How Much Does a Website Cost in Kenya? Design Prices in KES & USD
"How much does a website cost?" is usually the first question we get — and fairly, since quotes online range from a few thousand shillings to figures that feel designed for large corporations, not small businesses. Here's a straightforward breakdown of website design prices in Kenya (shown in KSh, also written KES, with approximate USD), what actually drives the cost, and what to budget for hosting and a domain, whether you're based in Kenya or working with us from abroad.
Typical website pricing
We offer two services, each with published starting prices. Use the price estimator on each page for a guide to your own project.
| Service | Starting from | What the starting price covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business website | KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194) | Up to 3 pages, professional design adapted to your brand, a standard contact form and WhatsApp link, mobile-responsive design, and SEO-ready structure. Each additional page is KSh 6,000. |
| Online store | KSh 65,000 (≈ US$504) | Up to 50 products, M-Pesa checkout for one Till or Paybill plus one card or international gateway, shipping setup, a store dashboard with training, basic SEO, and payments tested before launch. |
These are our own current starting prices — other studios and freelancers will vary, but this range reflects what a professionally built, mobile-friendly site costs today. USD figures are an approximate guide for international clients (about KSh 129 per US$1) and will shift slightly with the exchange rate — we'll always confirm an exact quote in your preferred currency before any work begins.
Business website: how the price is built
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Base website, up to 3 pages | KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194) |
| Each additional page | KSh 6,000 (≈ US$47) |
| Content writing (optional)Up to 800 words per page and one revision. | KSh 1,500 per page (≈ US$12) |
| Blog / news section | KSh 4,000 (≈ US$31) |
| Booking integration | KSh 5,000 (≈ US$39) |
| Advanced enquiry form | KSh 5,500 per form (≈ US$43) |
| Additional language | KSh 6,000 setup per additional language, plus KSh 1,000 per translated page per language |
A few examples: a 3-page site is KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194), a 5-page site is KSh 37,000 (≈ US$287), a 5-page site with content writing is KSh 44,500 (≈ US$345), and an 8-page site with a blog is KSh 59,000 (≈ US$457). Professional design adapted to your brand, a contact form, mobile-responsive design and SEO-ready structure are included in the base price, not charged again.
Online store: how the price is built
| Catalog size | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 products | KSh 65,000 (≈ US$504) |
| 51–150 products | KSh 90,000 (≈ US$698) |
| 151–500 products | KSh 120,000 (≈ US$930) |
| More than 500 products | Quoted individually |
Each band includes M-Pesa checkout for one Till or Paybill number and one card or international gateway (cards, PayPal or Stripe). Extras are priced on top:
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Additional card or international gateway | KSh 5,450 each (≈ US$42) |
| Second M-Pesa number | KSh 15,850 (≈ US$123) |
| Booking integration | KSh 5,000 (≈ US$39) |
| Additional language | KSh 6,000 setup per additional language, plus KSh 1,000 per translated page per language |
| M-Pesa payouts or refunds | From KSh 35,000 (≈ US$271) |
| Subscriptions, multi-vendor marketplaces and other custom features | Quoted individually |
How much does a website cost in Nairobi and across Kenya?
We're a Nairobi-based studio, and the price of a website depends on its scope, not on where in Kenya you are. A business in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu or anywhere else in the country pays the same for the same project.
As a guide to the average cost of website design for a small business, based on our own pricing: most small businesses need a business website (from KSh 25,000, ≈ US$194), and a 5-page site comes to KSh 37,000. Only businesses selling online with a product catalog and checkout need an online store (from KSh 65,000, ≈ US$504). Other studios and freelancers charge differently, so compare what each quote includes, not just the headline number.
What actually drives the cost?
1. Number of pages or products
A one-page landing site is naturally cheaper to design and build than a ten-page business site with a blog, team page, and service breakdowns. Our business websites include 3 pages, and each additional page is KSh 6,000. For online stores, the size of your catalog sets the starting price: up to 50, 51 to 150, or 151 to 500 products.
