The verdict in three sentences
A one-shot commission pays you once; recurring income pays you every month for years. In 2026, recurring services — maintenance, hosting, SEO — generate a stable flow of which 5 % goes to the referrer, month after month. The right decision isn't to chase sales volume, it's to build a portfolio whose recurring income overtakes the one-shot as early as month 8 to 14.
Recurring services and the referrer's share
| Service | Monthly price (FCFA) | Referrer recurring (5 %) |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 50,000 – 200,000 | 2,500 – 10,000 |
| Managed hosting | 25,000 – 75,000 | 1,250 – 3,750 |
| SEO | 75,000 – 300,000 | 3,750 – 15,000 |
| Ad campaigns | Budget + 15-20 % | Variable |
| Total per client | 150,000 – 575,000 | 7,500 – 28,750 |
Each active client thus pays the referrer between 7,500 and 28,750 FCFA per month, with no extra effort. The magic works through accumulation.
The portfolio effect: one-shot vs recurring
| Active clients | Monthly recurring (FCFA) | Annual recurring (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 60,000 – 120,000 | 720,000 – 1,440,000 |
| 10 | 125,000 – 250,000 | 1,500,000 – 3,000,000 |
| 20 | 250,000 – 500,000 | 3,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| 40 | 500,000 – 1,000,000 | 6,000,000 – 12,000,000 |
At 80-90 % annual retention, this income is remarkably stable. The tipping point: as early as month 8 to 14, what your portfolio yields passively overtakes what a new one-shot sale would earn you that month.
The Kolonell referral programme, built for recurring income
At Kolonell, the referrer earns not just the sale commission: they keep 5 % on maintenance and hosting for as long as the client stays active.
| Segment | Sale | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | — |
| Institutional | 8 % | — |
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Referring showcase and e-commerce clients, who almost all subscribe to maintenance, is the ideal strategy to build durable passive income.
Mini case study
Over 14 months, Cheikh referred 18 showcase and e-commerce clients to Kolonell. Twelve subscribed to maintenance (average 90,000 FCFA/month) and hosting (40,000 FCFA/month). His recurring share: 12 × (90,000 + 40,000) × 5 % = 78,000 FCFA/month, i.e. 936,000 FCFA/year passive. On top of that come his one-off sale commissions. If he stops prospecting entirely, he keeps earning this recurring income as long as clients stay.
FAQ
Is recurring income really worth it? Yes over time. A one-shot sale is a spike; recurring income is an annuity. With 20 active clients, a 2026 order of magnitude puts passive income between 250,000 and 500,000 FCFA per month.
What happens if a client leaves? You lose their recurring share, which is why retention matters (80-90 % per year). A client happy with good maintenance stays for years.
Do I have to handle maintenance myself? No. Kolonell delivers the service; you simply collect your 5 % while the client is active. Your only job was to refer them.
How many clients for meaningful income? An order of magnitude: 20 active clients generate 250,000 to 500,000 FCFA per month in recurring income. That's achievable in one to two years of steady referring.
When does recurring overtake one-shot? Usually between month 8 and month 14, depending on your referral pace. Past that point, your portfolio works for you even in months without a new sale.
Let's talk about your project. Let's build your Kolonell referral portfolio and your 5 % recurring income together. 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.
