The verdict in three sentences
Being a web business referrer means selling the introduction, not the code: you open a door, the agency builds and invoices, you collect a percentage. With Kolonell, a Starter website at 250,000 FCFA pays a 37,500 FCFA commission (15 %) plus 5 % recurring on maintenance for as long as the client stays. In Kampala, targeting three website sign-ups a month is 112,500 FCFA in immediate commissions plus a recurring stock that compounds month after month.
What a referrer actually earns
The job fits in one sentence: you know shopkeepers, clinics, schools; they need a website; you introduce them to an agency that delivers serious work. No stock, no premises, no line of code. Your only raw material is your address book and your ability to explain an offer in 30 seconds.
| Contract type | 2026 client price | Referrer rate | Upfront commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website Starter | 250,000 FCFA | 15 % | 37,500 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
| Website Growth | 500,000 FCFA | 15 % | 75,000 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
| Website Premium | 1,200,000 FCFA | 15 % | 180,000 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
| E-commerce Starter | 1,000,000 FCFA | 12 % | 120,000 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
| Marketplace Starter | 2,500,000 FCFA | 10 % | 250,000 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
| Institutional Standard | 5,000,000 FCFA | 8 % | 400,000 FCFA | 5 % maintenance |
Recurring income is the detail beginners underestimate. An average maintenance plan of 50,000 FCFA/month pays you 2,500 FCFA/month passively per client, as long as they stay. Ten loyal clients is already 25,000 FCFA/month with no new prospecting (2026 order of magnitude).
The 5 steps to start in Kampala
No need to formalize everything on day one. Here is the realistic sequence, from first contact to first payout.
| Step | Action | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Status | Start informally, register once past 3M FCFA/year | 0 to 72h | 0 to 45,000 FCFA |
| 2. Target | List 30 SMEs with no website (shops, clinics, schools) | 1 week | 0 |
| 3. 30s pitch | One clear message + a personalized demo link | 1 day | 0 |
| 4. Follow-up | Nudge, pass the lead to the agency, lock it | ongoing | 0 |
| 5. Payout | Receive commission via mobile money on signing | 24-72h | 0 |
The 30-second pitch drives 80 % of the result: “Your competitor shows up on Google, you don't. An agency can put you online in 10 days from 250,000 FCFA, mobile money included. Want a demo in your own name?”
Mini case study
Halima, a teacher in Kampala, becomes a part-time referrer. Month 1: she signs 3 Starter websites (250,000 FCFA each) = 112,500 FCFA in commissions. Each client takes maintenance at 50,000 FCFA/month, adding 7,500 FCFA/month of recurring income. If she keeps this pace and retains 90 % of clients, after 12 months she has signed ~32 clients: cumulative upfront commissions ~1.3M FCFA plus a monthly recurring stream above 70,000 FCFA/month. Cumulative total over 12 months: close to 1.8M FCFA (estimate).
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The Kolonell referral program
Kolonell formalizes this role with a clear business-referrer program and public rates by service tier:
- Website: 15 % + 5 % recurring on maintenance.
- E-commerce: 12 % of the contract.
- Marketplace: 10 % (tickets 2.5 to 12M FCFA).
- Institutional: 8 % (tickets 5 to 25M FCFA and up).
You stay independent, you pick your targets, the agency delivers and pays on signing via mobile money. It's the fastest way to monetize a network without investing a franc.
FAQ
Do I need technical skills to be a referrer? No. You sell an introduction, not a website. A personalized demo link for your prospect is enough; the agency handles all the technical work and payments.
How much can I really earn in the first year? With 3 website sign-ups/month and 90 % retention, a referrer in Kampala targets ~1.8M FCFA cumulative over 12 months across upfront and recurring (estimate, Starter base 250,000 FCFA).
When do I get paid? When the client signs the contract. Payout happens within 24 to 72h via mobile money, without waiting for project completion.
Do I need to register a company right away? No. You can start informally. Registration becomes worthwhile past roughly 3M FCFA in commissions per year, to deduct expenses and gain credibility.
Can I combine this with a job? Yes, most referrers start part-time. Client follow-up takes a few hours a week; the agency absorbs the production workload.
Let's talk about your project. Join the Kolonell referral program and turn your address book into recurring income. 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.
