The verdict in three sentences
The payment link turns a WhatsApp conversation into secure collection with no website or development. It's created in 2 minutes, costs 1 to 2.5% per transaction and converts 30 to 45% of private chats into payment. But beyond about 50 orders/month, a real website (catalog, cart, automation) becomes more profitable.
How a payment link works
You generate a link (fixed or open amount) from Wave, PayDunya or CinetPay, send it in a DM, the customer pays, you get a confirmation. No card, no shop, no installation.
| Solution (2026 estimate) | Fee per transaction | Creation time | Funds received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave link | ~1% | < 2 min | Instant on wallet |
| PayDunya | ~2 to 2.5% | < 5 min | D+1 to D+2 |
| CinetPay | ~2 to 3% | < 5 min | D+1 to D+2 |
| Orange Money link | ~1 to 1.5% | < 5 min | Instant on wallet |
Link vs mini-shop vs full website
The link is unbeatable at launch; it shows its limits as volume grows.
| Criterion | Payment link | Mini-shop | Full website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 0 FCFA | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA |
| Product catalog | No | Limited | Unlimited |
| Multi-item cart | No | Yes | Yes |
| Order tracking | Manual | Basic | Automated |
| Ideal up to | ~50 orders/mo | ~200 orders/mo | Unlimited |
| Brand image | Weak | Medium | Strong |
Mini case study
Fatou, a jewelry maker selling on Instagram in Dakar, handles 40 orders/month via Wave payment links. Fees: ~1% of 600,000 FCFA in sales = 6,000 FCFA/month, negligible. But she spends 8 h/month generating links and tracking payments by hand. At 70 orders/month, that time doubles: a website with catalog and integrated payment (~400,000 FCFA) would save her ~12 h/month and raise her average basket via cross-sell. The link is perfect under 50 orders; beyond that, the site pays.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Do I need a business account to create a payment link?
Not always: Wave lets you collect from a simple merchant account. For PayDunya or CinetPay, a validated merchant account is needed but takes a few days.
Is a payment link secure for the customer?
Yes: payment goes through the operator (Wave/OM) or aggregator, not through you. The customer never shares credentials with the seller.
What conversion rate to expect from a DM?
Order of magnitude 30 to 45% when the link is sent after a real conversation. That's well above a cold link sent without context.
When should I move from links to a real website?
Around 50 orders/month: the manual time managing links then exceeds the cost of a site that automates everything.
Can I track revenue with links?
Partly: each solution offers a history, but consolidation stays manual. A website centralizes orders, stock and revenue.
Let's talk about your project. We start with payment links, then move to a real shop once your volume justifies it. 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.
