The verdict in three sentences
A B2B wholesaler does not always need e-commerce: it needs a credible online catalog that generates quote requests. In 2026, budget 1.8M to 3.5M FCFA (about 2,750-5,300 EUR) for a 200-SKU catalog showcase, optimized for 3G mobile. Moving to full B2B e-commerce doubles the budget and only makes sense if you genuinely sell online.
Catalog showcase or full B2B e-commerce?
Many wholesalers pay for an e-commerce they never use. The right question: do your clients order online, or request a quote then negotiate? In B2B wholesale, it is almost always the quote.
| Criterion | Catalog showcase | Full B2B e-commerce |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 budget | 1.8-3.5M FCFA | 4-7M FCFA |
| Timeline | 6-8 weeks | 12-16 weeks |
| Cart & payment | No (quote request) | Yes (Wave/OM/transfer) |
| Client accounts & nego pricing | No | Yes |
| Real-time stock | No | Yes |
| Fits if | Sale by quote/negotiation | Recurring online sale |
2026 pricing grid
| Tier | Scope | Price FCFA | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog | 200 SKUs, search, product page | 1,800,000 | 6 weeks |
| Catalog + | + supplier profile, multi-product quote request | 2,600,000 | 7 weeks |
| Pro showcase | + FR/EN, local SEO, reseller area | 3,500,000 | 8 weeks |
| Hosting + maintenance | Yearly | 900,000 / yr | - |
The quote-request form is the conversion core: the client selects several SKUs and sends a grouped request. That is what turns a static catalog into a lead machine. Everything must stay smooth on 3G, since buyers often browse from a market or site.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Ms. Wanjiru, manager of a building-materials wholesaler, picks the Catalog + tier at 2,600,000 FCFA. Before the site, she got requests only by phone and WhatsApp, with confusing references. After 4 months, the site generates 22 quote requests/month with precise SKUs. Converting 8 % into average orders of 450,000 FCFA yields roughly 792,000 FCFA in attributable monthly revenue: the site pays for itself in a little over 3 months.
FAQ
Can I start with a catalog then move to e-commerce? Yes: we build the showcase on a scalable technical base. Adding cart and payment later costs less than rebuilding, provided it is planned from the start.
How many SKUs can be shown? 200 SKUs are included in the base offer, with search and filters. Beyond that, expect a surcharge for importing and structuring product data.
Does the site handle per-client pricing? Not in the showcase version: negotiated prices stay offline (by quote). Per-account pricing belongs to full B2B e-commerce.
Do I need a French version? Useful if you import from or resell to francophone partners. Otherwise a well-optimized EN site is enough for the local market.
What is a realistic timeline? 6 to 8 weeks, the limiting factor being the quality of your product database (photos, references, categories). A clean file speeds everything up.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of SKUs, whether you sell by quote or online, and your budget between 1.8M and 3.5M FCFA. 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.
