The verdict in three sentences
The price of an online store in Lagos depends first on three cost centres — catalogue size, the number of integrated payment methods and logistics complexity — far more than on design. A Starter build (800,000-1,200,000 NGN) is enough to sell 50 products with Paystack and Flutterwave, while custom premium (2,000,000-3,000,000 NGN) is justified by a PWA, loyalty and multi-currency. The right call in 2026: start from a proven template, then reinvest margin into the features that actually sell.
What really moves the price
Many merchants think they pay "for a pretty site". In reality, the gap between 800,000 and 3,000,000 NGN comes down to concrete features: unlimited catalogue, international cards, automatic delivery calculation, loyalty programme, AI recommendations. Design is shared across a template and adds marginally little.
| Cost centre | Price impact | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| 50 vs unlimited catalogue | High | +250,000 to +750,000 NGN |
| Paystack only vs + international cards | Medium | +150,000 to +400,000 NGN |
| Manual vs auto delivery + tracking | Medium | +200,000 to +500,000 NGN |
| PWA (mobile app) | High | +400,000 to +750,000 NGN |
| Loyalty + AI recommendations | High | +500,000 to +1,000,000 NGN |
| Template vs custom design | Low | +100,000 to +300,000 NGN |
The three tiers and their 2026 prices
Here is the reference grid for Lagos, in NGN, with the associated monthly maintenance.
| Tier | Build price (NGN) | Products | Payments | Maintenance/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 800,000-1,200,000 | 50 | Paystack + Flutterwave | 40,000 NGN |
| Growth | 1,400,000-2,000,000 | Unlimited | + international cards + bank transfer | 70,000 NGN |
| Premium | 2,000,000-3,000,000 | Unlimited + PWA | Multi-currency + AI | 100,000-140,000 NGN |
In Dakar, the equivalent runs between 1,000,000 and 6,000,000 FCFA depending on scope, with Wave and Orange Money as the dominant rails — the logic is identical: catalogue and payments dictate the budget.
Template or custom: how to decide
A template fits 80% of merchants: it is fast (10-15 days), mobile-tested and 3G-friendly. Custom is justified when you have an atypical model (subscriptions, rentals, B2B with negotiated pricing) or a catalogue of several thousand SKUs. In 2026, starting on a template then migrating remains the lowest-risk strategy.
Mini case study
Awa runs a cosmetics store in Lagos with 45 SKUs. She picks the Starter build at 1,000,000 NGN with Paystack + Flutterwave and 40,000 NGN/month maintenance. Over 12 months her total cost is 1,000,000 + (12 × 40,000) = 1,480,000 NGN. With an average basket of 12,000 NGN and 4 sales/day, she brings in ~1,440,000 NGN/month in revenue: the store pays for itself in about one month of online trading.
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget for an online store in Lagos in 2026?
Budget at least 800,000 NGN for a Starter build with 50 products and Paystack + Flutterwave. Below that, you compromise payment reliability, which is expensive in lost sales.
Is design really the expensive part?
No. On a template, design is a small share of the price (100,000-300,000 NGN of variation). Most of the budget goes to catalogue, payments and logistics.
How much is monthly maintenance?
Between 40,000 and 140,000 NGN/month depending on tier: security updates, backups, support and small improvements. It is essential to stay online and secure.
Are Paystack and Flutterwave enough?
For the Nigerian market, yes, in the vast majority of cases. Add international cards only if you target the diaspora, which adds 150,000-400,000 NGN.
Can I start small and grow?
Yes, and it is recommended. Start on Starter, validate your sales, then move to Growth (unlimited catalogue) by reinvesting your margin.
Let's talk about your project. We price your online store based on your catalogue and payment rails, not a generic package. 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.