E-commerce price tiers
| Tier | Cost (KES) | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY / template | 30,000 – 80,000 | Testing, very small catalogues | Theme, basic M-Pesa plugin, limited customization |
| Professional SME store | 80,000 – 200,000 | Growing retailers | Custom design, M-Pesa, 50–500 products, admin training |
| Advanced store | 200,000 – 400,000 | Multi-category brands | Variants, discounts, courier integration, analytics |
| Custom platform | 400,000+ | Marketplaces, B2B, ERP sync | Custom workflows, multi-vendor, API integrations |
Cost drivers specific to Kenya
M-Pesa integration is non-negotiable for most Kenyan shoppers. Proper Daraja API setup (STK Push, callbacks, reconciliation) adds development time versus a simple "pay via Paybill" button.
Delivery logic matters: Nairobi same-day, nationwide zones, pickup points — each rule needs configuration. SMS order alerts and WhatsApp handoff are often requested and should be scoped upfront.
- Product count and variants (size/colour matrices cost more)
- Payment methods — M-Pesa, card, cash on delivery
- Inventory sync with physical shop or POS
- Custom design vs modified theme
- Marketing integrations — Meta Pixel, Google Analytics 4
Hidden costs to plan for
- Payment gateway fees (M-Pesa, card processors)
- Hosting and SSL — KES 3,000–15,000/year depending on traffic
- Product photography and descriptions
- Courier contracts and packaging
- Monthly maintenance and security updates
Budget 10–15% of build cost annually for upkeep on active stores.
Build vs platform
Shopify and WooCommerce work for many SMEs if customised properly. Custom Next.js stores make sense when you need unique B2B pricing, ERP integration, or multi-vendor logic.
Breon Studio advises honestly during discovery — see our e-commerce development service. Compare with general website pricing for non-retail sites.