The verdict in three sentences
A Starter store (1 000 000-1 500 000 FCFA) is plenty under 50 products and 100 orders/month. Premium (4 000 000-6 000 000 FCFA) makes sense above 300 orders/month, because the PWA, loyalty program and AI recommendations lift the average basket by 15 to 25 %. The ROI of Premium is reached around 500 orders/month; below that, Starter stays the best value for money.
Starter or Premium: the decision comparison
The choice depends on volume and ambition. Johannesburg 2026 reference:
| Criterion | Starter | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 1 000 000 - 1 500 000 FCFA | 4 000 000 - 6 000 000 FCFA |
| Products | Up to 50 | Unlimited + variants |
| Ideal orders/month | < 100 | > 300 |
| PWA (mobile app) | No | Yes |
| Loyalty & points | No | Yes |
| AI recommendations | No | Yes (+15-25 % basket) |
| Multi-currency | No | FCFA/EUR/USD |
| Support | 3 months | 12 months |
Premium's effect on revenue
Premium features only pay off above a certain volume. Simulation with a 15 000 FCFA average basket (2026 order of magnitude):
| Orders/month | Starter revenue | Premium revenue (+20 %) | Monthly gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1 500 000 | 1 800 000 | 300 000 |
| 300 | 4 500 000 | 5 400 000 | 900 000 |
| 500 | 7 500 000 | 9 000 000 | 1 500 000 |
| 800 | 12 000 000 | 14 400 000 | 2 400 000 |
At 500 orders/month, the gain (1 500 000 FCFA/month) repays the Premium premium (~3 500 000 FCFA) in under three months.
Calculating the ROI point
Comparing the Premium premium to the gain generated gives the tipping threshold:
| Volume | Monthly Premium gain | Months to repay premium |
|---|---|---|
| 100 orders | 300 000 | ~12 months |
| 300 orders | 900 000 | ~4 months |
| 500 orders | 1 500 000 | ~2-3 months |
ROI becomes clearly favorable around 500 orders/month, confirming the decision threshold.
Mini case study
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Sipho, who runs an electronics store in Johannesburg, does 120 orders/month at a 25 000 FCFA basket. On Starter, he takes in 3 000 000 FCFA/month. He hesitates to move to Premium at 4 500 000 FCFA. With AI recommendations (+20 %), his basket would rise to 30 000 FCFA, i.e. 3 600 000 FCFA/month: +600 000 FCFA/month. The premium would be repaid in ~6 months. Since he targets 300 orders/month within a year, he plans the Premium migration once his volume passes 250 orders.
FAQ
When is Starter really enough?
Under 50 products and 100 orders/month, Starter covers all the essentials: catalog, mobile checkout, Wave and Orange Money. No need to over-invest before you have the volume.
What does Premium concretely add?
The PWA (mobile app), loyalty program, AI recommendations and multi-currency. These modules raise the average basket by 15 to 25 % and retain repeat customers.
From how many orders is Premium profitable?
ROI becomes clear around 500 orders/month. Below 300, the premium often takes more than a year to repay.
Can you start on Starter and migrate to Premium?
Yes, it's recommended. With a well-designed architecture, migration happens without rebuilding everything; plan it when you pass 250-300 orders/month.
Do AI recommendations really sell more?
They raise the average basket by 15 to 25 % by suggesting relevant products. The effect scales with volume: the more orders you have, the higher the absolute gain.
Let's talk about your project. Let's pinpoint the ideal tier for your Johannesburg volume together. 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.