The verdict in three sentences
An FR/EN website does not cost twice a monolingual one, but its real overhead is consistently underestimated. In 2026, budget +15 to +25 % development for i18n, professional translation at 0.12-0.20 €/word, and doubled content maintenance. Managed well, this overhead is an export investment, not decorative spending.
The line items that drive multilingual overhead
Multilingual touches four layers: development (i18n architecture, hreflang, per-language routing), translation (human, not machine, for B2B), SEO (per-language keywords and tags), and maintenance (every update happens in two languages).
| Line item | FR-only site (€ excl. VAT) | FR/EN add-on (€ excl. VAT) | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| i18n development | included | +15-25 % of dev | Routing, next-intl, hreflang |
| Professional translation | 0 | 960 - 3,000 | 8,000-15,000 words at 0.12-0.20 € |
| Per-language SEO | 500 - 1,500 | +400 - 1,200 | EN keywords + tags |
| Design adaptations | included | +200 - 800 | Text length, layout |
| Monthly maintenance | 150 - 400 | x1.6 to x2 | Content doubling |
How much for a full 2026 project?
On a premium showcase site at 8,000-15,000 € excl. VAT, going FR/EN typically adds 2,500 to 5,500 € excl. VAT and +2 to +4 weeks. The most variable line is translation: a dense service catalogue racks up word count fast.
| Site type | FR base (€ excl. VAT) | FR/EN version (€ excl. VAT) | Extra timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-8 page showcase | 6,000 - 9,000 | 8,500 - 13,000 | +2 weeks |
| 15-page corporate | 12,000 - 20,000 | 16,000 - 27,000 | +3-4 weeks |
| Site + active blog | 10,000 - 16,000 | 14,000 - 23,000 | +3 weeks |
Key point: raw machine translation is a B2B trap. A clumsy English phrase costs more in lost credibility than it saves in budget.
Mini case study
Céline, export director at an industrial-components maker in Grenoble, rebuilds her showcase site. FR base: 9,500 € excl. VAT. FR/EN version: i18n dev +2,100 €, translation of 11,000 words at 0.15 € = 1,650 €, EN SEO +800 €, i.e. +4,550 € excl. VAT and three extra weeks. Goal: capture 15 % more European leads. On 40 current leads/month, that targets +6 qualified English-speaking leads. With a B2B cycle and a 25,000 € average deal, a single annual export client easily amortizes the multilingual overhead. Bilingual becomes a sales channel, not a cost.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Can I use Google Translate to save money?
Not advisable in B2B. Machine translation produces phrasing that undermines your brand with professional buyers. Minimal human post-editing remains essential, at 0.06-0.10 €/word.
Is hreflang really necessary for FR/EN?
Yes, as soon as you target multiple markets. Without correct hreflang, Google may serve the wrong language and dilute visibility, costing -10 to -20 % of potential traffic.
Does maintenance really cost double?
Almost. Every new article, page or promo must exist in two languages. Expect maintenance at x1.6 to x2 depending on update frequency.
Must the whole site be translated at once?
No. You can start with high-stakes commercial pages (services, contact, 3-4 pillar pages) then extend. This smooths budget and timeline.
next-intl or a custom solution?
For a Next.js site, next-intl is the 2026 standard: per-language routing, hreflang, and healthy maintenance. A custom build costs more to maintain with no real advantage.
Let's scope your project. Send us your sitemap and target markets, and we'll price the FR/EN overhead line by line, translation included. 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.
