The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, a tourist searching for "restaurant Saint-Louis island" or "hotel Langue de Barbarie" first sees a map and three businesses, then calls one of them. The Google Business Profile listing that puts you on that map is free, and the "Get found on Google and Google Maps" course from Kolonell Academy costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) for 5 hours, versus 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA from a provider for the creation alone. If you run a shop, hotel or workshop, it is the most profitable marketing spend you can make this year.
Why Google Maps matters so much in Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis lives on tourism (jazz festival, UNESCO-listed island, Djoudj park), Gaston Berger University and a dense network of neighbourhood businesses in Sor, Guet Ndar or Balacoss. In all these cases, customers search on their phones, often as they arrive in town.
| 2026 indicator | Order of magnitude | What it implies |
|---|---|---|
| Share of local searches on mobile | About 60% | The listing must be readable on a phone |
| Businesses shown on the map | Top 3 results | Being 4th often means being invisible |
| 100% complete listings in Saint-Louis | A minority of businesses | Quick advantage for early movers |
| Cost of a Google listing | 0 FCFA | Only time is invested |
| Creation by a provider | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Without training, the listing stays static |
| Extra calls with a complete listing | 10 to 40 per month | Estimate built for the course |
Do it yourself, hire a provider or get trained
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Lead time | Result | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create the listing alone without method | 0 FCFA | 1 to 3 weeks | Often incomplete or duplicated listing | Misplaced pin, few reviews |
| Provider in Saint-Louis or Dakar | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks | Listing created | No follow-up on reviews or photos |
| Agency with monthly follow-up | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA/month | Ongoing | Managed listing | Annual cost of 300,000 FCFA or more |
| Kolonell Academy Google Maps course | 25,000 FCFA | 5 h, listing verified within a week | Complete listing, reviews, tracking | Requires 20 minutes per week |
The course is taught in French. It is level 1 (Beginner) of the Digital marketing and social media track and stands on its own. It includes 4 modules, 36 graded exercises on your own business and a final project reviewed by a trainer. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA. Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money.
What you set up during the course
| Step | Concrete action | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 5 target searches and analysis of competitors shown | 30 min |
| Creation or claim | Listing without duplicates, Google verification | 1 h |
| Map pin | Correct placement even without a street number | 15 min |
| 100% complete listing | Categories, hours, WhatsApp link, services with prices, 20 photos | 1 h 30 |
| Review collection | Standard WhatsApp message, 5 reviews in 2 weeks | 30 min then ongoing |
| Weekly tracking | Calls, directions, clicks, one action per week | 20 min/week |
Mini case study
Ndèye, 38, runs a 6-room guesthouse on Saint-Louis island at 25,000 FCFA per night. Her Google listing existed but was empty: no photos, wrong hours, 2 reviews.
After the course (25,000 FCFA, 5 hours over one week), her listing is complete, with 20 photos and 8 new reviews in a month. If the listing brings her just 2 extra nights per month, that is 50,000 FCFA: the course pays back in less than three weeks, without paying a provider 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA. This scenario is an illustration: no ranking or income is guaranteed.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need a website to appear on Google Maps?
No, a Google Business Profile listing works without a website. A smartphone and a Gmail account are enough, and a WhatsApp link can stand in for a website at first.
My business has no official address, is that a problem?
No, it is common in Saint-Louis as elsewhere in Senegal. The course shows how to place the pin exactly on your premises and describe access with 1 or 2 landmarks.
How long before I see results?
Verification usually takes a few days to 2 weeks. The first calls from the listing often appear within the month after it is completed, depending on competition in your sector.
Can I offer this service to other business owners?
Yes, the skill sells for around 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA per listing in Dakar in 2026 (order of magnitude). With 2 listings per month, the course pays back from the first client.
How do I pay?
The 25,000 FCFA fee is paid with Wave or Orange Money. Access opens upon confirmation.
Take the next step. Enroll in Get found on Google and Google Maps in your city: 5 hours, 25,000 FCFA, certificate verifiable online, taught in French. 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.
