The verdict in three sentences
For a building materials and hardware wholesaler in Singapore, the choice between PrestaShop, WooCommerce and a custom e-commerce build hinges less on the entry price than on 3 year cost, mobile speed and handling trade and retail pricing. An open source CMS looks free, but paid modules (EUR 50 to 300 each) and security maintenance add up fast. With Kolonell, an e-commerce build costs 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 2,290) for Starter and 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 3,050 to 4,570) for Growth, delivered in 4 to 10 weeks, with local payment methods (PayNow, cards) integrated.
Three options, three logics
A wholesaler sells to two audiences: contractors and tradespeople ordering in volume at negotiated prices, and consumers buying a few bags of cement, paint or tools. The platform must handle both without duplicating the catalogue.
| Criterion | PrestaShop | WooCommerce | Kolonell custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | Free (open source) | Free (WordPress plugin) | Included in the project |
| B2B modules (group pricing, quotes, minimum quantities) | 3 to 6 modules, EUR 50 to 300 each | 3 to 6 extensions, EUR 50 to 250 per year each | Built to your needs |
| Local payment methods (PayNow, cards) | Third-party module, variable quality | Third-party extension, variable quality | Native integration |
| Average product page weight | 2 to 4 MB | 2 to 5 MB | 0.5 to 1.2 MB |
| Load time on a weak mobile connection | 6 to 12 s | 7 to 14 s | 2 to 4 s |
| Security updates | Frequent, modules to test | Very frequent, extensions to test | Handled in maintenance |
| Vendor dependency | Medium | Medium | High, with documented code handed over |
Speed matters even in a well-connected city: site crews and buyers browse from phones on the move, and beyond 5 seconds most mobile visitors leave.
Real cost over 3 years
Kolonell amounts follow the 2026 e-commerce grid: Starter 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 2,290), Growth 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 3,050 to 4,570). Maintenance follows the grid of 35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA per month. Other columns are 2026 orders of magnitude for freelance builds, converted to EUR.
| 36 month item | PrestaShop via freelancer | WooCommerce via freelancer | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site build | EUR 920 to 2,290 | EUR 760 to 1,980 | EUR 3,050 to 4,570 |
| Modules and extensions | EUR 610 to 1,830 | EUR 460 to 1,370 (renewals) | EUR 0 |
| Hosting | EUR 270 to 820 | EUR 270 to 820 | Included in base maintenance or 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA per month managed |
| Maintenance and fixes | EUR 1,370 to 4,120 (on demand) | EUR 1,370 to 4,120 (on demand) | EUR 1,920 to 4,120 (35,000 to 75,000 FCFA per month) |
| Repair after hack or broken update | EUR 230 to 910 (likely) | EUR 230 to 910 (likely) | Covered by maintenance |
| Indicative total | EUR 3,400 to 9,970 | EUR 3,090 to 9,220 | EUR 4,970 to 8,690 |
Custom costs more upfront, but the gap narrows over 3 years, and mobile speed turns directly into orders.
Which level for which wholesaler
| Profile | Recommendation | 2026 Kolonell budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 300 SKUs, mostly consumers | Starter | 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 2,290) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| 300 to 3,000 SKUs, trade and retail pricing | Growth | 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 3,050 to 4,570) | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Several warehouses, complex quotes, link to sales software | Custom application | 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA (EUR 6,100 to 10,670) | 10 to 14 weeks |
| Tight budget, testing the market | Well configured PrestaShop or WooCommerce | Depends on provider | 3 to 6 weeks |
Mini case study
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Wei Ming, managing director of a building materials and hardware wholesaler in Woodlands, targets 120 online orders a month with an average basket of SGD 190 (about EUR 130), i.e. about EUR 15,600 of monthly revenue. On a slow site, he estimates losing 25 % more mobile visitors than on a fast one. If the Growth site at 2,500,000 FCFA (EUR 3,810) recovers just 15 orders a month, that is about EUR 1,950 of extra revenue, or about EUR 390 of gross margin at 20 %. With maintenance at 75,000 FCFA (EUR 110) a month, the extra cost versus an open source CMS is covered, as an order of magnitude, in under a year.
FAQ
Are PrestaShop and WooCommerce free?
The licence is, but a realistic B2B store needs 3 to 6 paid modules at EUR 50 to 300 each, plus hosting and maintenance. Over 3 years, the total often exceeds EUR 3,000.
How much does a custom e-commerce build cost with Kolonell?
Plan 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (EUR 1,520 to 2,290) for Starter and 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA (EUR 3,050 to 4,570) for Growth. Timeline runs 4 to 10 weeks depending on catalogue.
Can customers pay with local methods?
Yes, PayNow and cards are integrated natively, with automatic webhook confirmation. Processor fees usually run 1 to 3.5 % depending on the merchant contract.
How do I handle different prices for trade and retail?
Trade accounts see their price list after login, with minimum quantities and quotes. Consumers see the public price including GST.
Will the site be fast on mobile?
The target is a product page under 1.2 MB and display in 2 to 4 seconds on a weak connection, thanks to compressed images and server-side rendering.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your SKU count, trade versus retail split and preferred payment methods: we will price the right solution, the indicative budget and a 4 to 10 week timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h via our quote form. 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.