The demand for the creation of right-to-left (RTL) websites has grown over the years due to the fact that Arabic is the 4th most popular language globally. In the Middle East, where Arabic is the primary language, the need for RTL websites is even more critical. In addition to Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian are also right-to-left languages that are widely spoken. Therefore, it is important for WordPress developers to consider these languages when developing real estate websites in the region.
Real estate agents and brokers in the Middle East need to create websites that cater to the needs of their local market, including language and cultural preferences. Choosing an appropriate WordPress theme for RTL support is essential to ensure that the website is accessible and appealing to potential clients.
In this article, we aim to provide WordPress developers with key insights on how to choose a compatible WordPress theme for right-to-left languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. By considering factors such as RTL support, built-in translation capabilities, typography, support for local currencies, compatibility with WPML, responsiveness and visual appeal, and relevant features, WordPress developers can create well-suited WordPress themes for Middle Eastern real estate websites that meet the specific needs of clients in the region.
5 Key factors to consider when choosing a theme
When choosing an RTL WordPress theme for real estate websites in the Middle East, it is important to consider several factors. These factors will ensure that the website is suitable for the local market and meets the needs of potential clients. The following are some of the key factors to consider.
1. Support for right-to-left languages and built-in translation capabilities.
Support for right-to-left languages is crucial for developing websites for the Middle Eastern market. This means that websites need to be designed to accommodate this unique characteristic.
A suitable RTL WordPress theme must have built-in support for right-to-left languages, and provide the option to switch between right-to-left and left-to-right language modes seamlessly. The theme should ensure that text, images, and other elements on the website are displayed correctly when the website is viewed from right to left.
In addition to right-to-left language support, a suitable RTL WordPress theme should also have built-in translation capabilities. This will enable real estate agents and brokers to translate their websites into different languages to reach a wider audience. The translation capabilities should be user-friendly and allow for easy management of translations for all website elements, including menus, headers, and content.
Having built-in translation capabilities saves time and money. As WordPress developers do not need to hire third-party translation services. This also ensures that the translations are accurate and of high quality, which is essential for creating a professional website.
2. Proper attention should be given to typography
Typography is essential to choose an RTL WordPress theme that gives proper attention to RTL languages. The theme should have a variety of fonts to choose from, including fonts that are suitable for both headings and body text.
The font size, line height, and letter spacing are important aspects of typography that should be given proper attention. The font size should be legible and readable, especially for long paragraphs of text. The line height should be optimized to ensure that the text is easily readable, with sufficient space between lines.
Proper attention to typography will not only ensure that the website looks professional, but will also make it easier to read and understand the content on the website. This is important as real estate websites typically contain a lot of information, including property listings, descriptions, and legal information.
3. Support for local currencies
Support for local currencies is an important factor to consider when choosing an RTL WordPress theme. The Middle East is home to many countries, each with its own currency.
A compatible RTL WordPress theme should support the local currency. This will make it easier for potential clients to understand the pricing of the properties listed on the website. It will also make it easier for the real estate agency or broker to manage their finances.
In addition to supporting local currencies, a suitable RTL WordPress theme should also allow for easy conversion of currencies. This is important as some real estate agencies and brokers may have clients from other countries who may want to purchase properties in a different currency. Therefore, the theme should have built-in tools or plugins that allow for easy conversion of currencies.
4. Responsiveness and visual appeal
A suitable RTL WordPress theme should be responsive and visually appealing. This will ensure that the website looks good on all devices, including smartphones and tablets. Features such as advanced search filters, property listings, and agent profiles.
A suitable RTL WordPress theme should have features that are relevant to the Middle Eastern real estate market, such as advanced search filters, property listings, and agent profiles.
5. Compatibility with WPML
WPML is a powerful WordPress plugin that allows websites to be translated into multiple languages. It is essential for real estate websites developed for the Middle Eastern market to have a multilingual option as the region has a diverse population with different languages and dialects.
A suitable RTL WordPress theme should be compatible with WPML. This means that the theme should be designed to work seamlessly with the plugin, allowing for easy translation of all website elements.
Having a multilingual option for the website will help to reach a wider audience and increase the chances of attracting potential clients from different countries. It will also help in building trust with potential clients, as they will feel more comfortable viewing the website in their native language.
Benefits of Using WordPress for Real Estate Websites
WordPress is an excellent platform for developing real estate websites in the Middle East. Some WordPress themes already have built-in support for RTL languages. For example, Houzez fully supports RTL languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. The new Houzez update includes four new demos in English, Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian for the Middle East market. This means that real estate agents and brokers in the Middle East can easily create a professional website that meets the specific needs.
In addition, WordPress is SEO-friendly, which means that real estate websites developed on this platform have a higher chance of ranking well on search engines. This is important as it can increase the visibility of the website and ultimately lead to more traffic and leads.
WordPress is also a secure platform that offers regular updates and patches to protect websites from hackers and malware. This is crucial as security is a top priority when it comes to developing websites, especially those that deal with sensitive information such as real estate listings and client data.
Finally, WordPress is a cost-effective solution for creating a professional real estate website. There are many free and premium WordPress themes available, and the platform itself is free to use. This makes it accessible to real estate agents and brokers with varying budgets.
Conclusion
Developing a website tailored to the needs of clients in the Middle Eastern real estate market requires careful consideration. Choosing a suitable RTL WordPress theme is an essential part of this process. When choosing a theme, it is important to consider factors such as support for right-to-left languages and built-in translation capabilities, proper attention to typography, support for local currencies, and compatibility with WPML.
WordPress is an excellent platform for developing real estate websites in the Middle East. Some WordPress themes, such as Houzez, have built-in support for RTL languages and include demos specifically designed for the Middle Eastern real estate market. Using WordPress is also SEO-friendly, secure, and cost-effective.
In conclusion, by following the guidelines outlined in this article, WordPress developers can develop professional and effective real estate websites that meet the specific needs of clients in the Middle Eastern market. If you are a WordPress developer looking for a suitable RTL WordPress theme for real estate websites in the Middle East, be sure to download the latest Houzez update, which includes significant improvements that will make it easier for real estate agents and brokers to create a professional website that meets the specific needs of their market.
