The verdict in three sentences
Choosing between WordPress, a headless CMS (Sanity, Strapi) and custom (Next.js) isn't settled on the initial quote but on the 3-year total cost of ownership (TCO). WordPress has the lowest entry ticket but the heaviest recurring cost (maintenance, plugins, security); custom reverses the logic (high initial, controlled recurring). Headless sits in the middle, ideal for an editorial blog or a site that must feed both a mobile app and a website from a single source.
The three approaches in one table
| Criterion | WordPress | Headless (Sanity/Strapi) | Custom (Next.js) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 300,000 - 700,000 FCFA | 800,000 - 1,800,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 - 4,000,000 FCFA |
| Recurring licences | Plugins 50-300 EUR/yr | Free tier then 10-100 EUR/mo | 0 (hosting only) |
| Maintenance/month | 100,000 - 200,000 FCFA | 50,000 - 120,000 FCFA | 40,000 - 100,000 FCFA |
| Attack surface | High (plugins) | Medium | Low |
| Performance (LCP) | Average | Good | Excellent |
| Time to launch | 5-15 days | 15-30 days | 25-50 days |
3-year TCO by profile
The real comparison adds initial + recurring over 36 months. Figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude for the Senegalese market.
| Profile | WordPress 3 yrs | Headless 3 yrs | Custom 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase (5-8 pages) | ~1,900,000 FCFA | ~2,300,000 FCFA | ~2,600,000 FCFA |
| Active editorial blog | ~3,200,000 FCFA | ~2,800,000 FCFA | ~3,400,000 FCFA |
| Mid-size e-commerce | ~5,800,000 FCFA | ~5,200,000 FCFA | ~4,900,000 FCFA |
| Cost of 1 hack | 300,000 - 1,500,000 FCFA | rare | very rare |
Reading: for a simple showcase, WordPress stays cheapest over 3 years. As soon as there's editorial volume or e-commerce, headless and custom catch up then overtake WordPress's initial advantage, because controlled recurring offsets the higher entry ticket.
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Mini case study
Awa, owner of a cosmetics shop in Dakar, hesitates between a WordPress site at 450,000 FCFA and a custom site at 1,600,000 FCFA. Over 3 years: WordPress costs her 450,000 + (150,000 x 36) = 5,850,000 FCFA with maintenance. Custom: 1,600,000 + (70,000 x 36) = 4,120,000 FCFA. Savings over 3 years: 1,730,000 FCFA, not counting the avoided plugin-hack risk. The higher initial ticket is paid back by month 14.
FAQ
Is WordPress really cheaper? Only at purchase. Over 3 years, premium plugins (50-300 EUR/yr), heavier maintenance (100,000-200,000 FCFA/mo) and security risk often push TCO above a custom build once you have traffic.
Who is headless for? For those who publish a lot (blog, media) or push the same content to web + mobile app. Sanity and Strapi offer a free tier, then 10-100 EUR/month depending on API and user volume.
Is custom worth it for an SME? Yes once the site lasts more than 18-24 months with traffic. Recurring drops to hosting only (25,000-75,000 FCFA/mo) since there's no licence or plugin to renew.
How do I avoid the wrong call? Always compute 3-year TCO, not the quote. Ask for the recurring breakdown (maintenance, licences, hosting) before signing, otherwise the "cheap" option becomes the most expensive.
Let's talk about your project. We compute your 3-year TCO across all three scenarios before you choose. 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.
