The verdict in three sentences
For an African e-commerce store, the real criterion isn't the monthly price but the 3-year total cost and the quality of mobile money integration. Shopify is fast to launch but bills in foreign currency and integrates Wave and Orange Money poorly out of the box; WooCommerce is flexible and cheap but needs maintenance; custom costs more upfront but eliminates vendor lock-in and handles Wave/OM perfectly. The choice depends on your volume and horizon.
The three-approach comparison
Each approach has its logic. Here are the key characteristics in 2026.
| Criterion | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Medium | 1M - 4M FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 30-80 USD + apps | 15,000-50,000 FCFA | Maintenance only |
| Wave/OM integration | Limited | Plugin | Native, robust |
| SEO | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Scalability | High | Medium | High |
| Vendor lock-in | Strong | Low | None |
| Customization | Limited | High | Total |
The 3-year total cost
This is the most honest comparison. We reason in cumulative cost, apps and fees included, for a mid-sized store.
| 3-year item | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | 300,000 FCFA | 500,000 FCFA | 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Subscription / hosting | 1,800,000 FCFA | 900,000 FCFA | 540,000 FCFA |
| Apps / plugins | 720,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Extra transaction fees | Possible | No | No |
| Estimated 3-year total | ~2,820,000 FCFA | ~1,700,000 FCFA | ~3,040,000 FCFA |
Custom becomes competitive beyond 3 years and for high volumes, where the absence of recurring fees and full control eventually pay off.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Cheikh, who runs an electronics shop in Dakar with 200 orders/month, is undecided. On Shopify, apps (payment, delivery, reviews) cost him 60 USD/month on top of the subscription, and Wave integration goes through an intermediary. He chooses a custom site at 2,500,000 FCFA with native Wave and Orange Money. Over 3 years he saves about 300,000 FCFA versus Shopify while removing vendor lock-in and gaining payment speed.
FAQ
Does Shopify handle Wave and Orange Money well? Not natively. You must go through an intermediary or a third-party gateway, which adds fees and a layer of complexity.
Is WooCommerce really cheaper? Over 3 years, often yes, because hosting is economical. But it requires regular technical maintenance you must budget for.
When to choose custom? As soon as you have high volume, specific needs (marketplace, ERP) or you want to eliminate all vendor lock-in and recurring fees.
What's the real risk with Shopify? Vendor lock-in and foreign-currency billing: your costs rise with volume and exchange rate, without you controlling the platform.
Can you migrate later? Yes, but a migration costs 250,000 to 800,000 FCFA. Better to choose the right approach from the start based on your horizon.
Let's talk about your project. We help you pick the platform that fits your volume and integrate Wave and Orange Money cleanly. 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.