In Lebanon and across the Arab world, users expect software in Arabic as well as English, and sometimes French. Building a good bilingual product is more than translating text. Arabic is written right-to-left (RTL), which affects layout, icons, numbers and even search engine optimization.
1. Mirror the layout properly
In RTL mode, navigation, menus, progress indicators and back buttons should flip direction. Elements like logos, media players and phone numbers usually stay the same. Modern frameworks support RTL natively when the app is designed for it from the start.
2. Choose Arabic-friendly fonts
Use fonts designed for Arabic with good readability on mobile screens, and pair them with a matching Latin font so both languages feel consistent.
3. Handle mixed content
Lebanese content often mixes Arabic with English brand names, numbers and codes. Test mixed text carefully, as bidirectional text can display in the wrong order if not handled correctly.
4. Numbers, dates and currency
Decide whether to show Western or Eastern Arabic numerals, support local date formats, and display currencies such as USD and LBP clearly.
5. Design for text length
Arabic and English text lengths differ. Buttons and labels must adapt without breaking the layout.
6. Bilingual SEO
Each language should have its own URL, translated meta titles and descriptions, and hreflang tags so Google shows the right version to each user. Arabic content also helps you rank for Arabic searches where competition is often lower.
7. Test with real users
Have native Arabic speakers test flows, terminology and tone. A literal translation often sounds unnatural.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to build Arabic from the start?
Yes. Designing for RTL from day one is much cheaper than retrofitting it later.
Should I add French for Lebanon?
It depends on your audience. Many Lebanese professionals and institutions use French, so it can be valuable for education, healthcare and government-related services.
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Talk to Software Senior
Software Senior is a Beirut-based software development, AI and IoT company with more than 15 years of experience serving government, healthcare, insurance and enterprise clients. Contact us for a free consultation, call +961 3 014416 or email [email protected]. You can also read our FAQ.
