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Complete Guide to Website Design and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

For the Egyptian and Arab markets — fast and responsive websites + SEO that delivers qualified traffic and measurable conversions

Implementing websites and SEO in both Arabic and English

Introduction

A website is a long-term marketing asset, and SEO is the most sustainable channel for increasing qualified traffic. This practical guide puts you on the right path to choose the right technology, design high-conversion user experiences, and build an effective SEO plan for the Egyptian and Arab market.

In a world rapidly moving toward digitization, where the number of internet users in the Arab world reaches more than 400 million users, and about 70% of them search for products and services online before making a purchase decision, having a website optimized for search engines is not just an option, but a strategic necessity for the success of any business.

Why Website + SEO Together?

  • Full ownership of your marketing channel instead of complete reliance on social media platforms that may change their policies at any time.
  • High search intent leads to better conversions and lower acquisition costs in the long term. Users searching for your services via Google are often at an advanced stage of the buying journey.
  • Trust and credibility through useful content, structured Schema, and positive customer reviews that appear in search results.
  • Accurate measurability through Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager and tracking specific events and conversions.
  • Sustained presence Unlike paid ads that stop when the budget ends, SEO works 24/7 to attract new visitors.

According to recent studies, SEO achieves a conversion rate of 14.6% compared to paid ads that achieve only 1.7%, making it a smart investment for sustainable growth.

Website Types (When to Choose Each Type?)

  • Company Profile Website: For B2B/B2C companies and services that aim to showcase their identity, services, and products. Ideal for consulting offices, small businesses, and professionals who need a professional digital presence.
  • E-commerce Store: Product catalog, shopping cart, payment gateways, shipping systems, and inventory management. Ideal for brands that sell directly to B2C consumers or to B2B businesses.
  • Landing Pages: Custom landing pages to shorten the path from ad to conversion quickly. Ideal for specific ad campaigns and promotional offers where we want to direct the user to take one specific action.
  • Multilingual Websites: To target Egypt + Gulf + North Africa. Essential for companies expanding their operations and targeting diverse markets while maintaining a unified identity.
  • Content Websites (Blogs/Portals): To create a specialized media platform that attracts targeted visitors through high-quality content and generates revenue from ads and partnerships.

Choosing a Content Management System (CMS)

We compare the most common options in the Arab world: WordPress, Shopify, and custom solutions (Laravel/Next.js).

Element WordPress Shopify
Arabic and RTL SupportExcellentVery Good
Flexibility and CustomizationVery HighHigh (within the ecosystem)
E-commerceStrong with WooCommerceStrongest by default
Speed and PerformanceExcellent with proper tuningVery Stable
Total CostLow–MediumSubscriptions + Apps
Ease of UseMedium (requires learning)Very Easy
SEO capabilitiesExcellent with Yoast/Rank MathVery Good
Community SupportLargest globallySpecialized

Summary: For service companies and diverse Arabic content, we recommend WordPress. For stores that need quick launch and ready integrations, we recommend Shopify. For complex solutions or maximum speeds, customization is possible.

When choosing a CMS, you should consider factors such as: expected content volume, number of products, level of customization required, maintenance budget, and available technical skills. For example, WordPress offers unlimited flexibility but requires regular maintenance and security updates, while Shopify provides an integrated solution without worrying about security or updates but comes with monthly costs and transaction fees.

Core SEO Pillars (On-Page / Technical / Content / Off-Page)

On-Page SEO

  • Descriptive Title tags that start with a keyword + brand name. They should be attractive and contain 50-60 characters maximum.
  • Attractive Meta Description tags with appropriate length (150-160 characters) that encourage users to click from search results.
  • Organized H1/H2 headings and local long-tail keywords. They should contain main keywords naturally.
  • Clear internal links + Breadcrumbs + useful content that answers users' queries.
  • Using Schema Markup to improve search result appearance and increase click-through rate (CTR).
  • Optimizing images using descriptive Alt Text and appropriate sizes to increase loading speed.

Technical SEO

  • Speed and passing Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS). These indicators have become a decisive factor in Google ranking.
  • Site maps, Robots.txt, and fixing crawl errors that prevent search engines from indexing your site properly.
  • Schema.org schemas (Article/FAQ/Service/Breadcrumb) to help search engines better understand your page content.
  • Clean implementation of hreflang for multilingual versions to ensure the appropriate language version appears for each user.
  • Ensuring site security via HTTPS and data protection, as Google prioritizes secure sites.
  • Clean and descriptive URL structure facilitating easy crawling and indexing.

