The verdict in three sentences
A 50,000 FCFA website looks like a bargain, but it hides the absence of domain ownership, maintenance and SEO. In Nairobi in 2026, it often takes a 600,000 FCFA rebuild, six months of lost search ranking and 40 hours of your time to repair the damage. The total cost of ownership is multiplied by 3 compared with a site done right the first time.
What the rock-bottom price doesn't show
The low-cost quote omits essential items that resurface later, at the worst moment.
| Item | Low-cost site 50,000 FCFA | Professional site |
|---|---|---|
| Domain ownership | often in the freelancer's name | in your name |
| Source code access | rarely provided | provided |
| Maintenance | none | contractual |
| Basic SEO | absent | included |
| Backups | none | automatic |
| Post-delivery support | none | 3 to 12 months |
| Project abandonment rate | about 35 % | low |
The real total cost calculation
Let's add up what the low-cost route really costs, from first payment to rebuild.
| Line | Amount FCFA |
|---|---|
| Initial low-cost site | 50,000 |
| Professional rebuild | 600,000 |
| SEO to rebuild (6 months) | 450,000 |
| Domain buyback/transfer | 30,000 |
| Time lost (40 h at 5,000 FCFA) | 200,000 |
| Real total | 1,330,000 |
Against a Growth site done right at 500,000 FCFA, low-cost comes out to about 2.6 times more expensive, not counting sales lost during the outage.
Mini case study
Aminata, a pastry chef in Nairobi, pays a freelancer 50,000 FCFA. Six months later, the freelancer vanishes, the domain is in his name and the site goes down. Aminata has to redo everything: rebuild 600,000 FCFA, SEO 450,000 FCFA, plus 40 hours lost valued at 200,000 FCFA. Total: 1,250,000 FCFA, versus 500,000 FCFA had she chosen a professional site from the start. "Cheap" cost her 750,000 FCFA too much.
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| Track | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure | 15 % | 5 % |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | per contract |
| Institutional | 8 % | per contract |
A brochure rebuild signed at 600,000 FCFA earns you 15 %, or 90,000 FCFA, plus 5 % recurring on maintenance.
FAQ
Why is a 50,000 FCFA site risky? Because it omits domain, maintenance and SEO. In about 35 % of cases the project is abandoned, and the rebuild reaches 600,000 FCFA.
Who should own my domain name? You, always. A domain in the freelancer's name holds you hostage and costs up to 30,000 FCFA to recover.
How long to recover my SEO after an outage? Count about 6 months to rebuild lost ranking, a real if unquantified loss of sales.
Can a cheap site ever be enough? Rarely beyond a single presentation page. As soon as there is content, SEO or payments, the real total cost exceeds a professional site.
Let's talk about your project. Avoid the low-cost trap, we cost your real total for free. 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.
