The verdict in three sentences
A trilingual FR/EN/AR site with RTL (right-to-left) support costs between 4,000 and 9,000 EUR net in 2026 for the technical foundation, excluding translation. Professional translation adds 0.10 to 0.16 EUR per word, i.e. 1,500 to 4,000 EUR for a 30-page site. The real risk is not technical but editorial: a poorly governed multilingual site desynchronizes within six months and destroys your export credibility.
Cost language by language
Each extra language does not cost the same. Arabic, with its RTL support, is the most technically demanding; English, the simplest if your CMS is designed multilingual from the start.
| 2026 item | FR (base) | EN (+1 language) | AR (+RTL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical adaptation | included | 800 - 1,500 EUR | 1,500 - 3,000 EUR |
| Translation (30 pages) | included | 1,200 - 2,500 EUR | 1,500 - 3,500 EUR |
| Native proofreading | included | 300 - 600 EUR | 400 - 800 EUR |
| SEO setup (hreflang) | 500 EUR | 400 - 700 EUR | 400 - 700 EUR |
| Subtotal per language | foundation | 2,700 - 5,300 | 3,800 - 8,000 |
Arabic RTL support requires mirroring the entire layout: menus, icons, alignments, breadcrumbs. That is what justifies the premium over English.
International SEO traps
A poorly tagged multilingual site is invisible on target markets. Three mistakes cost dearly in 2026.
| Trap | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Missing hreflang | Google serves the wrong language | hreflang tags per page |
| Raw machine translation | Quality penalty + lost trust | Pro translation + native review |
| Non-localized URLs | Weak local relevance | /fr/ /en/ /ar/ or subdomains |
| Same duplicated content | SEO cannibalization | Market-adapted content |
| Non-localized currency/format | Conversion friction | EUR/MAD, local formats |
Ongoing editorial management is the most underestimated cost: every new page published must be translated and reviewed, otherwise versions drift apart. Budget 300 to 800 EUR per month for editorial work if you publish regularly.
Mini case study
Nadia, export director of a 40-employee food SME in Amsterdam, targets Morocco and Tunisia. Her FR/EN/AR site cost 11,500 EUR net: 6,000 EUR for the foundation, 4,000 EUR for professional translation and 1,500 EUR for RTL adaptation. Six months after launch, the Arabic version generates 32 % of inbound distributor requests from North Africa. With an average distribution contract of 25,000 EUR/year, two signed contracts paid for the site four times over.
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FAQ
Can I use machine translation to cut costs?
For strategic commercial content, no: Google penalizes raw translation and your prospects spot the clumsiness instantly. Machine translation post-edited by a native translator (0.06 to 0.09 EUR/word) is an acceptable compromise.
How long for a trilingual site?
Expect 8 to 12 weeks: the multilingual foundation and the FR version in 4-6 weeks, then 4-6 weeks to integrate, translate and test EN and AR.
Is Arabic RTL support really more expensive?
Yes, budget 1,500 to 3,000 EUR extra because the whole layout must be mirrored: navigation, icons, alignments. It is specific development, not a simple toggle.
Country domains or subdirectories?
For an SME, subdirectories (/fr/, /en/, /ar/) with hreflang are cheaper and easier to maintain than separate country domains, while staying effective for SEO.
How do I avoid version desynchronization?
A CMS with a built-in translation workflow and a monthly editorial budget of 300 to 800 EUR ensure every publication is propagated across all languages.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target languages, page count and export markets: we price the foundation and translation separately. 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.
