How Much Does It Cost To Build A Shopify Website [2024 Update]

So, you're ready to build your online business with Shopify? That's fantastic! But before you dive in headfirst, it's natural to wonder: How much does it actually cost to build a Shopify website?

Let me tell you, the costs can vary significantly based on your needs. But in this article, I’ll give you a clear and transparent overview of everything from core fees to additional costs so you can expect to invest in your Shopify store.

Let’s get started!

What Factors Affect The Shopify Website Build Cost?

Here are the key factors that affect the cost of building a Shopify website:

• Shopify plan
• Your chosen theme for website design
• Domain name registration
• Additional apps
• Transaction fees (if you don’t use Shopify Payments)
• Professional services (store setup, design, marketing, etc.)
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Shipping and fulfillment

Typical Shopify Website Development Cost

Small businesses can expect to spend around $500 to $5,000 to build a Shopify website. This range covers Shopify subscription fees, premium themes, basic apps, and minor customizations. 

• DIY store: around $500
• Hiring a web designer or a freelancer: about $5,000

For large businesses, Shopify website development typically costs $10,000 to $50,000 or even higher. These costs include advanced customizations, third-party integrations, and scalable functionality.

• Hiring an Agency: $10,000–$30,000
• Hiring a Shopify Expert: $2,000–$10,000 depending on expertise and project size
• Building a Custom Theme: $5,000–$20,000 depending on complexity
• Developing Custom Apps: $3,000–$20,000 depending on functionality

The table below will show you a breakdown of the costs associated with building a Shopify website.

Cost	Small business	Large business
Shopify plan	$29 – $79/month	$299 – $2,300/month
Transaction fees	$200 - $500/month	$2,000–$100,000/month
Domain name	$10 – $30/year	$10–$30/year
Shopify themes	$0 – $500	$500 - $5,000
Shopify apps	$0 – $500/month	$500 – $2,300/month
Marketing and SEO	$50 – $2,000/month	$5,000 – $10,000+
Shipping	$100 – $500/month	$500 – $5,000/month
Ongoing design and development	$0 – $500/year	$1,000 – $5,000/month
Custom development services	$0 - $500/year	$5,000 – $20,000+/year
POS	$0 – $89/month	$89 – $2,670/month
Total	$500–$5,000	$10,000–$50,000+

Shopify Website Design Pricing: A Detailed Breakdown

Core Shopify Cost

Shopify Subscription Plans

Shopify has 5 subscription plans to cater to diverse business needs and goals.

Plans	Subscription fees per month		Credit card rates		Transaction fees(for all third-party payment providers)
	Monthly bill	Yearly bill (save 25%)	Online	In-person
Starter	$5 USD		5% + 30¢	5% + 0¢ USD	5.0%
Basic	$39 USD	$29 USD	2.9% + 30¢ USD	2.6% + 10¢ USD	2.0%
Shopify	$105 USD	$79 USD	2.7% + 30¢ USD	2.5% + 10¢ USD	1.0%
Advanced	$399 USD	$299 USD	2.5% + 30¢ USD	2.4% + 10¢ USD	0.6%
Plus	From $2300 USD		Custom	Custom	Custom

Domain Name

When you sign up with Shopify, your store is automatically provided with a default domain in the format of yourstorename.myshopify.com. While this is functional, a custom domain is more professional and trustworthy.

The cost of a custom domain typically ranges from $10 to $30 per year, depending on the domain registrar, the domain extension (.com, .store, .shop, etc.), and availability. Premium domains or extensions might be more expensive due to high demand or exclusivity.

You can purchase a custom domain directly through Shopify, which simplifies setup and management since it’s integrated with your store. Alternatively, you can explore domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains for competitive pricing and additional options.

Optional Costs

Shopify Themes

Your Shopify theme is like the blueprint for your online store's appearance and functionality. It dictates the layout, colors, fonts, and overall aesthetic of your website, influencing how your products are displayed, how customers navigate your store, and even how they interact with your brand.

Shopify provides both free and paid themes, giving store owners flexibility based on their needs and budget. Shopify free themes often have basic designs and features, while paid themes provide advanced functionality, greater customization options, and unique layouts.

