Why RTL & bilingual structure matters
Successful Arabic/English sites aren’t just translated; they’re structured for discoverability and smooth UX. This guide covers the essentials: information architecture, hreflang, RTL interface patterns, keyword research in both languages, and performance with Arabic fonts.
Choose the right architecture
Use language subfolders like /ar/ and /en/ so each language has its own URL. Mirror navigation, breadcrumbs, and footers across languages so content stays in sync. Keep a visible language switcher on every page.
Implement hreflang correctly
Add self-referencing hreflang tags for each version (ar and en) and include an x-default that points to a neutral selector or homepage. Make sure every language page maps to the exact counterpart to avoid duplication.
Get RTL right in the UI
Apply dir="rtl" on Arabic pages only. Prefer logical CSS properties (margin-inline, padding-inline, inset-inline) instead of left/right to reduce overrides. Flip directional icons and carousels. Keep numerals consistent across the site.
Arabic keyword research (beyond translation)
Don’t rely on literal translation. Validate Arabic and English queries separately and build separate topic clusters for each language because SERPs and search intent differ. Use native copywriting or human-edited translations.
On-page essentials
Write unique titles, meta descriptions, and H1s per language. Avoid mixing languages in the same tag. Localize trust signals—contact details, policies, currencies, and payment options—in both languages. Use real text instead of images for Arabic body copy.
Performance with Arabic fonts
Preload the primary Arabic font, subset glyphs, and use font-display: swap. Serve responsive WebP/AVIF images and inline critical CSS. Avoid render-blocking sliders and initialize heavy components after first paint.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Missing or incorrect hreflang mappings, mixing languages on the same URL, and using images for Arabic text (which hurts SEO and accessibility).
Conclusion
Bilingual success comes from solid architecture, correct language signals, native content, and fast performance. If you need an audit or a clean AR/EN rollout, our team can plan, implement, and measure the results end-to-end.
