The verdict in three sentences
For an art gallery and art advisory in Abu Dhabi, the website is where collectors, museum curators and family office buyers check three things before any conversation: which artists you actually represent, what you have shown, and how discreetly you handle a request. A bilingual redesign with an Abu Dhabi agency typically costs AED 45,000 to 120,000 in 2026, while Kolonell works on a fixed grid of $2,900, $4,900 and $8,900, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks once images and texts are ready. The risks that matter are image rights, lost search traffic on artist names and the scope of Arabic right-to-left pages, all manageable if they are planned before design starts.
What collectors check, and where an old site lets you down
Abu Dhabi's art calendar, with the Abu Dhabi Art fair each autumn and the growing Saadiyat Cultural District, brings visiting collectors who search artist names and exhibitions on their phones. A gallery site that fails these checks loses the enquiry to a competitor or to a fair booth page.
| What the collector looks for | Typical weakness of an older gallery site | What the redesign should show |
|---|---|---|
| Artists represented | A list mixing represented artists and one-off shows | Clear distinction, with each artist's consent for the profile |
| Current and past exhibitions | Last exhibition page from two seasons ago | Dated archive, press texts, installation views |
| Works available | PDF catalogues by email only | Selected works with "price on request" and a discreet enquiry form |
| Advisory services | One vague paragraph | Separate page: acquisition advice, collection management, valuations through partners |
| Arabic content | Machine-translated or missing | Arabic pages written natively, right-to-left layout tested |
| Mobile speed | Heavy uncompressed images | Optimised images that keep colour fidelity |
| Discretion | Enquiry form asking for budget and full address | Minimal form, clear privacy notice |
What does a redesign cost in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
Local amounts are a 2026 ballpark from typical agency quotes and public rate pages, converted at the fixed rate of about AED 3.67 to the dollar (approximate). Kolonell prices are a fixed grid in USD.
| Option | AED ballpark | USD approx. | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance designer, English only | AED 12,000 to 35,000 | $3,300 to $9,500 | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Abu Dhabi agency, Arabic and English | AED 45,000 to 120,000 | $12,300 to $32,700 | 3 to 5 months |
| Luxury or cultural sector specialist | AED 110,000 to 260,000+ | $30,000 to $71,000+ | 4 to 6 months |
| Kolonell Starter | Billed in USD | $2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Growth | Billed in USD | $4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Premium, multilingual tier | Billed in USD | $8,900 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Maintenance after launch | Market assumption: AED 1,500 to 6,000 a month | $400 to $1,600 | Kolonell: 3 months included, then on quote |
All Kolonell tiers include a project manager reachable in Gulf Standard Time, native English copywriting and 3 months of support. Arabic belongs to Premium, with the languages and the right-to-left scope set in the quote. A private viewing room behind a login, an inventory system connection or online sales are on quote. Details of each tier are on the international offer.
Risks specific to a gallery redesign
| Risk | Why it matters | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Losing search traffic on artist names | Artist pages collect most visits | Inventory URLs, map 301 redirects, follow Search Console for 4 to 8 weeks |
| Image rights | Works and installation shots are protected | Written artist consent and photographer credits before migration |
| Showing an artist you no longer represent | Damages trust with artists and collectors | Review the artist list with the director before launch |
| Arabic pages that break layout | Right-to-left needs its own testing | Define RTL scope in the quote, test on mobile |
| Data collected through enquiry forms | Collector data is sensitive | Minimal fields, privacy notice, retention defined |
| Downtime during a fair | Collectors check you during the event | Launch outside fair weeks, keep the old site ready to restore |
Two legal points deserve care. The UAE federal personal data protection law (Federal Decree-Law 45 of 2021) frames how collector data is collected, while entities in ADGM or DIFC follow those free zones' own data protection regimes. Anti-money-laundering obligations increasingly apply to art market participants in many jurisdictions, which affects how you describe payment and verification on the site; check what applies to your licence. This is not legal advice.
Timeline and when a local agency is the better choice
Once texts and images are ready, Starter and Growth run 3 to 4 weeks: structure in week 1, design and build in weeks 2 and 3, review and redirects in week 4. Premium takes 4 to 6 weeks because Arabic copy and right-to-left testing add a review cycle. The step that slips most often is gathering approved images with credits, so start it first.
A local Abu Dhabi agency is the better choice if you need on-site photography of every exhibition, an in-person brand workshop with your artists, or Arabic-first creative direction led by a team you meet weekly. A remote studio fits when the identity is settled and the goal is a faster, clearer site.
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Mini case study
Illustrative example, fictional gallery: Corniche Light Gallery represents 12 artists and runs an advisory service for private collectors. An Abu Dhabi agency quotes AED 95,000 (about $25,900) for an Arabic and English redesign. The gallery chooses Kolonell Premium at $8,900 with Arabic and English set in the quote, and pays a local photographer AED 150 per work for 60 works, AED 9,000 (about $2,450). Total: about $11,350, roughly $14,550 less than the agency quote, which the director keeps for a printed catalogue for the next fair.
FAQ
Should we show prices on the site?
Most galleries use "price on request" for primary market works, and a discreet form with 3 to 5 fields. Showing prices is a commercial choice, not a technical one.
Is Arabic included in every tier?
No. Multilingual sites, including Arabic with right-to-left layout, are the Premium tier at $8,900, with languages set in the quote. Starter at $2,900 and Growth at $4,900 cover the core gallery site without multilingual work.
How long does the redesign take?
3 to 4 weeks for Starter and Growth, 4 to 6 weeks for Premium, counted from the moment images and texts are ready. Local agencies in Abu Dhabi often need 3 to 5 months.
Can collectors view works privately online?
Yes, through a password-protected viewing room, which is on quote. A simple version often adds 1 to 2 weeks to the schedule.
What happens after the 3 months of support?
Maintenance is on quote. A common market assumption in Abu Dhabi is AED 1,500 to 6,000 (about $400 to $1,600) a month.
Let's scope your project. A Premium redesign with artist pages, exhibitions archive and Arabic scope set in the quote can launch in 4 to 6 weeks once your images are cleared. 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.
