How to Start an Online Shop in Kenya: Step by Step
Short answer: to start an online shop in Kenya, choose your products and supplier, register the business, pick a platform (WooCommerce or Shopify), set up M-Pesa payments, plan delivery and pickup, photograph products well, launch, then market on Google, social media and WhatsApp. Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400).
Kenyans buy more online every year, and M-Pesa makes paying easy. But a shop only works when products, payments, delivery and marketing work together. Here’s the order we recommend. See our e-commerce website design.
| Step | What to decide |
|---|---|
| 1. Products | What you sell, margins and supply |
| 2. Registration | Business name or company, KRA PIN |
| 3. Platform | WooCommerce or Shopify |
| 4. Payments | M-Pesa STK Push, cards, cash on delivery |
| 5. Delivery | Riders, couriers, pickup points, fees by area |
| 6. Content | Photos, descriptions, prices |
| 7. Policies | Returns, delivery times, privacy |
| 8. Launch | Test orders end to end |
| 9. Marketing | Google, social, WhatsApp, email |
| 10. Improve | Track sales and fix weak spots |
1. Choose products you can supply reliably
Check margins after delivery and payment fees, and make sure you can restock. Running out of best-sellers kills momentum.
2. Register the business
Register a business name or company and get a KRA PIN. You’ll need these for an M-Pesa Paybill or Till and for business banking.
3. Pick a platform
For M-Pesa-first shops, WooCommerce is usually the better fit. Read Shopify vs WooCommerce for online shops in Kenya.
4. Set up M-Pesa payments
Get a Paybill or Till and connect it with STK Push so customers pay with a prompt on their phone. Read M-Pesa Paybill vs Till vs STK Push.
5. Plan delivery and pickup
Set delivery fees by area, delivery times and a pickup option. Partner with reliable riders or couriers for upcountry orders.
6. Photograph and describe products well
Clear photos on a plain background, several angles, honest descriptions, sizes and prices. Add WhatsApp ordering for customers who want to ask first.
7. Write your policies
Returns, refunds, delivery times and privacy. Clear policies build trust with first-time buyers.
8. Test before launch
Place real orders with real M-Pesa payments, check emails and SMS confirmations, and test on several phones.
9. Market the shop
Use Google Business Profile, Google Ads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp Business. Collect customers’ numbers and emails for repeat sales.
10. Keep improving
Watch which products sell, where people drop off in checkout and what customers ask.
See a real example
Read our case study: online store with M-Pesa for a Nairobi retailer.
What it costs
Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400). Hosting from KES 10,000 a year with SSL included. See e-commerce website costs in Kenya.
We’ve delivered 1,200+ projects since 2012 and are rated 5.0 on Google.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an online shop in Kenya?
Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400), plus stock, delivery and marketing costs.
Do I need to register a business to sell online?
To get an M-Pesa Paybill or Till and business banking, you’ll need a registered business and KRA PIN.
Which platform is best for an online shop in Kenya?
For M-Pesa-first shops, usually WooCommerce. Shopify suits hosted simplicity and international selling.
How do customers pay?
Most prefer M-Pesa. STK Push gives the smoothest checkout, with card payments as an option.
How do I deliver orders?
Use riders or couriers with clear fees by area, and offer a pickup point if you have one.
Ready to start selling online?
Tell us what you sell and how you plan to deliver, and we’ll plan your shop with you. During working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EAT) we reply within minutes on phone or WhatsApp at +254 705 828 000.
Prefer it in writing? Request a quote.
Written by Vincent Ochieng, founder of Butterfly Prime Solutions (since 2012). Last updated: 8 November 2026.
