The verdict in three sentences
Shopify is the fastest to launch but its Wave/Orange Money integration relies on unstable third-party plugins and stacking fees. WooCommerce offers freedom and zero software cost, at the price of hosting to maintain and frequent updates. Custom costs more upfront but is the only option that guarantees a native mobile-money checkout, with no subscription and no commission on your sales.
The three platform families
In 2026, a merchant in Lagos, Accra or Abidjan rarely picks a platform on technical criteria: they pick it based on how customers pay. And over 70% of West African e-commerce transactions go through mobile money, not bank cards.
| Criterion | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 – 300,000 FCFA (theme) | 400,000 – 900,000 FCFA | 1,000,000 – 4,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly subscription | 24,000 – 240,000 FCFA | 0 (hosting 15,000+) | 0 |
| Native mobile money | Limited 3rd-party plugin | Community plugin | Native Wave + OM |
| Platform commission | 0.5 – 2% possible | 0% | 0% |
| Code control | Low | Medium | Full |
| Launch time | 5 – 10 days | 10 – 20 days | 15 – 45 days |
The real 3-year cost
Shopify's trap is accumulation: subscription, paid plugins, premium theme and sometimes a transaction commission. Here is a 2026 order-of-magnitude estimate for a 100-product store.
| Item | Shopify (3 yrs) | WooCommerce (3 yrs) | Custom (3 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| License / initial dev | 200,000 FCFA | 700,000 FCFA | 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Subscription / hosting | 864,000 FCFA | 540,000 FCFA | 540,000 FCFA |
| Mobile money plugins | 360,000 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Maintenance | 300,000 FCFA | 600,000 FCFA | 400,000 FCFA |
| 3-year total | 1,724,000 FCFA | 1,990,000 FCFA | 3,440,000 FCFA |
Custom looks pricier, but it carries no sales commission and no dependency on a foreign vendor. Above 300 orders/month, the gap quickly flips in its favour.
Mini case study
Awa runs a fashion store in Lagos with 250 orders a month at an average of 18,000 FCFA, i.e. 4,500,000 FCFA in revenue. On Shopify with a 1.5% commission on non-Shopify-Payments transactions (unavailable locally), she loses 67,500 FCFA/month, or 810,000 FCFA/year. With a custom build, that line drops to zero: the 2,500,000 FCFA upfront cost is absorbed in three years by avoided commissions alone.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Does Shopify really work with Wave and Orange Money?
Yes but indirectly, through third-party plugins or an external payment link that breaks the checkout funnel. Each funnel break costs an average of 20 to 30% in lost conversion.
Is WooCommerce free?
The software is, but hosting, security, backups and maintenance run at least 15,000 to 25,000 FCFA/month, plus the time to manage updates.
When does custom become profitable?
Generally above 200 to 300 monthly orders, when the commissions and subscriptions of turnkey solutions exceed the maintenance cost of your own build.
Can I migrate from Shopify to custom later?
Yes, with an SEO redirect plan and a catalogue export. Allow 15 to 30 days to preserve history and rankings.
Which option to start small?
A custom Starter e-commerce from 1,000,000 FCFA already ships native Wave + Orange Money, with no commission or monthly subscription.
Let's talk about your project. We'll price the most profitable platform for your real order 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.