The verdict in three sentences
A one-shot project pays the current month; recurring revenue pays every month to come. An agency that sells maintenance, hosting and SEO turns past clients into predictable MRR (monthly recurring revenue) that covers fixed costs. A realistic 2026 goal: 20 recurring clients = 1-4,000,000 FCFA of MRR, the base that keeps the agency calm between two projects.
One-shot vs MRR: why recurring wins
A delivered project is revenue that disappears; a subscription is revenue that comes back. An agency's value is measured as much by its MRR as by its order book.
| Criterion | One-shot project | Recurring revenue (MRR) |
|---|---|---|
| Predictability | Low | High |
| Cash flow | Jagged | Smoothed |
| Sales effort | Every project | Once, then retention |
| Agency valuation | x 0.5-1 of turnover | x 2-4 of annualized MRR |
| Typical 2026 margin | 40-60 % | 55-70 % |
Recurring revenue has a higher margin because most of the work (the site) is already done: you bill for upkeep, security and performance, not a rebuild.
Recurring offers and their target MRR
Three building blocks are enough to build solid MRR. Stack them per client to maximize monthly value.
| Recurring offer | 2026 monthly price | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 50,000-200,000 FCFA | Updates, backups, fixes |
| Managed hosting | 25,000-75,000 FCFA | Server, SSL, monitoring |
| Monthly SEO | 75,000-300,000 FCFA | Content, link building, rank tracking |
| Full pack (all 3) | 150,000-500,000 FCFA | All inclusive |
Simulate your MRR: 20 clients averaging 100,000 FCFA/month = 2,000,000 FCFA of MRR, i.e. 24,000,000 FCFA/year of predictable revenue before any new project.
Recurring income through the Kolonell referral program too
Recurring revenue is not just for agencies: as a Kolonell referral partner, you earn a recurring share on the maintenance of the projects you bring in.
| Track | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15 % | + 5 % recurring |
| E-commerce | 12 % | + 5 % recurring |
| Marketplace | 10 % | per contract |
| Institutional | 8 % | per contract |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
On a 100,000 FCFA/month showcase maintenance, your 5 % recurring is 5,000 FCFA/month per client. With 30 referred clients on maintenance, that is 150,000 FCFA/month of passive income on top of your sale commissions.
Mini case study
Seydou runs a small agency in Dakar with 15 delivered-site clients but no recurring contract. He offers each a maintenance + hosting pack at 130,000 FCFA/month; 12 accept. His MRR goes from 0 to 1,560,000 FCFA/month, i.e. 18,720,000 FCFA/year guaranteed. With a 65 % recurring margin, that frees over 1,000,000 FCFA of monthly margin covering his rent and a salary, independent of new projects.
FAQ
How much to bill for web maintenance in 2026?
Order of magnitude: 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month depending on site complexity and service level. An e-commerce or institutional site sits at the top of the range.
Is recurring revenue worth more than projects for agency valuation?
Yes: MRR is often valued at 2-4 times its annualized amount, versus 0.5-1 times turnover for one-shot work. Recurring revenue makes the agency predictable and thus more valuable.
How to convince a client to pay monthly maintenance?
Sell peace of mind and security: backups, updates, fixes and uptime. An unmaintained site eventually breaks or gets hacked, which costs far more than a 100,000 FCFA/month subscription.
What MRR to target with 20 clients?
Between 1 and 4,000,000 FCFA/month depending on the maintenance/hosting/SEO mix. Twenty clients averaging 100,000 FCFA already give 2,000,000 FCFA of MRR, i.e. 24,000,000 FCFA/year predictable.
Let's talk about your project. We structure your recurring offers to build solid MRR, or bring you into the Kolonell referral program. 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.
