The verdict in three sentences
A 5-page showcase is enough to exist online, but it won't convert a diaspora that wants to filter 40 to 120 properties from Paris or Milan. A listings portal with search, map and detailed property pages lifts qualified visit requests by 30 to 50%. In Ziguinchor, where 60% of contacts go through WhatsApp Business, the right choice depends on your property volume and your diaspora target.
Showcase or portal: which format for your agency
The trap is paying for a showcase and discovering three months later that you can't publish your listings on it. Here is the structured comparison for a Casamance agency in 2026.
| Criterion | 5-page showcase | Listings portal |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 price | 300,000 - 450,000 FCFA | 900,000 - 1,600,000 FCFA |
| Delivery time | 7 - 10 days | 20 - 28 days |
| Manageable properties | Static gallery (~10) | 40 - 120 filterable listings |
| Search + filters | No | Yes (type, price, district, area) |
| Interactive map | No | Yes |
| Dedicated property page | No | Yes (photos, floor plan, status) |
| Listing updates | Developer needed | Self-service back office |
| Qualified inquiries | Baseline | +30 to +50% |
For an agency running fewer than 10 stable properties, the showcase is still relevant. From 30 properties and a diaspora goal, the portal pays for itself in a few transactions.
Technical performance: loading under 3 seconds on 3G
The diaspora often browses from a mobile on European 4G, but your local prospects are on 3G. Performance is not a luxury: a slow portal loses visitors before the first photo.
| 2026 metric | Kolonell target | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| LCP (main load) | < 2.5 s | Fewer drop-offs |
| Optimized photos | WebP, < 200 KB | Loads < 3 s on 3G |
| Core Web Vitals | All green | Better Google ranking |
| Monthly hosting | 25,000 - 45,000 FCFA | CDN + backups |
| WhatsApp Business contacts | ~60% | Reply under 1 h |
| Visit form | 1 click to WhatsApp | +30 to +50% leads |
Mini case study
Fatou runs an agency in Ziguinchor with 45 properties for sale and rent. On her current showcase she gets 8 inquiries per month. Switching to a 1,300,000 FCFA portal, her qualified inquiries rise 40% to roughly 11-12 per month. If she closes one extra transaction per quarter at an average commission of 600,000 FCFA, the portal pays back in under 6 months, excluding hosting at 35,000 FCFA/month.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How long to launch a real estate portal in Ziguinchor?
Budget 20 to 28 business days for a portal with search, map and property pages. A 5-page showcase ships in 7 to 10 days.
Can I add my listings myself without a developer?
Yes. The portal includes a back office where you publish, edit and archive properties, with photo uploads auto-converted to WebP.
Will the site work well for the diaspora on a slow connection?
Yes. With photos under 200 KB and an LCP targeted below 2.5 s, pages load in under 3 seconds even on Senegalese 3G.
Is WhatsApp Business integrated?
Yes. Every property page has a visit button that opens WhatsApp directly, the channel behind 60% of diaspora contacts in Ziguinchor.
What hosting budget should I plan per month?
Between 25,000 and 45,000 FCFA per month in 2026, including CDN, SSL certificate and automatic backups.
Let's talk about your project. We'll frame showcase or portal together based on your property count and diaspora target. 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.