Content SEO

  • Editorial plan directed at audience questions (People Also Ask). Content should contain comprehensive answers to user queries.
  • Appropriate Intent (Commercial/Transactional/Informational) that matches the searcher's intent and provides exactly what they're looking for.
  • Covering vertical topics (Topic Clusters) and linking pillars with branches to create an integrated content structure that demonstrates your expertise in the field.
  • Using keywords naturally and avoiding excessive stuffing. Content should focus on providing real value to the reader.
  • Updating content regularly to maintain its freshness and importance in the eyes of search engines and users.

Off-Page SEO

  • Natural external links from trusted directories and relevant articles. Backlinks are a trust signal for search engines.
  • Google Business Profile for the local market + positive customer reviews that increase your visibility in local search.
  • Presence on social media platforms relevant to your business field to increase brand awareness.
  • Reference signals (Citations) in local directories and specialized sites to increase trust and credibility.
  • Building relationships with influencers and relevant sites in your field to get media coverage and backlinks.

Speed and Core Web Vitals

Website speed is not just a user convenience factor, but has become one of the most important ranking factors in Google. According to multiple studies, 53% of visitors leave sites that take more than 3 seconds to load, and every additional second in loading reduces conversions by 7%.

  • AVIF/WebP images + Lazyload + appropriate sizes. These technologies can reduce image size by up to 80% without affecting quality.
  • Reducing/deferring unnecessary JS, using GTM wisely. A large number of tracking scripts can negatively affect site speed.
  • CDN + cache at server/plugin level. Content delivery networks can speed up loading by up to 50% for remote users.
  • Local fonts, and Critical CSS when needed. Optimizing the display of visual content first (Above the Fold) improves user perception of site speed.
  • Compressing HTML, CSS, JavaScript to remove whitespace and unnecessary comments.
  • Enabling Gzip/Brotli compression on the server to reduce the size of transferred files.

To monitor your site's performance, you can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and WebPageTest. These tools provide detailed reports on weaknesses and suggest specific improvements. Aim for a score of 90+ on mobile and desktop with passing all Core Web Vitals indicators.

Packages and Price Indicators (Flexible and Change According to Requirements)

The following numbers are "between - and between" indicators and the price is fixed after a technical audit and review of the scope of work.

  • Informational Website 5-10 pages: Approximately between 18,000 - 35,000 EGP including design, development, and basic SEO optimization.
  • Basic E-commerce Store: Approximately between 35,000 - 75,000 EGP (without third-party subscriptions). This type includes payment gateway integrations, shipping systems, and inventory management.
  • Monthly SEO (Small–Mid): Usually between 6,000 - 18,000 EGP/month depending on competition and content volume. This includes keyword optimization, link building, and performance reports.
  • Speed/Technical Improvement Audit: One-time package starting from 7,500 EGP. Includes comprehensive site analysis and providing solutions to improve performance and fix technical errors.
  • Multilingual Website: Starts from 40,000 EGP and increases according to the number of languages and pages required.
  • Progressive Web App (PWA) Development: Starts from 50,000 EGP and increases according to complexity and required features.

All offers are provided with clear contracts, defined scope of work, and agreed performance indicators. We believe in full pricing transparency and strive to provide the best possible value for investment. We also offer flexible payment plans that suit the needs of startups and medium-sized companies.

How We Work at Canvas Media EG

  1. Requirements Discovery and defining goals and initial key phrases. We collect comprehensive information about your business, competitors, and target audience.
  2. Information Architecture Plan (Sitemap) and user experience. We design the site structure and key interaction points to ensure a smooth user experience.
  3. UI Design responsive + Arabic/English optimized content writing. We work on designing attractive and easy-to-use interfaces with content optimized for search engines.
  4. Development with best performance and security practices. We use the latest technologies and best practices to ensure a fast and secure site.
  5. SEO Configuration (On-Page/Tech/Schema/Analytics/GSC). We apply all necessary SEO optimizations to ensure strong appearance in search results.
  6. Testing speed, experience, and browser compatibility. We conduct comprehensive tests on various devices and browsers to ensure a consistent user experience.
  7. Launch + brief training + content growth and links plan. We launch the site and provide training for your team on how to manage it with a future plan for growth.

