The verdict in three sentences
The site quote is only a fraction of what an online store costs. What decides profitability is the total cost of ownership: hosting, payment fees, delivery and recurring marketing. Understood properly, break-even sits around 20 to 40 sales/month — and everything is predictable.
Site-only quote vs total cost of ownership
A 400,000 FCFA quote impresses less than a surprise bill in month 3. Here's the full picture.
| Item | Site-only quote | Total cost of ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Site build | 250,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA | One-time |
| Managed hosting | Ignored | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA/month |
| Payment fees | Ignored | 1 to 2.9% per transaction |
| Delivery | Ignored | Variable (often passed on) |
| Marketing | Ignored | 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month |
| Maintenance | Ignored | 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month |
The classic trap: signing for the cheapest site, then discovering no marketing budget was planned. A store with no traffic doesn't sell, no matter how beautiful.
Recurring costs in detail
These 2026 ranges are orders of magnitude for an SME store in the region.
| Recurring item | 2026 range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Managed hosting | 25,000 - 75,000 FCFA/month | Depends on traffic, backups |
| Mobile money fees | ~1 to 2% | Charged per transaction |
| Card fees | ~2.9% + fixed | International customers |
| Local delivery | 1,000 - 3,000 FCFA/parcel | Often billed to the customer |
| Marketing (Meta/Google) | 50,000 - 200,000 FCFA/month | The real sales engine |
| Maintenance | 50,000 - 200,000 FCFA/month | Updates, security |
The good news: payment and delivery fees are proportional to sales — they only cost when you collect. Only hosting and (ideally) marketing are fixed costs to carry from day one.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Okello opens an accessories store in Kampala. Upfront investment: 500,000 FCFA (site). Fixed monthly costs: hosting 40,000 + marketing 100,000 + maintenance 60,000 = 200,000 FCFA/month. Average order 15,000 FCFA, net margin after product/delivery/payment ~40% = 6,000 FCFA/sale. Monthly break-even: 200,000 / 6,000 = 34 sales/month. Beyond that, every sale is profit. At 50 sales/month, he clears 300,000 - 200,000 = 100,000 FCFA profit, and amortizes the site in 5 months.
FAQ
Why is marketing almost always left out of quotes? Because the quote sells a site, not sales. Yet without 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month of paid traffic or content, a new store stays invisible. It's the most profitable line item, not the most optional.
Are mobile money fees negotiable? They run around 1 to 2% in 2026 depending on volume. They're variable fees: they rise with revenue, which is good news — you only pay when you collect.
How many sales do I need to be profitable? Depending on fixed costs and margin, break-even often sits between 20 and 40 sales/month. Calculate: fixed costs / net margin per sale = sales to reach.
Can I start with no marketing budget? Yes, leaning first on Instagram, word of mouth and free SEO. But to scale beyond 20-30 sales/month, an acquisition budget becomes necessary.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Know merchants who hesitate for fear of hidden costs? Reassure them and refer them: our referral program pays 12% per e-commerce sale + 5% recurring on maintenance and hosting. Showcase 15% + 5%, marketplace 10%, institutional 8%.
Let's talk about your project. We price the total cost of your store with no surprises, and define your break-even point. 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.