Ecommerce Costs for Kenyan Businesses
Online stores in Kenya cost between 45,000 and 350,000 KES on average. Development is one part of the cost. You need to know what you get for your money.
This guide explains:
- Pricing for ecommerce packages.
- Hidden costs.
- Platform comparisons.
- Factors affecting price.
- How to get value.
Ecommerce Website Pricing
Budget Range: 45,000 to 80,000 KES
Includes up to 50 products and template designs. M-Pesa integration and mobile responsiveness are standard. You get basic SEO and one month of support. This package suits new businesses.
Mid Range: 100,000 to 200,000 KES
Includes up to 500 products and custom designs. You get M-Pesa and card payments. Advanced SEO and inventory management are included. Customer accounts and three months of support are standard. This package suits growing businesses.
Premium Range: 250,000 to 500,000 KES
Includes unlimited products and custom features. Marketplace capabilities and advanced analytics are standard. You get API integrations and 12 months of support.
Price Breakdown
Design and Interface
- Template designs cost 10,000 to 25,000 KES. Delivery is fast.
- Custom designs cost 40,000 to 100,000 KES. These designs are unique to your brand.
- Premium designs cost 100,000 KES and up. These include animations and interactive elements.
Development and Functionality
- Basic features like catalogs and checkouts cost 20,000 to 40,000 KES.
- Advanced features like inventory tracking and reviews cost 50,000 to 150,000 KES.
- Enterprise features like marketplaces and mobile apps cost 150,000 KES and up.
Payment Integration
M-Pesa integration costs 15,000 to 25,000 KES. Multi payment systems cost 30,000 to 50,000 KES. Most Kenyan shoppers prefer M-Pesa.
SEO and Marketing
Basic setup costs 10,000 to 20,000 KES. Advanced packages cost 30,000 to 60,000 KES. Full marketing packages reach 150,000 KES.
Support and Training
Support packages range from free to 100,000 KES per year. High end support includes priority access and reviews.
Platform Comparison
Custom Development
Upfront cost is 120,000 KES. Monthly costs for hosting and maintenance are around 13,000 KES. Total three year cost is around 593,400 KES. You own the code. There are no transaction fees.
Shopify
No upfront cost. Monthly costs for plans and apps reach 28,000 KES. Total three year cost exceeds 1,000,000 KES. Shopify charges transaction fees. You lack full control.
WooCommerce
Upfront cost is 50,000 KES. Monthly costs for hosting and maintenance reach 15,000 KES. Total three year cost is around 595,000 KES. This platform requires technical knowledge.
Custom development is the best value for Kenyan businesses. Custom development offers better performance and native M-Pesa links.
Hidden Costs
Domain and Hosting
Domains cost 1,000 to 2,500 KES per year. Hosting costs 1,500 to 30,000 KES monthly based on traffic.
SSL Certificates
Free certificates work for most sites. Paid options cost up to 10,000 KES per year.
Payment Fees
Safaricom and card providers charge 0.5 to 3 percent per transaction.
Photography and Content
Professional photos cost 500 to 2,000 KES per product. Content writing costs 500 to 5,000 KES per item.
Maintenance
Security updates and new features cost 10,000 to 30,000 KES monthly.
Marketing
Expect to spend 50,000 to 150,000 KES monthly on ads and SEO for growth.
Factors Affecting Price
- Product count increases data entry and testing needs.
- Custom features like variants and filters add to the cost.
- Design complexity impacts the time required.
- Integrations with accounting software or CRMs add value.
- Mobile apps are separate projects with high costs.
Get Value for Your Money
- Start with a minimum viable product. Add features later based on data. This strategy saves 30 to 40 percent upfront.
- Prioritize M-Pesa. This feature is non negotiable in Kenya.
- Focus on mobile first design. Most traffic comes from phones.
- Choose local developers for better support and market knowledge.
ROI Calculation
An investment of 120,000 KES leads to monthly revenue of 210,000 KES. Monthly costs for ads and fees total around 58,000 KES. Profit reaches 151,000 KES monthly. The system pays for the cost in one month.
Common Questions
- The cheapest way to start costs 45,000 KES for development.
- Custom builds are cheaper than Shopify over three years.
- Building a starter site takes 7 to 10 days.
- Add features anytime.
- Monthly fees for hosting are necessary.
Next Steps
- Define your budget and requirements. List your products and payment needs.
- Request a quote for exact pricing and timelines.
- Book a consultation to discuss your goals.
Manual records cost you revenue. Most Kenyans shop online. The cost of missing an online presence is high.
Contact NexaUI Tech at +254 727 358 261. Visit our offices in Westlands or the CBD. Let's build your store.
