The verdict in three sentences
A multilingual FR/EN/AR site for an export-driven SME costs between 35,000 and 90,000 MAD (about EUR 3,300-8,500) in 2026 depending on languages, pages and SEO depth. Right-to-left Arabic adds 15 to 25 % because layout, typography and components must be mirrored and adapted. The real return comes not from the site alone but from the hreflang + international SEO pairing that makes you visible on your export markets.
2026 budget by configuration
| Configuration | Scope | MAD price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR/EN | 8-12 pages, blog, base SEO | 35,000 - 55,000 | 4-6 wks |
| FR/EN/AR (RTL) | + Arabic RTL, hreflang | 50,000 - 75,000 | 6-8 wks |
| Export premium | + international SEO, catalogue | 70,000 - 90,000 | 8-12 wks |
The RTL Arabic surcharge (+15 to 25 %) covers mirrored layout, Arabic font handling, directional icons and native proofreading.
The technical items that matter for export
| Item | 2026 estimate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| hreflang FR/EN/AR tags | 3,000 - 8,000 MAD | Correct country/language targeting |
| Managed EU hosting + CDN | EUR 90 - 350/month | Speed in Europe + Africa |
| International SEO | 8,000 - 25,000 MAD/setup | Visibility on target markets |
| Pro translation + review | 0.8 - 1.5 MAD/word | B2B credibility |
| Multilingual product pages | 150 - 400 MAD/page | Export conversion |
A misconfigured hreflang wipes out the multilingual benefit: Google serves the wrong language to the wrong country. Small item, critical impact.
Local agency vs freelance vs nearshore
| Criterion | Casablanca agency | Freelance | Nearshore (Dakar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR/EN/AR budget | 55,000 - 75,000 MAD | 30,000 - 50,000 MAD | 40,000 - 60,000 MAD |
| Timeline | 6-8 wks | 8-14 wks | 5-8 wks |
| Arabic RTL handling | Solid | Variable | Solid |
| Follow-up & SLA | Contract | Weak | Contract |
| Risk | Low | High | Low |
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The freelance is cheapest but riskiest on timeline and RTL. Nearshore offers a good price/reliability balance across French-speaking markets.
Mini case study
Ms El Amrani, MD of an agri-food SME in Casablanca (argan oil, exporting to the EU and the Gulf), orders an FR/EN/AR site at 68,000 MAD plus EUR 180/month hosting. Goal: capture European distributors and Gulf importers. In 5 months, international SEO generates 9 distributor enquiries/month, of which 2 are serious. One signed distribution contract represents 420,000 MAD/year of additional revenue. The site pays for itself in under 3 months on that contract alone; full ROI (site + SEO) is reached within 8 to 14 months depending on seasonality.
FAQ
Why does RTL Arabic cost more? Because layout must be mirrored, typography, icons and components adapted, then reviewed by a native speaker. Expect +15 to 25 % on the total budget in 2026.
Is hreflang really essential? Yes for export: it tells Google which language to serve in which country. Misconfigured, it cancels the multilingual benefit. Budget 3,000 to 8,000 MAD.
Should we host in Europe or Morocco? To serve the EU and Africa fast, managed EU hosting with a CDN (EUR 90 to 350/month) is the 2026 standard for an export SME.
Machine or human translation? For credible B2B, professionally reviewed translation (0.8 to 1.5 MAD/word) is essential. Machine-only translation hurts your image with a foreign buyer.
What is the payback period? 2026 order of magnitude: 8 to 14 months for an export SME, depending on seasonality and the SEO/sales effort deployed.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your languages (FR/EN/AR?), export markets and indicative budget (35-90 K MAD) and we will frame the scope. 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.
