The verdict in three sentences
Car dealerships and used-vehicle sellers have a high average ticket and a pressing need for an online catalog with live inventory and WhatsApp lead generation. For a referral partner, this is a vertical with a short sales cycle (3 to 6 weeks) and a comfortable commission: 75,000 to 240,000 FCFA per deal depending on project type. The right move: pitch a premium showcase when the need is credibility, a catalog e-commerce when inventory turns fast.
Why this vertical converts fast
A vehicle seller loses buyers every day for lack of a credible storefront. Photos sit buried in WhatsApp, inventory is visible nowhere, and a serious buyer will not drive 20 km without seeing the vehicle first. The sales trigger is simple: a site that displays inventory with price, mileage, year and a "Reserve on WhatsApp" button. The financing angle (installments, banking partner) adds an immediate reason to buy.
For a referral partner, three angles work in a meeting: structured inventory photos (no more unreadable WhatsApp albums), financing put forward, and lead capture replacing word of mouth. A dealer rarely stalls: either they see the value in 20 minutes, or they don't.
Showcase or e-commerce: what the partner earns
The Kolonell referral scale rewards the partner on the signed project amount, plus a recurring share on maintenance for showcase projects. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for this vertical.
| Project type | 2026 project price (FCFA) | Partner rate | One-shot commission (FCFA) | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter showcase (dealership) | 500,000 | 15% | 75,000 | 5% maintenance |
| Growth showcase (catalog + leads) | 800,000 | 15% | 120,000 | 5% maintenance |
| Premium showcase (live inventory) | 1,200,000 | 15% | 180,000 | 5% maintenance |
| Vehicle catalog e-commerce | 2,000,000 | 12% | 240,000 | 5% maintenance |
| Growth multi-branch e-commerce | 3,000,000 | 12% | 360,000 | 5% maintenance |
The showcase pays better as a percentage (15% vs 12%), but e-commerce pushes the absolute amount higher. A smart partner first qualifies inventory volume: fewer than 30 vehicles and a credibility need, go showcase; fast rotation and a desire to sell online, go e-commerce.
The Kolonell referral program in one table
Becoming a partner costs nothing: you introduce a client, Kolonell delivers, you get paid. Here is the full scale by division.
| Division | Partner rate | Recurring | 2026 sample ticket (FCFA) | Commission (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15% | + 5% maintenance | 800,000 | 120,000 |
| E-commerce | 12% | — | 2,000,000 | 240,000 |
| Marketplace | 10% | — | 6,000,000 | 600,000 |
| Institutional | 8% | — | 10,000,000 | 800,000 |
The recurring share on showcases (5% of monthly maintenance) turns a one-off deal into small passive income as long as the client stays. Across a portfolio of dealers, it adds up.
Mini case study
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Moussa, an independent sales rep in Thiès, knows three used-vehicle dealers. He introduces Kolonell to the first, who signs a Growth showcase at 800,000 FCFA: immediate commission of 120,000 FCFA (15%). The client takes maintenance at 80,000 FCFA/month: Moussa earns 4,000 FCFA/month (5%) while the contract runs, i.e. 48,000 FCFA over a year. The second dealer, high volume, goes for a catalog e-commerce at 2,000,000 FCFA: 240,000 FCFA commission. In one quarter, over two deals, Moussa collects 360,000 FCFA + 48,000 FCFA recurring per year, without writing a line of code.
FAQ
How much does a partner earn on a dealership site?
Between 75,000 FCFA (Starter showcase at 500,000 FCFA) and 360,000 FCFA (e-commerce at 3,000,000 FCFA). The showcase adds 5% of monthly maintenance as recurring, typically 2,500 to 7,500 FCFA/month.
Do you need technical skills to be a partner?
No. You identify the need and introduce the client; Kolonell handles the quote, development, delivery and support. Your work ends at the qualified introduction.
What is the sales cycle for this vertical?
Short: 3 to 6 weeks on average for a dealership, because the need (show inventory, capture leads) is immediate and the return on investment is obvious.
Showcase or e-commerce, what should you pitch first?
Qualify the inventory. Fewer than 30 vehicles and a credibility need: showcase (15%). Fast rotation and online sales wanted: catalog e-commerce (12%, but higher ticket).
When is the partner paid?
At signing and first project collection for the one-shot share, then monthly for the recurring maintenance share on showcase projects.
Let's talk about your project. Join the Kolonell referral partner program — 15% on showcases (+ 5% recurring), 12% e-commerce, 10% marketplace, 8% institutional — and turn your network into 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.
