The verdict in three sentences
At Cote d'Ivoire's second port, an import-export client picks the forwarder who inspires trust before the first call: clear rates, shipment tracking and a quote form. A well-built bilingual FR/EN site lifts quote requests by 35 % and cuts quote response time from 48 h to 6 h. The choice is between a 7-page corporate brochure site (450,000 to 700,000 FCFA) and a platform with client portal and container tracking (1,500,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA).
Corporate brochure or platform with client portal: which to choose?
It all depends on your case volume. Below a few dozen cases/month, a credible brochure site is enough to capture leads. Beyond that, a client portal with container tracking makes the difference and builds loyalty.
| Criterion (2026) | 7-page corporate site | Platform + client portal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 450,000 - 700,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Delivery time | 12 - 15 days | 30 - 45 days |
| Bilingual FR/EN | included | included |
| Quote form | yes | yes, advanced |
| Shipment / container tracking | no | yes, real-time |
| Secure client portal | no | yes |
| Customs fee simulator | option | built-in |
| Hosting / month | 35,000 - 60,000 FCFA | 35,000 - 60,000 FCFA |
Bilingual FR/EN is not a luxury: about 70 % of export clients read English. A French-only site shuts the door on international traders passing through San-Pedro.
What the website changes in your numbers
A forwarder does not sell a design, it sells measurable reliability. Here is the typical impact of a professional site on the business.
| Indicator | Before site | After site |
|---|---|---|
| Quote requests / month | baseline | +35 % |
| Quote response time | 48 h | 6 h |
| "Where is my container?" calls | many | -50 % (online tracking) |
| International clients reached | low | EN unlocks diaspora and export |
| Core Web Vitals | uncontrolled | > 90 (fast on 3G) |
| Image vs competitor with no site | ordinary | credible and premium |
Mini case study
Koffi runs a forwarding firm in San-Pedro, about 40 cases/month. Before, he answered quote requests by phone, with an average 48 h delay, and lost impatient clients.
He invests in a corporate brochure site at 600,000 FCFA (bilingual, online quoting, hosting 45,000 FCFA/month). Result over 3 months: +35 % requests, about 14 extra requests/month, and a response time cut to 6 h. If he converts even 4 of those new requests at an average margin of 150,000 FCFA, that is 600,000 FCFA/month in added margin: the site pays for itself in one month.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much is a forwarder website in San-Pedro in 2026?
From 450,000 to 700,000 FCFA for a bilingual 7-page corporate site, and from 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a platform with client portal and container tracking.
Is bilingual FR/EN really necessary?
Yes. About 70 % of export clients read English. Without an EN version, you lose the international traders and diaspora passing through the port.
How long to launch the site?
12 to 15 days for the corporate brochure, 30 to 45 days for the platform with secure client portal and real-time shipment tracking.
Can a customs fee simulator be added?
Yes. It is an option on the brochure site and built-in on the platform, reassuring the client and reducing quote back-and-forth.
Will the site be fast despite a 3G connection?
Yes, we aim for Core Web Vitals > 90 with optimized images, for fast loading even on weak mobile networks.
Let's talk about your project. We price your bilingual forwarding site with quoting and shipment tracking. 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.
