The verdict in three sentences
For a Dubai-based freight forwarder moving about 3,500 containers a year through Abidjan to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, a commercial website costs USD 6,000 to 12,000 in 2026 (about AED 22,000 to 44,000), delivered in 4 weeks. It must generate qualified quote requests by container type, present each corridor (Abidjan-Bamako, Abidjan-Ouagadougou) with transit times and documents, and reassure shippers with truck and inter-state transit tracking. A French version for West African consignees and built-in WhatsApp Business make the difference.
What a shipper looks for before handing you a container
A trader in Dubai, Guangzhou or Mumbai shipping goods to Bamako or Ouagadougou compares 3 or 4 forwarders. They want to know quickly: door-to-door time, required documents (declaration, ISRT transit document, bond, insurance), an indicative price and responsiveness. A site with no quote form and no visible WhatsApp number loses those requests to a competitor.
| Component | 2026 cost (USD excl. VAT) | Commercial impact |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and sitemap | 400 to 800 | Quote-driven user journey |
| Design and mobile version | 1,200 to 2,200 | 75 % of shippers browse on smartphones |
| Corridor pages (Bamako, Ouagadougou, Niamey) | 1,000 to 1,800 | Ranks on each corridor |
| Quote form by container type | 1,000 to 2,000 | Complete requests from first contact |
| Shipment tracking module | 1,200 to 2,800 | Fewer "where is my truck?" calls |
| French version | 600 to 1,200 | West African consignees |
| WhatsApp Business, SEO, go-live | 600 to 1,200 | Reply in under 15 minutes |
| Total | 6,000 to 12,000 |
Corridor pages and quote form
Each corridor deserves its own page, with the information shippers usually ask for on the phone. These pages rank on specific searches such as "Abidjan Bamako 40ft container transit".
| Corridor | Indicative distance | 2026 door-to-door time | Key points to show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abidjan-Bamako | about 1,150 km | 7 to 12 days | Pogo-Zégoua border, Malian documents |
| Abidjan-Ouagadougou | about 1,150 km | 6 to 10 days | Sitarail rail or road, Niangoloko border |
| Abidjan-Bobo-Dioulasso | about 800 km | 5 to 8 days | Bonded depot, clearance in Bobo |
| Abidjan-Niamey (via Ouagadougou) | about 1,650 km | 10 to 16 days | Double transit, escort depending on area |
| Abidjan-Sikasso | about 900 km | 6 to 9 days | Food cargo, seasonal delays |
The quote form asks for container type (20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC, reefer), cargo type, port of origin, final destination and expected arrival date. A complete request lets you reply in under 2 hours instead of 3 or 4 exchanges.
The tracking module can stay simple: a file number shows the current stage (vessel arrival, clearance, loading, border, delivery), updated by your team or synced with GPS trackers.
4-week schedule
| Week | Step | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scoping, corridor content, indicative rates | Sitemap and texts |
| 2 | Design and mobile mockups | Approved mockups |
| 3 | Development, form, tracking, WhatsApp | Staging site |
| 4 | French version, testing, go-live | Production site |
Then plan USD 60 to 130 per month for hosting and maintenance.
Mini case study
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Ravi, managing director of a freight forwarder in Dubai (3,500 containers a year to the Sahel), approves a USD 9,500 site with maintenance at USD 90 per month, or about USD 10,600 in year one. The site generates 25 qualified quote requests per month. With a 15 % conversion rate, that is nearly 4 new files per month, about 45 a year. At an average margin of USD 300 per container moved to Bamako or Ouagadougou, these 45 files bring in USD 13,500 of margin, or about 1.3 times the investment in year one, before repeat business. Tracking also cuts customer calls by about 40 %. A 2026 order of magnitude.
FAQ
Should we display rates on the site?
Indicative ranges per corridor reassure shippers, but the final price depends on cargo and duties. A range such as "from USD 2,200 for a 40ft Abidjan-Bamako" is enough.
Does truck tracking require GPS devices?
No. A basic version at around USD 1,200 relies on manual stage updates. GPS sync adds USD 350 to 700 depending on your tracker provider.
Is a French version worth it?
Yes: consignees and customs brokers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger work in French. It costs USD 600 to 1,200, less than the margin on 2 to 4 containers.
How does WhatsApp Business connect to the site?
A floating button opens a chat with a prefilled message naming the corridor viewed. Teams reply in under 15 minutes from the app.
How is payment structured?
In 3 instalments by bank transfer or card: 40 % at signature, 30 % at design approval, 30 % at go-live.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your corridors, volumes and target markets for a precise estimate between USD 6,000 and 12,000 and go-live in 4 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
