Website Cost in Nigeria: Full Pricing Breakdown for Businesses
If you’re a Nigerian business owner researching website costs, you’ve probably seen quotes ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦5 million for what seems like “basically the same thing.” Here’s what actually happened to one Lagos business owner we spoke with: she budgeted ₦200,000 for a simple business website. Six months later, she’d spent ₦850,000 and still didn’t have a working site with the features she needed.
The problem wasn’t dishonest vendors. It was incomplete understanding of what goes into website pricing.
Here’s the straight answer: In Nigeria, a professional business website typically costs between ₦150,000 and ₦750,000 for the initial build, with annual running costs of ₦200,000 to ₦600,000. But that range is wide because websites vary enormously in complexity, design quality, and functionality.
This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay and why, so you can budget realistically and avoid expensive surprises.
Website Cost in Nigeria: Why Prices Vary So Much
The real question isn’t “how much does a website cost?” It’s “why does one agency quote ₦250,000 and another quotes ₦3 million when I describe the same project?”
Design approach makes the biggest difference. A premium template with your logo and colors costs ₦150,000 – ₦400,000. Semi-custom design runs ₦400,000 – ₦1.2 million. Fully custom design from scratch starts at ₦1.2 million. Custom design means the site is built around your specific content and business goals, not forcing your content into a template’s structure.
The technical work is where costs multiply. Static pages are straightforward. Add customer login, integration with your CRM, or automated workflows, and you’ve entered custom development territory. Each integration adds both build cost and ongoing maintenance work.
Content creation is the hidden cost most people miss. Most quotes assume you provide all written content and images. Agency copywriting adds ₦200,000 – ₦500,000. Professional photography adds ₦150,000 – ₦800,000. Many projects stall for months because business owners underestimate how much time it takes to write quality content.
Support terms vary widely. Some quotes include comprehensive maintenance, others give you the site and nothing else. You only discover this when something breaks six months later, and the developer wants ₦50,000 to fix it.
Freelancers vs agencies: Freelancers typically charge 30-50% less. You’re paying for one person’s time and lower overhead. Agencies cost more because you get a team, formal processes, and business continuity. Neither is automatically better – it depends on what your project needs and how much ongoing support you’ll require.
One-Time Website Build Costs
Here’s what you’ll pay upfront to get your website built and launched:
| Website Type | Price Range | Timeline | Best For | What’s Included | What’s NOT Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Business | ₦150k – ₦350k | 2-4 weeks | Solo entrepreneurs, simple service businesses | 5-7 pages, premium theme customization, mobile responsive, contact forms, SSL, Google Analytics, basic SEO, 2 revisions | Custom design, e-commerce, blog setup, content writing, advanced integrations |
| Standard Business | ₦350k – ₦750k | 4-8 weeks | Growing SMEs, professional services | 8-15 pages, semi-custom design, blog, email marketing integration, basic CRM, speed optimization, enhanced SEO, 3-4 revisions, training | Complete copywriting, e-commerce, custom photography, and advanced booking systems |
| Advanced Business | ₦750k – ₦2.5M | 8-16 weeks | Established businesses, e-commerce stores | 15-30 pages, custom design, e-commerce, payment gateways, advanced integrations, content strategy, professional SEO, security hardening, in-depth training | Ongoing content, dedicated support |
| Enterprise/Custom | ₦2.5M+ | 3-6 months | Schools, hospitals, platforms, and unique requirements | Custom-built solutions, member platforms, complex portals, multi-vendor systems, enterprise security, scalability planning | Varies by scope |
What Drives Costs in Each Tier
Starter Tier uses template customization with minimal custom development. You provide all content and assets. Good for establishing a web presence without bells and whistles.
The Standard Tier involves semi-custom design work and moderate integrations. Agency helps structure your content. This is where most Nigerian SMEs land – professional quality without custom development costs. Most sites at this level use WordPress as the foundation.
The Advanced Tier includes custom design, e-commerce capability, and deeper integrations with your business systems. You’re getting a business tool that automates workflows, not just a marketing site. Learn more about building e-commerce stores with WordPress.
The Enterprise Tier involves extensive custom development to address unique requirements that off-the-shelf solutions can’t handle.
