Building a website in Arabic is not just about translation; it’s about creating a platform that resonates culturally and delivers a seamless user experience. In this blog, we’ll explore key tips for designing Arabic websites, backed by insights and statistics, to help you succeed in this dynamic region.
RTL (Right-to-Left) design caters to languages like Arabic and Urdu, which are written and read from right to left. These languages, spoken across the Middle East and North Africa—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria—have unique design requirements. RTL design adjusts a website’s user interface, layout, and design elements to align with the natural reading direction of these languages.
While an Arabic website may appear as a mirrored version of its English counterpart, ensuring proper display demands considerable effort, including precise alignment of text, images, and navigation elements. Many platforms, including HubSpot, offer built-in RTL support, simplifying the process of adapting layouts and styles. A McKinsey study found that trust in digital platforms alone doesn’t ensure user satisfaction—ease of use and cultural alignment also play pivotal roles. Implementing an RTL layout ensures that your website is accessible, culturally relevant, and user-friendly.
HubSpot offers practical solutions for handling RTL layouts:
Using platforms like HubSpot that have built-in multilingual support simplifies the design process while ensuring that your site maintains professional, RTL-compliant visuals. Ensuring proper text alignment, image placement, and navigation will result in a culturally relevant, user-friendly website.
Pro Tip: Always test your RTL design thoroughly on multiple devices to ensure consistency and usability.
The Middle East boasts some of the highest internet penetration rates globally, with countries like the UAE and Qatar achieving 100% and 99% penetration, respectively. With such a vast audience, optimising your website for Arabic search engines is essential for reaching the right audience for your business. This goes beyond typical SEO practices—it involves using the right tools and techniques tailored for Arabic keyword research and rankings.
Ahrefs can be a powerful tool for researching Arabic keywords. You can track competitors, find high-performing keywords, and optimise content accordingly. It also allows you to conduct keyword research specific to Arabic-speaking countries. This feature enables you to discover which keywords your competitors are targeting in different Arabic regions and optimise your site for the keywords that matter most in these markets.
Arabic Keywords on AHREFS
Actionable Tip: Use a combination of short and long-tail Arabic keywords, and make sure to optimise your meta descriptions, alt text, and URL structures for Arabic search terms.
Choosing the right domain extension can impact your website’s visibility and credibility. A .ae domain is ideal for businesses focused on the UAE market, signalling local relevance and building trust with regional audiences. Conversely, a .com domain offers international appeal, making it the preferred choice for companies with a broader, global reach. Understanding the distinction between these two options will help you make a more informed choice that aligns with your business goals and growth aspirations.
By opting for a .ae domain, you’re also signalling to your visitors that your business is based in the UAE, which adds an extra layer of credibility. Local consumers tend to trust websites with regional domains as they feel more relevant and tailored to their specific needs. It creates a sense of connection and reliability, which is crucial in establishing long-term trust with your target audience.
While a .com domain has global recognition and is ideal for international businesses, it doesn’t always provide the same SEO and local engagement advantages as a .ae domain when targeting UAE customers. A .com extension may not rank as high in local searches, meaning your website might be less visible to potential customers in the UAE compared to competitors using a .ae domain.
To maximise the effectiveness of a .ae domain, it’s crucial to pair it with content that resonates with your target audience. Simply registering a .ae domain won’t guarantee success. Your website should feature localised Arabic content, catering to the cultural preferences and expectations of UAE users. This means using the Arabic language, highlighting local customs, and addressing region-specific needs and interests.
Typography plays a crucial role in delivering a pleasant user experience, especially for Arabic websites. Proper Arabic typesetting ensures readability, visual appeal, and accessibility. Here’s what to keep in mind:
When translating from English to Arabic, it’s important to consider potential differences in text length. Some languages, including Arabic, can be more concise than English, meaning the translated content may take up less space.
Handling Text Contraction: Since Arabic translations often result in shorter text, it can create layout challenges, such as unwanted white space where the original English text was longer. Experienced Arabic language web designers and content creators are aware of this and will adjust the layout and design as needed to maintain a balanced, professional appearance.
Pro Tip: Ensure adequate line height and spacing to avoid a cluttered appearance, improving readability and user experience.
Building a successful Arabic website requires much more than simple translation; it demands a strategic approach that blends cultural relevance, intuitive design, and effective localisation practices. By adopting an RTL layout, optimising for Arabic SEO, choosing the right domain extension, and paying attention to typography, you can create a site that not only appeals to Arabic-speaking audiences but also enhances their overall experience.