The verdict in three sentences
Launching an online store in Lagos in 2026 no longer costs millions: a clean MVP between NGN 150k and NGN 400k is enough to take your first order. The real lever is not technology but the full chain — a clear catalog, Paystack checkout, defined delivery zones and a launch marketing plan. Expect to be live in 5 to 10 days and a 1 to 2 percent conversion rate in month one, which you optimize afterward.
The real budget and timeline
Most founders overestimate cost and underestimate the time to prepare the catalog. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a serious but frugal launch.
| Item | Budget NGN (2026 estimate) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Domain .ng + .com | 15,000 - 35,000 / year | 1 day |
| Managed hosting + SSL | 20,000 - 60,000 / month | 1 day |
| MVP store (theme + config) | 120,000 - 300,000 | 3 - 6 days |
| Paystack integration | Included or 30,000 - 80,000 | 1 - 2 days |
| Product photos (20-50 SKU) | 40,000 - 120,000 | 2 - 3 days |
| Total launch | 150,000 - 400,000 | 5 - 10 days |
Start with 20 to 50 SKUs maximum. A catalog that is too wide slows the launch and dilutes attention. Thirty excellent product pages beat two hundred rushed ones.
Checkout, delivery and first sales
Card and bank-transfer via Paystack is the core of Nigerian checkout, with a growing role for local wallets. Offer prepaid checkout and keep cash on delivery as a controlled option.
| Element | Recommended choice | 2026 impact |
|---|---|---|
| Primary payment | Paystack (cards + transfer) | Prepaid cuts returns |
| Secondary payment | Bank transfer / wallet | Wider coverage |
| Delivery within Lagos | NGN 1,500 - 3,500 | 24 - 48 h |
| Delivery upcountry | NGN 3,500 - 7,000 | 48 - 96 h |
| Cost of acquisition (CAC) | NGN 1,500 - 4,000 / customer | via Meta Ads |
| Month-1 conversion | 1 - 2 % | optimize next |
Define 2 or 3 delivery zones with a flat fee per zone: it is clearer than per-kilometer pricing and avoids disputes.
Mini case study
Chioma, who runs a cosmetics store in Lekki, launches with a budget of NGN 300k and 35 SKUs. In month one she drives 1,800 visitors via Meta Ads (budget NGN 90k, CAC ~NGN 2,800). At 1.5 percent conversion, that is 27 orders at an average basket of NGN 18,000, or NGN 486,000 in revenue. By month two, lifting conversion to 2.2 percent, she reaches ~40 orders without raising ad spend.
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a real online store in Lagos?
Budget NGN 150k for a working MVP with Paystack, and up to NGN 400k if you add professional photos and advanced configuration. Below that you improvise a page that converts poorly.
How fast can I start selling?
An MVP store goes live in 5 to 10 days. The limiting factor is not code but catalog prep: photos, descriptions and pricing for 20 to 50 products.
Should I keep cash on delivery?
Yes, but as a controlled option. Prepaid payment reduces returns; keep COD for hesitant customers, with a small deposit to secure the order.
What conversion rate should I target at launch?
1 to 2 percent in month one is normal for an African mobile store. The next-month goal is 3 to 4 percent by improving speed, product pages and checkout.
How many products to launch with?
Between 20 and 50 SKUs. Enough to offer choice, few enough to polish every page and hold the launch deadline.
Let's talk about your project. We can get your Paystack store live in under two weeks. 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.
