The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, Shopify costs around FCFA 1,200,000/year all-in (subscription + 2% platform fee outside the native gateway), while a custom build demands FCFA 18,000,000 to 45,000,000 one-off (about EUR 27,000 to 69,000). Under 200 orders/month and without complex business rules, stay on Shopify. Beyond that, and once the 2% erodes margins, custom pays back in 24 to 40 months.
Three-year total cost of ownership
The right metric is not sticker price but TCO. 2026 order of magnitude for a store generating FCFA 200,000,000 revenue/year.
| Line item | Shopify | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | FCFA 1,500,000 | FCFA 18,000,000 - 45,000,000 |
| Annual subscription | FCFA 900,000 | 0 |
| 2% platform fee | FCFA 4,000,000 | 0 |
| Paid apps | FCFA 1,200,000/yr | 0 |
| Maintenance/yr | partly included | FCFA 4,200,000 - 10,800,000 |
| 3-year total | ~FCFA 19,500,000 | ~FCFA 40,000,000 - 77,000,000 |
At this revenue level, Shopify stays cheaper. Custom wins beyond FCFA 400,000,000 revenue, or when the 2% fees exceed annual maintenance.
Decision grid by profile
The choice hinges on three variables: volume, margin and specific business rules.
| Profile | Order volume | Business rules | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launching store | < 100/month | Standard | Shopify |
| Growing SME | 100 - 400/month | Moderate | Shopify + apps |
| Thin margin | > 300/month | Standard | Custom (avoids the 2%) |
| Complex rules | Variable | Specific pricing/logistics | Custom |
| High volume | > 800/month | High | Custom |
Mini case study
Mamadou, e-commerce director at an appliance retailer, does FCFA 320,000,000 revenue/year on Shopify. The 2% platform fee costs him FCFA 6,400,000/year, plus FCFA 1,200,000 in apps. A custom build at FCFA 32,000,000, maintenance at FCFA 650,000/month (FCFA 7,800,000/year), removes the 2% fee. Net annual saving nears FCFA 7,800,000 from year two: payback in about 34 months, with pricing and delivery rules finally native.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Is Shopify really cheaper?
Yes, below FCFA 300,000,000 revenue/year, all-in (subscription, apps, 2% fee) it runs around FCFA 1,200,000/year. Custom only becomes competitive at high volume or when the 2% fees weigh heavily.
What is the budget for custom e-commerce?
Between FCFA 18,000,000 and 45,000,000 one-off depending on catalogue and business rules, plus maintenance of FCFA 350,000 to 900,000/month. Timeline is 8 to 14 weeks.
Which payments to integrate?
Card via gateway and transfer for B2B; card fees sit around 1.5 to 2.5%. Local mobile money can be added depending on available partners.
At what revenue does custom win?
Generally above FCFA 400,000,000 revenue/year, or once the 2% platform fees exceed the annual maintenance cost of the custom build.
Can we migrate from Shopify to custom later?
Yes, a common path: start on Shopify to validate the market, then switch when volume justifies the build. Plan a catalogue migration and 301 redirects.
Let's scope your project. Give us your revenue, order volume and business rules: we will price the most cost-effective option (optimised Shopify or build FCFA 18,000,000 to 45,000,000). 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.
