The verdict in three sentences
An unmaintained site becomes vulnerable, slow and obsolete within months: security holes, missing backups, outdated plugins. A maintenance retainer (40,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month in Dakar in 2026) covers security, backups, monitoring and small changes at a predictable cost. One-off fixes (25,000-75,000 FCFA) suit simple, static sites but cost more the moment an incident hits.
Retainer or one-off fixes
A maintenance retainer is a subscription: the provider monitors, patches and evolves the site continuously. One-off work is billed per task, with no prevention or commitment.
| Criterion | Retainer | One-off |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | 40,000-200,000 FCFA | 0 (per task) |
| Security / updates | Preventive, included | On request |
| Backups | Automatic | Rarely |
| Response time | Guaranteed SLA | As available |
| Cost of an incident | Absorbed | 25,000-75,000 FCFA |
| Best for | Active sites, e-commerce | Static brochure sites |
As soon as a site drives business (forms, e-commerce, traffic), the retainer costs less than a string of emergency fixes.
Retainer tiers and their inclusions
Three tiers cover most Senegalese SMEs. Here is the 2026 grid in FCFA.
| Tier | Price/month | Inclusions | For which site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 40,000-70,000 FCFA | Security updates, backups, uptime | Brochure 5-10 pages |
| Business | 80,000-130,000 FCFA | + minor changes, priority support, report | Active site, blog, forms |
| Premium | 150,000-200,000 FCFA | + strong SLA, e-commerce, monthly changes | Store, high traffic |
The Business tier is the most requested: it combines prevention, responsiveness and a monthly quota of changes, without the cost of a Premium plan.
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Mini case study
Aminata, head of a distribution SME in Dakar, is torn between one-off and retainer for her brochure site with forms. Over a year, she had 3 incidents (hack, broken plugin, restore) billed 65,000 FCFA each, totaling 195,000 FCFA, plus 4 days of downtime.
A Business retainer at 100,000 FCFA/month would cost 1,200,000 FCFA/year: pricier on paper, but it would have prevented the incidents, lost leads and stress. Since her site generates 30 high-value leads/month, she opts for the retainer, judging that a single day of downtime costs her more than the difference.
FAQ
How much does SME site maintenance cost in Dakar in 2026? From 40,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month depending on site type. A simple brochure site stays around 40,000-70,000, an e-commerce around 150,000-200,000.
What exactly does a retainer cover? Security updates, automatic backups, uptime monitoring, bug fixes and a quota of minor changes depending on the tier.
Are one-off fixes cheaper? For a static, low-change site, yes. Once business is at stake, the sum of emergency fixes quickly exceeds the retainer.
What is a maintenance SLA? A commitment on response time (e.g. within 4 business hours) and availability. It reassures critical and e-commerce sites.
Can I change tier during the year? Yes: many start on Essential then move to Business as traffic and change needs grow.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the site type, its traffic and your change needs: we frame a retainer at the right tier with an indicative FCFA budget. 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.
