The verdict in three sentences
An artisan (carpenter, tailor, plumber, construction) without a portfolio website exists only by word of mouth and loses every customer searching on Google. A simple site with a work gallery, quote form, reviews and WhatsApp multiplies requests by 2 to 3 thanks to local SEO "trade + neighborhood". In 2026 this site costs between 250,000 and 500,000 FCFA and pays for itself with just 1 to 2 extra jobs.
The essentials of an artisan site that converts
The customer wants to see your work (before/after photos), read reviews, understand what you do, and request a quote with no friction. You do not need a complex site: you need visual proof, a WhatsApp button visible everywhere, and a clear quote form.
| Element | Why it is essential | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Work gallery | Visual proof sells better than words | +trust, +quotes |
| Quote form | Captures demand even off-hours | +30 to 50 % requests |
| Floating WhatsApp button | Preferred channel in Senegal | Fast reply, +conversion |
| Customer reviews | Reduces doubt | +contact rate |
| Local SEO "trade + neighborhood" | Captures Google search | Free qualified traffic |
Costs, timelines and local SEO
| Tier | Price (FCFA) | Timeline | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 250,000 – 350,000 | 5 to 8 days | Portfolio, services, reviews, WhatsApp, simple quote form |
| Growth | 400,000 – 500,000 | 8 to 12 days | + Detailed quote, SEO blog, gallery by category, optimized Google Business |
| Premium | 550,000 – 750,000 | 12 to 18 days | + Customer area, job tracking, booking, multilingual |
Local SEO relies on very concrete geo-targeted keywords: "carpenter Pikine", "custom tailor Médina", "emergency plumber Yoff", "tiler Guédiawaye". These queries have little competition and a high conversion rate because the intent is immediate.
Mini case study
Moussa is a carpenter in Pikine. Before his site he got 8 requests/month by word of mouth, converting 4 jobs at 120,000 FCFA on average.
- With a 300,000 FCFA Starter site + Google Business profile, he gets ~18 requests/month (SEO "carpenter Pikine" + WhatsApp), converting 7 jobs.
- Extra jobs: 3 × 120,000 = 360,000 FCFA/month of additional revenue.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
The site is paid back in the first month, and Google traffic keeps bringing requests with no recurring per-contact cost.
FAQ
Does an artisan really need a website?
Yes, as soon as potential customers search for you on Google and cannot find you, you lose jobs. A Starter site at 250,000 to 350,000 FCFA is often enough to capture that demand and pays back in 1 to 2 jobs.
Which keywords does a local artisan target?
"Trade + neighborhood" queries like "carpenter Pikine" or "tailor Médina", low competition and high intent. Paired with a Google Business profile they bring free traffic that converts well.
Is the quote form complicated for my customers?
No, it stays simple: name, type of need, optional photos, WhatsApp contact. The goal is to capture the request in under a minute, even at night or on weekends.
How long to get the site live?
A Starter site ships in 5 to 8 days if you provide your work photos and your list of services. The longest part is usually gathering good before/after photos.
Let's talk about your project. We build you a simple, effective artisan site that turns your word of mouth into quote requests on Google. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
