The verdict in three sentences
The simple referrer earns a commission and lets Kolonell manage the client; the white-label reseller keeps the relationship, invoices under their own name and pockets 25 to 40 % margin instead of 15 %. You sell, you manage the relationship, Kolonell produces white-label without ever appearing. With 3 to 10 active clients, it is a profitable micro-agency with zero technical team to hire.
Simple referrer vs white-label reseller
The difference is control and margin. The referrer recommends and earns a percentage. The reseller buys the service at a wholesale price, resells at their public price, and keeps the spread. They carry the brand, the invoice and the relationship; production is delegated.
| Criterion | Simple referrer | White-label reseller |
|---|---|---|
| Margin on a showcase site | 15 % | 25-40 % |
| Who invoices the client | Kolonell | You, under your name |
| Who sets the public price | Kolonell | You |
| Client relationship | Kolonell | You |
| Technical team to hire | 0 | 0 |
| Sales effort | Low | Medium |
| Recurring (maintenance/SEO) | 5 % | You set your margin |
On a showcase site sold at 600,000 FCFA to the public with a 380,000 FCFA wholesale cost, your reseller margin is 220,000 FCFA (37 %), versus 90,000 FCFA as a simple referrer at 15 %.
The micro-agency business model
The reseller sets public prices, pays a wholesale price to Kolonell and keeps the difference. The more they move upmarket (e-commerce, marketplace), the larger the tickets and margins. With a portfolio of clients on recurring maintenance, income becomes predictable.
| Resold product | 2026 public price | Indicative wholesale cost | Reseller margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter showcase | 350,000 FCFA | 230,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA |
| Premium showcase | 1,200,000 FCFA | 780,000 FCFA | 420,000 FCFA |
| Starter e-commerce | 1,400,000 FCFA | 950,000 FCFA | 450,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance/month | 100,000 FCFA | 55,000 FCFA | 45,000 FCFA |
| SEO/month | 150,000 FCFA | 90,000 FCFA | 60,000 FCFA |
Wholesale figures are 2026 orders of magnitude, to be confirmed by volume and reseller agreement.
Mini case study
Moussa, a former referrer in Thies, signs 5 showcase sites in 3 months at 600,000 FCFA each, with a 380,000 FCFA wholesale cost. His margin: 220,000 x 5 = 1,100,000 FCFA over the quarter. He keeps 4 clients on maintenance at 100,000 FCFA/month (margin 45,000), i.e. 180,000 FCFA of recurring monthly income from month 4. As a simple referrer at 15 %, those same sales would have earned only 450,000 FCFA. Going white-label more than doubled his income without hiring anyone.
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FAQ
How many clients do you need to live on it?
With 3 to 10 active clients combining sales and recurring maintenance, a reseller targets 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA monthly income depending on tiers and recurring portfolio.
Does Kolonell appear in front of my client?
No. Production is white-label: you carry the brand, the invoice and the relationship. The client deals only with you.
What upfront investment is needed?
No stock or team. You pay the wholesale cost after collecting the client deposit, which keeps cash-flow risk near zero.
Can I move upmarket to e-commerce and marketplace?
Yes. The same clients often come back for an online store or a platform, with tickets of 1,400,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA and proportional margins.
What's the difference from staying a referrer?
The referrer earns 15 % without managing; the reseller earns 25-40 % by managing the relationship. It is more sales work for clearly higher income and an asset (the portfolio) that belongs to you.
Let's talk about your project. Move from referrer to white-label reseller and launch your micro-agency with delegated production. 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.
