Selling online and e-commerce
Selling online means using the internet to find customers for products, physical or digital. In Kenya, much of this happens on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, plus marketplaces like Jumia and Kilimall, with M-Pesa payments and boda boda or courier delivery.
What these methods share
- You need stock or products (or a supplier relationship), a way to take payments, and reliable delivery.
- Trust is everything: real photos, clear prices, honest descriptions, reliable delivery and good customer service.
- Business compliance: register when you grow, keep records, follow KRA rules (including eTIMS invoicing requirements where they apply) and product regulations (standards, food and cosmetics rules).
- See selling online earning, e-commerce and e-commerce and dropshipping in Kenya.
223. WhatsApp selling (status, catalogue, groups)
What it is: Selling products to your contacts and customers through WhatsApp status updates, the Business catalogue and broadcast lists. How it works: Source products → post photos and prices → take orders → M-Pesa payment → delivery.
| Skills | Photography, persuasive captions, customer service |
| Cost & equipment | Smartphone, stock or supplier access |
| Where to find work | Your contacts, groups (with permission), referrals |
| Payment | M-Pesa (till or paybill preferred for trust) |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium (depends on product margins and volume) |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Start with products you understand and can source reliably; set up WhatsApp Business. Pros: Low start-up cost. Cons & risks: Limited reach; stock risk. Scam warning: Fake suppliers who take payment and disappear; buy small first. Kenya notes: A Lipa na M-Pesa till builds customer trust compared with a personal number.
224. Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groups selling
What it is: Listing products on Facebook Marketplace and in buy-and-sell groups. How it works: Clear listings, fast replies, safe meet-ups or delivery.
| Skills | Listing writing, negotiation, safety |
| Cost & equipment | Smartphone |
| Where to find work | Marketplace, local groups |
| Payment | M-Pesa on delivery or before dispatch |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: List items you own or can source; reply fast; meet in safe public places. Pros: Free listings. Cons & risks: Time-wasters; safety on meet-ups. Scam warning: Fake M-Pesa confirmation messages: always check your actual balance before handing over goods. Kenya notes: Electronics, furniture and fashion move well locally.
225. Instagram and TikTok shops (social commerce)
What it is: Building a brand on Instagram/TikTok and selling through DMs, links or shop features. How it works: Content (videos, try-ons, reviews) → audience → orders.
| Skills | Content creation, branding, customer service |
| Cost & equipment | Smartphone, good lighting, stock |
| Where to find work | Your followers and ads |
| Payment | M-Pesa, cards via payment links |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high for strong brands |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Pick a niche (e.g. thrift fashion, skincare, home décor); post daily videos. Pros: Huge reach. Cons & risks: Algorithm changes. Scam warning: Don't sell counterfeit branded goods. Kenya notes: Live selling and try-on videos work well with Kenyan audiences.
226. Selling on Jumia, Kilimall and other marketplaces
What it is: Listing products on established online marketplaces. How it works: Seller registration → listings → orders → fulfilment (yours or theirs) → payouts minus commissions.
| Skills | Product listing, inventory management |
| Cost & equipment | Stock, business documents for registration |
| Where to find work | Marketplace seller centres |
| Payment | Marketplace payouts (minus commissions and fees) |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Read seller terms and commission rates carefully; start with a few proven products. Pros: Built-in traffic. Cons & risks: Fees, competition, returns. Scam warning: Fake "seller account managers" charging to "boost" listings. Kenya notes: Marketplaces usually require KRA PIN and business details.
227. Your own online store website
What it is: Running a branded online shop with your own domain. How it works: Shopify/WooCommerce/custom store + M-Pesa checkout + marketing.
| Skills | E-commerce management, marketing |
| Cost & equipment | Domain, hosting/platform fees, stock |
| Where to find work | Your marketing efforts (ads, SEO, social) |
| Payment | M-Pesa, cards |
| Realistic earnings | Low to high |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Validate products on social media first; then build a store (e-commerce project). Pros: Own your customers. Cons & risks: You must drive traffic. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Combine your store with WhatsApp ordering.
228. Dropshipping (local)
What it is: Selling products that a local supplier stores and delivers, so you don't hold stock. How it works: Agreement with supplier → you market → customer pays → supplier delivers → you keep margin.
| Skills | Marketing, supplier management, customer service |
| Cost & equipment | Phone, marketing budget |
| Where to find work | Local wholesalers/suppliers willing to dropship |
| Payment | Customer pays you or on delivery; you pay supplier |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Test supplier reliability with your own orders first. Pros: Low capital. Cons & risks: You depend on the supplier's quality and speed. Scam warning: "Dropshipping courses" promising easy riches. Kenya notes: Clear delivery timelines matter; many customers prefer pay-on-delivery.
229. International dropshipping and import-to-order
What it is: Ordering products from overseas suppliers only after customers pre-order and pay (or importing small batches). How it works: Product research → pre-orders → shipping agents → customs → delivery.
| Skills | Importing knowledge, customs basics, customer communication |
| Cost & equipment | Capital for orders, shipping agent relationships |
| Where to find work | Your social channels and store |
| Payment | Deposits from customers |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Start with small shipments; learn duties and timelines. Pros: Unique products. Cons & risks: Delays, customs costs, quality issues. Scam warning: Fake overseas suppliers and fake shipping agents; verify thoroughly. Kenya notes: Import duties and KRA customs rules apply; reputable clearing agents matter.