2. E-commerce functionality
Adding a product catalog, shopping cart, and secure checkout requires more development time than a standard informational site — this is usually the biggest jump in price. Payment integration is a big part of that, and it depends on where your customers are:
- M-Pesa (Till or Paybill) — the standard for customers in Kenya (see our guide to M-Pesa online payments in Kenya)
- Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) — works for customers anywhere
- Stripe — the most common choice for international, card-first stores, with strong multi-currency support
- PayPal — widely trusted by international buyers, especially in the US and Europe
- Multi-currency display — showing prices in a visitor's local currency, useful once you're selling across more than one region
Most stores need just one or two of these, matched to where customers actually are — adding every option "just in case" adds cost and complexity without much real benefit. One M-Pesa number and one card or international gateway are included in our starting price; each extra gateway is KSh 5,450 and a second M-Pesa number is KSh 15,850.
A few practical terms are worth knowing. M-Pesa checkout needs an active Till or Paybill registered to your business, and Safaricom reviews production access itself, so timing can vary and may affect your launch date. PayPal and Stripe need an account approved for your business, and availability for Kenya-based businesses depends on their current rules. See our e-commerce website page for a full breakdown of what's included.
3. Custom design vs. templates
At many studios, a site designed specifically around your brand costs more than a generic template, though it also looks and performs noticeably better — and won't look identical to five other businesses in your industry. With us, professional design adapted to your brand is included in the starting price.
4. SEO and speed optimization
Structuring pages properly for Google and optimizing images and code for fast loading takes extra work upfront, but pays off in visitors found organically instead of only through paid ads. Basic SEO and a fast, mobile-friendly build are part of both of our services.
5. Content writing
If you'd rather not write your own text, content writing is KSh 1,500 per page (≈ US$12), covering up to 800 words per page and one revision. Supplying your own content costs nothing extra.
6. Ongoing maintenance
Some quotes only cover the build. Updates, backups, and security monitoring after launch are usually a separate, smaller monthly cost — ask what's included before you compare two quotes. Our website packages include 2 weeks of free support after launch, before any maintenance plan begins.
💬 Got a rough idea of your pages or products? Price your own project.
Hosting, domain and other website costs in Kenya
The design fee is only part of what it costs to run a website. Plan for these ongoing costs as well. We set up your domain and hosting for you, and you pay the provider directly:
Cost of hosting a website in Kenya
Hosting typically costs KSh 3,000–15,000 per year (≈ US$23–116), depending on how much traffic and storage your site needs. A small brochure site sits at the lower end, while a busy store or a site with many images and products needs more. Busy stores can outgrow shared hosting and move to VPS or cloud plans, which can cost more than this range. Our hosting and domain guide explains how to choose.
Domain name
A domain typically costs KSh 1,000–2,500 per year (≈ US$8–19), for example a .co.ke or .com domain. Prices vary by extension and registrar, some providers quote before 16% VAT, and renewal prices can differ from the first-year price. See how domain renewal prices are changing.
Maintenance
Optional monthly plans cover updates, backups and security, billed monthly with no long-term lock-in. The Essential plan is KSh 5,000–10,000 per month (≈ US$39–78) and the Growth plan KSh 10,000–30,000 per month (≈ US$78–233); online stores belong on Growth. See our maintenance plans, what website maintenance includes, and our yearly website costs budget for a full-year view of what to expect.
Payment provider fees
If you sell online, Safaricom charges its own transaction fees on M-Pesa payments you receive, and card providers, PayPal and Stripe charge theirs. These are not part of the design price.
What does it cost to set up a website in Kenya?
If you're wondering how to open a website in Kenya, there are four steps, and each has its own cost:
- Choose and register a domain name — KSh 1,000–2,500 per year.
- Get hosting — KSh 3,000–15,000 per year.
- Design and build the site — from KSh 25,000 for a business website, or from KSh 65,000 for an online store.
- Launch and maintain it — testing, going live, 2 weeks of free support, and optional monthly maintenance afterwards.
