The verdict in three sentences
In trading and import-export, an international supplier or financier judges your seriousness in three clicks on your website before any call. A premium bilingual vitrine site (2,500,000-5,000,000 FCFA, approx. 3,800-7,600 EUR) with business pages, certifications and professional hosting turns that first impression into tangible credibility. The price gap between a freelance at 900,000 FCFA and a structured agency at 3,500,000 FCFA is fully justified by quality, controlled timelines and long-term support.
Freelance or agency: what price changes
In Dubai the offer ranges from the low-cost freelance to the structured agency. The freelance is tempting but exposes you to no follow-up, fragile hosting and abandonment after delivery. The agency costs more but secures the project.
| Criterion | Freelance | Structured agency |
|---|---|---|
| Project budget | 900,000 FCFA | 3,500,000 FCFA |
| Delivery time | 3-5 weeks (variable) | 6-9 weeks |
| Bilingual FR/EN version | rarely | included |
| Pro hosting + domain | client's burden | 250,000 FCFA/yr included |
| SEO and structured data | absent | included |
| Support and maintenance | occasional | 100,000-200,000 FCFA/month |
| Availability on outage | uncertain | guaranteed |
For a company dealing internationally, the structured agency is the right choice: a site down on a negotiation day costs far more than the initial price gap.
The premium budget breakdown, 2026 in Dubai
A credible trading site rests on clear business pages, prominent certifications and a multilingual form. Here is the breakdown of a 3,500,000 FCFA project in 2026.
| Line item | 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Design and art direction | 800,000-1,200,000 FCFA |
| Bilingual FR/EN development | 900,000-1,500,000 FCFA |
| Business pages and certifications | 500,000-900,000 FCFA |
| Copywriting and translation | 300,000-600,000 FCFA |
| Local SEO | 250,000-500,000 FCFA |
| Pro hosting + domain name | 250,000 FCFA/yr |
| Monthly maintenance | 100,000-200,000 FCFA |
The multilingual form and professional hosting (guaranteed uptime, SSL certificate) are the lines that reassure foreign partners most. Monthly maintenance guarantees a site that stays available during negotiations.
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Mini case study
Mr Kone, CEO of a trading company in Dubai, handles 12 import contracts/year with European and Asian suppliers, average value 45,000,000 FCFA. Two prospects a year gave up after seeing his old amateur, non-bilingual site. After a 3,500,000 FCFA premium site, his online credibility wins over one additional hesitant partner per year. A single saved contract at 45,000,000 FCFA, even at a 6 % net margin, yields 2,700,000 FCFA: the site pays for itself with the first negotiation won thanks to its showcase.
FAQ
Why a bilingual FR/EN site for trading? Because your international suppliers and financiers do not all speak French: a professional English version widens your credibility and avoids losing contracts abroad. It is a high-return investment.
How much does pro hosting cost? Budget about 250,000 FCFA/year for professional hosting with domain name, SSL certificate and guaranteed uptime. Fragile hosting can cost you a contract on a negotiation day.
Freelance or agency for a trading site? The 900,000 FCFA freelance suits a simple site with no stakes; once international dealings and support matter, the 3,500,000 FCFA agency secures the project and availability.
Is local SEO useful? Yes: well-executed local SEO ranks you on searches from local partners and clients. Budget 250,000 to 500,000 FCFA for a solid base.
What is the delivery timeline? Between 6 and 9 weeks with a structured agency, covering design, bilingual development, copywriting and QA. The freelance is sometimes faster but less reliable on follow-up.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your business lines, import/export markets and bilingual needs: we price a premium vitrine site between 2,500,000 and 5,000,000 FCFA. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
