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February 25, 2025
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How to Build a Multilingual Website for Dubai Businesses
Want to grow your Dubai-based business online? A multilingual website is essential. Dubai’s diverse population includes over 200 nationalities, making language accessibility crucial for reaching more customers. Here’s what you need to know:
Key Languages to Include: Arabic (official), English (business), Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog for large expat communities.
Benefits: Higher conversion rates (65%), better trust, improved SEO, and a competitive edge.
Steps to Build:
Plan your language strategy (start with Arabic and English).
Use platforms like WordPress or Shopify with multilingual plugins.
Localize design (RTL support for Arabic, culturally relevant visuals).
Optimize for SEO (language-specific URLs, hreflang tags).
Test and maintain all language versions regularly.
Start with these basics to expand your reach and connect with Dubai’s multilingual audience effectively.
How to translate from English to Arabic in WordPress
Step 1: Plan Your Language Strategy
To navigate Dubai’s diverse linguistic environment, start by crafting a clear language approach that addresses the city’s multicultural, expat-heavy population. Decide which languages and types of content will most effectively expand your business’s reach.
Refer to A Comprehensive Overview of Languages Spoken in Dubai
Choose Your Target Languages
Focus on the languages that align with your audience and goals:
Start with Arabic and English to ensure your content is accessible to a broad audience
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Select Content for Translation
Focus on translating content that directly impacts your business:
Key Pages: Homepage, product/service descriptions, and contact details
Legal Documents: Terms, conditions, and privacy policies
Marketing Materials: Email campaigns, landing pages, and promotional content
Be mindful of cultural differences when translating. For instance, Uber introduced UberCHOPPER in Dubai to align with local luxury preferences
Set Your Translation Budget
Here’s a breakdown of standard translation costs in Dubai:
Per word: AED 0.37 to AED 0.59
Hourly rates: AED 75 to AED 275
Rush jobs: Expect a 25–50% premium
Refer to : How Much Do Translation Companies Charge in Dubai, UAE?
To stay within budget:
Plan translations early to avoid extra fees for urgent work
Prioritize important content first, like high-value pages (e.g., AED 40–120 per page for English to Arabic)
check out the translation charges of Alsun Translation ServicesÂConsider using translation software to streamline updates and reduce costs over time
Step 2: Pick Your Website Tools
To create a multilingual website in Dubai, you’ll need the right combination of platforms and translation tools. Here’s how to make the best choice.
Website Platforms for Multiple Languages
The platform you choose should offer strong features and be easy to manage. Here’s a quick comparison of popular options and their multilingual capabilities:
WordPress stands out, powering over a million multilingual websites which are powered by WPML. Its extensive plugin options make it especially appealing for Dubai businesses.
“For web developers, the word ‘multilingual’ could be a great synonym for ‘nightmare’.”Â
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Augustin Prot, Shopify Partner
When selecting a platform, look for these key features:
SEO-friendly tools that support multiple languages
User-friendly language switching for visitors
Browser-based language detection for a smoother experience
Consistent design and functionality across languages
Translation Software Options
Once you’ve chosen a platform, you’ll need reliable translation tools. Here are a couple of solid options:
WPML (WordPress Multilingual)
Trusted by over 1 million websites
Supports an unlimited number of languages
Features translation memory for efficiency
Integrates with professional translation services
Used by more than 700,000 websites
Integrates seamlessly with WordPress
Translates everything from posts to custom elements
Offers a free version for basic use
For Shopify users, the built-in Markets feature combined with the Translate & Adapt app provides a native solution. However, some limitations exist with translation quality . Still, using effective translation strategies can lead to a 13% boost in conversion rates .
Step 3: Design Your Multilingual Site
Creating a multilingual website that works well for users involves clear navigation, culturally relevant design, and technical accuracy. Here’s how to craft a site that connects with Dubai’s diverse audience.
Make Navigation Easy for All Languages
Place the language switcher where users can easily find it. For example, Uber includes its language options in the footer, letting users switch languages without changing regions
Refer to: 9 Tips for Designing a Multi Language Website
To improve language navigation:
Show language names in their native script (e.g., “العربية” instead of “Arabic”).
Use a drop-down menu for easy language selection.
Save users’ language preferences for future visits.
Support right-to-left (RTL) text alignment for Arabic content.
Once navigation is sorted, focus on creating a design that meets the expectations of local users.
Adapt Your Design for Local Preferences
Beyond navigation, your site’s design should reflect Dubai’s cultural and aesthetic values.
