The verdict in three sentences
In Dubai, a 1 to 7 spread between website quotes for the same scope is common, and it is mostly explained by what is excluded, deferred or kept by the provider. The costliest traps involve theme licences, hosting resold at a mark-up and code or accounts that never transfer to you. Insist on an itemised quote and four written clauses before signing, which protects a budget of 8,000 to 60,000 AED.
Seven traps and the quote line that gives them away
Amounts are 2026 estimates for a 6 to 15 page English and Arabic corporate site in the UAE.
| Trap | Typical quote line | Hidden 3-year cost | Clause to demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Unlicensed or single-use theme | 'Premium custom design' on a bought theme | Licence repurchase and rework: 1,500 to 6,000 AED | Theme licence in your name, or original design |
| 2. Hosting resold at a mark-up | 'Managed hosting: 4,500 AED per year' | Up to 9,000 AED over market rate in 3 years | Named host, plan and admin access |
| 3. Code ownership retained | 'Licence to use the website' | Rebuild if you leave: 15,000 to 40,000 AED | Full IP assignment on final payment |
| 4. Domain in the agency's name | '.ae domain included' | Transfer dispute, downtime | Registrant is your company (trade licence name) |
| 5. Arabic as a cheap add-on | 'Arabic version: +1,500 AED' | Broken RTL layout fixed later: 3,000 to 8,000 AED | RTL templates and native copy listed |
| 6. Per-edit charges | 'Any change: 300 to 800 AED' | 24 edits a year: 7,200 to 19,200 AED | Retainer with included hours |
| 7. No timeline or warranty | No dated plan | Delays of 2 to 5 months | Dated milestones, 3-month warranty minimum |
Two quotes compared on equal scope
Here is how two typical quotes for the same 8-page bilingual site break down. The cheaper one on paper ends up costing more.
| Item | Quote A at 9,000 AED | Quote B at 22,000 AED |
|---|---|---|
| Build, 8 pages EN + AR | 9,000 AED | 22,000 AED |
| Code and domain ownership | retained by agency | assigned to client |
| Hosting over 3 years | 3 × 4,500 = 13,500 AED | 3 × 1,200 = 3,600 AED |
| Edits over 3 years | 60 × 500 = 30,000 AED | retainer 3 × 6,000 = 18,000 AED |
| RTL fixes and theme licence | 6,000 AED | 0 AED |
| 3-year total | 58,500 AED | 43,600 AED |
Quote B also includes daily backups, security patching and an accessibility check.
Four documents to request before signing
Ask for an itemised quote, a dated plan with design and launch milestones, a sample maintenance agreement with response times, and the list of credentials handed over at launch: hosting, domain, CMS admin and analytics. If you collect personal data from UAE residents, ask how forms, cookies and storage align with the UAE Personal Data Protection Law. A serious provider sends all four in under a week.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Rania, operations director of a 40-person facilities management company in Al Quoz. She received five quotes from 7,500 to 52,000 AED. Using the seven-trap grid, she ruled out two that kept code ownership and one charging 70 % upfront.
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Comparing the remaining two over three years gave 47,000 AED versus 39,500 AED. She chose the second and saved 7,500 AED, roughly 15 months of a basic care plan at 500 AED.
FAQ
What is a fair price for a corporate website in Dubai in 2026?
For 6 to 12 well-built pages in English and Arabic, 15,000 to 35,000 AED is a common range. Below 10,000 AED, check carefully what is excluded.
How do I check who owns my .ae domain?
Run a public Whois lookup or ask for the registration invoice. The registrant should be your company as named on the trade licence, and renewal costs roughly 100 to 300 AED a year.
Is a 50 % upfront payment normal?
It is frequent in the UAE, but 30 to 40 % with the balance tied to design approval and launch is safer. Above 50 %, negotiate milestones.
Why does Arabic cost more than a simple translation?
Right-to-left layout affects menus, forms and images on every template. Proper RTL work and native copy typically add 25 to 40 % to the build.
Do I need a maintenance retainer?
Usually yes: 24 edits a year at 500 AED cost 12,000 AED with no backups or patching. A retainer of 400 to 1,000 AED a month often includes both.
Let's scope your project. Send us the quotes you received or your brief, and we will return an itemised proposal with ownership clauses and a dated plan. 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.