WhatsApp Catalog is probably the most under-used feature among Senegalese merchants. Free, built into the app, it replaces an e-commerce site for 70% of SMBs. Here's how to deploy it properly.
TL;DR
- 100% free, up to 500 products per catalog.
- Compatible with Wave, Orange Money, bank transfer (payment outside WhatsApp).
- Public link shareable on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Google My Business.
- Avg conversion seen at Kolonell: 8-14% vs 1.5-3% classic e-commerce.
- Full setup: 2h for 50 products.
H2 — Why a WhatsApp catalog beats a website
For a merchant selling 30-200 SKUs (fashion, food, cosmetics, electronics), a Shopify site costs 30 USD/month + photographer + payment integration. WhatsApp Catalog:
- Costs 0 FCFA
- Lives in the app 95% of Senegalese use
- Enables instant conversation (questions, negotiation, advice)
H3 — Limits to know
| Criteria | WhatsApp Catalog | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | 0 FCFA | 18,500 FCFA | Hosting 5,000 FCFA |
| Max products | 500 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Built-in payment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google SEO | No | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
H2 — Steps to create your catalog
- Download WhatsApp Business (separate app from regular WhatsApp).
- Go to Settings then Business Tools then Catalog.
- Add product: 1:1 square photo, name, price in FCFA, short description.
- Fill in SKU and website URL (optional).
- Publish. Share the wa.me/c/221XXXXXXXX link.
H3 — Optimize photos
White or neutral background, natural light, 1080x1080 px minimum. Our client Aissatou (Almadies fashion boutique) doubled her sales switching from smartphone to studio photos (15,000 FCFA per session of 50 products).
H2 — Integrate Wave and Orange Money payment
WhatsApp doesn't process payment directly in Senegal. Three options:
- Manual Wave: customer sends to the indicated number, you confirm the order.
- PayDunya: generates a payment link integrating Wave/OM/Card, paste in chat.
- Stripe Senegal: if you charge in EUR/USD for the diaspora.
| Solution | Transaction fee | Cashout time |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Wave | 1% customer-side | Instant |
| PayDunya | 2.5% | D+1 |
| Stripe | 2.9% + 0.30 EUR | D+7 |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
H2 — Promote your catalog
The catalog is useless without traffic. Sources that work in Senegal:
- Instagram bio with wa.me/c/... link
- TikTok product lives with WhatsApp QR on screen
- Google My Business: WhatsApp button enabled
- Daily WhatsApp Status stickers showcasing new arrivals
- Dakar micro-influencers (20,000-80,000 FCFA per post)
FAQ
Q: How many products max on WhatsApp Catalog?
R: 500 products per catalog, 30 catalogs per Business account.
Q: Can customers pay inside WhatsApp?
R: Not yet in Senegal (May 2026). India and Brazil have WhatsApp Pay. External link Wave/PayDunya required.
Q: Can I use the catalog with a Free Senegal number?
R: Yes, any carrier. Sonatel, Free and Expresso all work.
Q: What about Google SEO?
R: The catalog doesn't appear directly in Google Search. A showcase site is required for SEO complement.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Catalog is the perfect tool to start selling online with zero financial risk. Kolonell sets it up with 50 photographed products in 1 day for 150,000 FCFA. Free audit on kolonell.com or 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.