So the first-year total is the design fee plus the domain and hosting, which you'll usually pay for separately each year. For example:
| Example | Build | Domain and hosting (per year) | First-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-page business website | KSh 25,000 | KSh 4,000–17,500 | KSh 29,000–42,500 (≈ US$225–329) |
| Online store, up to 50 products | KSh 65,000 | KSh 4,000–17,500 | KSh 69,000–82,500 (≈ US$535–640) |
These totals exclude optional maintenance, content writing, extras and payment provider fees. Hosting and domain prices checked October 2026; some providers quote before 16% VAT. We handle all four steps for you, and confirm the full first-year figure in your quote.
Is a cheap website worth it?
An extremely low-cost site is sometimes fine for a very simple one-pager, but it often comes with slow load times, poor mobile design, and no SEO structure — all things that quietly cost you customers later. The goal isn't the cheapest site; it's the site that pays for itself through the customers it brings in.
How we price at Nordlyte Web Studio
We use fixed, published starting prices so there are no surprises: a business website from KSh 25,000 (up to 3 pages, then KSh 6,000 per page) and an online store from KSh 65,000 (up to 50 products). If your project doesn't fit neatly into those, or you're an international client working in USD, we scope it and send a free custom quote before any work begins — with a 50% deposit when you accept the quote and the remaining balance before the website goes live.
What if you're outside Kenya?
We're based in Nairobi and work with clients locally and internationally — the process is the same either way: a short call or message about what you need, a fixed quote in your currency, and a remote-friendly build and handover. Payment for international clients is typically arranged via bank transfer or card, and the USD ranges above are a starting reference, not a fixed rate — we'll confirm the exact number for your project upfront.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make a website?
A business website starts from KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194) for up to 3 pages, and each additional page is KSh 6,000. An online store starts from KSh 65,000 (≈ US$504) for up to 50 products. The exact cost depends on the number of pages or products, payment methods, extras, and whether you need content writing.
How much does a website cost in Kenya specifically?
Our own published starting prices are KSh 25,000 for a business website and KSh 65,000 for an online store, with hosting (KSh 3,000–15,000 per year, US$23–116) and a domain (KSh 1,000–2,500 per year, US$8–19) as separate ongoing costs paid directly to the provider.
How much does it cost to make a website for a small business?
Most small businesses need an informational business website, which starts from KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194) for up to 3 pages. A 5-page site is KSh 37,000 (≈ US$287), an 8-page site is KSh 55,000 (≈ US$426), and content writing is optional at KSh 1,500 per page. That's the most cost-effective place to start if you don't need to sell online.
How much does a website cost in Nairobi?
We're based in Nairobi, and the price depends on scope, not on where in Kenya you are. A business website starts from KSh 25,000 (≈ US$194) and an online store from KSh 65,000 (≈ US$504).
How much does an online store cost in Kenya?
Our online stores start from KSh 65,000 (≈ US$504) for up to 50 products, with M-Pesa checkout and one card or international gateway. Catalogs of 51 to 150 products start from KSh 90,000 (≈ US$698), and 151 to 500 products from KSh 120,000 (≈ US$930). Extra payment gateways, a second M-Pesa number and other extras are priced separately.
How much does hosting a website cost in Kenya?
Hosting typically costs KSh 3,000 to KSh 15,000 per year (≈ US$23 to US$116) depending on traffic and storage, plus a domain at KSh 1,000 to KSh 2,500 per year (≈ US$8 to US$19). You pay the provider directly, and we set both up for you. Busy stores on VPS or cloud hosting can pay more, and some providers quote before 16% VAT.
How much does it cost to set up a website in Kenya?
Setting up a website means paying for a domain (KSh 1,000 to 2,500 per year), hosting (KSh 3,000 to 15,000 per year) and the design and build, which starts from KSh 25,000 for a business website or KSh 65,000 for an online store.
Does the price change for international clients?
The scope-based pricing logic is the same wherever you're based — we quote in your preferred currency, and the USD figures above are an approximate starting reference for that purpose.
Want an exact quote for your project?
Tell us what you need and we'll send a clear, fixed price — no obligation.