( The Ken Designers journal )

Articles.

Straight answers on building and selling online in Kenya: websites, M-Pesa, POS systems and getting found on Google. Research, practical checklists and buying decisions, with references in our expanded guides.

22 guides · from Ken Designers

Kenyan business owner comparing a website budget at a tailoring studio

LatestGuides

Website design cost in Kenya: compare scope, not just price

Understand website quotes in Kenya: build costs, renewals, content, ownership and launch checks. Prepare a clear brief before choosing a developer.

· 5 min read

Read article →

Kenyan business director interviewing a software engineer in a Nairobi office

Guides

Hiring a software developer in Kenya: a buyer’s evaluation guide

Choose a software partner using workflow evidence, ownership terms, security checks and support plans. A practical checklist for Kenyan business buyers.

5 min read

Kenyan operations manager and developer planning software workflows at a warehouse office

Guides

Custom software cost in Kenya: scope, build or buy, and running costs

Plan a custom software budget with workflow scope, build-versus-buy checks, integrations, migration, security and recurring operating costs.

5 min read

Kenyan shop supervisor demonstrating a point of sale and barcode scanner to a shop owner

Guides

Choosing a POS system in Kenya: test your shop before you buy

A practical POS buying guide for Kenyan retailers: demonstrate stock, returns, permissions, payments, offline behaviour, migration and data export.

5 min read

Kenyan businesswoman writing a website and software project brief at a Nairobi coworking cafe

Guides

How to write a website or software project brief in Kenya

Create a clear project brief with business goals, customer journeys, content, integrations, responsibilities and acceptance checks. Free fill-in template.

5 min read

Business owner and developer reviewing a website launch checklist at a Nairobi office desk

SEO

Website launch SEO checklist for Kenyan businesses

A practical launch checklist covering indexing, mobile speed, page titles, local business details and enquiry tracking for a Kenyan business website.

6 min read

Footwear retailer photographing trainers for an online product page

Ecommerce

Product page checklist for an online store in Kenya

Build clearer product pages with useful photos, sizes, KES prices, delivery information and payment expectations for shoppers in Kenya.

5 min read

Customer paying by smartphone at a Nairobi shop counter

Payments

How M-Pesa STK push works on your store

A plain-English guide to M-Pesa Daraja STK push: what happens when a customer pays, why some integrations drop transactions, and what a reliable checkout needs.

6 min read

Web developer comparing website layouts on a laptop

Guides

WordPress or Next.js for a Kenyan business? Choose by workflow

Compare WordPress and Next.js for content editing, custom workflows, deployment, maintenance and SEO. Choose a setup your Kenyan business can operate.

5 min read

Shop owner and consultant reviewing a website project estimate

Ecommerce

Ecommerce website cost in Kenya: budget for the whole store

Compare online store quotes in Kenya using catalogue, checkout, M-PESA, delivery, administration, maintenance and realistic launch-test requirements.

5 min read

Boutique owner checking local search information on a smartphone

SEO

Local SEO for Kenyan businesses: turn relevant searches into enquiries

Improve local search foundations with accurate Google Business Profile details, useful service pages, genuine reviews and a measurable enquiry journey.

5 min read

Accountant reviewing invoices beside a laptop and receipt printer

Compliance

KRA eTIMS and your online store, explained

A short, practical overview of KRA eTIMS for ecommerce in Kenya and why building your store to be eTIMS-ready from day one saves pain later.

4 min read

Entrepreneur and designer discussing a website portfolio and sketches

Guides

Choosing a web designer in Kenya: evidence to check before hiring

Compare Kenyan web designers on relevant work, content, mobile usability, SEO scope, ownership and support. Use a practical supplier scorecard.

5 min read

Cafe owner using a laptop at a table inside her business

Guides

Why your business needs a website

Social media is not enough. Here is why a proper website still matters for a business in Kenya, and what it does that a Facebook page cannot.

4 min read

Electronics merchant comparing online store interfaces on a monitor and tablet

Ecommerce

WooCommerce vs Shopify for Kenyan stores

A practical comparison of WooCommerce and Shopify for an online store in Kenya, covering M-Pesa, fees, control and which suits your business.

6 min read

Software engineer testing a mobile checkout beside a laptop

Payments

How to set up M-Pesa on your website

A plain overview of what it takes to accept M-Pesa on your website through the Daraja API, and what to get right so payments do not fail.

5 min read

Developer testing a mobile website beside an open laptop

Performance

Make your website fast in Kenya: measure, diagnose and test

Understand Core Web Vitals, PageSpeed lab and field data, images, scripts and hosting. A practical guide to improving the real mobile enquiry journey.

5 min read

Leather goods retailer writing product details at a workshop table

Ecommerce

Product descriptions that actually sell

How to write product descriptions for your online store that answer buyer questions, build trust and turn browsers into paying customers.

4 min read

Startup colleagues comparing a smartphone and tablet on an office terrace

Guides

Do you need a mobile app or a website?

Most businesses that think they need an app actually need a good website. Here is how to tell which one is right for you, and why.

5 min read

Barber checking a smartphone outside his neighbourhood barbershop

SEO

Getting your business on Google Maps

A step-by-step look at getting your business onto Google Maps and the local results, so nearby customers can find and choose you first.

5 min read

IT specialist reviewing a computer dashboard beside a backup drive

Guides

What website maintenance really costs

A website is not a one-time cost. Here is what ongoing maintenance actually involves, why it matters, and what to budget for it.

4 min read

Boutique owner and assistant using a laptop at a parcel packing table

AI

Using AI to grow your online store

Practical, non-hype ways to use AI in an online store, from writing product copy to handling enquiries, and where it genuinely saves time.

5 min read