The verdict in three sentences
A professional showcase website for an SME in Cotonou or Lome costs 300,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA in 2026, while light e-commerce climbs to 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 FCFA. Add 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA/year for domain and hosting, and 25,000 to 90,000 FCFA/month of maintenance. Before signing, verify the exact scope, mobile optimisation and mobile-payment integration if you want to collect payments online.
Showcase or e-commerce: which to choose
Many Beninese and Togolese SMEs hesitate between a simple showcase and an online shop. The right choice depends on your model: do you want to generate leads or collect payments directly?
| Criterion | Showcase site | Light e-commerce |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 price (FCFA) | 300,000 - 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 |
| Goal | Credibility, quote requests | Sell and collect online |
| Mobile payment | Optional | Essential (Mobile Money) |
| Lead time | 2-3 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
| Maintenance/month | 25,000 - 60,000 FCFA | 50,000 - 90,000 FCFA |
If you sell services or quote-based products, a showcase is plenty. If you sell fixed-price products and want to collect payment, light e-commerce with Mobile Money is the right investment.
The cost items to include
The advertised site price is never the full cost. Here are the annual items to budget for a Cotonou or Lome SME, to avoid nasty surprises.
| Item | 2026 range (FCFA) | Frequency | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain name | 15,000 - 35,000 | Annual | .com or .bj / .tg |
| Hosting | 35,000 - 90,000 | Annual | CDN useful for 3G |
| Maintenance | 25,000 - 90,000 | Monthly | Showcase vs e-commerce |
| Mobile payment integration | 100,000 - 300,000 | One-off | For e-commerce |
| Content & pro photos | 80,000 - 250,000 | One-off | Often underestimated |
An SME that budgets only the build and forgets these items ends up with an unused site for lack of maintenance or content. Anticipate them from the quote stage.
Mini case study
Adjovi runs a furniture SME in Cotonou. After hesitating, she chooses light e-commerce at 1,600,000 FCFA, with Mobile Money integration at 200,000 FCFA and maintenance at 70,000 FCFA/month. Her first year costs about 2,640,000 FCFA. Before, she sold only in her physical shop. Six months after launch, the online shop generates 18 orders a month with an average basket of 95,000 FCFA, i.e. 1,710,000 FCFA/month of additional revenue. The site pays for itself by the second operating month, and Mobile Money collection reduces unpaid orders.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does an SME website cost in Cotonou or Lome in 2026?
Between 300,000 and 1,000,000 FCFA for a showcase, and 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for light e-commerce, excluding recurring hosting and maintenance costs.
Do I necessarily need mobile payment?
Only if you want to collect online. For a showcase that generates quote requests it is optional; for e-commerce, Mobile Money is essential.
How long to go live?
Expect 2 to 3 weeks for a showcase and 3 to 4 weeks for e-commerce, provided you quickly supply text, photos and product catalogue.
What to check before signing a quote?
The number of pages, mobile optimisation, whether content is included, recurring costs, domain-name ownership and maintenance terms. A vague quote always hides extra costs.
Is content included in the price?
Not always. Copywriting and professional photos (80,000 to 250,000 FCFA) are often extra. Clarify this from the start to avoid a site without credible content.
Let's scope your project. Tell us whether you want a showcase or e-commerce, your catalogue and an indicative budget, and we will define scope, mobile payment and timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
