How much does a custom web app cost in South Africa?

MVPs (proving-the-idea builds) typically run R40,000–R80,000. Full launch-ready apps with complete feature sets are usually R80,000–R250,000+. Pricing depends entirely on scope — we always quote per project after a discovery call.

How long does a web app take to build?

A tightly-scoped MVP can launch in 4–6 weeks. Full apps with complete feature sets typically take 8–16 weeks. We work in 1–2 week sprints with weekly demos, so you see progress continuously rather than waiting for a single big reveal.

What stack do you build on?

We default to Next.js (React) + Supabase + Postgres + Vercel — modern, fast, well-supported, easy to maintain. We'll move to Node/Express, Django, or other stacks when the project genuinely requires it (specific compliance needs, on-prem hosting, integration constraints).

Do I own the source code?

Yes. We hand over all source code, infrastructure access and documentation at launch. If you ever stop working with us, you keep everything and can move to another developer or in-house team.

Can you build a SaaS or marketplace?

Yes. We've built multi-tenant SaaS platforms, two-sided and multi-sided marketplaces, subscription billing flows (Stripe, Paddle), and payout systems for marketplace vendors. These are larger projects (typically R150,000+) but they're squarely in our wheelhouse.

What happens after launch?

We offer ongoing care and feature retainers from R3,500/month for post-launch support, bug fixes, performance monitoring and small features. Larger feature work is quoted per scope. You can also exit at any point and self-host or move to another team.

Web Applications

Custom web apps for the work you actually do

When off-the-shelf software doesn't fit, we build it. Customer portals, internal tools, SaaS platforms, marketplaces.

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Web Applications in South Africa

WeMakeSites builds custom web applications for South African businesses — customer portals, internal tools, SaaS platforms, marketplaces, booking systems, reporting dashboards, anything that off-the-shelf software doesn't fit. Web apps are built on modern stacks (typically Next.js + Supabase, Postgres, Vercel; or Node/Express + Postgres for higher-control needs). Every project includes user authentication and roles, database design, API development, scalable cloud hosting, comprehensive testing, and ongoing care plan options. Pricing is per project — we quote after a discovery call where we scope the build properly. Most projects sit between R40,000 and R250,000 for a launch-ready MVP. Timelines run 8–16 weeks for typical projects, 4–6 weeks for tightly-scoped MVPs. We hand over all source code at launch — you own everything.

Why this matters

Off-the-shelf software is rarely a perfect fit. The CRM doesn't model your sales process. The booking platform doesn't handle your specific cancellation logic. The accounting tool doesn't talk to your ERP. The marketplace template doesn't support the multi-vendor flow you actually need. Hacking around these gaps with spreadsheets, manual processes, or two duct-taped tools is how businesses lose hours every week and make data-entry errors that compound.

A custom web application solves the actual problem. We build them on modern, well-supported stacks — usually Next.js (React) for the frontend, Supabase or Postgres for the database, Vercel or similar managed infrastructure for hosting. The result is fast, secure, scalable software that does exactly what you need without paying per-seat fees forever.

Our process is collaborative. We start with a discovery call to scope the build — what problem you're solving, who uses it, what data flows through it, what integrations it needs. We send a fixed-price quote covering deliverables and timeline. Then we build in 1–2 week sprints with weekly demos, so you see progress and can redirect early if priorities shift. No black-box "trust us" engagements that surface a final product after six months and don't fit anymore.

We've built CRMs, booking systems, marketplaces, internal HR tools, customer portals, learning platforms, reporting dashboards, and ticketing systems for South African clients across multiple industries. Every project is bespoke, but we lean on a strong shared foundation — auth, payments, file uploads, email, notifications — so we don't reinvent infrastructure on every build.