Our work process focuses on true partnership with our clients. We don't just provide services, but work with you as an extended team aimed at achieving your digital business goals. We believe that continuous communication and transparency are the key to the success of any digital project.

Also check out our related services: Google Ads, Social Media Management, and Performance Analytics.

Service Coverage (Egypt & MENA)

We serve all over Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and other governorates, in addition to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco through digital remote implementation solutions and multilingual support.

We pride ourselves on our extensive experience in the Egyptian and Arab market, where we have implemented successful projects for clients from various sectors and business activities. Our team is distinguished by its deep understanding of the local culture and consumer behavior in the region, which enables us to provide customized solutions that precisely suit your needs.

We also provide consulting services for companies that want to expand regionally, where we help them understand the challenges and opportunities in each market in the region, and develop effective digital strategies to achieve their expansion goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)

Do I need a blog for my website?

Yes, a blog enables you to target long-tail keywords and build topical authority and healthy internal links. It also allows you to share your expertise and knowledge with your audience, which enhances their trust in your brand. Good and regular content in the blog improves your appearance in search results and increases your chance of appearing in Featured Snippets.

Is Arabic content enough?

Depending on the target market. For Egypt and the Arab Maghreb, Arabic is often sufficient. For the Gulf and global search, we recommend adding English. In fact, many successful companies in the region use a bilingual strategy to expand their reach, especially since 30% of searchers in the Gulf use English when searching for products and services.

When do SEO results appear?

Usually between 2-4 months for initial indicators, and 6-9 months for stable results in competitive sectors. SEO is a long-term investment, and results become stronger over time. Factors that affect how quickly results appear include: keyword competition, content quality, backlink strength, and the site's domain age.

Can I migrate from an old platform without losing ranking?

Yes with a correct Migration plan: 301 link redirect maps, retaining meta data, and verification in GSC after launch. The complex migration process requires careful planning and professional execution to ensure no loss of any SEO value you've built over the years.

Do you guarantee first place?

No entity can guarantee a specific ranking. We guarantee the application of best practices and a clear plan with measurable performance indicators. We focus on achieving real and sustainable results instead of unrealistic promises. Google itself advises against dealing with any party that guarantees first places in search results.

What is the difference between SEO and Google Ads?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is optimizing your site to appear naturally in search results, while Google Ads are paid and appear at the top of results as "Ads". SEO takes time to achieve results but provides sustainable visits in the long term, while ads provide immediate results but stop when the budget ends. The optimal strategy combines both.

How many keywords can be targeted on a single page?

The golden rule is to focus on one or two main keywords per page, with integration of related words (LSI Keywords) naturally. Trying to target too many keywords on one page may lead to bloated content and a poor user experience, which negatively affects your ranking in Google.

Can I improve SEO by myself?

Yes, you can improve the basics of SEO yourself if you have the time and necessary technical knowledge. However, for optimal results, especially in competitive sectors, it is recommended to deal with specialists. A professional SEO team has the experience, tools, and knowledge of the latest updates in Google algorithms that can make a big difference in your site's performance.

Executive Summary

  • Technology Choice: WordPress/Shopify according to your need. WordPress is ideal for flexibility and content, while Shopify excels in easy e-commerce.
  • SEO: Building content + speed + schema + natural internal and external links. These elements together form the foundation of a successful SEO strategy.
  • Measurement: GA4 + conversion events + GSC and crawl monitoring. Without accurate measurement, performance cannot be effectively improved.
  • Sustainable Growth: Expanding topics + continuous improvement. SEO is not a one-time project, but an ongoing process that requires regular updates and improvements.
  • Focus on the User: Designing an exceptional user experience is the key to conversion and visitor retention. A fast and easy-to-use site is favored by both Google and users alike.
  • Preparing for the Future: As Google evolves and moves toward artificial intelligence and voice search, your site must be ready for these technical developments.

Pricing Alert: All numbers are indicative and are finalized after technical audit and introductory meeting/viewing. Final prices depend on the complexity of the project and specific technical requirements for each client.

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