One of the most common questions we hear from our customers is: “How much does a website cost in Kenya?”
Whether you are creating your first website or looking to redo your existing website in Kenya, you will always encounter confusion over how much a website should cost.
To help you understand the costs to expect when designing a website in Kenya, we will explore all the factors considered when building a website.
WEBSITE COST FACTORS
When building a website, whether, through a website designer or doing it yourself, it is important to know the cost to expect. A website’s cost is influenced by things such as its complexity, size, and design requirements. However, to get your website up and running, you will need to consider all the website cost factors involved. Now lets check below;
1. Domain
A domain is your online identity. It’s the name you give to people who want to find you online. When creating a website, the first thing to do is purchase a domain name. This can be a .com, .org, .co.ke, .net, and so on. It depends on your preference.
To purchase a domain, you need to visit hosting companies in Kenya like True Host, DeepAfrica, Hostpoa, and others.
To register, you will need to find a name that no one else is using and pay an annual fee to own it. Follow these steps:
- Choose a reliable domain company
- Using a domain availability checker, conduct a domain name search
- Choose the best available option
- Complete the domain registration by finalizing your order
- Verify your new domain’s availability
A domain name is your online identity, so it is essential to do proper research. Make it catchy and easy to remember. If you can’t get what you are looking for, look for close alternatives.
A domain name costs between Ksh 950 and Ksh 10,000 depending on your choice.
2. Web Hosting
Web hosting makes your website available for viewing online. Different hosting companies charge different fees. These domain registrar companies allow you to choose either the shared hosting option or the dedicated hosting. Shared hosting is cheaper, with a cost range of Ksh 2,100 – Ksh 14,100 per year. The dedicated hosting is much more costly, with a price range of Ksh 5,100 – Ksh 25,100 per year. However, there are many options between these options, and it is up to you to look carefully to choose the plan that best caters to your needs without breaking the bank.
3. Content
For your website to be discoverable online, you need to write attractive content. You should ensure that people find value in what you’ve written on your website. SEO-optimized content will help your website to rank high in search engines for certain keywords. You can write the content yourself to keep the costs down. However, a professional content writer can help you do a better job. You may need to hire a freelance writer or an agency and expect to pay between Ksh 200 – Ksh 500 per 100 words.
It’s good to know how much a content writer will charge you to write SEO content for your website. A website writer can charge per word, per page, per blog, or per project. It is up to you to find the best terms that will fit into your budget.
What type of website do you need?
Before you begin estimating the website cost in Kenya, you’ll need to decide what type of website you need for your venture or business. The common types of websites you can consider include Basic websites (brochure-type), Small business websites, eCommerce websites, and Corporate websites.
| Type of Website | Features | Website Cost in Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Landing Page Website | • 1 – 3 responsive pages • Contact page • Landing Page | Ksh 10,000 – Ksh 20,000 |
| Small Business Website | • Several pages • Social Media Integration • Google My Business Page • Google Analytics | Ksh 20,000 – Ksh 45,000 |
| E-commerce Website | • E-commerce Tools • Order Management System • Live Chat • Delivery Solutions • Payment Integration | Ksh 35,000 – Ksh 150,000 |
| Corporate Website | • Advanced functionality • Unlimited Subpages • Bespoke design • Database Population • CRM Integration | Ksh 90,000 – Ksh 350,000 |
Ways of Building a Website in Kenya
To create a website, you can decide to do everything yourself using web builders or hire a web designer in Kenya which we highly recommend since a professional web designer will offer you a professional website ready for business and also advise accordingly.
Hire A Web Designer in Kenya
Professional web designers are experienced and reliable. They have perfected the art of website creation and will create professional websites for you with all the functionality you need. Hiring a web designer in Kenya will be the best option if you need a website.
When choosing a web designer in Kenya, you can decide to work with an agency or an individual freelancer. A freelancer will give you a more personalized service, but you will need to do a little research online. An agency will have a broad range of experience and will provide a quote for the whole project.
Cost of A Landing Page Website in Kenya
A Landing page website requires very little functionality comprised of 1-3 pages with a ‘brochure style’ look and feel. They should be mobile responsive as well. You should go for a simple website if you need a simple online presence where you showcase your business and receive inquiries.
If you want to build a Landing page Website in Kenya, the website design cost will be between Ksh. 10,000 and Ksh. 20,000. This mainly depends on the complexity of your website.
Here’s an example breakdown of the total cost for a landing page website in Kenya, including any subscriptions or additional costs:
Cost of a Landing Page Website in Kenya
| Cost of a Landing Page Website in Kenya | |
|---|---|
Upfront Costs | |
| Design | Ksh 10,000 – Ksh 20,000 |
| Domain | Ksh 1,000 – Ksh 2,000/ year |
| Total Upfront Cost | Ksh 11,000 – Ksh 22,000 |
Ongoing Costs | |
| Hosting | Ksh 2,000 – Ksh 3,500/ year |
| Content Updates | Ksh 0 – Ksh 6,000/ year |
| Total Ongoing Costs | Ksh 2,000 – Ksh 9,500/ year |
Small Business Website Cost in Kenya
Basic websites and small business websites are brochure-style but have more features. They’re great for businesses that want to upgrade from their existing basic websites. Their features may include integrated social media, Google Analytics, responsive design, content management systems, and Google Maps. They include more pages and are mobile responsive.
