The verdict in three sentences
For a trader or craftsperson in Kaolack, an online store costs far less than people think in 2026: 0 to 30,000 FCFA a month for the platform and 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA a year for a domain name, with photos taken on a phone. The real cost lies elsewhere: the time to fill the catalogue, connect mobile money payment, organise delivery and bring in visitors. A practical 20 h course helps avoid the mistakes that close most stores within their first three months.
Why move from WhatsApp to a real store
In Kaolack, sales of peanut paste, thiakry, dyed fabrics, soaps and shea butter mostly go through WhatsApp and the central market. WhatsApp works for loyal customers, but becomes unmanageable beyond 20 orders a week: prices asked again, lost photos, payments checked one by one. A store gives you a stable catalogue, a cart, Wave or Orange Money payment and a link to share with the diaspora.
| Criterion | WhatsApp sales only | Online store + WhatsApp |
|---|---|---|
| Response time per order | 10 to 20 min | 2 to 5 min |
| Browsable catalogue | 24 h status | Permanent, with prices and stock |
| Payment | Manual checking | Wave, Orange Money or card, confirmed |
| Diaspora customers | Hard to convince | Shareable link, prices shown |
| Visibility on Google | None | Indexable product pages |
| Sales tracking | Notebook or memory | Weekly dashboard |
What an online store costs in 2026
The figures below are 2026 market estimates for a small store with 20 to 100 products. They vary by platform and volume.
| Item | Indicative cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Platform (free to standard plans) | 0 to 30,000 FCFA | Per month |
| .com or .sn domain name | 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA | Per year |
| Mobile money payment fees | About 1% to 3% | Per transaction |
| Product photos (phone + white background) | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA of equipment | Once |
| Local delivery in Kaolack | 500 to 1,500 FCFA | Per parcel |
| Shipping to Dakar | 2,000 to 4,000 FCFA | Per parcel |
| Small Facebook or Instagram ads | 15,000 to 50,000 FCFA | Per month |
For a simple start, the first-year budget often stays between 150,000 and 450,000 FCFA, advertising included. Hiring an agency for a custom store is a different budget; to learn to build and run it yourself, the course is the most affordable starting point.
Training: options for a Kaolack trader
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Duration | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free video tutorials | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Variable | Poorly suited to mobile money and local delivery |
| One-off workshop at the chamber of commerce | 10,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 1 day | No follow-up on your store |
| In-person course in Dakar | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 3 to 10 days | Transport and lodging on top |
| Kolonell Academy, level 3 Online store | 75,000 FCFA | 20 h | Requires weekly practice |
| Full e-commerce track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | Several months of commitment |
The course Online store: build it, fill it and keep it running is level 3, 75,000 FCFA for 20 h, taught in French. You choose the platform, publish a real catalogue of 20 products, connect mobile money payment and delivery, attract your first visitors and run the store every week. The E-commerce and online selling track bundles the 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. Payment by Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative example: Fatou, 38, makes peanut paste and thiakry in Kaolack. She sells 60 jars a week on WhatsApp, with a margin of 700 FCFA per jar. She takes level 3 for 75,000 FCFA, paid with Wave, opens a store on a 15,000 FCFA monthly plan and buys a domain name for 12,000 FCFA a year. By sharing her link in diaspora and Dakar groups, she reaches 90 jars a week after two months. Gain: 30 jars × 700 FCFA × 4 weeks = 84,000 FCFA of extra margin per month. The course and the first month of platform are paid back in just over a month. This is an order of magnitude, not a sales promise.
FAQ
Do you need to code to create an online store?
No, current platforms are configured without code. The 20 h course shows each setting step by step, from catalogue to payment.
Can my store accept Wave and Orange Money payments?
Yes, several solutions let you collect by mobile money, with fees of about 1% to 3% per transaction depending on the provider. The course explains how to choose and connect the right one.
How many products do I need to open?
Twenty well-photographed products are enough to start. Better 20 complete listings with price, weight and delivery time than 100 empty ones.
How do I ship from Kaolack to Dakar?
Carriers and intercity buses often charge 2,000 to 4,000 FCFA per parcel. Showing this cost on the product page avoids drop-offs at checkout.
How much does the course cost?
Level 3 costs 75,000 FCFA for 20 h, payable by Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Online store: build it, fill it and keep it running: 20 h online, 75,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? 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.
