The verdict in three sentences
In Man, a hotel that relies on OTAs (Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com) gives up 15 to 18 % of every reservation in commission. A bilingual FR/EN direct-booking website, with a booking engine and online deposit, recovers that margin and captures the expat clientele and mountain lovers. Budget 350,000 to 1,600,000 FCFA depending on whether you want an elegant showcase or a true booking engine.
Showcase or booking engine: which to choose
Two tiers answer two needs. The 6-page showcase mainly helps you be found on Google and inspire trust: WebP gallery of rooms and Mount Tonkoui, rates page, WhatsApp contact. The site with a booking engine adds an availability calendar, an online deposit payment (Wave, Orange Money CI) and automatic confirmation.
| Criterion | 6-page showcase | Site + booking engine |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 price | 350,000 - 550,000 FCFA | 900,000 - 1,600,000 FCFA |
| Lead time | 10 - 14 days | 20 - 30 days |
| Online booking | Form / WhatsApp | Calendar + online deposit |
| Bilingual FR/EN | Yes | Yes |
| WebP gallery | Yes (< 3 s) | Yes (< 3 s) |
| Online deposit | No | 20 - 40 % at booking |
| Hosting / month | 25,000 - 45,000 FCFA | 25,000 - 45,000 FCFA |
| Best for | Small hotel, inn | Hotel 15+ rooms, ecolodge |
The hidden cost of OTA commissions
Booking platforms take a commission on every night. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude and what a direct site lets you avoid.
| Channel | Commission per night | On 35,000 FCFA | On 30 nights/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | 15 % | 5,250 FCFA | 157,500 FCFA |
| Expedia | 16 - 18 % | 5,600 - 6,300 FCFA | 168,000 - 189,000 FCFA |
| Local agency | 10 - 12 % | 3,500 - 4,200 FCFA | 105,000 - 126,000 FCFA |
| Direct booking (site) | 0 % (excl. Wave fee ~1 %) | ~350 FCFA | ~10,500 FCFA |
| Estimated monthly gain | - | - | +150,000 - 180,000 FCFA |
Hotels that push direct booking see a +20 to 30 % rise in direct reservations in the first year, plus better control over customer data.
Mini case study
Kouassi runs a 16-room ecolodge in Man. He makes 75 % of his revenue via Booking, about 24 nights/month at 38,000 FCFA, paying 15 % commission: 136,800 FCFA/month lost. He invests 1,200,000 FCFA in a site with a booking engine. By month 3 he shifts a third of his reservations to direct: he saves ~45,000 FCFA/month in commission while building his email list. Adding the 10 new direct bookings captured by bilingual SEO (~380,000 FCFA extra revenue), his site pays for itself in about 4 to 5 months.
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 in Man cost in 2026?
A bilingual 6-page showcase costs 350,000 to 550,000 FCFA. A site with a booking engine and online deposit ranges from 900,000 to 1,600,000 FCFA, delivered in 20 to 30 days.
Does the booking engine handle Wave and Orange Money CI?
Yes. The deposit (20 to 40 % of the stay) can be collected via Wave CI and Orange Money CI, with automatic confirmation. The balance is paid on arrival.
Why a bilingual FR/EN site in Man?
Man attracts expat and international visitors for hiking and waterfalls. An FR/EN site improves conversion and ranking on English-language searches.
Will I really save on commissions?
Every direct booking avoids 15 to 18 % OTA commission. Even keeping Booking for visibility, shifting a third of bookings to direct often means 100,000 to 180,000 FCFA saved per month.
Which hosting for speed on 3G?
Managed hosting at 25,000 - 45,000 FCFA/month with WebP images keeps LCP under 2.5 s, essential for visitors in mountain areas with variable connectivity.
Let's talk about your project. We quote your hotel website and direct-booking engine within 24 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.
