Website Design Cost in Kenya (2026): Prices for Business, E-Commerce and Custom Websites
In 2026, website design in Kenya costs KES 15,000 to 35,000 for a template site, KES 35,000 to 80,000 for a basic business website, KES 80,000 to 250,000 for a custom conversion-focused website, and KES 150,000 to 450,000 for e-commerce with M-Pesa. Hosting, domain and maintenance add KES 10,000 to 60,000 a year.
"How much is a website?" is the most common question we get, and the honest answer is the same as "how much is a car?" A Vitz and a Land Cruiser both get you to Naivasha. They are not the same purchase.
This guide gives you real 2026 prices for each type of website in Kenya, the yearly costs nobody mentions upfront, and the questions that stop you from paying for the same website twice.
Website prices in Kenya at a glance
| Type of website | Typical KES price | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template or DIY builder site | 15,000 – 35,000 | 1–2 weeks | Testing an idea, side businesses |
| Basic business website (5–8 pages) | 35,000 – 80,000 | 2–4 weeks | Small service businesses that need a credible presence |
| Custom conversion website | 80,000 – 250,000 | 4–8 weeks | SMEs that want the site to generate enquiries |
| E-commerce with M-Pesa checkout | 150,000 – 450,000 | 6–12 weeks | Retailers, distributors, product brands |
| Corporate or multi-language site | 250,000 – 900,000 | 8–16 weeks | Large companies, NGOs, listed firms |
| Web application or portal | 300,000 and above | 3–6 months | Bookings, client portals, systems |
Prices exclude 16% VAT where the developer is VAT-registered.
What you get at each price level
KES 15,000 – 35,000: a template
Someone installs a ready-made theme, swaps the logo and colours, and adds your text. It works, but it looks like thousands of other sites, usually loads slowly on mobile data, and is rarely set up for search or lead capture. Fine for a test. Weak for a business that competes on trust.
KES 35,000 – 80,000: a basic business site
A properly built site with your pages, contact form, WhatsApp button, Google Maps and basic on-page SEO. The design is often still template-based, and copywriting is usually your job.
KES 80,000 – 250,000: a website built to sell
This is where the website stops being a brochure. Expect custom design around your buyer’s questions, written copy, original photography where possible, speed optimisation, schema markup, analytics with conversion tracking, and a lead pipeline so every enquiry is captured. We explain the difference in your website is not a brochure.
KES 150,000 – 450,000: e-commerce
Product catalogue, cart, M-Pesa STK Push and card payments, delivery zones, stock management and order notifications. Read the full breakdown in our guide to e-commerce websites with M-Pesa.
Yearly running costs
| Item | Typical yearly KES cost |
|---|---|
| .co.ke domain | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| .com domain | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Shared hosting | 3,000 – 15,000 |
| Managed cloud or VPS hosting | 18,000 – 120,000 |
| Business email (per user) | 2,000 – 9,000 |
| Premium plugins and licences | 5,000 – 40,000 |
| Maintenance and security | 36,000 – 360,000 |
A website that nobody updates becomes a security risk within a year. We cover what proper upkeep involves in website maintenance and security in Kenya.
What cheap website quotes usually leave out
- Copywriting. "Send us your content" means you write the website. Most owners never finish.
- Mobile speed. Most Kenyan visitors browse on phones and mobile data. A heavy site loses them before it loads.
- Tracking. Without analytics and conversion tracking you will never know if the site works.
- Ownership. Some developers register the domain in their own name. Insist the domain, hosting and admin access are yours.
- SEO foundations. Page titles, structure, schema and Google Business Profile links are cheap to do at build time and expensive to fix later.
Questions to ask before you pay a deposit
- Will the domain and hosting be registered in my name?
- Who writes the copy, and who supplies photos?
- How fast will the home page load on a 4G phone?
- Is conversion tracking for forms, calls and WhatsApp clicks included?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- What does support cost after launch?
- Can I edit pages myself without breaking the design?
Is a website still worth it if I sell on Instagram and WhatsApp?
Yes, for three reasons. Google and AI assistants cannot recommend you if you only exist inside Instagram. Buyers who are about to spend serious money check for a real website before paying. And a website is the only marketing asset you fully own; an Instagram account can be hacked or restricted overnight. The website does not replace WhatsApp. It sends better-qualified people to it.
How Nimus prices websites
Nimus conversion websites start from KES 150,000. Every build includes copy written around your buyers’ questions, mobile speed work, schema markup, conversion tracking for calls, forms and WhatsApp, and a lead dashboard so no enquiry gets lost. You own the domain, the site and the data. See what is included on our website design and SEO service or compare packages on the pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a simple website cost in Kenya?
A simple 5-page business website in Kenya costs KES 35,000 to 80,000 in 2026 when built by a professional developer. Template sites from freelancers can cost KES 15,000 to 35,000 but usually exclude copywriting, speed optimisation and conversion tracking.
How long does it take to build a website in Kenya?
A basic business website takes 2 to 4 weeks. A custom conversion website takes 4 to 8 weeks, and e-commerce sites take 6 to 12 weeks. The biggest cause of delay is usually waiting for content and approvals from the client.
Is WordPress good for Kenyan businesses?
WordPress is a good choice for content-heavy sites when it is kept updated and secured. It becomes a liability when stacked with dozens of plugins and never maintained. Custom-built sites are faster and safer for businesses that need specific features or lead systems.
Should I pay monthly or once for a website?
Most Kenyan businesses pay once for the build and then monthly or yearly for hosting and maintenance. Monthly "website rental" plans can look cheaper but often mean you never own the site. Make sure you own the domain and files either way.
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Related service: E-Commerce Website Design in Kenya with M-Pesa
