Case Study: Online Store with M-Pesa for a Nairobi Retailer
Short answer: we built Luvly Household Collections a WooCommerce online store where Nairobi shoppers can browse a large homeware range, pay with M-Pesa, order on WhatsApp in one tap, and either get delivery or collect from the shop’s pickup point on Moi Avenue.
Luvly Household Collections is a Nairobi retailer selling practical, good-looking homeware: kitchen and dining items, storage and organisation, cleaning essentials, home décor, kids’ items and travel accessories. This case study describes what the store does and how we built it. It’s a good example of our e-commerce website design work for Kenyan retailers.
| Project detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Client | Luvly Household Collections, Nairobi |
| Type | Online store (WooCommerce on WordPress) |
| Payments | M-Pesa, plus WhatsApp ordering |
| Catalogue | Hundreds of homeware products across many categories |
| Fulfilment | Delivery in Nairobi and a pickup point on Moi Avenue |
| Visit | luvlyhouseholdcollections.co.ke |
The challenge
A homeware shop sells many small, affordable items that customers often buy several at a time. Shoppers need to find things fast, see the price and any discount clearly, and check out quickly on a phone. Many Kenyan customers also prefer to ask a question on WhatsApp before buying. The store had to handle all of that without feeling cluttered.
What we built
A catalogue that’s easy to browse
Products are organised into clear departments such as Kitchen and Dining, Storage and Organization, Home Care and Maintenance, Home Decor, Kids and Family, and Travel and Lifestyle, with subcategories like closet organisation, food storage containers and cleaning essentials. A mega menu lets shoppers jump straight to the right section from any page.
Product pages built to sell
Each product shows the price in shillings, the original price and the saving where there’s an offer, a short description, product options where items come in several variants, and a unique SKU for stock control. Descriptions are written for local search, mentioning fast delivery in Nairobi.
M-Pesa checkout
Checkout is built around M-Pesa, the way most Kenyan shoppers prefer to pay. We cover how this works in how to add M-Pesa payments to WooCommerce.
Buy via WhatsApp
Every product has a “Buy via WhatsApp” button next to “Add to cart”. It opens a chat with the product details already filled in, so customers who want to ask about colour, size or delivery can order in a conversation instead of abandoning the cart.
Pickup and contact details everywhere
The shop’s phone number, email and pickup point at Kenya Cinema on Moi Avenue appear across the site, which builds trust for first-time buyers and gives an option to customers who’d rather collect.
How the project ran
Like all our projects, it started with a discovery call and a fixed written quote that didn’t change, with a 60% deposit and the balance at launch. The client owns the site, and we ran handover training so the team can add products, change prices and run offers themselves. For a sense of timelines, see how long it takes to build a website.
What other retailers can take from this
- Organise by how customers shop, not by how stock is stored.
- Show savings clearly on offers.
- Give WhatsApp buyers a direct route rather than fighting their habits.
- Make M-Pesa the easiest way to pay.
Why M-Pesa checkout matters for Kenyan shoppers
Most Kenyan shoppers are used to paying by M-Pesa, so a store that only takes cards loses customers at checkout. Paying with a phone prompt the shopper already knows removes doubt at the last step. Giving a WhatsApp option as well helps shoppers who prefer to ask a question before buying.
Keeping the store easy to run
A store is only useful if the team can keep it up to date. The online store was set up so staff can add products, change prices and update stock without calling a developer. Training was included at handover, and the client owns the website.
Planning a similar store
- Start with your best sellers: launch with the products that sell most, then add the rest.
- Prepare good photos: clear product photos do more for sales than any design detail.
- Decide on delivery and pickup: spell out costs and areas before launch.
- Think about hosting and care: hosting starts from KES 10,000 a year with SSL included, and our care plan is KES 60,000 (USD 600) a year if you want updates and support handled for you.
See the live store at Luvly Household Collections.
If you’re weighing platforms, read Shopify in Kenya: payment options with M-Pesa and the real costs. Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400). We’re rated 5.0 on Google with 1,200+ projects since 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is the Luvly Household Collections store built on?
WordPress with WooCommerce, which lets the team manage a large product catalogue and build M-Pesa into checkout.
Can customers order on WhatsApp?
Yes. Every product has a “Buy via WhatsApp” button that opens a chat with the product details filled in.
Can the shop team update products themselves?
Yes. We ran handover training so they can add products, change prices and run offers without a developer.
How much does an online store like this cost?
Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400). The final price depends on the number of products, payment methods and features, and is fixed in a written quote.
Do you build online stores outside Nairobi?
Yes. We build for businesses across Kenya and abroad, with no travel fee.
Who owns the store after launch?
The client does. Once the project is paid for, the website, products and content belong to the business.
Planning an online shop with M-Pesa?
Tell us what you sell and how you deliver, and we’ll show you what your store could look like. 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: 28 October 2026.
