What to build on.
WOOCOMMERCE
A WordPress plugin. The most common option on shared hosting.
Suits: businesses already on WordPress, catalogues of most sizes, anyone wanting full control.
Free itself, with paid extensions for some functionality.
OTHER SELF-HOSTED PLATFORMS
Several dedicated shop platforms exist, some more capable for large catalogues.
Suits: shops where the catalogue is the whole business.
HOSTED PLATFORMS
Someone else runs the software. Monthly fee, less control, no maintenance.
Suits: those who do not want to maintain anything.
You do not own the platform, and moving away later is difficult.
WHAT MATTERS IN THE DECISION
Whether you can maintain it Whether your payment gateway is supported Whether it handles your catalogue size Whether you can move away later
THAT LAST POINT
Consider it before committing.
FOR MOST NIGERIAN SMALL BUSINESSES
WooCommerce on your own hosting is the practical answer.
