Question 1

How much does it cost to build an online store in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

A basic e-commerce website in Kenya costs between Ksh 45,000 and Ksh 150,000 depending on the number of products, the complexity of the design and the payment integrations required. This includes M-Pesa integration, a product catalogue and a checkout system. Ongoing costs include domain renewal, hosting and any transaction fees from your payment provider.

Question 2

Can I sell online in Kenya without a website?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but with significant limitations. Many Kenyan businesses sell through Instagram DMs, Facebook Marketplace or WhatsApp without a website. The problem is that these platforms do not have a checkout, so every sale requires manual follow-up. A website with M-Pesa integration automates the payment process, reduces the chance of a customer dropping off before paying and lets you scale without increasing your workload.

Question 3

Is M-Pesa integration necessary for an online store in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for most Kenyan businesses. The majority of Kenyans prefer to pay via M-Pesa for online purchases. An online store without M-Pesa will lose a significant percentage of customers who reach the checkout and find their preferred payment method is not available. M-Pesa STK Push (which prompts the customer on their phone) is the smoothest integration for retail e-commerce.

Question 4

How do I handle delivery for my online store in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

The most common approach for Nairobi-based online stores is to offer delivery through a third-party courier (Sendy, Glovo, or a local dispatch rider) plus an option for customer pickup. Display your delivery fee clearly at checkout — unexpected delivery costs are the leading cause of cart abandonment in Kenyan e-commerce.

Question 5

What products sell best online in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

Fashion and clothing, electronics and accessories, beauty and skincare products, food and grocery items, and home goods are the top-performing categories in Kenyan e-commerce. Service businesses (professional services, digital products, consultancy) can also sell online effectively using booking and payment forms rather than a product catalogue.