230. Thrift (mitumba) fashion selling online
What it is: Selecting quality second-hand clothes and selling them online with good photos. How it works: Buy bales or pick items → clean, photograph → post → deliver.
| Skills | Fashion eye, photography, sizing knowledge |
| Cost & equipment | Capital for stock, phone |
| Where to find work | Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, pop-up markets |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days to weeks |
How to start: Start with a curated niche (denim, kids' wear, office wear). Pros: Popular and affordable. Cons & risks: Bale quality varies. Scam warning: Bale sellers who misrepresent grades. Kenya notes: Mitumba is a major part of Kenyan fashion retail.
231. Selling handmade products online
What it is: Selling crafts you make: jewellery, beadwork, bags, candles, soaps, art. How it works: Make → photograph → sell online locally and internationally.
| Skills | Craft skill, product photography, packaging |
| Cost & equipment | Materials, tools |
| Where to find work | Social media, craft markets, international marketplaces (check seller eligibility) |
| Payment | M-Pesa locally; platform payouts internationally |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Perfect a signature product; tell the story behind it. Pros: Unique products. Cons & risks: International shipping costs. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Maasai beadwork, kiondo baskets and soapstone are known internationally; respect cultural origins and pay artisans fairly.
232. Digital products (ebooks, templates, guides)
What it is: Selling downloadable products: ebooks, templates, planners, spreadsheets, presets. How it works: Create once → sell via a store, marketplace or WhatsApp with M-Pesa.
| Skills | Expertise, design, marketing (digital products) |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop |
| Where to find work | Your audience, marketplaces |
| Payment | Per sale |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Solve a specific problem (e.g. "Excel budget template for Kenyan families"). Pros: No stock, scalable. Cons & risks: Piracy; marketing. Scam warning: Reselling others' products without rights (PLR scams). Kenya notes: M-Pesa payment links make local digital sales easy.
233. Print-on-demand merchandise (local)
What it is: Selling custom T-shirts, mugs and caps printed only after orders, using local printers. How it works: Designs → mockups → orders → printer produces → delivery.
| Skills | Design, marketing |
| Cost & equipment | Phone/laptop, printer partnership |
| Where to find work | Social media, events, schools, companies |
| Payment | Upfront M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with a reliable printer; launch a small design collection. Pros: No stock. Cons & risks: Quality control. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Branded merchandise for events and groups is popular.
234. Reselling electronics and phone accessories
What it is: Buying phones, accessories and gadgets wholesale and selling online. How it works: Source from wholesalers → list online → deliver with warranty terms.
| Skills | Product knowledge, customer service |
| Cost & equipment | Capital |
| Where to find work | Social media, marketplaces |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Begin with fast-moving accessories (chargers, cases, earphones). Pros: High demand. Cons & risks: Counterfeits; returns. Scam warning: Never sell stolen or counterfeit devices; check IMEI and sources. Kenya notes: Customers value genuine products and clear warranties.
235. Food and baked goods online orders
What it is: Selling cakes, snacks, meals or meal prep via social media orders. How it works: Menu → orders in advance → preparation → delivery.
| Skills | Cooking/baking, hygiene, presentation |
| Cost & equipment | Kitchen equipment, ingredients, packaging |
| Where to find work | Social media, offices, events |
| Payment | M-Pesa deposits |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Start with a signature product; take pre-orders. Pros: Repeat customers. Cons & risks: Food safety rules and licences. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: County public health and business permit requirements apply to food businesses.
236. Beauty and cosmetics reselling
What it is: Selling skincare, hair products and cosmetics online. How it works: Source from authorised distributors → content → sales.
| Skills | Product knowledge, content creation |
| Cost & equipment | Capital |
| Where to find work | Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days to weeks |
How to start: Sell genuine, registered products; learn ingredients. Pros: Large market. Cons & risks: Counterfeit risks; health claims. Scam warning: Never sell unregistered or banned skin-lightening products; they can harm customers and are illegal. Kenya notes: Cosmetics are regulated (standards and approvals); buy from legitimate distributors.
237. Agricultural produce online selling
What it is: Selling fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey or meat directly to consumers online. How it works: Farm or aggregator → orders → delivery schedules.
| Skills | Logistics, quality control |
| Cost & equipment | Produce supply, transport |
| Where to find work | Urban households, offices, restaurants |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Offer weekly fresh boxes to a neighbourhood. Pros: Recurring weekly orders. Cons & risks: Perishability. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Urban demand for farm-fresh produce is strong; see agriculture methods later in this directory.
