Multilingual website design: French, Arabic and English
Three genuinely translated versions, each with its own URL, metadata and layout.
In Morocco, multilingual is not a nice-to-have: some of your customers read French, others Arabic, and your international visitors English. The common problem is not missing translation but half-finished translation — French menus on the Arabic version, untranslated page titles, a broken right-to-left layout. This page explains how I avoid that.
The problem
Automatic translation plugins deliver a quick but fragile result: duplicate content in Google's eyes, visible mistakes your customers notice, a partly translated interface and an Arabic layout that is often unreadable on mobile. For a clinic or a retailer, that damages credibility directly.
What I put in place
- A separate URL per language, for example /soins, /en/treatments and /ar/alilajat
- Translated titles and descriptions for every page, not copied over
- hreflang tags linking the versions together, with a declared default version
- A complete right-to-left layout for Arabic: navigation, buttons, forms, icons
- Fonts chosen for Arabic, so the text renders properly rather than distorted
- A language switcher that leads to the equivalent page, not back to the home page
- Translated forms and error messages, including the technical strings
What you get
- An identical structure across the three languages — or a deliberately different one where your markets differ
- A visual editor where each language has its own fields
- A consistent sitemap and robots.txt
- A check of the Arabic rendering on mobile and desktop before launch
How many languages do you actually need?
Two languages done well beat three done halfway. For a healthcare practice in Casablanca or Rabat, French and Arabic are usually enough. For a tourism business in Marrakech or Agadir, English becomes the priority. We decide during scoping, based on your real customers rather than on principle.
How it works
- 1
Choosing the languages
We work out which languages are worth it for your customers, and which content to translate first.
- 2
Translation and proofreading
Professional translation or reuse of your existing copy, then proofreading. Nothing is left as machine output.
- 3
Technical integration
URL per language, hreflang, right-to-left layout, Arabic fonts, language switcher.
- 4
Verification
Every page checked in every language on mobile and desktop, forms tested.
Multilingual version (French / Arabic / English)
An option on any package: integrated translation, right-to-left layout and the full technical setup.
1,500 MAD option, on top of the chosen package
What's included:
- A dedicated URL per language
- Translated titles and descriptions for every page
- hreflang tags and a default version
- Right-to-left layout for Arabic
- A language switcher linking equivalent pages
- Translated forms and messages
Billed separately / optional
- Copywriting or editorial translation: 300 MAD per page
- Additional language beyond three: quoted separately
The Premium package (14,000 MAD) already includes the full multilingual setup.
More work
Client Projects Dental clinic 2025 Dental Clinic — Multi-Page Site
A full multi-page site for a dental clinic: practitioners, detailed treatments and a health blog, all visually manageable.
Inspiration Models Starter Kit 2025 Dental Clinic & Health Model
A model for dental clinics and practices: quick appointment booking, clear presentation of treatments and compliance. Customizable to your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arabic version really right-to-left?
Yes, fully: navigation, buttons, forms, directional icons and column order. Every page is checked on mobile and desktop before launch.
Do you use machine translation?
It can serve as a first working draft, never as the published version. Copy is proofread and corrected before launch, because a visible mistake costs more than a careful translation.
Does multilingual create duplicate content?
No, provided each language has its own URL, canonical and hreflang tags. That is exactly what is set up; it is the opposite case — one page translated on the fly — that causes problems.
Can I add a language later?
Yes. The site structure allows for it. You need to budget for translating and proofreading the existing content; the quote depends on the number of pages.
Let's talk about your project
A WhatsApp message or a phone call is usually the fastest route: you describe your business, and I tell you honestly what makes sense for you and what doesn't.
- contact@quteweb.com
- Based in
- Marrakech, Maroc
- Hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm
A website in several languages?
Tell me which languages your customers speak: I will tell you which ones are worth the investment, and what that involves.