The verdict in three sentences
A website build contract for a private clinic in Dubai must spell out ownership of the .ae domain, hosting, code and content, milestone payments tied to deliverables, and measurable acceptance criteria, including Arabic RTL pages. It should also state that promotional medical content goes through the prior approval required by the health authority before go-live, since this is often what delays a launch. At Kolonell these terms are fixed: USD 2,900 to 8,900, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, 3 months of support included, then maintenance on quote.
Which clauses should you require before signing?
| Clause | What it should say | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and page list | Named list of pages, languages (English, Arabic), forms | Full site with no list, every extra page billed |
| Domain and hosting | .ae domain and hosting account in the clinic's name | Domain registered to the agency |
| Code and content | Full assignment or licence to the clinic on final payment | Proprietary theme that cannot be transferred |
| Payment milestones | For example 40% on signing, 30% on approved designs, 30% on acceptance | 100% upfront or balance due before testing |
| Acceptance | Test list, 2 revision rounds, response time | Deemed acceptance after 5 days |
| Change requests | Written quote before any out-of-scope work | Hourly billing discovered at the end |
| Support and warranty | Bug fixes for a defined period | Only a 30-day warranty |
| Data and confidentiality | Data processing terms, hosting location | No commitment on patient data |
| Exit and handover | Handover of access, backups and documentation | Access returned only for a fee |
How does a typical Dubai agency contract compare?
Amounts are in US dollars; local agencies invoice in dirhams, so conversion is approximate. 2026 ballpark based on typical local agency quotes.
| Point | Typical local agency contract | What to ask for | Kolonell terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price of a bilingual clinic site | USD 8,000 to 35,000 | Fixed price for a written scope | USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 |
| Timeline | 8 to 16 weeks | Schedule by milestone | 3 to 4 weeks, content ready |
| Payment | 50% upfront, 50% on delivery | Balance tied to signed acceptance | Milestones tied to deliverables |
| Ownership | Often vague | Everything in the clinic's name | Domain, code and content to the client |
| Arabic RTL | Sometimes a paid option | Included in acceptance | Included depending on plan |
| Support | 1 to 3 months, then annual contract | Written duration and scope | 3 months included, then on quote |
| Patient portal, integrated booking | On quote | Separate specification | On quote |
The Growth plan at USD 4,900 usually covers an English and Arabic site for a clinic with 3 to 6 specialties. Details are on the international offer page.
What should acceptance testing cover for a Dubai clinic?
Acceptance turns the contract into concrete tests. For a private clinic licensed by the DHA, we recommend writing in:
- Compliance of promotional content: medical advertisements in Dubai require prior approval from the health authority. The contract should state who submits copy and visuals, and that go-live waits for that approval. Allow 1 to 3 weeks in the schedule.
- Arabic RTL pages: mirrored menus, right-aligned forms, readable numbers and phone numbers, no machine-translated Arabic page without review.
- Forms and data: the federal personal data law (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021) governs personal data, and health data is subject to specific UAE rules, including on where it is stored. Ask where form data is hosted and keep fields to the strict minimum.
- Mobile performance: load under 3 seconds on 4G, tested on 3 devices.
- Accessibility: target WCAG 2.1 AA on key pages.
- Redirects and links: every booking link and phone number tested.
This is not legal advice: have the contract and disclosures reviewed by your counsel and compliance lead.
What happens when the contract ends?
A good exit clause lists what is handed over at the end of the project or on termination: admin access to the .ae domain, hosting account and CMS, the code repository, a full backup, source files for visuals, and font and photo licences. It also sets a handover deadline, for example 10 business days, at no extra cost.
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Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dr Leila Haddad is opening a family medicine and paediatrics clinic in Jumeirah with 4 doctors. A local agency quotes USD 22,000, 50% upfront, domain in the agency's name. She chooses Kolonell Growth at USD 4,900, in milestones of USD 1,960, 1,470 and 1,470, with the balance due on signed acceptance. She allows 2 weeks for content approval. Saving: USD 17,100; after USD 2,000 of on-site photography she still has USD 15,100 for her launch. Her real protection is one line in the contract: the .ae domain is in the clinic's name.
FAQ
Who should own the clinic's .ae domain?
The clinic, always, with a registrar account in its own name. A domain held by the agency can block a change of provider for weeks; check it before the first payment, which is often 40 to 50% of the price.
Which payment milestones are reasonable?
A common pattern is 40% on signing, 30% on approved designs and 30% on acceptance. Avoid paying more than 50% before you have seen the designs.
Can acceptance include approval of medical content?
Yes, and it is advisable: in Dubai, medical advertisements need prior approval. Allow 1 to 3 weeks and write that go-live waits for that approval.
How much does a Dubai clinic website cost with Kolonell?
From USD 2,900 to 8,900 depending on the plan, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. Patient portals and deep booking integration are on quote.
What does post-launch support cover?
Three months of support are included for fixes and small changes. Beyond that, maintenance is on quote, and you keep every access.
Let's scope your project. An English and Arabic clinic site with a clear contract, milestones and acceptance usually lands between USD 4,900 and 8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.