New website for an international private school in Riyadh: real cost vs local agencies (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

Families moving to Riyadh, and Saudi families choosing an international curriculum, compare schools online long before a campus visit, so the website carries the first impression of your curriculum, admissions process and fees. A new site costs roughly SAR 30,000 to 90,000 (about 8,000 to 24,000 USD) with a mid-size local agency, against a fixed Kolonell grid of 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 USD, Premium being the multilingual tier with Arabic first and right-to-left scope set in the quote. The real difference over three years comes from what sits around the build: photography with parental consent, translation, the admissions portal and maintenance.

What the site must prove to relocating families

Parents ask practical questions, in this order: which curriculum, is a place available for my child's grade, how much, how far from home, and how do we apply. Search queries reflect it: "British school Riyadh fees", "IB school north Riyadh", "American curriculum school Riyadh admission", plus Arabic queries from Saudi families.

Pages a credible international school site needs:

• Curriculum: only what the school actually delivers (IB, British, American, French or other), with the stages covered.
• Accreditations and licences: only those actually held, with the issuing body named. Never imply one that is in progress as granted.
• Admissions: steps, documents, assessment, key dates, waiting list policy.
• Fees: a clear fee table per grade, registration and other charges. Fee transparency is one of the first trust signals for parents.
• Campus, transport and safeguarding: bus zones, facilities, the school's child protection approach.
• Open days and contact: booking form with minimal fields.

Never publish invented exam results, rankings or pupil numbers. Use pupil photos only with documented parental consent, and keep children's data to the minimum. Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law, enforced by SDAIA since September 2023, applies to the personal data you collect online; your counsel confirms how it applies to enquiry and admissions forms. This is not legal advice.

Real cost: Riyadh agencies vs a fixed grid

Local figures are a 2026 ballpark from typical agency quotes and public rate pages in Riyadh, converted at about 3.75 SAR per USD (approximate).

Each Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks (Premium 4 to 6) once content is ready, and 3 months of support. An online admissions portal, a connection to your student information system and fee payment features are on quote. See the international offer for the tier details.

Hidden costs and the three-year view

The build is only part of the bill. Third-party costs below are market assumptions, not Kolonell prices.

The maintenance line deserves the closest look in any quote: on a three-year horizon it can exceed the build itself.

When a local agency is the better choice

If the school wants an agency in the room every week, needs a full rebrand with on-campus video, or plans a deep admissions portal linked to a regional SIS from day one, a Riyadh agency with education references will often be the more practical partner. Kolonell fits schools that want a credible, well written site quickly at a fixed price, with Arabic handled in Premium and integrations scoped separately.

Questions worth asking any provider: who writes and reviews the Arabic; how the RTL layout is tested; where enquiry form data is stored and for how long; what is on quote; and what maintenance costs per month after launch.

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Al Nakheel International School, a fictional British-curriculum school in north Riyadh, received a local quote of SAR 75,000, about 20,000 USD. The head of admissions chooses Kolonell Premium at 8,900 USD, the multilingual tier with Arabic first and English, plus a native Arabic copy review at about 1,500 USD (market assumption) and a photo day with consent forms at about 2,000 USD (market assumption). Total: 8,900 + 1,500 + 2,000 = 12,400 USD, about 7,600 USD below the local quote, with delivery in 4 to 6 weeks once fee tables and curriculum texts are ready, ahead of the spring admissions season.

FAQ

How much does an international school website cost in Riyadh?

Mid-size local agencies typically quote SAR 30,000 to 90,000 in 2026, about 8,000 to 24,000 USD. Kolonell's fixed grid is 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 USD, integrations on quote.

Should fees be published on the website?

Most parents expect it, and a clear table per grade reduces repetitive calls. Check fee display rules with your licensing authority before publication.

Can we use photos of our pupils?

Only with documented parental consent, and preferably without names. Plan a photo day, often around 2,000 USD as a market assumption, with consent forms collected in advance.

Is the admissions portal included?

No, portals and SIS connections are on quote. Many schools start with a well designed enquiry form of 6 to 8 fields.

How long does it take?

3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell, 4 to 6 for Premium, once content is ready. Allow extra time for Arabic review.

Let's scope your project. Tell us your curriculum, the languages you need and your admissions calendar, and we will propose the right tier, Premium being the multilingual tier with a delivery date. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.