The verdict in three sentences
A hotel that depends solely on Booking and Expedia hands 15 to 20% of every reservation to the platforms. A site with a direct booking engine and deposit payment in Wave or Orange Money reclaims that margin and builds customer loyalty. For 800,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA, a hotel in Saly turns its site into its most profitable sales channel.
The real cost of booking platforms
Booking brings volume, but at a high price and without a lasting customer relationship. Comparing the real cost per channel makes the case for investing in an owned site immediately clear.
| Channel | Commission / cost | Acquisition cost (40,000 FCFA night) | Hotel net margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | 15 to 18% | 6,000 to 7,200 FCFA | Low |
| Expedia | 15 to 20% | 6,000 to 8,000 FCFA | Low |
| Travel agency | 10 to 15% | 4,000 to 6,000 FCFA | Medium |
| Site + direct booking | 2 to 4% (payment) | 800 to 1,600 FCFA | High |
| Phone / WhatsApp | 0% | Staff time | High but not scalable |
Budget, booking engine and local SEO
The booking engine must show real-time availability, handle seasonal rates and collect a deposit. SEO for "hotel Saly" and "where to stay in Saly" captures travelers who would otherwise go straight to Booking.
| Level | Budget (FCFA) | Timeline | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel showcase + gallery | 800,000 | 10 to 14 d | Rooms, services, contact, map |
| Direct booking + deposit | 1,400,000 | 18 to 25 d | Real-time engine, Wave/OM payment |
| Premium hotel + multilingual | 2,000,000 | 25 to 35 d | Booking, PMS, FR/EN, deep SEO |
Mini case study
A 20-room hotel in Saly fills 60% of its rooms via Booking, roughly 3,600 nights a year at 40,000 FCFA, at 16% commission. That is nearly 23 million FCFA flowing through the platform and about 3.7 million FCFA in annual commission. By shifting just half of those reservations to its direct site (a 1,400,000 FCFA site), the hotel saves close to 1.85 million FCFA in the first year and more afterward, while capturing customer contact details for loyalty.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How much does a hotel website with direct booking cost?
From 800,000 FCFA for a showcase to 2,000,000 FCFA for a premium multilingual site with PMS. The direct booking + deposit version runs around 1,400,000 FCFA.
Can we collect a deposit in mobile money?
Yes. The engine can require a deposit via Wave or Orange Money to confirm the booking, which sharply reduces no-shows and secures cash flow.
Should we leave Booking?
No, it remains a useful acquisition channel. The goal is to rebalance: shift part of the reservations to the direct site to save on commission and retain repeat customers.
How long until the site is ready?
A showcase takes 10 to 14 days. A site with a booking engine and payment needs 18 to 25 days, up to 35 days for the premium multilingual version.
Is local SEO useful for a hotel in Saly?
Yes. Ranking for "hotel Saly", "Petite Côte stay" or "weekend in Saly" captures high-intent travelers and reduces dependence on paid platforms.
Let's talk about your project. We equip your hotel with a direct booking engine and deposit payment to reclaim your margin. 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.