Small business websites are ideal for businesses that intend to update their content regularly, like startups and freelancers. If you want to build a Small Business Website in Kenya, the website design cost will be between Ksh 20,000 and Ksh 45,000. Here’s a breakdown of the total cost for a Small Business website in Kenya, including any subscriptions or additional costs:
Small Business Website Cost in Kenya
| Small Business Website Cost in Kenya | |
|---|---|
Upfront Costs | |
| Design | Ksh 20,000 – Ksh 45,000 |
| Domain | Ksh 1,000 – Ksh 2,000/ year |
| Total Upfront Cost | Ksh 21,000 – Ksh 47,000 |
Ongoing Costs | |
| Hosting | Ksh 2,000 – Ksh 3,500 |
| Content Updates | Ksh 0 – Ksh 6,000/ year |
| Total Ongoing Costs | Ksh 2,000 – Ksh 9,500/ year |
Ecommerce Website Cost in Kenya
Now more than ever, people want to review products online before making a purchasing decision. When your products are visible online, there’s a high likelihood for people looking for them to find them and make orders. This is why you need an e-commerce website for your business.
The price of an e-commerce website varies greatly, depending on the number of items you want to stock and the varieties of each item you want to include. It is also greatly influenced by additional features such as a live chat facility, order management system, and delivery tracking functionality.
When ordering for the development of your e-commerce website, think about what you expect from it. Does it make your main brand presence tool? Do you want to include a blog post? Do you want your readers to engage with your social media?
To ensure that your e-commerce website is secure, include an SSL certificate. This will make your customers and Google takes your website seriously.
If you want to build an eCommerce Website in Kenya, the website design cost will be between Ksh 40,000 and Ksh 150,000 depending on the web designer you are working with and also the end results that you want.
Here’s a breakdown of the total cost for an eCommerce Website, including any subscriptions or additional costs:
eCommerce Website Cost in Kenya
| eCommerce Website Cost in Kenya | |
|---|---|
Upfront Costs | |
| Design | Ksh 40,000 – Ksh 150,000 |
| Domain | Ksh 1,000 – Ksh 2,000/ year |
| Total Upfront Cost | Ksh 41,000 – Ksh 152,000 |
Ongoing Costs | |
| Hosting | Ksh 3,500 – Ksh 6,500/ year |
| Content Updates | Ksh 5000 – Ksh 20,000/ year |
| Total Ongoing Costs | Ksh 8,500 – Ksh 26,500/ year |
Corporate Website Cost in Kenya
Larger companies that require more functionality need to go for a corporate website. These websites are necessary for large corporations that have a higher number of visitors or a lot of information to share. It is built from scratch with an original and unique set of requirements.
Corporate websites are data-driven and have advanced functionality and unlimited subpages. They are required by businesses in certain industries like property companies, financial services, architects, recruitment, health and fitness, and more. These websites have a high level of mobile responsiveness.
If you want to build a Corporate Website in Kenya, the website design cost will be between Ksh 90,000 and Ksh 350,000.
Here’s a breakdown of the total cost for a Corporate Website, including any subscriptions or additional costs:
Corporate Website Cost in Kenya
| Corporate Website Cost in Kenya | |
|---|---|
Upfront Costs | |
| Design | Ksh 90,000 – Ksh 350,000 |
| Domain | Ksh 1,000 – Ksh 2,000/ year |
| Total Upfront Cost | Ksh 91,000 – Ksh 352,000 |
Ongoing Costs | |
| Hosting | Ksh 3,500 – Ksh 6,500/ year |
| Content Updates | Ksh 10,000 – Ksh 25,000 / year |
| Total Ongoing Costs | Ksh 13,500 – Ksh 31,500 / year |
Additional Website Costs to Keep In Mind
- Web & Email Hosting: Depending on the amount of traffic expected on your website, web and email hosting costs will vary. You will be charged monthly or annually.
- SSL Certificates: An SSL certificate will make your website more secure, giving your customers the confidence to purchase from you. An SSL certificate keeps the information between your website and site visitor private. You can buy or get a free SSL certificate depending on the company you are working with. Ask about this to factor in the costs.
- Copywriting: Copywriting should be considered in great detail right from the start of the website design. You would like your website to rank high on search engines so that those searching for your services or products can find you easily. If the designer can provide the website copy, ask them how much they will charge you. If not, consider hiring a copywriter.
- Training: Running a website can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the e-commerce platform used to create it. Most people will find it difficult to manage their websites properly. This may call for you to undergo some training and get documentation. These will help you understand how to manage your website, add new products, edit content, and do other daily tasks.
- Photography: You need great images for your website. If you need to create a strong brand image, consider hiring a photographer to help collect a stock of images. You can also buy stock images from sites like Shutterstock or download free images from sites like Unsplash.
Tips for Getting an Accurate Website Cost in Kenya
Website costs in Kenya vary greatly depending on a wide range of factors. Getting an accurate cost for your website may seem hard, especially if you don’t know what to consider. Consider these tips to get an accurate cost of a website in Kenya.
1. Get Functionality Documents
The web designer you hire to create your website should produce a detailed document on all the features and functionality that you want. This will ensure that you don’t leave out or forget anything. Document everything, then tick them off from the list once the task is complete. These functionality documents are also important in ensuring that you don’t pay for things that were never agreed upon.
2. Research Your Options
Once you are ready to build your website, consult web designers to get an idea of how they would handle your website. Get a feel of their process, expertise, and detail. You will also get an idea of how they will handle your inquiries and questions.
The Cheapest Option Is Not Always the Best
Different designers will give you different prices for your website development. Choosing the cheapest option could end up messing you big. Again, being an expensive web designer does not automatically mean high-quality work. To determine the best web designer to work with, check their past results on their previous work. This will help you decide whether to work with them or not. Agree on favorable working terms because this is the beginning of a working partnership that may last long.
Need help with your next website project?
There are so many little things that can affect a website’s cost in Kenya. If you need more advice or have any questions, we are always ready to help whether you are interested in starting a brand new website or redesigning your existing site. Visit our contact page and get in touch or Give us a Call: +254 715 881 264
