The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, the real risk isn't overpaying — it's paying 600,000 FCFA for a site that's never delivered, with no contract and no code ownership. The three criteria that best predict success are a real, verifiable portfolio, Wave/Orange Money payment expertise, and a clear contract with a written brief. Everything else — timelines, local SEO, after-sales — can be checked by asking five precise questions before you sign.
The 10 selection criteria, scored
Each criterion carries different weight. Here is a 100-point scoring grid you can fill in for every agency you meet.
| Criterion | Weight | How to verify | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real, live portfolio | 15 | Clickable URLs, sites in production | Screenshots only, no link |
| Reachable local references | 12 | Call 1-2 Senegalese clients | No contact allowed |
| Wave / Orange Money expertise | 12 | Demo of a real checkout | "We'll see later" |
| Mobile / 3G performance | 10 | PageSpeed score > 80 on mobile | Heavy site, > 4 s load |
| Local SEO (Dakar, Senegal) | 10 | Ranking on "web agency Dakar" | No notion of keywords |
| Contract + written brief | 10 | Signed document before deposit | Verbal agreement only |
| Code and access ownership | 8 | Written clause, Git/hosting access | Code "locked" at the agency |
| Transparent FCFA pricing | 8 | Line-by-line quote | Vague lump sum |
| Written committed deadlines | 8 | Dated schedule, late penalties | "A few weeks" |
| Warranty and after-sales | 7 | 1-3 month warranty period | No follow-up included |
An agency scoring above 75/100 deserves your trust. Below 50, walk away.
2026 market prices and red flags
The ranges below reflect the 2026 order of magnitude in Dakar for a professional showcase site, excluding e-commerce.
| Provider type | Showcase price (FCFA) | Average delay | Usual deposit | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior freelancer | 100,000 - 250,000 | 2-6 weeks | 50% | Availability, support |
| Senior freelancer | 250,000 - 500,000 | 1-3 weeks | 40-50% | Limited capacity |
| Small agency | 400,000 - 900,000 | 1-2 weeks | 30-40% | Subcontracting |
| Established agency | 700,000 - 1,200,000 | 5-15 days | 30-50% | Cost |
Three recurring red flags in 2026: a 70-100% deposit demanded upfront, no written contract, and refusal to hand over code and access ownership (domain name, hosting, Git account). A 30-50% deposit is the healthy norm.
Mini case study
Fatou, who runs a beauty salon in Mermoz, gets three quotes for her showcase site: 180,000 FCFA (freelancer, no contract, 100% deposit), 450,000 FCFA (small agency, contract, Wave demo) and 950,000 FCFA (premium agency). She applies the grid: the freelancer scores 38/100 (no contract, no code ownership), the small agency 79/100, the premium one 84/100. She picks the small agency at 450,000 FCFA: a 500,000 FCFA gap with the premium option for a nearly identical score, and she avoids the freelancer trap who could have vanished with her 180,000 FCFA deposit.
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FAQ
What deposit is reasonable for a website in Dakar?
A 30-50% deposit at signing is the 2026 norm. Above 50%, demand a contract and a payment schedule; above 70%, treat it as a major red flag.
How do I check that a portfolio is real?
Ask for the live URLs and click them from your phone. A genuine portfolio shows 3 to 5 sites online, loading in under 3 seconds, with at least one Senegalese reference reachable by phone.
Does the site's code automatically belong to me?
No, not without a written clause. Demand ownership of the code, domain name and hosting access in the contract: without it, switching agencies can cost 200,000 to 500,000 FCFA to rebuild.
Should an agency handle Wave and Orange Money?
If you sell online, yes: it's worth 12 points out of 100. Ask for a demo of a real checkout, because integrating confirmation webhooks is what separates an amateur from a professional.
How long for a showcase site?
Expect 5 to 15 working days for an established agency, provided you supply your content on time. The main cause of delay isn't the agency but the client's validation and text/photo delivery.
Let's talk about your project. At Kolonell, you get a clear contract, guaranteed code ownership and a Wave demo before signing. 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.
