The verdict in three sentences
"It's too expensive" is almost never a refusal, but a request for justification. The winning reply brings the price down to the cost of a single won client: a showcase at 250,000 FCFA pays back with 3 to 5 orders. With payment in 2-3 instalments and a quantified ROI, the partner turns the objection into a signature — and collects their 15 % commission.
Reframing price as an investment
The secret is never to defend the price, but to compare it to the gain. A site is not an expense, it's an asset that works 24/7.
| Price objection | Quantified reframe | Result |
|---|---|---|
| "250,000 FCFA is too much" | "3-5 orders at 60,000 FCFA pay it back" | Price relativised |
| "I don't have the budget" | "Payment in 3: 83,000 FCFA/month" | Barrier removed |
| "Facebook is enough for me" | "Google Maps + site = 40 % more visibility" | Doubt planted |
| "It won't bring anything" | "Average ROI: x2-x3 in 6 months on a showcase" | Confidence built |
| "My neighbour did it cheaper" | "Pro design + Wave payment, not a free template" | Value shown |
| "I'll look at it later" | "Every month without a site = lost clients" | Urgency created |
| "What if it doesn't work?" | "You keep the site for life, hosting included 1 year" | Risk reduced |
Quantifying the site's expected ROI
Nothing convinces better than a simple calculation done in front of the prospect. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude by pole.
| Pole | Price | Estimated monthly gain | Return on investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant showcase | 250,000 FCFA | +150,000 FCFA (5 tables/week) | < 2 months |
| Professional showcase | 500,000 FCFA | +200,000 FCFA (4 appointments/month) | ~2.5 months |
| E-commerce store | 1,000,000 FCFA | +400,000 FCFA (online sales) | ~2.5 months |
| E-commerce Growth | 2,000,000 FCFA | +800,000 FCFA | ~2.5 months |
These projections are average estimates: they vary by sector, but show that a well-built site generally pays back in 2 to 3 months. For the partner, every signature is worth 15 % on showcase, 12 % on e-commerce.
The instalment payment lever
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Payment in 2 or 3 instalments removes most budget objections. A 750,000 FCFA showcase paid in 3 becomes 250,000 FCFA/month — a digestible amount for an SME. Kolonell offers this staggering, which raises partners' closing rates without cutting their commission.
Mini case study
Khady, a referral partner in Dakar, pitches a beautician who finds the 500,000 FCFA "too expensive". Khady reframes: "How much do you earn per client? 15,000 FCFA. The site brings you 4 a month, i.e. 60,000 FCFA. It pays back in under 3 months, then it's pure profit." She offers payment in 3 at 167,000 FCFA/month. The beautician signs. Khady's 15 % commission: 75,000 FCFA, plus 5 % recurring on maintenance.
FAQ
Should you lower the price when the client hesitates? No, almost never. Lowering destroys your credibility and your commission; instead offer instalment payment or a lower tier (Starter at 250,000 FCFA instead of Growth).
How to answer "my neighbour did it for free"? Show the difference: a pro site with Wave payment, mobile design and Google ranking has nothing to do with a slow, invisible free template. Value justifies the price.
Is the quantified ROI credible? Yes if it stays cautious: announce low ranges and speak of an "estimate". An x2 ROI in 6 months is realistic and reassures without overselling.
What if the budget is genuinely absent? Steer toward the Starter tier at 250,000 FCFA with payment in 3. Better a small signed showcase than a large rejected quote — and your 15 % commission still applies.
Does the partner set the prices? No, they apply the Kolonell FCFA/EUR grid. This ensures consistency and protects your commission, calculated on the pole's official price.
Let's talk about your project. Join the Kolonell referral program: anti-objection scripts, instalment payment and up to 15 % commission per signature. 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.
