The verdict in three sentences
Becoming a referral partner for a web agency requires no technical skill: you open the door, the agency delivers, you get paid. Kolonell pays 15 % on each showcase-site sale plus 5 % recurring on maintenance contracts, turning a few referrals a month into income that stacks. The difference between an average partner and a wealthy one isn't the number of one-off sales, but the recurring stack they patiently build.
What a referral actually pays
A Kolonell showcase project ranges from 250,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA depending on tier (Starter, Growth, Premium). At 15 % commission, each signed sale pays you immediately. On top, if the client takes a monthly maintenance contract (50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month), you earn 5 % every month for as long as the client stays.
| Showcase tier | Project price (FCFA) | 15 % commission (FCFA) | Maintenance/month | 5 % recurring/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 250,000 | 37,500 | 50,000 | 2,500 |
| Growth | 500,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 | 5,000 |
| Premium | 1,200,000 | 180,000 | 200,000 | 10,000 |
| Growth x2 | 1,000,000 | 150,000 | 200,000 | 10,000 |
| Premium + Growth | 1,700,000 | 255,000 | 300,000 | 15,000 |
The sale amount is visible immediately; the recurring is invisible at first but becomes your foundation. Ten active Growth clients = 50,000 FCFA/month landing without a new sale.
One-off vs recurring: two strategies
Many partners think only about the immediate commission. That's a long-term mistake. Compare two profiles over 12 months, each signing 4 Growth sales a month (500,000 FCFA).
| Strategy | Sale commission/month | Recurring accrued (month 12) | Total over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-off only | 300,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA | 3,600,000 FCFA |
| One-off + maintenance push | 300,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA/month | ~5,160,000 FCFA |
The partner who systematically pushes the maintenance contract builds, by month 12, a base of 48 recurring clients at 5,000 FCFA, i.e. 240,000 FCFA/month passive on top of their sales. Recurring is the partner's true wealth lever.
The Kolonell commission grid by pole
Kolonell covers four poles, and the partner rate varies with average ticket and complexity.
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| Pole | Project ticket (FCFA) | Partner rate | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 250,000 - 1,200,000 | 15 % | +5 % maintenance |
| E-commerce | 1,000,000 - 6,000,000 | 12 % | +5 % |
| Marketplace | 2,500,000 - 20,000,000+ | 10 % | +5 % |
| Institutional | 5,000,000 - 60,000,000+ | 8 % | on quote |
A lower rate on big poles isn't a disadvantage: 10 % of 5,000,000 FCFA (500,000 FCFA) far exceeds 15 % of a Starter site. The smart partner mixes both: showcase volume for cash flow, a few big e-commerce or marketplace deals for peaks.
Mini case study
Fatou, a marketing consultant in Dakar, becomes a Kolonell partner. Her network: shopkeepers, SMEs, professionals. Month 1, she signs 3 Growth sites (500,000 FCFA each) via warm intros. Commission: 3 x 75,000 = 225,000 FCFA. She pushes maintenance at 100,000 FCFA/month: the 3 clients accept, i.e. 15,000 FCFA/month recurring.
She repeats for 4 months: 12 clients signed, 900,000 FCFA in sale commissions and 60,000 FCFA/month recurring by month 4. With a 35 % close rate on warm intros, she needs roughly 9 qualified conversations for her 3 monthly sales. By month 12, if she keeps the pace, her recurring base exceeds 150,000 FCFA/month before even the month's first sale.
FAQ
Do I need to code to be a partner? No, no technical skill is required. Your job is the introduction and the relationship; Kolonell handles the quote, production and delivery. You earn 15 % on showcase sites without writing a line of code.
When am I paid? The sale commission is paid on client collection, typically within 15 to 30 days. The 5 % recurring lands each month while the maintenance contract is active.
What close rate should I target? On warm intros (people in your network), 25 to 45 % is realistic. On cold outreach, expect 5 to 10 %. Always favor the qualified referral.
How much can I earn per month? With 3 to 5 showcase sales/month, expect 150,000 to 600,000 FCFA in immediate commissions, plus a growing recurring base. A big marketplace deal can add 250,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA one-off.
Can I combine several poles? Yes, and it's recommended. Mix showcase volume (fast cash) with e-commerce, marketplace or institutional deals (big tickets) to smooth your income.
Let's talk about your project. Join the Kolonell referral partner program and turn your network into recurring income. 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.
