The short answer: a credible business website in Kenya in 2026 costs roughly KES 80,000 to KES 350,000. A simple five-page site sits at the lower end. A custom, content-managed corporate site sits at the upper end. E-commerce and client portals cost more because they are products, not pages.
Key takeaways
- A credible business site in Kenya usually costs KES 80,000 to KES 350,000.
- Strategy and content drive quality more than the number of pages.
- Insist on ownership, performance targets and a CMS you can use.
The wide range is not a pricing trick. Two websites with the same page count can differ by months of work. One is a designed template with text dropped in. The other is a content system, a performance build and a conversion path.
Website price ranges in Kenya
| Type | Typical range (KES) | What you should get |
|---|---|---|
| Simple business site | 50,000 to 150,000 | 3 to 5 pages, mobile-first design, contact form, basic SEO |
| Professional business site | 150,000 to 350,000 | 6 to 12 pages, custom design, CMS, analytics, performance work |
| Corporate or content-heavy site | 350,000 to 800,000+ | Structured content, multiple audiences, integrations, governance |
| E-commerce | 250,000 to 800,000+ | Catalogue, payments, delivery logic, stock and order management |
| Portal or web app | 500,000+ | Accounts, permissions, dashboards, workflows and ongoing support |
What actually drives the price
- Strategy and content: the words, structure and journey. This is usually the difference between a site that ranks and one that just exists.
- Custom design: original layout and components take longer than customising a theme.
- Engineering: performance, accessibility, SEO structure, CMS and integrations.
- Number of stakeholders: more approvers means more rounds, not more value.
- Migration: moving existing content, redirects and images without losing rankings.
What to insist on in every quote
- Ownership. You should own the domain, hosting, code and content. No agency lock-in.
- Performance targets. Ask for a Lighthouse or Core Web Vitals target, not "fast".
- SEO structure. Titles, descriptions, headings, canonical URLs, sitemap and clean internal links.
- Editing. A CMS you can actually use for the content you change weekly.
- Analytics and tracking. Search Console, analytics and conversion events set up before launch.
- Handover. Training, documentation and source access. A site you cannot maintain is not finished.
Costs most quotes leave out
Budget separately for domain renewal, hosting, email, stock photography, copywriting, paid plugins, SMS or payment fees, and ongoing maintenance. A realistic maintenance budget is 5,000 to 20,000 KES per month for a business site, depending on how often it changes.
Should you build a cheap site now and redo it later?
Sometimes. If you need a credible presence this month and your offer is still changing, a focused five-page site is sensible. But do not spend twice on the same problem. If you already know your positioning and your content, build the proper structure once. Rebuilding loses search equity, customer trust and internal momentum.
Our website design and build work covers strategy, design, engineering and launch. You can see a content-led build in the Ecotrunk case study, or check current pricing before you brief anyone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost in Nairobi?
In Nairobi, a simple business site is commonly KES 50,000 to 150,000. A professionally designed, content-managed site is usually KES 150,000 to 350,000. Corporate builds and e-commerce cost more depending on integrations and content volume.
How long does a website take to build?
A five-page site can take two to four weeks. A custom business site usually takes four to eight weeks. Corporate, e-commerce and portal projects commonly take eight to sixteen weeks, with content and approvals deciding the timeline.
Do we need to pay for hosting and domain separately?
Usually yes. Domain and hosting are ongoing costs, even when an agency manages them. Confirm the annual amount and make sure the accounts are in your name.
Can we update the website ourselves?
You should be able to edit the content you change regularly, such as services, case studies, blog posts and images. Ask for a demo of the editor before you approve the build.
Should I use WordPress or a custom build?
Use WordPress when you need a familiar editor and a tight budget. Use a custom build when performance, unique interactions or a content system matter. The platform matters less than structure, speed and maintainability.
How much does website maintenance cost in Kenya?
Most business sites cost KES 5,000 to KES 20,000 per month to maintain, depending on updates, hosting, security and support. Ask what is included before you commit.
Next step: send a short brief through contact. We will tell you which build type fits your goals and what it should realistically cost.