Discover what a KES 20,000 website can get you in Kenya. We provide a realistic breakdown of the features, inclusions, and limitations of a basic, low-budget website for your business.
Introduction
In Kenya’s digital market, the promise of a cheap website is a common lure for startups and small businesses. The idea of getting a professional online presence for a one-time fee of just KES 20,000 is incredibly appealing, and the truth is, it is a very real possibility. However, it’s crucial to understand that a website at this price point comes with a specific set of features and, more importantly, a list of significant limitations. A KES 20,000 website is not the same as a custom-built, high-performing digital asset designed for long-term growth. It is a foundational tool, a digital business card that provides a basic online presence without the advanced functionalities needed for scaling a business.
This guide is designed to provide a realistic and transparent look at what a KES 20,000 website can get you in Kenya. We will break down the features you can expect for this budget, expose the hidden costs and limitations, and offer a practical perspective on whether a cheap website is the right choice for your business goals. By setting clear expectations, we aim to help you make an informed decision that saves you from potential disappointment and costly mistakes down the line. A 20K website is a starting point, not a destination, and understanding this distinction is the key to leveraging it effectively.
Part I: The Features of a KES 20,000 Website
For a budget of KES 20,000, you can get a website that serves as a functional and professional-looking online brochure for your business. The focus at this price point is on simplicity and speed.
1. Core Design and Pages
A typical KES 20,000 website is a static, multi-page site with a clean, responsive design. You can expect:
- 1 to 5 Static Pages: This usually includes an About Us page, a Services or Products page, and a Contact Us page.
- Basic Template-Based Design: The website will be built using a pre-existing template. This allows for rapid development but means the design will not be unique to your brand.
- Responsive Design: The website will be optimized to display correctly on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This is a critical feature for any website in Kenya’s mobile-first market.
2. Standard Inclusions
Most professional developers offering a 20,000 website package will include a few essential elements to get your business online.
- Domain Name & Hosting: The package will likely include a domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.co.ke) and web hosting for the first year. This is a significant value, as these services are recurring annual costs.
- SSL Certificate: To ensure the website is secure and trustworthy, a basic SSL certificate is typically included, which encrypts data and provides a padlock icon in the browser.
- Basic On-Page SEO: The website will be built with a basic level of on-page optimization, including proper headings and image alt text, but it will not include any ongoing SEO strategy.
Part II: The Hidden Costs and Major Limitations
While a KES 20,000 website is an excellent starting point, it is crucial to be aware of the significant limitations and hidden costs that are not part of the initial fee.
1. Lack of Customization and Advanced Functionality
A low-cost website is not built for complex business needs. The biggest limitations of a 20,000 website are:
- No E-commerce Capabilities: This budget will not get you an online store with a shopping cart and payment gateway integration. E-commerce platforms, even simple ones, start from KES 30,000 and go much higher.
- Limited Scalability: If your business grows and you need to add new features or handle more traffic, the template-based site may not be able to accommodate these changes without a complete and costly rebuild.
- No Custom Features: Complex functionalities like a property listing system for real estate, a user login portal, or a booking system are not included. These features require a custom, significantly more expensive development process.
2. The Hidden Recurring Costs
Many clients are not aware of the ongoing expenses that come with a cheap website.
- Annual Renewals: The domain name and web hosting, which are often included for the first year, will need to be renewed annually. These costs, which can range from KES 2,000 to KES 15,000 per year, are a recurring expense that must be budgeted for.
- Website Maintenance: The initial package often includes a short period of free support (e.g., two weeks). After that, any security updates, bug fixes, or content changes will either be your responsibility or come with an additional charge.
- Digital Marketing: A website, no matter the cost, is useless without a marketing strategy to drive traffic to it. The cost of a sustained SEO or social media marketing campaign can easily exceed the initial 20,000 website fee on a monthly basis.
Correcting Facebook Reach Campaigns in Kenya
The credibility of your website is a powerful asset for any Facebook Reach Campaign. We correct common faults in Facebook Reach Campaigns in Kenya by ensuring the landing page being promoted is professional, trustworthy, and high-converting. While a KES 20,000 website may be basic, we ensure the landing page is optimized for conversions, which significantly improves click-through rates and conversion ratios from your Facebook ads. Furthermore, we ensure that the focus keyword, KES 20,000 Website, is seamlessly integrated into the ad copy and is present in the meta description and subheadings (H2, H3, H4) of the landing page. We increase keyword density to 0.22, with the focus keyword and combinations of it appearing a total of 7 times throughout the content. We also ensure all URLs are shortened to under 80 characters for improved click-through rates. The content is crafted with short paragraphs to make it easily digestible for a mobile-first audience. We add DoFollow links to relevant external resources on SEO and internal links to our other services, such as our portfolio, to improve your website’s SEO.
Conclusion
A KES 20,000 website is a viable and practical option for a small business or startup in Kenya that needs a basic online presence to showcase its services and build initial credibility. However, it is essential to have realistic expectations. This budget will get you a functional, template-based website with limited features, and it does not cover the long-term costs of maintenance, security, and digital marketing. By understanding the true value and limitations of a 20,000 website, you can avoid costly surprises and make a strategic decision that aligns with your business’s current needs while planning for a more robust investment as you grow.