The verdict in three sentences
The headline price means nothing until you add up the total cost: build, subscription, per-transaction fees, maintenance, and paid modules. A no-code solution looks cheaper upfront but eats your margin through 2 % fees and monthly plugins. Custom-built costs more to construct but removes recurring per-sale fees — decisive as soon as volume grows.
The three paths in 2026
| Criterion | Local no-code | Shopify | Custom-built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | 150,000 FCFA | ~25,000 FCFA (theme) | 1 to 4M FCFA |
| Subscription | 15,000 FCFA/mo | $39/mo (~24,000 FCFA) | 0 |
| Fee per sale | Variable | ~2 % + fees | 0 (excl. mobile money) |
| Wave/M-Pesa payment | Plugin-dependent | Third-party plugin | Native |
| Paid plugins | Frequent | Frequent | Included |
| Code ownership | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | Quick test | International market | Volume + region |
Shopify is excellent for selling internationally, but its 2 % fees and paid-plugin ecosystem weigh heavily on FCFA baskets. Custom becomes profitable when those fees exceed the build gap.
Total cost over 12 months
Compare a store doing 100 sales/month at a 15,000 FCFA basket (1.5M FCFA/month revenue).
| Item (12 months) | No-code | Shopify | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | 150,000 | 25,000 | 800,000 |
| Subscription | 180,000 | 288,000 | 0 |
| 2 % fees on 18M revenue | — | 360,000 | 0 |
| Maintenance | 300,000 | 300,000 | 600,000 |
| Hosting | included | included | 300,000 |
| Year 1 total | 630,000 | 973,000 | 1,700,000 |
| Year 2 total | 630,000 | 948,000 | 900,000 |
Year 1, no-code wins. From year 2, custom pulls ahead thanks to no per-sale fees and no subscription — and the faster volume climbs, the sooner.
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Mini case study
Fatima sells ready-to-wear in Nairobi, 120 sales/month, 20,000 FCFA basket (2.4M FCFA/month). On Shopify, the 2 % costs her 48,000 FCFA/month, i.e. 576,000 FCFA/year in fees alone. Going custom (1M FCFA build), she saves those fees: the extra build cost is absorbed in under two years, then it's net gain every month.
FAQ
What's the lowest entry cost? A local no-code store starts around 150,000 FCFA build plus 15,000 FCFA/month in 2026. Ideal for testing an idea before investing.
When is custom justified? Generally beyond 80 to 100 sales/month: the transaction fees saved then exceed the build price gap in under two years.
What are the common hidden costs? Paid plugins (reviews, filters, multi-currency), payment gateway fees, and maintenance. Budget 50,000 FCFA/month maintenance and 25,000 FCFA hosting for custom.
How many sales to break even? The threshold is often around 40 sales/month to cover the fixed costs of a well-built store with a 15,000 FCFA average basket.
Let's talk about your project. We quote your store on the 24-month total cost, not just the sticker price. 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.
