How to start an online shop in Kenya
The complete walkthrough for Kenyan sellers — from picking products to your first paid order. Most people finish the technical part in under an hour; this guide is about doing it in the right order and knowing what it actually costs.
Quick Answer
Pick a product, create a free shop on Shops in Kenya (30 products, KSh 0), add photos and prices, set delivery zones, and share your link on WhatsApp. You can be selling today. Add automated M-PESA checkout from KSh 299/month — register on eCitizen (~KSh 1,000) only when you need a PayBill in a business name.
Pick what you'll sell — and prove it first
Start with products you can reliably supply and deliver: fashion, electronics accessories, beauty, food, home goods or digital products. Test demand by posting on WhatsApp Status or a Facebook group before building anything — the fastest validation costs KSh 0.
Choose your platform honestly
Options: a Kenyan shop builder like Shops in Kenya (native M-PESA + WhatsApp ordering, free plan, 0% commission), a marketplace like Jumia (instant traffic, ~5-15% commission), Shopify (global apps, USD billing, no native M-PESA), or WooCommerce (full control, you maintain everything). For selling to Kenyans, a local builder with M-PESA built in removes the most friction.
Create the shop
On Shops in Kenya: sign up with your phone number, pick your shop name (that's your link — shops.co.ke/yourname), upload a logo. Under 10 minutes, no card required, start here.
Add products like a buyer would judge them
Clear photos (3+ per product), KSh prices, honest descriptions, stock quantities, variants like size/colour. Group into obvious categories a customer would say out loud. Stores with strong photos convert noticeably better.
Set delivery zones and fees
Define where you deliver and what it costs — Nairobi zones at different fees, upcountry courier rates, or free pickup. Buyers abandon orders most often at surprise delivery costs, so show fees upfront.
Connect payments
Free plan: manual payment instructions (till/PayBill details or send-money number shown at checkout). Automated M-PESA STK push + cards: Starter plan (KSh 299/mo) — customers pay without leaving checkout and you get instant confirmation. For a PayBill/Till in your business name, register on eCitizen (~KSh 1,000) and get a KRA PIN (free on iTax).
Share your shop link everywhere
WhatsApp Business bio and Status, Instagram and TikTok bios, Facebook page, business cards, flyers. One link that always works beats screenshots in every chat. Your shop also gets listed in our public directory of Kenyan businesses — free discovery.
Fulfil your first orders and build trust
Reply fast, confirm orders, deliver on time, ask happy customers for reviews. Then layer on what growth needs: M-PESA checkout, WhatsApp broadcasts to past customers, POS if you have a counter, bookings if you sell services.
What it actually costs — the line items guides skip
| Item | Cost | Needed when |
|---|---|---|
| Shop platform | KSh 0 (free plan) – 3,499/mo | Immediately — start free |
| .co.ke domain | ~KSh 1,000–2,000/yr | Optional — yourname shops.co.ke is free |
| Business registration (eCitizen) | ~KSh 1,000 one-off | For a PayBill/till in a trading name |
| KRA PIN | Free (iTax) | Required with business registration |
| M-PESA PayBill/Till | Free application; Safaricom rates per transaction | For automated checkout in your name |
| Product photos | KSh 0 — your phone | Day one, non-negotiable |
| Packaging & delivery | Variable | As orders come in |
Full breakdown: how much an online shop costs in Kenya →
Step 3 is a 10-minute job
Free plan — 30 products, WhatsApp ordering, manual payments. KSh 0, no card.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an online shop in Kenya?
You can start for KSh 0 on Shops in Kenya's free plan (30 products, WhatsApp ordering, manual payments). Paid plans run KSh 299-3,499/month. Optional extras: a .co.ke domain (~KSh 1,000-2,000/year) and business registration on eCitizen (~KSh 1,000 one-off) if you want a Paybill in your trading name.
Do I need a registered business to sell online in Kenya?
Not to start — you can sell informally with manual payments. For automated M-PESA checkout via a Paybill or Buy Goods till, Safaricom requires a registered business (eCitizen, ~KSh 1,000) and a KRA PIN (free on iTax). Many sellers start free, then formalize when orders grow.
What is the easiest way to create an online shop in Kenya?
Sign up free on Shops in Kenya, add products with photos and KSh prices, set delivery zones, and share your shop link on WhatsApp — most sellers are live in under an hour. No coding, hosting, or plugins needed; M-PESA checkout is built in.
Which products sell best online in Kenya?
Fashion and accessories, electronics and phone accessories, beauty and skincare, food and baked goods, home items, and digital products all sell well. The winning factor isn't the category — it's fast WhatsApp replies, clear photos, honest prices and reliable delivery.