Real Project Examples
Here are examples from actual projects we’ve handled at PlanetWeb:
Startup Landing Page: Single-page responsive design, email capture form with validation, Mailchimp integration for automated email sequences, mobile optimization, basic analytics setup. Build: ₦180,000 | Timeline: 2 weeks
Professional Services Firm (Lagos): Semi-custom design with 12 pages, blog setup with SEO optimization, Zoho CRM integration for lead management, custom case study templates, contact forms with automated follow-up. Build: ₦650,000 | Timeline: 6 weeks
Healthcare Clinic (Lagos): 15-page informational site with a custom patient portal, a secure appointment booking system, automated SMS and email reminders, NDPA-compliant data handling, and integration with practice management software. Build: ₦2,800,000 | Timeline: 14 weeks
Premium E-commerce Store (US Client): High-end WooCommerce build for a luxury watch maker. Dual payment gateway integration (PayPal and Stripe), custom shipping calculations, comprehensive inventory management system, advanced product categorization, and ongoing product and content management. Build: $10,000 (₦15M+) | Timeline: 16-20 weeks
Custom Debate Platform (US Client): Fully custom Laravel 11 application with weighted voting algorithms, real-time user interactions, multi-level debate structure, complex reputation management, advanced moderation tools, and performance optimization for concurrent users. Built from scratch because existing platforms couldn’t meet requirements. Build: $20,000 (₦30M+) | Timeline: 6 months Read the full case study
Annual Running Costs
The build cost is just the beginning. Here’s what you need to budget annually:
| Expense Category | Cost Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Registration | ₦8k – ₦25k/year | .com.ng (₦8k – ₦15k), .ng (₦10k – ₦20k), .com (₦15k – ₦25k) |
| Web Hosting | ₦60k – ₦350k/year | Shared (₦60k-₦120k), VPS (₦150k – ₦250k), Managed WordPress (₦200k – ₦350k), Cloud (₦250k+) |
| SSL Certificate | Free – ₦150k/year | Basic (free), Business SSL (₦50k – ₦150k) |
| Professional Email | ₦10k – ₦40k/user/year | Zoho Mail (₦10k – ₦15k, recommended), Google Workspace (₦25k – ₦35k), Microsoft 365 (₦30k – ₦40k). Learn more about professional email |
| Website Maintenance | ₦120k – ₦500k/year | Updates, backups, security, monitoring, support (see breakdown below) |
| Optional: CDN/Security | ₦0 – ₦200k/year | Cloudflare, advanced firewalls, malware scanning |
Web Hosting Explained
Shared hosting works for starter sites with low traffic. Your site shares resources with others – adequate performance but less control.
VPS hosting gives you dedicated resources and better performance. Good middle ground for growing businesses.
Managed WordPress hosting is hands-off – the provider handles all technical aspects while you focus on business.
Cloud hosting scales automatically with traffic and offers the best uptime. Costs can increase with growth.
Choose based on features and support quality rather than location. Good Nigerian and international hosting providers use data centers with backup power and solid infrastructure, so performance usually depends more on the vendor than the country. For a detailed comparison of hosting options in Nigeria, read our complete web hosting guide.
What’s Actually in Maintenance
| Package Level | Annual Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₦120k – ₦200k | Monthly WordPress/plugin updates, weekly backups, basic security monitoring, uptime monitoring, emergency support (24-48hr response) |
| Standard | ₦200k – ₦350k | Everything in Basic + monthly backup testing, active security scanning, performance monitoring, priority support (4-8hr response), minor content updates (2-3hrs/month) |
| Advanced | ₦350k – ₦500k | Everything in Standard + daily backups, advanced security with firewall, same-day emergency support, regular content updates (4-6hrs/month), quarterly strategy reviews |
Why maintenance matters: Unmaintained sites get hacked. WordPress releases security updates regularly. Plugins conflict after updates. Backups fail without anyone noticing. Maintenance is insurance for your digital presence. Learn more about what professional maintenance includes.
Total annual running costs: ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 for most SMEs, depending on hosting choice, email users, and maintenance level.
Optional Add-Ons That Increase Initial Cost
| Service | Cost Range | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Copywriting | ₦100k – ₦500k | You don’t have time to write quality content, or need persuasive copy that converts |
| Professional Photography | ₦150k – ₦800k | Stock photos don’t fit your brand, or you need actual team/facility photos |
| Brand Identity/Logo | ₦80k – ₦500k | You don’t have professional branding yet |
| CRM Integration | ₦150k – ₦500k | Connecting to Zoho, HubSpot, or other business systems |
| Accounting Software Integration | ₦100k – ₦300k | QuickBooks, Xero, or similar connections |
| Custom API Integration | ₦200k+ | Connecting to proprietary systems or complex data flows |
| Payment Gateway Integration | ₦100k – ₦300k | Setting up Paystack, Flutterwave, or other payment processors for e-commerce |
| Ongoing SEO Services | ₦150k – ₦500k/month | You’re serious about ranking for competitive keywords |
Common Budgeting Mistakes
Choosing the absolute cheapest option. ₦50,000 “professional” websites are template dumps with no support. The developer typically disappears after delivery. Budget at least ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 minimum for legitimate work.
Forgetting annual costs. Many businesses budget only for the build, then get shocked when renewals arrive in year two. Budget total first-year costs (build + annual expenses) from day one.
Expecting enterprise features on basic budgets. Wanting complex functionality with ₦200,000 creates frustration. Be honest about the budget upfront. You can phase features – launch with core functionality, add advanced features later.
