corporate build splits into clear line items. A communications director needs to know where every dollar goes to make trade-offs.
| Line item | 2026 range (USD) | Share of budget |
|---|---|---|
| UX/UI design + design system | 7,000 - 12,000 | 25 % |
| Front-end build + Sanity CMS | 8,000 - 14,000 | 30 % |
| i18n architecture (4 languages, RTL) | 4,500 - 9,000 | 18 % |
| Editorial workflow + governance | 3,000 - 5,500 | 11 % |
| Content migration + technical SEO | 3,500 - 5,500 | 11 % |
| QA, accessibility, security | 2,200 - 3,500 | 5 % |
For a mid-size group, the sweet spot sits near USD 36,000. Below USD 22,000 you always cut i18n or governance, the two items that cost the most to retrofit after launch.
The cost of one extra language
The recurring question: how much is the 5th language? It depends on writing direction and editorial load.
| Element | Latin script (ES, DE, FR) | RTL script (AR) |
|---|---|---|
| i18n technical adaptation | USD 1,400 - 2,400 | USD 3,500 - 6,000 |
| Translating 30 pages (pro) | USD 2,800 - 4,500 | USD 4,000 - 6,500 |
| Visual QA + testing | USD 900 - 1,800 | USD 2,000 - 3,500 |
| Added monthly maintenance | +USD 50-100/mo | +USD 100-180/mo |
| Added timeline | +1 to 2 weeks | +2 to 3 weeks |
Arabic RTL means mirroring the entire layout: navigation, tables, directional icons. It is a project of its own, not a translation drop-in. Expect an overall timeline of 12 to 18 weeks for a cleanly delivered four-language site.
Mini case study
Sarah, communications director of a 900-employee industrial group in Dubai, must relaunch the corporate site before the AGM. Scope: 40 pages, EN/AR/FR/HI, careers section and press room. Accepted quote: USD 38,000 + USD 500/month maintenance. Against a London agency at USD 70,000, the USD 32,000 gap funds two years of maintenance plus an SEO campaign. The site generates 18 qualified partnership leads in the first quarter: with an average B2B deal size of USD 45,000, ROI lands on the first signature.
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FAQ
How long to deliver a four-language corporate site?
Between 12 and 18 weeks in 2026, with 3-4 weeks solely for i18n and Arabic RTL testing. A shorter timeline almost always means editorial governance was cut.
Sanity or WordPress for an industrial group?
Sanity (headless CMS) enables multi-level approval workflows and omnichannel delivery, essential beyond 25 pages. The license premium is roughly USD 120-350/month depending on editor count, easily offset by governance.
What maintenance budget should we plan?
Budget USD 350-700/month for a group: security updates, evolutions, editor support, 99.9 % SLA monitoring. It is the forgotten line that protects the initial investment.
Can we add a language after launch?
Yes, if the i18n architecture was designed from day one. Adding Spanish then costs USD 4,500-8,000; doing it on a site not built for it can double the bill.
Is multilingual SEO included?
Technical SEO (hreflang, per-language sitemaps, markup) must be in the build. Editorial SEO (content, link building) is a separate monthly retainer, from USD 900/month.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the scope (page count, languages, ERP integrations) and your deadline: we frame a budget between USD 28,000 and 50,000. 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.
