Are you planning to start an online store with Shopify? You must be curious about the total costs of building and maintaining a Shopify website.
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that is easy to use and highly customizable.
But before you start, it’s essential to know how much it will cost to develop your Shopify website. This guide will help you understand the complete breakdown of Shopify website development costs in 2025.
Let’s dive into the details to help you budget smartly!
Why Understanding Shopify Website Costs Is Important
Starting an online store can be exciting. But without proper planning, expenses can quickly add up. Knowing the costs involved in Shopify website development helps you make better financial decisions. It ensures you don’t overspend or miss important features for your store.
Budgeting is key to launching your Shopify store successfully. Without a clear budget, you might:
- Delay your store launch
- Miss essential features
- End up paying more than expected
A clear cost breakdown will save you from surprises.
Shopify Plans and Pricing Explained
Shopify offers different pricing plans to suit various business needs. Here’s a quick look at each plan and its cost.
1. Shopify Basic Plan
- Cost: $39 per month
- Best for: New businesses just starting out
Features:
- Unlimited products
- Two staff accounts
- 24/7 customer support
This plan covers essential features but has limited customization options. It’s ideal for startups on a tight budget.
2. Standard Shopify Plan
- Cost: $105 per month
- Best for: Growing businesses
- Features:
- Five staff accounts
- Professional reports
- International pricing tools
This plan offers more features than the Basic plan, making it suitable for businesses looking to scale.
3. Advanced Shopify Plan
- Cost: $399 per month
- Best for: Larger stores with higher sales volumes
Features:
- 15 staff accounts
- Advanced reporting tools
- Third-party calculated shipping rates
If your store is growing rapidly, the Advanced plan is a good choice.
4. Shopify Plus Plan
- Cost: Starting from $2000 per month
- Best for: Enterprise-level businesses
Features:
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Advanced API support
- Full customization options
This plan is designed for businesses with high traffic and complex needs.
Additional Costs for Shopify Website Development
Apart from the subscription fees, there are other costs involved in creating your Shopify website. Let’s break them down.
1. Design and Theme Customization
Shopify offers both free and premium themes. While free themes are good for basic stores, premium themes provide more customization options.
- Free themes: $0
- Premium themes: $100 to $300
If you want a unique look for your store, you may need to customize your theme further. This might involve hiring a developer.
2. Developer Costs
Hiring a Shopify developer ensures your store looks professional and functions smoothly. The cost of hiring a developer varies based on the complexity of your project.
- Basic customization: $500 to $2500
- Full custom design: $5000 to $10000
If you have a limited budget, you can start with basic customization and upgrade later.
3. App Integrations and Add-Ons
To add advanced features to your store, you may need third-party apps. These apps can help with tasks like marketing, inventory management, and customer reviews.
- App costs: $10 to $50 per month per app
Larger stores may require multiple apps, increasing the overall cost.
4. Payment Processing Fees
Shopify charges fees for processing payments through its platform.
- Basic Plan: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Advanced Plan: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction
Using third-party payment gateways may incur additional fees.
5. Domain Name and Hosting Fees
You’ll need a custom domain name for your store.
- Domain name: $10 to $15 per year
Shopify includes hosting in its subscription fees, so you don’t need to worry about separate hosting costs.
Cost of Building a Shopify Website from Scratch
Building a Shopify website can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on your needs. Here’s a breakdown based on store size:
Small Business Store
Total cost: $2500 to $5000
Includes:
- Basic Shopify plan
- Free or low-cost theme
- Basic customization
Mid-Sized Store
Total cost: $3000 to $10000
Includes:
- Standard or Advanced Shopify plan
- Premium theme or custom design
- Several third-party apps
Enterprise Store (Shopify Plus)
Total cost: $25000 to $100000+
Includes:
- Shopify Plus plan
- Fully custom theme design
- Advanced integrations
DIY vs. Hiring a Developer
If you have technical skills, you can build your Shopify store yourself. This option is cheaper but requires time and effort.
DIY Costs
Cost: $500 to $1500
Pros:
- Saves money
- Full control over design
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- May lack professional polish
Hiring a Developer Costs
Cost: $1000 to $10000+
Pros:
- Professional design
- Faster setup
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
Long-Term Costs of Running a Shopify Store
Running a Shopify store involves ongoing expenses. Here are some long-term costs to consider:
1. Monthly Subscription Fees
Range: $39 to $2000+ per month
2. Maintenance and Updates
Cost: $100 to $500 per month
You’ll need to update your store regularly to fix bugs, add new features, and improve security.
3. Marketing and SEO Costs
To drive traffic to your store, you’ll need to invest in marketing and SEO.
Cost: $100 to $1000 per month
This includes tools like Google Ads, email marketing services, and SEO software.
Tips to Save Money on Shopify Development
- Use free themes to start
- Limit the number of paid apps
- Take advantage of Shopify’s built-in features
- Consider DIY development for basic stores
By following these tips, you can reduce your Shopify development costs and invest more in growing your business.
Final Thoughts
Building a Shopify website involves several costs, from subscription fees to design and development. Understanding these costs will help you budget effectively and make better financial decisions.
Whether you’re a small business owner or running a large enterprise, having a clear cost breakdown ensures you stay on track and avoid overspending. Shopify offers flexible plans to suit businesses of all sizes, making it a great choice for your eCommerce journey.
Plan your budget wisely, and you’ll be ready to launch a successful Shopify store in no time!