238. Pre-order and group-buying businesses
What it is: Collecting orders from a group before buying in bulk at better prices. How it works: Announce product and deadline → collect deposits → buy → distribute.
| Skills | Organisation, trust, record keeping |
| Cost & equipment | Phone, spreadsheet |
| Where to find work | Communities, offices, estates |
| Payment | Deposits via till |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Start with trusted groups and transparent records. Pros: Low capital. Cons & risks: Supplier delays damage trust. Scam warning: Be transparent; disappearing "group-buy organisers" are a known scam pattern. Kenya notes: Estate and office WhatsApp groups often do group purchases.
239. Second-hand items reselling (furniture, books, baby items)
What it is: Buying used items cheaply, refurbishing and reselling. How it works: Source → clean/repair → photograph → sell.
| Skills | Valuation, repair skills |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, storage, transport |
| Where to find work | Marketplace, groups |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Specialise (e.g. textbooks, baby gear, office chairs). Pros: Sustainable. Cons & risks: Storage space. Scam warning: Avoid stolen goods; ask for proof of ownership. Kenya notes: Moving expats and graduates sell items; buyers seek affordable quality.
240. Event tickets and merchandise sales
What it is: Selling tickets and merchandise for your own or partners' events online. How it works: Ticketing platforms or M-Pesa payment links with QR codes.
| Skills | Promotion, organisation |
| Cost & equipment | Ticketing platform fees |
| Where to find work | Event organisers |
| Payment | Commission or fee |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with organisers needing sales help. Pros: Exciting. Cons & risks: Event cancellations. Scam warning: Fake tickets; use verifiable QR systems. Kenya notes: Many events sell via M-Pesa and social media.
241. Subscription box businesses
What it is: Delivering curated boxes monthly (snacks, skincare, books, baby products). How it works: Monthly subscription payments → curate → deliver.
| Skills | Curation, logistics, marketing |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, packaging |
| Where to find work | Social media, corporate gifting |
| Payment | Monthly M-Pesa or card |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Pilot with 20 subscribers. Pros: Recurring revenue. Cons & risks: Churn. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Gift boxes for birthdays and corporate events sell well.
242. Selling on international marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon, eBay)
What it is: Selling Kenyan-made or sourced products to international buyers. How it works: Seller account (eligibility varies) → listings → international shipping.
| Skills | International shipping, customer service, compliance |
| Cost & equipment | Products, shipping costs, platform fees |
| Where to find work | International marketplaces (check country eligibility) |
| Payment | Platform payouts (Payoneer, bank) |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Research eligibility and shipping costs before investing. Pros: Bigger market. Cons & risks: Shipping costs and customs. Scam warning: People selling "verified Etsy/Amazon accounts" (against rules). Kenya notes: Some platforms restrict sellers from certain countries; check before starting.
243. Affiliate-based product reviews (Kenyan products)
What it is: Reviewing products and earning commission through partner links or local partnerships. How it works: Honest reviews → links/codes → commission.
| Skills | Content creation, honesty |
| Cost & equipment | Phone, products |
| Where to find work | Brands, affiliate programmes |
| Payment | Commission |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Review products you use; disclose partnerships. Pros: Scalable. Cons & risks: Needs audience trust. Scam warning: Never promote scams for commissions. Kenya notes: Local brands offer discount codes for creators.
244. Online pharmacy and health products (licensed only)
What it is: Selling health products online through a licensed pharmacy. How it works: Only licensed pharmacies and qualified personnel can dispense medicines.
| Skills | Pharmacy qualification, regulation knowledge |
| Cost & equipment | Licensed premises and registration |
| Where to find work | Your licensed pharmacy's customers |
| Payment | M-Pesa, insurance |
| Realistic earnings | Medium (licensed businesses) |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Only with proper qualifications and licences from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Pros: Essential service. Cons & risks: Strict regulation. Scam warning: Selling medicines without a licence is illegal and dangerous. Kenya notes: Non-pharmacists can still sell general wellness products legally; check rules.
245. Customer service and order management for online sellers
What it is: Handling orders, deliveries and customer questions for other online sellers. How it works: Monthly service for busy shop owners.
| Skills | Organisation, customer care |
| Cost & equipment | Phone |
| Where to find work | Online shop owners |
| Payment | Monthly or per order |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Offer to manage orders for 1–2 busy sellers. Pros: Builds e-commerce experience. Cons & risks: Responsibility for mistakes. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Many Instagram sellers lose sales due to slow replies.
Summary
- Selling methods include WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram/TikTok and marketplace selling, own stores, local and international dropshipping, thrift fashion, handmade and digital products, print-on-demand, electronics, food, cosmetics, produce, group buying, second-hand goods, tickets, subscriptions, international marketplaces, reviews, licensed pharmacy and seller support.
- Trust (genuine products, reliable delivery, clear payment) is your biggest asset.
- Avoid counterfeits, unregistered products, stolen goods and unlicensed medicines; follow KRA and product rules.
Check yourself
Before handing over goods, should you trust an M-Pesa SMS or check your actual balance?
Show answer
actual balance
Selling products a supplier stores and delivers for you is called what?
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dropshipping
Which board licenses pharmacies in Kenya? (name or abbreviation)
Show answer
Pharmacy and Poisons Board
What does "mitumba" refer to?
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second-hand clothes