The verdict in three sentences
A website built by a relative is cheap to buy but expensive in lost clients: slow, unreliable, invisible on Google. A structured Dakar agency charges 450,000 to 900,000 FCFA (about 685-1,370 EUR) for 5 pages, ships in 4 to 6 weeks, and leaves you a fast, indexed, maintainable site. The real decision is not the purchase price but the total cost over 24 months, hosting and maintenance included.
2026 price grid by tier (Dakar)
The ranges below reflect the 2026 Dakar market for an SME in construction, services or import-export. Prices are before Senegal's 18 % VAT.
| Tier | Pages | Price FCFA (excl. VAT) | Timeline | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 5 pages | 450,000 - 600,000 | 4 weeks | Responsive design, form, WhatsApp |
| Brochure+ | 5-7 pages | 600,000 - 900,000 | 4-5 weeks | + basic SEO, Google Business, blog |
| Growth | 8-12 pages | 1,200,000 - 1,800,000 | 6-8 weeks | + FR/EN multilingual, analytics, animations |
| Custom | 12+ pages | 2,000,000+ | 8-10 weeks | + integrations, client area, CRM |
A common mistake: paying 250,000 FCFA for a site that never surfaces on Google. Local SEO (optimized Google Business profile, tags, speed) is what turns a site into an acquisition channel.
Cost of ownership: beyond the build
The upfront budget is only the visible part. Here are the recurring line items to plan over 12 months.
| Line item | 2026 cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| .sn domain name | 25,000 FCFA | per year |
| .com domain name | 9,000 FCFA | per year |
| Shared hosting | 90,000 - 180,000 FCFA | per year |
| SSL certificate | included (Let's Encrypt) | - |
| Maintenance (TMA) | 60,000 - 120,000 FCFA | per month |
| Monthly SEO (optional) | 75,000 - 200,000 FCFA | per month |
A brochure+ site at 750,000 FCFA with hosting (135,000 FCFA/year) and light maintenance (60,000 FCFA/month) totals roughly 1,605,000 FCFA in year one, then 855,000 FCFA/year afterward. Treat this as a 2026 order of magnitude to adjust by scope.
Nearshore positioning: Dakar seen from Europe
For a European buyer, Dakar is a competitive French-speaking hub. The table compares 2026 average day rates.
| Profile | Dakar day rate | France day rate | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-end developer | 250 - 350 EUR | 550 - 700 EUR | -50 % |
| Full-stack developer | 300 - 400 EUR | 600 - 750 EUR | -47 % |
| Project manager | 280 - 380 EUR | 550 - 700 EUR | -48 % |
| UX/UI designer | 250 - 350 EUR | 500 - 650 EUR | -47 % |
Same time zone (GMT), native French, and a 45-50 % cost gap: Dakar nearshore appeals to European SMEs and mid-market firms that want budget control without a language barrier.
Need a professional website?
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Mini case study
Moustapha, who runs an import-export SME in Dakar, was torn between a 300,000 FCFA site from a nephew and an 800,000 FCFA agency offer (780,000 excl. VAT). In year one the agency option cost 780,000 FCFA + 135,000 (hosting) + 720,000 (12 months of maintenance) = 1,635,000 FCFA. Thanks to local SEO, the site generated 14 qualified quote requests in the first quarter, 3 of which converted into 4,200,000 FCFA of revenue. Payback was reached in under 5 months.
FAQ
What does a 5-page brochure site really cost in Dakar in 2026?
Budget 450,000 to 600,000 FCFA (excl. VAT) for an essential build and 600,000 to 900,000 FCFA with SEO and a blog. Below 300,000 FCFA, technical quality and ranking are rarely there.
What is the average delivery timeline?
A 5-page site ships in 4 to 6 weeks: 1 week of scoping, 2 of design, 2 of development and QA. Growth builds of 8-12 pages need 6 to 8 weeks.
Is hosting included in the price?
No, it is a separate annual line of 90,000 to 180,000 FCFA depending on traffic. A .sn domain is 25,000 FCFA/year, a .com about 9,000 FCFA/year.
Do I need a monthly maintenance plan?
Maintenance of 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA/month covers updates, security and small changes. Without it, your site ages fast and becomes vulnerable.
Is Dakar nearshore reliable for a European client?
Yes: same GMT time zone, native French, and day rates 45-50 % below France. It is a proven model for budget-conscious European SMEs.
Let's scope your project. Share your page count, sector and indicative budget (450,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA) and we will define scope, timeline and hosting. 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.
