The verdict in three sentences
White-label lets you sell sites and stores with no in-house developer: you sign, a partner produces under your brand. The reseller margin sits between 30 and 50 %: a site billed at 800,000 FCFA costs you 450,000-550,000 FCFA in production. The real asset you keep is the client relationship and the recurring revenue (maintenance, SEO, hosting).
How the reseller model works
You are the client's single point of contact; the technical partner stays invisible. You handle the sale, brief and relationship; they handle code, design and delivery. You bill at public price, pay the partner rate, and pocket the difference.
Two pitfalls to master: quality (pick a reliable partner, since their work carries your name) and timelines (align your client promises with the partner's real capacity).
2026 white-label reseller margins
| Product | Reseller public price | Partner production cost | Reseller margin | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-page showcase site | 400,000 FCFA | 220,000 FCFA | 45 % | 7-10 d |
| Premium showcase site | 800,000 FCFA | 480,000 FCFA | 40 % | 12-18 d |
| E-commerce Starter | 1,200,000 FCFA | 750,000 FCFA | 37 % | 15-25 d |
| Landing + funnel | 300,000 FCFA | 160,000 FCFA | 47 % | 5-7 d |
| Redesign + SEO | 600,000 FCFA | 350,000 FCFA | 42 % | 10-15 d |
| Maintenance/month | 60,000 FCFA | 30,000 FCFA | 50 % | recurring |
*2026 orders of magnitude.*
Recurring revenue, the real gold mine
| Volume | Project margin/mo | Maintenance (50 % margin) | Total margin/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 sites/mo | ~640,000 FCFA | 5 contracts x 30,000 | ~790,000 FCFA |
| 4 sites/mo | ~1,280,000 FCFA | 12 contracts x 30,000 | ~1,640,000 FCFA |
| 6 sites/mo | ~1,920,000 FCFA | 20 contracts x 30,000 | ~2,520,000 FCFA |
The profitable volume starts around 2 projects/month: beyond that, recurring maintenance accumulates and becomes a stable base income.
Mini case study
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Moussa, a marketing consultant in Dakar with no technical team, signs a Premium site at 800,000 FCFA. He white-labels it at 480,000 FCFA: immediate margin of 320,000 FCFA (40 %). He adds a maintenance contract at 60,000 FCFA/month (costs 30,000), or 30,000 FCFA/month more. Across 10 similar clients in a year: 3,200,000 FCFA in project margin + 3,600,000 FCFA/year in recurring maintenance.
White-label or referrer: two ways to earn with Kolonell
If managing the client suits you, white-label maximizes margin. If you prefer zero management, become a Kolonell business referrer: you introduce the client, we do everything, you earn a commission.
| Segment | Referrer commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % maintenance |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | per contract |
| Institutional | 8 % | per contract |
As a pure referrer on an 800,000 FCFA site: 120,000 FCFA with no management. As white-label on the same site: 320,000 FCFA but with the relationship to run. Choose your level of involvement.
FAQ
What margin to expect in white-label? Between 30 and 50 % depending on product and your selling price. Showcase sites and landings often offer the best margins (45-47 %).
Will the client know I outsource? No, if the partner is truly white-label: deliverables, emails and documentation carry your brand. You remain the single contact.
What volume makes it profitable? From 2 projects/month, the margin covers your sales costs. The real lever is recurring maintenance that stacks up.
How do I manage quality risk? Pick a partner with references, test on a small project first, and scope every brief precisely. The partner's quality is your reputation.
White-label or referrer, which to pick? White-label for maximum margin and managing the client; referrer for zero management and simple income. Many combine both.
Let's talk about your project. We offer a white-label or referrer partnership to match your model. 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.
