1. Is Arabic part of the design or a later translation?
Ask for an example of a properly built right-to-left site: menu direction, arrows, tables and numerals. Sites where the page is merely flipped give themselves away quickly.
2. How do you handle speed?
A slow site loses both the visitor and search ranking. Ask about image, font and script weight, and about testing on mobile, not just desktop.
3. What about payment methods in each market?
Saudi shoppers expect mada and Kuwaiti shoppers expect KNET. If the company doesn't raise local payment methods itself, ask about them directly.
4. Where is our customers' data stored, and who can reach it?
Each Gulf country has a personal data-protection law. A good answer is specific: hosting location, access rights, and what is collected from visitors.
5. Who owns the result?
Ask for it in writing: ownership of code, design, domain and hosting accounts. Core accounts should be in your name, not the vendor's.
6. What happens after launch?
A site needs updates, security and follow-up. Ask about support: what it covers, for how long, and how requests are raised.
7. Is the proposal itemised?
A one-line proposal hides what will actually be built. A good one lists pages, functions, content, delivery dates and what is out of scope.