The verdict in three sentences
Targeted automation for an SME costs between 3,000 and 20,000 EUR depending on the number of flows and the level of customization. The return is measured in hours saved (2 to 6 h/day) and pays back in 3 to 9 months on simple cases. Start with one or two high-volume quick wins rather than a monolithic project.
How much automating a process costs
Price depends mostly on tooling and the number of steps to orchestrate. Low-code platforms (Make, n8n, Zapier) cover most flows; custom builds make sense when business logic is complex or volumes are high.
| Scope | Tooling | 2026 project cost | Monthly subscription | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 simple flow (email follow-up) | Make / Zapier | 3,000 - 5,000 EUR | 20 - 80 EUR | 1 - 2 wks |
| 3-5 linked flows | Self-hosted n8n | 6,000 - 12,000 EUR | 30 - 150 EUR | 2 - 4 wks |
| Complex flows + rules | Custom | 12,000 - 20,000 EUR | 50 - 300 EUR | 4 - 6 wks |
| Multi-tool orchestration | Hybrid iPaaS | 15,000 - 30,000 EUR | 200 - 600 EUR | 6 - 8 wks |
Budget 15 to 20 % of the project cost per year for maintenance to absorb API changes and new use cases.
Where the ROI hides
The main gain is human time reallocated to higher-value work. ROI is hours x loaded hourly cost, plus fewer errors and faster cycles (invoicing, onboarding, reporting).
| Automated process | Time saved / day | Annual gain (35 EUR/h) | Errors avoided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order / invoice entry | 1.5 h | ~ 12,000 EUR | -80 % |
| Customer follow-ups | 1.0 h | ~ 8,000 EUR | -60 % |
| Weekly consolidated reporting | 2.0 h | ~ 16,000 EUR | -90 % |
| Email triage and routing | 1.0 h | ~ 8,000 EUR | -50 % |
| New client onboarding | 0.5 h | ~ 4,000 EUR | -70 % |
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Mini case study
Mark, owner of an 18-person trading SME in Manchester, had orders received by email re-keyed manually into his ERP: 2 h/day for one assistant. A Make + ERP connector flow at 7,500 EUR removed 90 % of the entry. Gain: 1.8 h/day, about 14,000 EUR/year of reallocated time. Payback: 6.4 months, then 40 EUR/month subscription.
FAQ
Custom or low-code platform? In 70 % of SME cases, Make or n8n is enough for 3,000 to 12,000 EUR. Custom is justified beyond several thousand operations/day or for very specific business logic.
How fast do gains appear? A first flow is in production in 1 to 2 weeks. Gains are measurable from month one, with typical payback of 3 to 9 months.
Which processes first? High-volume, repetitive, rule-based ones: follow-ups, data entry, reporting, notifications. Do not automate a poorly defined process; clarify it first.
What if an API changes? That is what maintenance (15-20 %/year) covers. Monitoring with alerts prevents silent breakages and manual replays.
Can we start small? Yes, it is recommended: a 3,000-5,000 EUR quick win proves value before scaling other flows.
Let's scope your project. List your 2 most time-consuming tasks and current tools (ERP, CRM, email): we will price a first flow and its ROI. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
