The verdict in three sentences
A trilingual FR/AR/EN showcase site with RTL support (right-to-left for Arabic) costs in 2026 between 30,000 and 90,000 MAD (2,800-8,400 EUR). The realistic timeline is 6 to 10 weeks, with a 15 to 20% RTL surcharge tied to template mirroring and Arabic typography. The real hidden budget lies in professional translation and the maintenance of three synchronized versions.
Cost per language and the RTL surcharge
Adding a language is not free: each version requires translation, integration and QA. Arabic adds the RTL work on top. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Line | Cost MAD | Cost EUR | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base showcase (FR) | 22,000-45,000 | 2,050-4,200 | 5-8 pages, responsive |
| Add EN language | +6,000-12,000 | +560-1,120 | Duplication + i18n |
| Add AR language (RTL) | +9,000-18,000 | +840-1,680 | Mirroring + Arabic typo |
| Pro AR translation | 0.6-1.2 MAD/word | — | Native proofreading included |
| Pro EN translation | 0.5-1.0 MAD/word | — | Native proofreading included |
| Trilingual QA | 3,000-7,000 | 280-655 | RTL + LTR tests |
The 15-20% RTL surcharge covers layout mirroring, adjustment of directional icons and the choice of a legible Arabic font (e.g. Cairo, Tajawal).
CMS and hosting: local or EU?
The hosting choice affects latency for local visitors and compliance. An EU server reassures European partners; a local server reduces latency in-market.
| Criterion | Local hosting | EU hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | 1,500-4,000 MAD | 2,000-6,000 MAD |
| Local latency | Very low | Low (CDN) |
| Data-law compliance | Facilitated | To document |
| Recommended CMS | Multilingual WordPress | next-intl / Sanity |
| Backups | Per plan | Automatic |
| hreflang FR/AR/EN SEO | Required | Required |
In both cases, hreflang FR/AR/EN is essential so Google serves the right version to each market. Local data-protection law governs collection via forms.
Mini case study
Ms. Bennani, marketing director of a consulting firm, wants an 8-page FR/AR/EN site. Chosen quote: FR base 38,000 MAD + EN 9,000 MAD + AR RTL 14,000 MAD = 61,000 MAD (about 5,700 EUR). Translation: 8 pages x 350 words = 2,800 words x 2 languages. At 0.9 MAD/word: 2,800 x 2 x 0.9 = 5,040 MAD of translation. Total project: about 66,000 MAD. The trilingual site lets her bid on tenders in the Gulf and Europe, opening a pipeline estimated at over 500,000 MAD over 12 months.
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FAQ
How much does a trilingual FR/AR/EN site cost?
Between 30,000 and 90,000 MAD (2,800-8,400 EUR) in 2026, depending on page count and editorial depth. Trilingual is about 1.5 to 1.8 times the price of a monolingual site.
Why does Arabic (RTL) cost more than English?
Because RTL requires mirroring layouts and adapting icons and typography, hence a 15 to 20% surcharge versus a classic LTR language.
Human or automatic translation?
Professional human with native proofreading, especially for Arabic: budget 0.6 to 1.2 MAD/word. Machine translation hurts B2B credibility.
Local or European hosting?
Local for in-market latency (1,500-4,000 MAD/year), EU to reassure European partners (2,000-6,000 MAD/year). A CDN softens the latency gap.
How long to deliver a trilingual site?
From 6 to 10 weeks, including 1-2 weeks for translation, RTL integration and QA of the three versions.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count, your three languages and your indicative budget: we will price the trilingual build and the RTL surcharge. 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.
