The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, a customer searching for "restaurant", "hardware store" or "pharmacy" on their phone almost always picks one of the top three businesses shown on Google Maps. The Google Business Profile listing is free, but a poorly filled one is useless, and paying a provider to create it costs 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA without teaching you how to maintain it. A short 5-hour course at 25,000 FCFA makes you independent to create, optimize and run your listing, with simple payment by Wave or Orange Money.
Why Google Maps matters so much for a business in Thiès
Thiès is a trading city: the central market, Avenue Léopold Sédar Senghor, the Randoulène, Médina Fall or Cité Lamy neighborhoods. Passing customers, transferred civil servants and travelers between Dakar and Touba use Google Maps to find a place to eat, repair a phone or buy supplies. According to 2026 estimates for Senegal, 60 to 70% of local searches happen on mobile, often with "near me".
| Indicator (2026 order of magnitude) | Business without a Google listing | Business with an optimized listing |
|---|---|---|
| Appears in "near me" | Rarely or never | Regularly within 1 to 3 km |
| Direct calls from Google | 0 | 5 to 30 per month depending on the trade |
| Direction requests | 0 | 20 to 100 per month |
| Visible customer reviews | None | 10 to 50 after 6 months of effort |
| Up-to-date hours and phone | No | Yes, editable in 2 minutes |
| Monthly cost | 0 FCFA | 0 FCFA (the listing stays free) |
These figures vary by sector and neighborhood, but the logic is the same: without a listing, you do not exist for the customer searching on their phone.
Train yourself or pay a provider: comparing the options
There are several ways to become visible on Google. The table below compares costs and what you actually keep control of.
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local provider creates the listing | 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA | 1 to 3 days | Nothing, you call them for every change |
| Agency with monthly follow-up | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA per month | Ongoing | Little, you depend on the provider |
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 FCFA | 5 to 15 scattered hours | Basics, with no method or certificate |
| In-person digital marketing training | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days | Broad, but not focused on Google Maps |
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 Essentials | 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) | 5 hours online | Create, verify, optimize and run your listing, certificate included |
The recommended course is Get found on Google and Google Maps in your city, taught in French, at level 1 Essentials, for 25,000 FCFA and 5 hours of content. It belongs to the Digital marketing and social media track: the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA if you want to go further later.
What you learn in 5 hours
| Module | Concrete content | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Creation and verification | Open the listing, choose the right category, validate the address | Active listing within a few days |
| Key information | Hours, phone, WhatsApp, service area | Fewer missed calls |
| Photos | Storefront, interior, products, team, 10 to 20 useful photos | More clicks to your listing |
| Customer reviews | Ask, reply, handle a negative review | A credible, reassuring rating |
| Google posts | Promotions, new products, events | A listing that stays active every week |
| Statistics | Read calls, directions and searches | Decide with numbers |
The course is designed for a shop owner who mostly uses a phone: no powerful computer or technical knowledge needed.
Mini case study
Moussa, 34, runs a small thiéboudienne and grill restaurant near the Thiès train station. He hesitates between paying a provider 50,000 FCFA to create his listing or taking the 25,000 FCFA course.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- He chooses the course: 25,000 FCFA, paid via Wave, saving 25,000 FCFA from the start.
- After 2 months of an optimized listing and reviews requested from regulars, he estimates 4 new tables per week coming from Google.
- With an average ticket of 3,000 FCFA per person and 2 people per table, that is roughly 24,000 FCFA of extra revenue per week.
- Payback: the course pays for itself in just over one week of additional sales, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
These amounts remain an estimate: results depend on service quality, photos and the number of reviews collected.
FAQ
Is the Google Business Profile listing really free?
Yes, creating and using the listing costs 0 FCFA. You only pay if you hire a provider, around 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA on average in Thiès in 2026.
Do I need a computer to take the course?
No, a smartphone and a 3G or 4G connection are enough for the 5 hours of lessons. Most actions on the listing can also be done from the phone.
How long before I appear on Google Maps?
Verification often takes a few days to 2 weeks. First calls usually arrive within 30 days if the listing is well filled with at least 10 photos.
How do I pay for the course?
Level 1 costs 25,000 FCFA, payable by Wave or Orange Money. The Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end of the course.
What comes after this first level?
You can continue in the Digital marketing and social media track. The 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA when taken together.
Take the next step. Enroll in Get found on Google and Google Maps in your city: 5 hours online, taught in French, 25,000 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.
