Updated October 2026
Getting paid is the part of selling online that most small businesses in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru worry about. The good news is that Kenya has some of the best mobile payment options in the world. Here is how to choose the right setup for your business.
A Lipa na M-Pesa Till number lets customers pay you directly from their phone using Buy Goods and Services. It is ideal for shops, salons, restaurants and anyone selling directly to the public. Customers already know how to use it, so there is almost no friction.
Display your Till number clearly on your website, your WhatsApp profile and your shop counter. Using a business till rather than a personal number also looks more professional and keeps business money separate.
A Paybill number lets customers pay with an account number as a reference, which is useful when you need to match payments to specific orders, invoices or clients. Schools, landlords, service businesses and companies with many repeat customers often prefer Paybill.
If you sell to customers abroad, to diaspora family members, or to corporate buyers, you may also want to accept Visa and Mastercard. Payment providers that operate in Kenya, such as Paystack, Flutterwave and Pesapal, let businesses accept cards and M-Pesa through payment links or a checkout on their website. Requirements and fees vary, so compare current terms on each provider's site before signing up.
For large orders and business customers, bank transfer is still common. Put your bank details on your invoices rather than publicly on your website.
For most small businesses selling locally, a Lipa na M-Pesa Till number shown clearly on your website and WhatsApp is enough to start. Add Paybill if you need to track who paid for what, and add a card payment link when you start getting customers from abroad.
Always confirm the M-Pesa message before releasing goods. Never accept "I have sent it" screenshots alone, because fake messages are common. Use the business name registered on your till, so customers see a name they recognise when paying. And send a simple receipt by WhatsApp after every payment, which builds trust and repeat business.
Customers buy faster when they know how to pay before they message you. Every SiteDrum site for Kenyan businesses can show your Till or Paybill details, accepted cards and delivery terms clearly, with a WhatsApp button to place the order.
No, but showing your Till or Paybill number on a website makes it easier for new customers to trust you and pay quickly.
Yes. Several payment providers operating in Kenya offer card payments and payment links. Check each provider's current requirements and fees.
Till suits direct sales to the public. Paybill suits businesses that need an account reference to match payments to orders or customers.
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