The verdict in three sentences
A trilingual FR/EN/AR website with RTL support (right-to-left for Arabic) costs a base of 15,000 to 35,000 AED in Dubai in 2026, plus 3,000 to 6,000 AED per language. The typical timeline is 8 to 12 weeks, including professional translation at 0.13-0.22 AED/word. For an exporting mid-market firm, the real decision is architectural: a single multilingual CMS or several duplicated sites.
What drives the price of a trilingual site
Multilingual is not just translating text. Arabic requires full RTL layout: mirrored navigation, flipped icons, alignments, form input. Add hreflang management for international SEO and an editorial workflow able to keep three synchronised versions.
| Item | 2026 range (AED) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Technical base + design | 15,000 - 35,000 | Depends on template count |
| RTL support (Arabic) | 3,000 - 6,000 | CSS mirroring, browser tests |
| hreflang + SEO config | 1,800 - 4,200 | 3 languages, sitemaps |
| Translation EN->FR (per language) | 0.13 - 0.18 AED/word | Professional translator |
| Translation EN->AR (per language) | 0.15 - 0.22 AED/word | Native proofreading |
| Maintenance / year | 3,000 - 7,500 | 3 versions kept current |
For a 20-page export brochure site, budget around 6,000 words per language, i.e. 780 to 1,320 AED of translation per additional language.
Single multilingual CMS or duplicated sites
Two approaches shape the budget and long-term maintenance. A centralised multilingual CMS manages all languages in one interface. Duplication creates one site per language, simpler to launch but costly to maintain.
| Criterion | Single multilingual CMS | Duplicated sites |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 19,000 - 41,000 AED | 28,000 - 56,000 AED |
| Annual maintenance | 3,000 - 7,500 AED | 7,500 - 18,000 AED |
| Brand consistency | High | Low |
| hreflang management | Native | Manual, risky |
| Adding a 4th language | +3,000 - 6,000 AED | +12,000 AED+ |
| Risk of desynced content | Low | High |
For a firm targeting multiple markets, the single CMS is almost always the profitable choice: it halves or thirds maintenance costs.
Mini case study
Slim, director of a Dubai-based olive oil exporter selling into Europe and the Gulf, wants an FR/EN/AR site. The chosen quote is 24,000 AED (base) plus 10,500 AED for translations and RTL, i.e. 34,500 AED. The first quarter post-launch generates 14 export quote requests, 3 of which convert into contracts at 55,000 AED each. The site investment pays back on the first order, before the second language even goes live.
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FAQ
How much does Arabic (RTL) support really cost?
Between 3,000 and 6,000 AED in 2026, because the whole layout must be mirrored, tested across browsers and components (menus, forms, carousels) fixed. It is not a simple translation toggle.
Do I need a professional translator or is AI enough?
For a B2B export site, professional translation (0.13-0.22 AED/word) remains essential: it ensures commercial credibility and native proofreading, especially in Arabic.
How long to deliver a trilingual site?
Expect 8 to 12 weeks, of which 2 to 3 weeks just for translations, proofreading and RTL integration. The technical base can progress in parallel.
Does multilingual help my export SEO?
Yes, with correct hreflang configuration: it tells Google which version to serve each market, avoiding duplicate content between English and Arabic.
Is a single site or one site per country better?
A single multilingual CMS is generally more profitable: it centralises maintenance and ensures consistency, versus costly duplication that is risky for SEO.
Let's scope your project. Share your target languages, page count and export markets so we can define the base and translations. 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.
