The verdict in three sentences
For a freight forwarding and customs agency, a website that generates qualified quote requests and shows the status of a shipment file costs 2,800,000 to 6,500,000 FCFA (about EUR 4,270 to 9,910) in 2026 on our West and Central African projects; Singapore agencies typically quote 2 to 3 times more for the same scope. File-number tracking is the feature that pays for the project: it cuts customer service calls by about 30%. Allow 8 to 10 weeks from scoping to launch, including 2 weeks spent on the status update workflow.
Three project levels and their price
The budget depends mainly on how file statuses are fed: manual entry by the team, Excel import, or a connection to the existing forwarding software.
| Level | 2026 price (FCFA ex. VAT) | Key features | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website + quote | 2,800,000 to 3,500,000 | 10 to 15 pages, multi-step quote form, WhatsApp, FR/EN | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Quote + manual tracking | 3,500,000 to 4,800,000 | Tracking by file number, status entry back office, email/SMS alerts | 8 weeks |
| Quote + connected tracking | 4,800,000 to 6,500,000 | Automatic import from forwarding software or Excel, client portal, file history | 9 to 10 weeks |
| Option: indicative calculator | 400,000 to 900,000 | Freight + port charges estimate by container type | +1 to 2 weeks |
| Option: full English translation | 300,000 to 600,000 | Service pages and forms in English | +1 week |
| Monthly maintenance | 75,000 to 150,000 / month | Updates, backups, status support | Ongoing |
The multi-step quote form
Forwarders receive many incomplete requests: no weight, no Incoterm, no origin port. A 4-step form (import/export flow, goods and approximate HS code, FCL or LCL with weight and volume, contact details) filters these requests and saves one email round trip out of two. Well-chosen mandatory fields matter more than design.
| Form field | Value for the quoting team | Observed completion rate |
|---|---|---|
| Import or export | Routes to the right desk | 100% (mandatory) |
| Origin port or airport | Freight calculation | 95% |
| Type: 20', 40', LCL, air | Rate basis | 95% |
| Estimated weight and volume | LCL pricing | 70 to 80% |
| Incoterm (FOB, CIF, EXW) | Service scope | 50 to 60% with contextual help |
| Nature of goods | Duties, customs regime | 85% |
| Attachment (proforma invoice) | Faster firm quote | 30 to 40% |
Shipment tracking by file number
The client enters a file number and sees a status timeline: documents received, customs declaration filed, duties assessed, release order, delivery. Each status change triggers an email or SMS. The critical point is not technical: you must name who updates the statuses and when. Without internal discipline the page shows stale information and the calls come back. Plan on 15 to 25 SMS per file as a ballpark, about 300 to 600 FCFA per file through a local aggregator.
Mini case study
Mr Ngono runs an 18-person forwarder at the port of Douala handling 220 files a month. His customer service gets about 40 calls a day, 60% of them asking "where is my container". He invests 4,500,000 FCFA in a site with quotes and manual tracking. After three months, calls drop to 28 a day, 30% fewer. At 4 minutes per call, the team saves about 50 minutes a day, close to 18 hours a month redirected to quote follow-ups. With 6 extra quotes converted per month at an average margin of 150,000 FCFA, the site pays for itself in about 5 months.
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FAQ
How much does a freight forwarder website cost?
In 2026 on our projects, budget 2,800,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA for a website with quotes, and up to 6,500,000 FCFA with tracking connected to the forwarding software. Maintenance adds 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month.
Can tracking connect to our forwarding software?
Yes if the software can export (Excel, CSV or API). An hourly scheduled import is enough in 80% of cases and costs less than a real-time API.
Should freight rates be displayed on the site?
No, rates move too fast. An indicative calculator labelled "non-binding estimate" can work, for 400,000 to 900,000 FCFA as an option.
Does the site need to be in English?
For a forwarder working with Nigeria, China, Singapore or Europe, yes: the English version costs 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA and also reaches English-speaking clients.
How long until launch?
Eight to ten weeks, including 2 weeks testing the status workflow with the operations team on 20 to 30 real files.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your monthly file volume and forwarding software: we will price the site, quote form and tracking you need, with an 8 to 10 week plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
