The verdict in three sentences
A one-page spec rarely suffices: in Lomé in 2026, a structured 3-to-5-page brief is the difference between three comparable quotes and three incoherent ones. Budget 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a professional brochure site, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks. The brief must lock goals, sitemap, local SEO, hosting and maintenance — the four items that blow quotes apart when left vague.
The template of a 2026 spec brief
Each section of the brief removes a costly back-and-forth with the agency.
| Section | To specify | Trap avoided |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Contacts, awareness, catalogue | Site with no measurable purpose |
| Audience | B2B clients, consumers, diaspora | Wrong tone and content |
| Sitemap | Page count (5-12) | Rolling change orders |
| Content | Who writes, languages (FR/EN) | Client-side delay |
| Local SEO | "agency + Lomé", Google Business | Zero local visibility |
| Payment / contact | WhatsApp, form, Wave | Uncaptured leads |
| Hosting | .tg or .com domain | Slow, offline site |
| Maintenance | Updates, backups | Site frozen at 6 months |
The sitemap and maintenance sections drive most of the price variance: get them right.
FCFA budget benchmarks in 2026 in Lomé
These are 2026 estimates for a Togolese services SME. International readers convert to EUR/USD (order of magnitude: 1,000,000 FCFA ≈ 1,525 EUR ≈ 1,650 USD).
| Item | 2026 range | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure 5-8 pages | 800,000 - 1,500,000 FCFA | Semi-bespoke design |
| Brochure 9-12 pages + SEO | 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 FCFA | Copy, local SEO |
| Agency / freelance day rate | 90,000 - 170,000 FCFA | Per day |
| Copywriting (per page) | 25,000 - 60,000 FCFA | 500-800 words |
| Hosting + domain | 15,000 - 40,000 FCFA/mo | Managed, backups |
| Monthly maintenance | 40,000 - 120,000 FCFA/mo | Updates, support |
| Delivery time | 3 - 6 weeks | After brief sign-off |
A quote under 800,000 FCFA often hides a duplicated template with no SEO or maintenance: ask for the deliverables list.
Mini case study
Afiwa, founder of a B2B services SME in Lomé (12 staff), wants to consult three agencies. Without a brief, she gets quotes of 650,000, 1,400,000 and 2,800,000 FCFA. After writing a 4-page spec brief (10 pages, FR/EN, local SEO, maintenance included), the new quotes converge at 1,500,000, 1,700,000 and 1,900,000 FCFA — a spread cut from 331 % to 27 %. She picks the median at 1,700,000 FCFA with maintenance at 60,000 FCFA/month. The site generates 20 quote requests/month from week 6: at a 15 % conversion rate and a 300,000 FCFA average deal, it repays its cost in under 2 months.
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FAQ
Is a spec brief worth it for a small brochure site?
Yes, from 800,000 FCFA up. Even a 3-page brief cuts quote spread and avoids change orders. Without it, every change of mind is billed extra.
How many pages for a B2B brochure site in Lomé?
Plan 5 to 12 pages depending on your services. Each extra page costs 40,000 to 90,000 FCFA. Beyond 12 pages you enter a richer site to budget separately.
Should I plan FR and EN?
If you target the diaspora or international clients, yes: translation adds 15 to 25 % to the content budget but clearly widens the audience.
What budget for hosting and maintenance?
Plan 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA/month of managed hosting and 40,000 to 120,000 FCFA/month of maintenance. Without maintenance, the site ages and becomes vulnerable within a year.
How do I add Wave or Orange Money payment?
For a brochure site, a WhatsApp button and a form are enough. If you sell online, Wave/Orange Money integration is an e-commerce project to quote separately.
Let's scope your project. Send us your page list, target languages and an indicative FCFA budget: we turn your need into a quotable spec brief. 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.