How to Accept M-Pesa Payments on Your Website or App: A Practical Daraja API Guide
If you have ever asked three developers in Nairobi for a website quote, you probably got three very different numbers. One says KES 15,000, another says KES 150,000, and a third wants to "schedule a discovery call" before naming any figure. It is confusing, and it makes it hard to know whether you are being overcharged or about to get a website that will fall apart in six months.
This guide breaks down realistic website costs in Kenya for 2026, explains what you actually pay for, and helps you figure out which type of website your business needs.
Quick answer: typical website prices in Kenya
Type of website
Typical range (KES)
Best for
Basic / landing page
30,000 – 60,000
Freelancers, new businesses, single-service companies needing an online presence
Business website (5–15 pages)
60,000 – 200,000
SMEs, clinics, schools, consultancies, real estate agents
E-commerce store
150,000 – 500,000
Shops selling products online with M-Pesa and card payments
Custom web application
400,000 and above
Portals, booking systems, management systems, SaaS products
What actually affects the price?
1. Custom design vs a template
A template-based website uses a pre-made design that is adjusted with your logo, colours and content. It is faster and cheaper. A custom design is created from scratch around your brand and customers. It costs more, but it sets you apart from competitors using the same theme.
2. Number of pages and amount of content
A five-page site (Home, About, Services, Gallery, Contact) is very different from a 40-page site with service pages, blog posts and location pages. Many businesses also underestimate the work of writing content. If your developer is writing copy and editing photos for you, expect that to be reflected in the quote.
3. Features and integrations
Every feature adds development and testing time. Common ones for Kenyan businesses include:
• M-Pesa payments (STK Push or Paybill/Till integration)
• Online booking for appointments, rooms or services
• WhatsApp chat buttons and enquiry forms that send to email or SMS
• User accounts and dashboards for customers or staff
• KRA eTIMS integration for businesses that need compliant invoicing
4. Hosting, domain and ongoing costs
The build is a one-time cost, but a website also needs a domain name (a .co.ke domain is affordable per year), hosting, SSL security and maintenance. Ask any developer to separate one-time costs from yearly costs so you are not surprised later.
Why are some websites so cheap?
A KES 10,000 website is not always a scam, but it usually means corners are being cut somewhere: a reused template with no customisation, no mobile optimisation, no security updates, or hosting on a slow shared server. The most common problem we see is businesses that cannot log in to their own website because the developer registered the domain in their own name and then disappeared.
Whatever you pay, make sure you own your domain name, have admin access to your website, and get a copy of your files.
How to get an accurate quote
Before contacting a developer, write down answers to these questions. It will make every quote you receive faster and more accurate:
1. What is the main goal of the website? (Enquiries, sales, bookings, credibility?)
2. Which pages do you need, and do you already have the content and photos?
3. Do you need customers to pay online? Through M-Pesa, card, or both?
4. Are there websites you like the look of? Share two or three links.
5. What is your budget range and your deadline?
The bottom line
Most small and medium businesses in Nairobi get good value from a professional business website in the KES 60,000 to 200,000 range. If you need payments, bookings or a management system, you are moving into custom development, where the price depends heavily on what the system must do.
The cheapest option is rarely the most affordable once you factor in redesigns, lost customers and downtime. A good developer should explain exactly what you are paying for.
Planning a website? Tell us what you need and get a free, itemised quote within 48 hours. WhatsApp: +254768653053 | motiontechke@gmail.com