Translating a landing page into Hebrew takes a day. Making it perform requires rethinking its structure, friction and measurement.
RTL: flipping the page is not enough
-
Declare the reading direction at page level (dir="rtl"), then check menus, grids, carousels and directional icons
-
Prices, numbers and Latin brand names stay left to right within Hebrew text. Mixed-direction sentences are the leading source of visual bugs
-
Choose a font with proper Hebrew support, or the browser will switch to a fallback
Rewrite rather than translate word for word
-
Hebrew copy is often shorter than French: tighten the layout rather than filling the space
-
Show the offer, price and supporting evidence in the first mobile screen
-
Gendered verbs require a CTA choice: plural, neutral wording or separate versions
Forms, phone numbers and WhatsApp
-
Accept local numbers (05X) and the +972 prefix without validation errors
-
A WhatsApp button reduces friction. Track it as a conversion, then qualify the enquiry
-
Reduce the fields: every question should help qualify the lead
-
Add an explicit marketing-consent checkbox: Israeli anti-spam law requires prior consent for promotional follow-ups by SMS or email
Payments, prices and delivery
-
Prices in shekels, including 18% VAT
-
Card instalments (tashlumim) for larger purchases
-
Precise delivery times, shipping charges stated before checkout, and clarity about who pays any duties
-
A Hebrew returns policy, one click away
Social proof that speaks to the right audience
French reviews reassure French-speaking customers, but are less persuasive for Hebrew speakers. Prioritise local reviews, real photos and Israeli references.
Accessibility is a requirement, not an option
In Israel, website accessibility is governed by the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law and its 2013 regulations. The reference standard, IS 5568, is based on WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
In practice: sufficient contrast, keyboard navigation, alternative text, labelled forms and an accessibility statement. Ask a local legal adviser to assess your obligations.
Speed and tracking
-
Test on mobile over 4G, not the office Wi-Fi
-
Track form submissions, WhatsApp clicks and call clicks separately
-
Include the language in your UTM parameters so you can compare page versions reliably
Further reading
Sources
-
EqualWeb — Israeli Standard 5568 (IS 5568), reference sheet
https://www.equalweb.com/platform/standards/is-5568.html -
Sovos — Israel: VAT Rate Increase to 18% from January 1, 2025 (December 2024)
https://sovos.com/regulatory-updates/vat/israel-vat-rate-increase-to-18-from-january-1-2025/ -
The Jerusalem Post — Spam messages: Israel's laws and what you should do (2022)
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-710210
