The verdict in three sentences
In Johannesburg, a serious online store ships in 3 to 6 weeks, not the 3 days low-cost offers promise. That time isn't wasted: it's the scoping, catalog, payment integration and testing that separate a store that sells from a dead shopfront. Expect a 2026 ballpark of 2,400,000 FCFA for a Growth build, plus recurring costs.
The realistic plan, phase by phase
Each phase produces a concrete deliverable and has a typical blocker to anticipate. Here is the breakdown of a Growth project.
| Phase | Timeline | Deliverable | Cost | What blocks it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping | 3-5 d | Spec + mockup | 250,000 FCFA | Fuzzy product decisions |
| Design | 4-7 d | Validated mobile-first UI | 400,000 FCFA | Visual back-and-forth |
| Catalog | 5-10 d | Products + variants + stock | 500,000 FCFA | Missing photos and copy |
| Payments | 3-6 d | Cards + mobile money | 450,000 FCFA | Merchant accounts not opened |
| Testing | 2-4 d | QA + real orders | 250,000 FCFA | Checkout bugs |
| Go-live | 1-2 d | Launch + training | 150,000 FCFA | DNS and SSL |
Total cost: Johannesburg vs Cotonou
The build is only part; recurring costs weigh over 12 months. Here is the comparison between Johannesburg and Cotonou for an equivalent project.
| Line item | Johannesburg (FCFA equiv.)* | Cotonou (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Growth build | 2,400,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Hosting/year | 540,000 | 420,000 |
| Maintenance/year | 1,500,000 | 1,200,000 |
| Payment fees/year | ~360,000 | ~240,000 |
| Year 1 total | ~4,800,000 | ~3,860,000 |
*Approximate 2026 conversion for comparison; the South African market is structurally more expensive.
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Mini case study
Jean-Baptiste opens a fine-grocery store online in Johannesburg. He targets go-live in 5 weeks. The blocker hits in the catalog phase: his 180 references have no ready photos or copy, adding 6 days. Preparing visuals up front during scoping and design would have held the 5 weeks. Final cost: 2,400,000 FCFA build delivered in 6 weeks instead of 5. Over 12 months, TCO ~4,800,000 FCFA. With a 12,000 FCFA average basket at 33% margin (3,960 FCFA/order), his break-even is ~50 orders/month; he reaches it by month 2.
FAQ
Why not a store in 3 days? A 3-day store skips scoping, a proper catalog and payment testing. The result: failing checkouts and lost sales. The 3-6 weeks protect your revenue.
Which phase is the longest? The catalog, especially if product photos and copy aren't ready. Preparing this content up front can save a full week.
When to open merchant accounts? During the scoping phase. Opening and validating merchant accounts can take several days and blocks payment integration if left too late.
Can the timeline be shortened? Yes, by providing content and product decisions from the start and limiting design revisions. A well-prepared Starter can drop to 3 weeks.
Does price change by city? The build varies little within a region, but markets like Johannesburg are structurally more expensive (build and recurring costs 20-25% higher).
Let's talk about your project. We hand you a dated plan and a 12-month TCO for your city before we start. 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.