The verdict in three sentences
A template at about EUR 460 (300,000 FCFA) is the right choice to test a business or get online within a week. A custom site at about EUR 1,830 (1.2 million FCFA) becomes more profitable as soon as the site must generate quote requests, because it loads in 2.5 s on 3G instead of 7 s and converts three times better. Over 3 years, once licences, an expected rebuild and lost prospects are counted, the template often costs more than it seems.
The two options side by side
An SME owner in Singapore (consultancy, construction firm, distributor, freight forwarder) working with a nearshore agency in Dakar receives two quotes: a WordPress theme or online builder site at about EUR 460, and a custom site at about EUR 1,830. Before comparing prices, compare what you actually get. Figures below are quoted in FCFA, the agency's billing currency (1 EUR = 655.957 FCFA).
| Criterion | Template | Custom | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build price | 300,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA | Upfront investment |
| Time to launch | 7 days | 4 weeks | Commercial urgency |
| Mobile Lighthouse score | about 60 | about 95 | Tied to SEO and conversion |
| Load time on 3G | 7 s | 2.5 s | Many mobile visitors still browse on slow or unstable networks |
| Form conversion rate | 1% | 3% | Number of quote requests |
| Design | Shared with thousands of sites | Unique, on-brand | Credibility with large accounts |
| Scalability | Limited by the theme | Features added without a rebuild | Business growth |
| WhatsApp button and forms | Generic plugin | Built-in and tracked | Main contact channel for many SMEs |
The weight of generic themes explains the speed gap: 3 to 5 MB per page and 30 to 60 scripts loaded, many of them useless. On an average mobile network, every extra second drives away part of the audience before the page appears.
The real 3-year cost
| Line (FCFA, 3 years) | Template | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Build | 300,000 | 1,200,000 |
| Hosting (3 years) | 180,000 | 300,000 |
| Premium theme and plugin licences | 270,000 | 0 |
| Maintenance and fixes | 360,000 | 450,000 |
| Expected rebuild (year 2 or 3) | 600,000 | 0 |
| 3-year total | 1,710,000 | 1,950,000 |
| Quote requests over 3 years (1,500 visits/month) | 540 | 1,620 |
| Cost per quote request | 3,167 | 1,204 |
These are 2026 ballpark figures. The total gap is only 240,000 FCFA (about EUR 365) over 3 years, while the custom site produces three times more requests. Cost per prospect is divided by 2.6.
When a template is still the right call
A template makes sense for a business in test mode, a one-off event, a budget under 400,000 FCFA (about EUR 610) or a purely informational need (hours, address, phone). As soon as the site must sell a service worth more than EUR 760, reassure a large account or support a tender response, custom wins.
Mini case study
Daniel, managing director of an industrial maintenance firm in Singapore, gets 1,500 visits a month. His average deal is 2,500,000 FCFA (about EUR 3,800) and he signs 10% of qualified quote requests.
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Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
- With a template at 1% conversion: 15 requests a month, 1.5 contracts signed, or 3,750,000 FCFA (about EUR 5,700) in monthly revenue.
- With a custom site at 3%: 45 requests a month, 4.5 contracts, or 11,250,000 FCFA (about EUR 17,150) a month.
- The 900,000 FCFA (about EUR 1,370) extra upfront cost is covered by the first additional contract, in under a month of operation.
FAQ
What does a website cost in 2026 with a West African nearshore agency?
About 300,000 FCFA (EUR 460) for a template and 250,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA (EUR 380 to 1,830) for a custom brochure site depending on pages and features. A premium site with animations and advanced SEO sits around 1,200,000 FCFA.
Why does a custom site load faster?
It only ships the code it needs: 0.8 to 1.5 MB per page against 3 to 5 MB for a generic theme. On 3G, that cuts load time from 7 s to about 2.5 s.
Can the 4-week timeline be shortened?
Yes, to 2 to 3 weeks if copy, logos and photos are ready at kickoff. In 80% of cases, delays come from content, not development.
Can I move from a template to a custom site later?
Yes, but it is a full rebuild, budgeted at 600,000 FCFA (about EUR 915) or more, with a risk of losing Google rankings if redirects are mishandled.
How can I pay?
Instalment payment (for example 50% at kickoff, 50% at delivery) by bank transfer, card, Wave or Orange Money is standard for SMEs.
Let's scope your project. We compare template and custom options against your sales goals, with a budget of 300,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA (EUR 460 to 1,830) and a launch in 1 to 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.
