The verdict in three sentences
A good e-commerce referral partner does not sell a website, they sell a number: a basket that doubles and sales running 24/7. The Kolonell commission of 12% means 120,000 to 480,000 FCFA per store, but only a short, concrete pitch turns a skeptical merchant into a client. Remember the realistic ratio: 10 pitches = 2-3 demos = 1 sale.
The 30-second script
Built in four beats: hook, pain, number, call to action. Every line has a job.
- Hook: "Your customers message you on WhatsApp at night, but you're asleep, right?"
- Pain: "Every unanswered message is a sale lost to a competitor."
- Number: "An online store collects via mobile money and card 24/7; on average the basket grows because the customer sees the whole catalogue."
- Call to action: "Let me show you a demo in your name in 5 minutes, on your phone. It's free."
The secret: get to the demo fast. A personalised demo in the merchant's name converts far better than a speech.
The numbers behind the pitch
| Metric | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Pitch length | 30 seconds |
| Pitch -> demo rate | 20-30% |
| Demo -> sale rate | 30-40% |
| Meetings to close | 2-4 |
| E-commerce referral commission | 12% |
| Earnings per store (1-4 M FCFA) | 120,000-480,000 FCFA |
With 40 pitches a month you get 8 to 12 demos and close 2 to 4 stores. At an average commission of 240,000 FCFA, that is 480,000 to 960,000 FCFA of monthly income.
Handling the price objection
"It's expensive" is the number-one objection. You don't cut the price, you show the return.
| Objection | ROI answer |
|---|---|
| "1.5 M is too much" | "Over 6 months, 20 sales/month at 15,000 FCFA margin = 1.8 M FCFA recovered." |
| "I already sell on WhatsApp" | "WhatsApp closes at night; a store sells while you sleep." |
| "I have no time" | "The dashboard handles everything; you approve orders in 2 minutes." |
| "Mobile money is enough" | "The store collects mobile money AND card, no manual link." |
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Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
The Kolonell referral program
You don't need to code: Kolonell builds, you refer. The rates stack with recurring income.
| Track | Commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | 5% |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
Mini case study
Kwame, a street cosmetics seller in Accra, becomes a referral partner. He does 12 pitches in a week at the markets, gets 3 demos and closes one grocery store at 1,800,000 FCFA. His commission: 216,000 FCFA (12%), plus 5% of the monthly maintenance. In one month at 40 pitches, he targets 3 sales, roughly 650,000 FCFA in commissions — far more than his old street-selling income.
FAQ
How many pitches for one sale? The realistic 2026 ratio is 10 pitches for 2-3 demos and 1 sale. Scale the volume: 40 pitches a month usually yield 2 to 4 sales.
How much does a partner earn per store? The e-commerce commission is 12%, or 120,000 to 480,000 FCFA depending on whether the store costs 1 to 4 M FCFA, plus 5% of the maintenance contract each month.
Do I need technical skills? None. You bring the contact and run the pre-built demo; Kolonell handles development, mobile-money payments and support.
How do I handle an undecided client? Book a second meeting with a demo in their name and a precise number (e.g. average basket x2). Most stores close in 2 to 4 meetings.
Is the demo paid for the prospect? No, the personalised demo is free and generates in minutes. It is your best conversion tool: it pushes the demo -> sale rate to 30-40%.
Let's talk about your project. Become an e-commerce referral partner, use this pitch and earn 12% per store sold. 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.
