The verdict in three sentences
Selling websites as a referrer is a side income without quitting your job: you connect contacts to Kolonell, the agency builds, you earn the commission. With 2 to 4 hours a week, one or two demos and one showcase sale a month, you add 37,500 to 180,000 FCFA in monthly commission, plus a recurring stream that compounds. The decision: stay a side activity (zero risk, keep your job) or switch to full-time freelance later, once the pipeline is proven.
The time / side-income math
Referral needs no stock, no code, no premises. You invest evening and weekend time; the agency converts and delivers.
| Weekly pace | Demos/month | Sales/month | Monthly commission | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 h | 1 | 0–1 showcase | 0 – 75,000 FCFA | Cautious test |
| 2–4 h | 2 | 1 showcase | 37,500 – 180,000 FCFA | Steady side income |
| 4–6 h | 3–4 | 1–2 showcase / 1 e-commerce | 150,000 – 480,000 FCFA | Ambitious side income |
| 6–8 h | 5+ | 2–3 mixed sales | 300,000 – 700,000 FCFA | Pre-full-time |
The 37,500 – 180,000 FCFA range is 15 % of a showcase site between 250,000 and 1,200,000 FCFA. Add the 5 % recurring on maintenance and SEO: a client at 60,000 FCFA/month maintenance pays you 3,000 FCFA/month, month after month.
Side income or full-time: when to switch?
Side income is safe; full-time accelerates but exposes you. The right moment to switch is when recurring alone already covers part of your fixed costs.
| Criterion | Side (evenings/weekends) | Full-time freelance |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 2–8 h/week | 35–45 h/week |
| Typical monthly income | 37,500 – 700,000 FCFA | 500,000 – 2,000,000+ FCFA |
| Risk | None (salary kept) | High (no safety net) |
| Stock / code | None | None (still referral) |
| Advised switch | — | When recurring covers fixed costs |
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Mini case study
Coumba is a salaried accountant in Dakar. On Saturday mornings she sends 2 demos to shopkeeper acquaintances. Every other month a showcase sale lands at 500,000 FCFA: commission 75,000 FCFA. Over the year that's ~6 sales = 450,000 FCFA, plus recurring that climbs to 18,000 FCFA/month after six clients on maintenance. All while keeping her job and never writing a line of code.
FAQ
Do I need technical skills? No. You don't code or configure anything: Kolonell handles quote, production, payment and support. You bring the contact and follow up.
How much can I earn while employed? In 2 to 4 h/week, expect 37,500 to 180,000 FCFA/month commission on a showcase sale, plus recurring that compounds with every retained client.
When is the commission paid? On client collection by the agency, via Wave, Orange Money or bank transfer. Recurring is paid monthly for as long as the contract runs.
Can I sell more than showcase sites? Yes: e-commerce (12 %), marketplace (10 %), institutional (8 %). Tickets are higher but cycles longer, less suited to fast side income.
When should I go full-time freelance? When your recurring alone covers a significant share of your fixed costs: you switch with a safety net, not into the void.
Let's talk about your project. Turn your evenings and weekends into commissions, without quitting your job. 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.