The verdict in three sentences
The sale commission pays you once; the 5 % recurring commission pays you every month, as long as the client stays. On maintenance subscriptions (50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month) and SEO (75,000 to 300,000 FCFA/month), the compounding effect turns a few sales into a passive annuity of tens of thousands of FCFA. A partner who targets recurring income builds revenue that grows every month, even without a new sale.
One-off sale vs recurring: the math
Compare two partners. One thinks only about the sale commission; the other systematically puts clients on maintenance and SEO. Over 12 months, the gap becomes huge.
| Subscription | Monthly price 2026 | 5 % commission / month / client |
|---|---|---|
| Basic maintenance | 50,000 FCFA | 2,500 FCFA |
| Standard maintenance | 100,000 FCFA | 5,000 FCFA |
| Premium maintenance | 200,000 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA |
| SEO starter | 75,000 FCFA | 3,750 FCFA |
| SEO growth | 150,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA |
| SEO aggressive | 300,000 FCFA | 15,000 FCFA |
A single premium client (maintenance + aggressive SEO) earns 10,000 + 15,000 = 25,000 FCFA/month recurring. Multiply across a portfolio and the passive income takes off.
The compounding effect over 12 months
The secret is retention. On average, a well-served client stays over 80 % year to year. Every month you add clients without losing any, your base grows.
| Month | Active clients | Avg recurring (100,000 FCFA base) | Monthly passive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 3 | 5,000 FCFA | 15,000 FCFA |
| Month 3 | 9 | 5,000 FCFA | 45,000 FCFA |
| Month 6 | 18 | 5,000 FCFA | 90,000 FCFA |
| Month 9 | 27 | 5,000 FCFA | 135,000 FCFA |
| Month 12 | 34 | 5,000 FCFA | 170,000 FCFA |
With 20 active clients on maintenance at 100,000 FCFA, passive income reaches 100,000 FCFA/month — and up to 200,000 FCFA/month if you add SEO. That income arrives whether or not you prospect that month.
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Mini case study
Moussa, in Abidjan, sold 24 showcase sites in 10 months. He placed 20 of them on maintenance (100,000 FCFA/month) and 8 on SEO (150,000 FCFA/month).
Maintenance recurring: 20 × 100,000 × 5 % = 100,000 FCFA/month. SEO recurring: 8 × 150,000 × 5 % = 60,000 FCFA/month. Total passive: 160,000 FCFA/month, or 1,920,000 FCFA/year not counting new sales. With 80 % retention, he loses only about 4 clients a year, easily offset by new signings.
FAQ
Is the recurring income really automatic? Yes: as long as the client pays their Kolonell subscription, your 5 % is paid to you every month, with no action on your part.
What happens if a client cancels? You simply stop earning recurring on that client. With 80 %+ retention, losses are marginal and offset by new clients.
Should I target the sale or the recurring? Both. The sale gives immediate cash (37,500-180,000 FCFA showcase); the recurring builds stability. A good partner systematizes maintenance on every sale.
How long to reach 100,000 FCFA/month recurring? About 20 retained clients at 100,000 FCFA, reachable in 8-12 months at 2-3 sales/month with systematic placement.
Can I offer maintenance AND SEO to the same client? Yes, and it's recommended: it nearly doubles the recurring per client while improving their performance and therefore their loyalty.
Build your referral annuity with Kolonell. Put your clients on maintenance and SEO, earn 5 % recurring every month (on top of 15 % showcase, 12 % e-commerce, 10 % marketplace, 8 % institutional) and build lasting passive income. 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.