Be mindful of Dubai’s cultural diversity while keeping the design polished and professional. Also, prioritize mobile optimization since smartphone usage is particularly high in the region
Localize All Site Elements
Localization goes beyond translating text. Adjust other site elements to fit local norms:
Date Formats: Include both Gregorian and Hijri calendars, depending on user preferences.
Currency: Display amounts in AED with proper formatting.
Images and Icons: Use visuals that resonate with the local audience.
Social Media: Integrate platforms popular in the Arab world.
Every detail matters. Test the usability of all language versions to ensure a seamless experience for your audience
Step 4: Improve Search Rankings
Once you’ve fine-tuned your site’s design and localization, it’s time to focus on technical SEO. This step is key for improving search rankings, especially if you’re a Dubai-based business catering to both Arabic and English-speaking audiences.
Set Up Language-Specific URLs
Your URL structure plays a big role in how search engines categorize and rank your site for different languages. Here are some common URL structures to consider:
Make sure to use UTF-8 encoding for URLs that include translated words. After choosing your URL structure, focus on adding language tags to target your content more effectively.
Add Language Tags
To ensure your site is properly optimized for international audiences, follow these steps:
Use accurate language codes, such as “ar” for Arabic and “en” for English.
Add region-specific codes like “ae” for UAE-targeted content (e.g., “ar-ae” for Arabic content in the UAE).
Include an x-default tag as a fallback for users outside your target regions.
“Hreflang is not intended to be used as a shortcut – proper international targeting takes effort commitment, in the way you structure your web presence and how far you go in localising your site’s content. Don’t half-arse it, because it will simply not be rewarded with proper rankings and traffic.”
Barry Adams
Once your URLs and language tags are in place, it’s time to focus on site performance to improve user experience.
Speed Up Your Site
Fast-loading pages are essential, especially since pages that load in 0-2 seconds have the highest conversion rates. Here’s how to enhance your site’s speed:
Image Compression: Reduce image file sizes without sacrificing quality, particularly for media-heavy pages.
Use a CDN: A Content Delivery Network can significantly improve load times for local users.
Optimize Code: Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files to streamline performance.
For example, COOK, a UK-based retailer, saw a 7% increase in conversions after optimizing images and implementing a responsive design.
In Dubai, mobile optimization is especially important since many users browse on their smartphones. Research indicates that 53% of mobile users will abandon a page if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.
Step 5: Launch and Update Your Site
After handling design, localization, and SEO, it’s time to launch your site and ensure it thrives. This phase is all about finalizing the launch and keeping your site relevant and effective over time.
Check All Language Versions
Before going live, test every language version of your site thoroughly. Pay attention to these key areas:
When working with Arabic content, make sure your development environment supports the Arabic language. This helps catch any display issues early.
Once you’ve verified all versions, your focus should shift to monitoring the site’s performance.
Track Site Performance
Use tracking tools to evaluate how well your multilingual site is performing. Set up separate analytics views for each language version and monitor key metrics like:
Engagement and conversion rates for each language
Traffic sources and user behavior by region
Technical performance, including page load times and mobile usability
Assign team members to oversee specific language versions. This ensures consistent quality across the board and allows your site to adapt to changing rules or market needs .
Refer to: 4 Ways to Optimize Your Multi-Language Website
Keep Content Current
To maintain your site’s quality, schedule regular updates based on performance data. Focus on these areas:
Content Reviews: Regularly audit your content to ensure it remains culturally appropriate and effective.
Translation Updates: Work with professional translators who understand both the language and cultural nuances. In competitive markets like Dubai, high-quality translations can directly influence SEO success.
Technical Maintenance: Keep your site’s infrastructure in top shape by checking:
Cookie consent tools in all supported languages
Accuracy of date and currency formats
Performing routine technical audits and updates
Conclusion: Build Your Multilingual Website
Key Steps to Keep in Mind
Building a multilingual website for Dubai’s diverse audience takes thoughtful planning. Here’s a quick overview of the steps to focus on:
Balancing technical precision with cultural awareness is critical. Professional expertise can help fine-tune these strategies for the best results.
Why Work with Experts?
Specialized agencies can handle everything from localized keyword research to cultural design tweaks, technical setup, and ongoing updates. For example, Baisil Boban, a web designer and SEO expert based in Dubai, offers tailored multilingual solutions. His services include custom website design, WordPress development, and consistent maintenance to keep your site effective and culturally aligned.