Why do most Arabic websites feel translated?

Many Arabic websites are built on an English template with RTL bolted on at the last step. The result works, but reads as foreign to an Arabic speaker. Here are the usual giveaways.

1. Directional icons aren't mirrored A "next" arrow should point left in Arabic. Arrows and chevrons that carry directional meaning must be mirrored, while icons like a clock or an envelope must not. The rule: flip only what encodes direction.

2. Numbers and symbols come out scrambled A phone number or a price inside an Arabic sentence must be isolated as LTR, or its parts appear in the wrong order. The fix is isolating the run of text, not rewriting the number.

3. Spacing built on left/right Using margin-left instead of margin-inline-start means every gap lands on the wrong side once direction flips. Logical properties solve this at the root.

4. A typeface unsuited to Arabic A handsome Latin font can look poor in Arabic. Arabic script is connected and has a different vertical rhythm, and needs slightly more line height. Use an Arabic typeface designed for screens, and increase leading.

5. Literal translation "We provide innovative solutions that empower your business" translated word for word means nothing in Arabic. Arabic copy has to be written in Arabic, not converted from English.

6. Ignoring visual priority order The Arabic eye starts at the right. Putting the primary button at the far left because the template did means the most important element is the last thing seen.

In short A good Arabic site looks like it was designed in Arabic from the start. That comes from logical CSS properties, an appropriate Arabic typeface, copy that is written rather than translated, and icons handled deliberately.