"How much is a website?" is one of the first questions every Ghanaian business owner asks when they want to sell online. The honest answer: it depends on what you need the website to do. A page that just says who you are is cheap. A website that takes orders and mobile money payments is a different job.
This guide walks through the four real options, what each one costs to build and to keep running, and which one fits your business.
First: what do you need the website to do?
Answer these before you pay anyone:
- Do you want people to buy on it, or just find your phone number?
- How will buyers pay? Mobile money, card, cash on delivery, or all three?
- Who will update it when prices change or new stock arrives?
- Do you need your own domain (yourbrand.com), or is a good link enough for now?
Most small businesses in Ghana need a site that shows products with prices, takes MoMo and card payments, and is easy to update from a phone. Keep that in mind as you compare.
Option 1: Hire a web developer
A developer builds a custom site for you, often on WordPress.
Good for: businesses with unusual needs, a budget, and someone to manage the site.
What to watch:
- Quotes vary widely, from a few thousand cedis to much more, depending on pages, design and features. Ask exactly what is included.
- Payments are extra work. The developer must connect a payment gateway, which usually means business documents and an approval process before you can take money.
- Running costs continue: domain renewal, hosting every year, and paying the developer again when something breaks or needs changing.
- Ask who owns the site. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and that you get the logins.
Option 2: Build it yourself with WordPress
WordPress is free software, but you pay for hosting, a domain, a theme and often plugins. With WooCommerce it can become a store.
Good for: people who enjoy tinkering and have time to learn.
What to watch: security updates, plugin conflicts, slow hosting and connecting mobile money payments are all your job. Many Ghanaian businesses start here and end up paying a developer anyway.
Option 3: Use an international store builder
Platforms such as Shopify and Wix are polished and easy to use.
Good for: businesses selling mainly to buyers abroad.
What to watch:
- Monthly fees are in dollars, which hurts when the cedi moves.
- Mobile money is not built in for most of them, and Ghana is not always a supported country for their own payment systems. Check before you build.
Read: Shopify in Ghana and mobile money.
Option 4: A ready-made store with mobile money built in
Tools like Paylead give you a store, product pages and checkout from the moment you sign up, with MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash, AirtelTigo Money, Visa and Mastercard already working.
Good for: most small businesses and creators in Ghana who want to start selling this week.
What you get on Paylead:
- A free store link like yourbrand.paylead.app, ready in minutes.
- Products, downloads, courses, bookings and services on one site.
- Checkout with mobile money, card and pay on delivery.
- Sales pages built by AI from a short description, when you want a page for one product.
- Your own domain (shop.yourbrand.com) on the Business plan.
Costs: the Starter plan is free. Pro is GH₵ 149 a month, Business is GH₵ 399 a month. Every plan pays 4% + GH₵ 1 per online sale with payment processing included, or you pass it to your buyer. See pricing.
Side by side
| Developer | WordPress (DIY) | International builder | Paylead | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready in | Weeks | Days to weeks | Days | Minutes |
| Mobile money | Extra setup | Extra setup | Usually not built in | Built in |
| Pay on delivery | Custom work | Plugin | Varies | Built in |
| Who fixes problems | The developer (paid) | You | The platform | Paylead |
| Monthly cost | Hosting + changes | Hosting + plugins | In dollars | Free to GH₵ 399 |
What every business website needs
Whichever option you choose, check it has:
- Clear prices on every product. Buyers in Ghana leave when they have to ask "how much?".
- A fast mobile version. Most of your visitors are on phones with limited data.
- Payment on the same page, not "send MoMo to this number".
- Your WhatsApp number and location, so people can reach you before they buy.
- Delivery information: areas, fees and timing.
- Real photos of your products and, if you can, of you.
- Reviews or screenshots from happy customers.
Read: Designing for trust: the visual elements that sell.
Do you need your own domain name?
Not on day one. A clean store link works for your bio, status and ads. A domain like yourbrand.com becomes worth it once you are spending on ads or printing your address on packaging. When you're ready, connecting your domain takes a few minutes on Paylead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost in Ghana?
A simple custom site from a developer can cost a few thousand cedis, plus yearly hosting and domain fees, with online payments often quoted separately. A ready-made store like Paylead's Starter plan costs nothing upfront and charges per sale.
Can I create a website for my business for free?
Yes. Paylead's Starter plan gives you a free store link with products, checkout and mobile money. You pay only a small fee when you make a sale.
How do I accept mobile money on my website in Ghana?
Either connect a payment gateway (usually a developer job with business documents) or use a store builder with mobile money built in, like Paylead. Read how to accept mobile money payments online.
Do I need a registered business to have a website?
Not to have a website. For payouts you need an account in your name or your business's name. Registering your business helps with trust and bank accounts; see how to register a business in Ghana.
Is a website better than selling on Instagram and WhatsApp?
Use both. Social media brings people in; a website with prices and checkout turns them into buyers without you answering every DM.
