The verdict in three sentences
For a solo partner with fewer than 30 prospects, the choice comes down to one question: startup speed (Trello wins) or commission reporting (Notion wins). Trello is an instant, unlimited Kanban; Notion is a relational database that calculates your commission automatically but requires an hour of setup. Both are free and more than enough; paid CRMs (HubSpot, Pipedrive) are not justified below 30 active prospects.
Notion vs Trello: the numeric comparison
Neither is universally better: it all depends on your priority. Here is an honest score out of 10 per criterion (2026 evaluation).
| Criterion | Trello /10 | Notion /10 | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup speed | 9 | 6 | Trello: instant drag-and-drop |
| Commission reporting | 4 | 9 | Notion: auto formula calculation |
| Collaboration | 7 | 8 | Notion: comments + shared base |
| Mobile (3G Senegal) | 8 | 7 | Trello lighter on slow networks |
| Automation | 7 | 7 | Butler (Trello) vs formulas (Notion) |
| Real free tier | 9 | 7 | Trello unlimited; Notion 1,000 blocks |
Verdict: start on Trello if you want to act today, migrate to Notion when you want to track revenue precisely. Many partners keep Trello for daily work and a monthly Notion board for accounting.
The Kolonell referral Notion template
The ideal Notion template for a partner fits in a single database with smart columns. Here is its structure.
| Column | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Select (5 options) | Prospect / Demo / Quote / Nego / Closed |
| Division | Select | Showcase / E-commerce / Marketplace / Institutional |
| Quote amount | Number | Ticket in FCFA |
| Commission | Formula | Auto calc per division |
| Next follow-up | Date | J+7 reminder |
| Notes | Text | Prospect context |
The commission formula directly applies the program rates: 15 % showcase, 12 % e-commerce, 10 % marketplace, 8 % institutional. As soon as you enter the amount and division, Notion shows your earnings.
The Kolonell referral program and its rates
A good CRM is useless without a clear commission grid. The Kolonell referral partner program pays every referred sale, plus a recurring share on monthly services.
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| Division | Sale commission | Recurring | Example earning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15 % | + 5 % maintenance/SEO | 180,000 FCFA (1.2M) |
| E-commerce | 12 % | + 5 % | 240,000 FCFA (2M) |
| Marketplace | 10 % | on quote | 600,000 FCFA (6M) |
| Institutional | 8 % | long-term | 800,000 FCFA (10M) |
Configuring these rates once in the Notion formula spares you any manual math: the board totals your forecast and realized commission for the month.
Mini case study
Moussa, a partner in Saint-Louis, hesitated between paying HubSpot Starter (45 USD/month, about 28,000 FCFA) and staying free. With only 12 active prospects, he opts for a free Notion board. His commission formula shows in real time: 2 Growth showcase sites (2 x 75,000) + 1 Starter e-commerce (120,000) = 270,000 FCFA forecast this month. Subscription savings: 28,000 FCFA/month, or 336,000 FCFA/year kept as pure margin.
FAQ
Notion or Trello to start today? Trello if you want to act in 5 minutes (startup score 9/10); Notion if commission tracking is the priority (reporting 9/10). Both are free.
Is Notion's free plan enough? Yes up to 1,000 blocks, plenty for a solo partner. Above 30 very active prospects, consider the paid plan or a second database.
Should I pay for HubSpot or Pipedrive? Not recommended for a solo under 30 prospects: HubSpot Starter costs 45 USD/month and Pipedrive 14 USD/month, needless fees when Notion/Trello cover the need.
How to automate follow-ups? Trello uses Butler (free automation rules), Notion uses date reminders. Set a J+7 reminder on each card so you never forget a follow-up.
Does commission really calculate by itself? Yes in Notion: a formula applies 15 %, 12 %, 10 % or 8 % per division as soon as you enter the quote amount.
Let's talk about your project. Get our ready-to-use Notion referral template with pre-configured commissions, free. 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.