The verdict in three sentences
The sale commission is a one-time payment; recurring is an annuity that compounds as long as the client stays active. On websites and e-commerce, the referrer earns 5% of monthly services (maintenance, SEO, hosting) for the client's entire lifetime. Ten well-managed clients are worth more than a constant flow of one-off deals.
Recurring by service type
Every site sold opens three possible lines of monthly revenue. At 5% referral commission, here is what each service yields, 2026 order of magnitude.
| Service | Monthly range | 5% commission (low) | 5% commission (high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 50,000-200,000 FCFA | 2,500 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA |
| SEO | 75,000-300,000 FCFA | 3,750 FCFA | 15,000 FCFA |
| Managed hosting | 25,000-75,000 FCFA | 1,250 FCFA | 3,750 FCFA |
| Total per client | 150,000-575,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA | 28,750 FCFA |
A single premium client subscribed to all three services can therefore yield up to 28,750 FCFA/month of recurring, or 690,000 FCFA over 24 months, with no new sale.
Stacked recurring projection over 12 and 24 months
The power of recurring comes from stacking: each new client adds a layer that stays. Here is a projection for a referrer signing 1 active client/month, each generating on average 150,000 FCFA/month of services (i.e., 7,500 FCFA/month of recurring commission).
| Month | Active clients | Monthly recurring | Cumulative recurring |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 3 | 22,500 FCFA | ~45,000 FCFA |
| M6 | 6 | 45,000 FCFA | ~157,500 FCFA |
| M12 | 10 (tracking cap) | 75,000 FCFA | ~585,000 FCFA |
| M18 | 10 | 75,000 FCFA | ~1,035,000 FCFA |
| M24 | 10 | 75,000 FCFA | ~1,485,000 FCFA |
Assumption: 24-month client lifetime, cap of 10 actively tracked clients. After two years, recurring alone exceeds 1,400,000 FCFA cumulative, on top of the one-time commissions collected at sale.
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Mini case study
Aminata, a referrer in Thiès, signs 10 clients in a year, of which 6 subscribe to maintenance + SEO at 150,000 FCFA/month. Her recurring: 6 × 7,500 = 45,000 FCFA/month. The other 4 take only hosting at 50,000 FCFA/month: 4 × 2,500 = 10,000 FCFA/month. Total recurring: 55,000 FCFA/month of near-passive income, or 660,000 FCFA/year, added to sale commissions already collected.
FAQ
When does recurring stop? It lands each month the client pays for their service, typically over 12 to 24 months. If the client renews beyond that, your 5% continues.
What if the client cancels a service? You lose recurring on that service only. Hence the value of tracking your clients and ensuring their satisfaction to extend the lifetime.
Can I influence the amount of services subscribed? Yes: steering a client toward a 200,000 FCFA SEO plan rather than 75,000 FCFA multiplies your recurring. A referrer who advises well earns more.
How many clients for meaningful income? With 10 clients at 150,000 FCFA/month of services, you reach ~75,000 FCFA/month of recurring. That's a passive base that frees up prospecting time.
Is recurring combinable with the sale commission? Yes, they are independent. You first collect 15% (website) or 12% (e-commerce) at sale, then 5% each month on services.
Let's talk about your project. Become a Kolonell referral partner and build a 5% recurring income on your clients' maintenance, SEO, and hosting. 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.