Not planning for content. Assuming the agency writes everything causes project delays and surprise costs. Clarify who provides content upfront. Budget ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 for professional writing if you can’t do it yourself.
Skipping maintenance. Trying to save ₦120,000 – ₦200,000 annually can lead to hacked sites, broken functionality, and lost data. Maintenance isn’t optional – it’s insurance.
Using personal email. Running a business with Gmail or Yahoo hurts credibility. Budget ₦10,000 – ₦15,000 per user for professional email hosting.
No ownership clarity. Not establishing who owns the domain and hosting upfront can leave you trapped. Insist domain and hosting are in your name. Get all credentials in writing.
Website Cost Checklist for Nigerian Businesses
Use this when evaluating quotes:
Design Requirements
- [ ] Template customization or custom design?
- [ ] How many unique page layouts are needed?
- [ ] Brand design work needed?
Functionality Requirements
- [ ] Blog? E-commerce? User accounts?
- [ ] Booking/appointment system?
- [ ] Payment gateway integration (which ones)?
- [ ] Integration with business tools (CRM, accounting)?
- [ ] Custom forms or calculators?
Content Scope
- [ ] How many total pages?
- [ ] Who writes content (you or agency)?
- [ ] Professional photography needed?
- [ ] Product uploads (for e-commerce)?
Technical Requirements
- [ ] Hosting type preference?
- [ ] Professional email (how many users)?
- [ ] Specific security/compliance needs (NDPA)?
- [ ] Performance requirements?
Support and Maintenance
- [ ] Training needed?
- [ ] Maintenance package level?
- [ ] Support response time requirements?
Timeline and Budget
- [ ] Launch deadline?
- [ ] Total budget for build?
- [ ] Annual budget for ongoing costs?
This helps you communicate clearly and compare quotes accurately.
Agency vs Freelancer: When Each Makes Sense
Freelancers Work Best When:
- Budget is under ₦300,000
- The project is simple with clear requirements
- You can manage the project yourself
- You have the technical knowledge to evaluate work
- You’ve verified their previous work
Trade-off: Single point of failure, limited specialized skills, no formal project management.
Agencies Make Sense When:
- Budget exceeds ₦400,000
- The project involves multiple integrations or advanced features
- You need reliable ongoing support
- Timeline matters
- You want professional project management
Trade-off: Higher cost, sometimes slower decision-making.
The honest truth: For simple sites under ₦300,000, good freelancers often work fine. For e-commerce, multiple integrations, or ongoing support needs, agencies typically deliver better long-term value.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Anyone
Ownership & Control:
- Who owns the domain and hosting?
- Will I get all credentials and source files?
- Can I move the site to another provider?
Build Process:
- What exactly is included in your quote?
- What do I provide (content, images)?
- How many revisions are included?
- What’s your realistic timeline?
Ongoing Costs:
- What are the total first-year costs?
- What’s in your maintenance package?
- How quickly do you respond to issues?
- What are payment terms?
Their Work:
- Can I see sites you’ve built for Nigerian businesses?
- Can I contact current clients?
- What happens if I’m not satisfied?
- Do you provide training?
Red Flags:
- Won’t show previous work or provide references
- Vague about what’s included
- Pressures immediate decision
- Won’t put agreements in writing
- Quote far below market
How to Get the Best Value
Start with clear requirements. Know what you need before requesting quotes. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
Get multiple quotes. Compare at least three providers with identical requirements. Cheapest is rarely the best value.
Plan content strategy. Providing your own content saves ₦200,000 – ₦500,000, but only if you have time for quality writing. Consider a hybrid: you provide raw info, agency structures, and refine it.
Think long-term. Build properly from the start for easier maintenance and expansion. Don’t cheap out on hosting – slow sites lose customers. If you already have a website that’s not working well, read our website redesign guide to understand when rebuilding makes sense.
Invest in essentials. Security, mobile optimization, and professional email aren’t optional.
Consider a phased approach. Launch with core features, add advanced functionality as budget allows, and you prove ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Website costs in Nigeria range from ₦150,000 to ₦750,000 for most business builds, with annual running costs of ₦200,000 to ₦600,000. Your actual cost depends on how custom the design is, what features you need, and the level of support you choose.
The cheapest option often ends up costing more in the long run. But “right” doesn’t mean most expensive – it means appropriate for your business stage.
Budget for both build and annual costs upfront. Get clear answers about ownership. Check references. Your website is often customers’ first impression of your business.
Need a realistic quote for your specific business?
PlanetWeb builds websites for Nigerian SMEs across industries. We’ll provide a detailed estimate based on your specific requirements, with no obligation to proceed.
Schedule a free consultation or complete our Web Design Questionnaire to get started.
Not ready to talk yet?
Download our Website Planning Checklist to organize your requirements before talking to developers.
