The verdict in three sentences
In Kaolack, many traders pay for a website without knowing what they are buying, then find out a year later that the domain name is not in their name or that the hosting has expired. Understanding the basics (server, domain, hosting, HTML page) takes a few hours and avoids mistakes that cost far more. The course Discover code: understand how a website works, level 1 Beginner, taught in French, covers it in 6 hours for 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), with your first page published online.
What you really pay for when you buy a website
A website rests on a few simple building blocks. Here is what each one means, with 2026 ballpark figures in Senegal:
| Building block | What it does | Typical cost | Common trap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain name (e.g. myshop.sn or .com) | Your site's address | About 10,000 FCFA a year | Registered in the provider's name, not yours |
| Hosting | The computer (server) that keeps your pages online | 20,000 to 80,000 FCFA a year for a small site | Not renewed, the site disappears |
| HTML and CSS pages | Content and layout | Included in the build | Impossible to edit without the provider |
| Security certificate (the https padlock) | Protects data exchange | Often free | Missing, browser shows “not secure” |
| Professional email address | contact@myshop.sn | 0 to 30,000 FCFA a year | Never set up |
| Building a local showcase site | Page design | 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA | Vague quote with no breakdown |
With these basics, you ask your provider the right questions: whose name is the domain in? Who pays for hosting next year? Can I change my prices myself? Those three questions are often enough to avoid a bad contract.
What you learn in 6 hours
The course is designed for someone who has never written a line of code, on a computer or even a phone.
| Step | Content | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A page's journey | What happens between your phone and a server | Explain domain, server and hosting |
| 2. HTML | Headings, paragraphs, images, links | Write a simple page by hand |
| 3. CSS | Colours, fonts, layout | Give the page a clean look |
| 4. Going live | Publish your page for free | Share a working link |
| 5. The developer job | What developers do, how they are paid | Decide whether to go further |
| Certificate | Verifiable certificate | Show it to an employer or client |
This is level 1 of the Web development track. If you enjoy it, the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA. Payment is by Wave or Orange Money.
Comparing ways to learn
| Option | Cost | Duration | Advantage | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA | Varies | Free | Often in English, no clear path |
| Classes at a cybercafe or training centre in Kaolack | 30,000 to 100,000 FCFA | 1 to 4 weeks | In person | Fixed hours, variable content |
| Free international online certificate | 0 FCFA, certificate sometimes paid | 10 to 40 h | Recognised | Long for a busy beginner |
| Kolonell Discover code course (level 1 Beginner) | 25,000 FCFA | 6 h | First page online, in French, verifiable certificate | Introduction, not a full trade |
Mini case study
Modou, 31, runs a spare parts shop near Kaolack's central market. A provider offers him a website for 350,000 FCFA, plus 60,000 FCFA a year in “fees”.
After the 6-hour course, he asks his questions and finds out that:
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- the domain was going to be registered in the provider's name: he insists it be in his own name, for about 10,000 FCFA a year;
- the “fees” covered hosting of about 25,000 FCFA and maintenance with no clear content: he negotiates a written breakdown.
He gets the same site with 25,000 FCFA less in annual fees. Over three years, he saves 75,000 FCFA, three times the price of the course. Above all, he keeps ownership of his web address if he changes provider. Savings vary from case to case, but the habit of checking stays with you.
FAQ
Do I need a computer?
It is better for writing code comfortably, but most of it can be followed on a smartphone. The 6 hours can be spread over a week.
Will I be able to build my shop's website after this course?
You will build a first simple page and publish it online. For a full site with a catalogue, you need the next levels of the track, or a provider you will now know how to assess.
How much does a domain name cost in Senegal?
As a 2026 ballpark, about 10,000 FCFA a year for a .com or .sn depending on the registrar. Always check it is registered in your name.
Can this course lead to a job?
It is an entry point. A junior web developer in Senegal earns, as a ballpark, 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA a month after several months of practice and the next levels. No income is guaranteed.
How do I pay?
25,000 FCFA by Wave or Orange Money, with a verifiable certificate at the end.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover code: understand how a website works: 6 hours online, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA, verifiable certificate. 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.
