The verdict in three sentences
A wholesaler doesn't sell like a retailer: its customers are craftsmen and construction sites wanting a negotiated price and a quote, not a "Buy" button. The right tool is a B2B catalog with category search, price-on-login and a PDF quote generated from the cart. Budget 400,000 to 600,000 FCFA for an 8-page showcase, or 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA for a real B2B catalog of 300+ SKUs.
8-page showcase or B2B catalog: what really changes
The classic trap: ordering a consumer e-commerce when your customers order in batches and want a signed quote. Here is the comparison tailored to a Kaolack hardware store in 2026.
| Criterion | 8-page showcase | B2B catalog |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 price | 400,000 - 600,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 - 1,800,000 FCFA |
| Delivery time | 10 - 14 days | 25 - 35 days |
| Product references | Selection (~30) | 300 - 800 SKU |
| Category search | Limited | Yes (< 1 s) |
| Price-on-login (B2B) | No | Yes (reserved pro pricing) |
| Cart quote request | No | Yes (auto PDF quote) |
| B2B average cart tracking | No | Yes |
| Quote requests | Baseline | +25% |
To exist and show a few ranges, the showcase is enough. Once you manage hundreds of references and per-customer pricing, the B2B catalog becomes the sales tool.
Performance and local SEO
Your customers search "hardware wholesaler Kaolack" or a specific product from their site, often on 3G. A slow or poorly indexed catalog won't surface in Google.
| 2026 metric | Target | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse | 92+ | Good ranking |
| Category search | < 1 s | Faster quotes |
| Monthly hosting | 30,000 - 50,000 FCFA | CDN + backups |
| Managed catalog | 300 - 800 SKU | Full range online |
| PDF quote | Auto generation | Sales time saved |
| Quote requests | +25% | More sites captured |
Mini case study
Seydou runs a hardware wholesaler in Kaolack with 520 references. On his current catalog (a photo binder shared on WhatsApp), he gets 20 quote requests per month. Switching to a 1,500,000 FCFA B2B catalog with PDF quotes, his requests rise 25% to about 25 per month, and each quote is generated in 2 minutes instead of 20. If he converts 3 extra sites per month at 300,000 FCFA average margin, the tool pays back in under 2 months.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Why not a classic e-commerce for my hardware store?
Your B2B customers want a negotiated price and a quote, not immediate payment. The B2B catalog with cart-based quote requests fits this sales flow, unlike consumer e-commerce.
How many references can I put online?
A B2B catalog comfortably handles 300 to 800 SKUs in 2026, with category search under one second and pro pricing reserved for logged-in customers.
Is the PDF quote automatic?
Yes. The customer fills their cart, the site generates a ready-to-approve PDF quote, cutting sales time from 20 minutes to 2 minutes per quote.
How long to deliver the B2B catalog?
Budget 25 to 35 business days for a catalog of several hundred references, versus 10 to 14 days for an 8-page showcase.
What hosting should I plan?
Between 30,000 and 50,000 FCFA per month in 2026, including CDN, SSL and backups, to hold a dense catalog on 3G.
Let's talk about your project. We'll frame showcase or B2B catalog based on your reference count and sales flow. 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.