Premium themes from the Shopify Theme Store typically cost between $100 and $500 as a one-time payment. If you explore third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest, you’ll find themes starting from around $29, although prices vary based on the features and support provided.

Shopify Apps

Shopify is a powerful platform on its own, but you can make it even better by adding apps to your online store. The Shopify App Store offers over 8,500 apps, including a mix of free and paid options.

There’s no fixed number of apps a Shopify store should have; it depends on your needs. However, here are five popular apps every Shopify store might consider:

1. Klaviyo (Email Marketing): Pricing starts at $15/month with a free plan available for small businesses.
2. Yotpo (Reviews & UGC): Pricing starts at $15/month with a free plan available for basic reviews.
3. DSers (Dropshipping): Free for basic features; premium plans start at $19.90/month.
4. ReConvert (Upsell & Cross-sell): Pricing starts at $4.99/month with a free trial available.
5. Shopify Flow: Free

Marketing and SEO

Marketing your Shopify store can vary significantly depending on the strategies you choose to implement. Here’s a breakdown of key areas and their associated costs:

• Branding design: Establishing a strong brand identity is crucial for success. Branding design costs may include logo creation, store banners, and other visual elements. Freelancers typically charge $50–$500 per project, while professional design agencies may range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and scope of work.
• Social media ads: Running ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can help drive traffic to your store. Costs depend on your target audience and campaign goals, with budgets starting from $5–$20 per day for smaller campaigns. For larger-scale campaigns, you might spend $500–$5,000 per month.
• Google ads: Google Ads is another effective way to bring traffic to your store. Costs are typically based on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, with an average cost-per-click ranging from $1 to $2 for standard campaigns. Monthly budgets usually range from $500 to $10,000, depending on your goals and competition.
• SEO: Shopify’s built-in SEO tools and guides make it easy to implement basic SEO practices at no cost. For advanced SEO services, hiring an expert or agency can range from $500 to $2,000 per month, covering technical SEO, keyword optimization, and link-building strategies.
• Content Creation: High-quality content is essential for engaging your audience. Freelance writers typically charge $0.10–$0.50 per word, while professional agencies may charge $500–$2,000+ for comprehensive content packages. This includes blog posts, product descriptions, and social media content.
• Email Marketing: Shopify provides a built-in email marketing tool that includes 10,000 free emails per month across all plans. For more advanced solutions, tools like Klaviyo offer tiered pricing based on the number of contacts, starting at $20/month for up to 500 contacts.

Professional Services

While Shopify is designed to be user-friendly, sometimes you might need a helping hand to set up your store, customize its design, or implement advanced features.  Shopify Experts offer tailored assistance in several key areas:

• Store Setup and Design: If you're new to Shopify or don't have the time or expertise to set up your store, an Expert can handle everything from theme selection and customization to product uploads and configuration of essential settings.
• Custom Development: For unique functionalities or complex integrations, a Shopify Expert can develop custom solutions tailored to your specific needs. This could include building custom apps, integrating with third-party services, or creating bespoke theme modifications.
• Marketing and SEO: Experts specializing in marketing and SEO can help you optimize your store for search engines, create effective marketing campaigns, and drive traffic to your website.

The cost of hiring a Shopify Expert can vary depending on several factors:

Service	Freelancer (Hourly Rate)	Freelancer (Project-Based)	Agency (Project-Based)
Store Setup & Design	$20–$100/hour	$500–$2,000	$5,000–$20,000+
Custom Development	$50–$200/hour	$1,000–$10,000+	$10,000–$50,000+
Marketing & SEO	$30–$1500/hour	$500–$3,000/month	$5,000–$10,000+

POS

If your business operates in both online and physical spaces, you might encounter additional fees to sync and run your store smoothly.

The good news is that Shopify offers the free version – Shopify POS Lite in all its plans, catering to merchants with basic requirements. However, if you require advanced features, you’ll need to subscribe to the monthly Shopify POS Pro at the cost of $89 per location per month.

Other Potential Costs

While the core elements like your Shopify plan, theme, and apps contribute significantly to your store's cost, there are other potential expenses to consider, especially as your business grows and evolves.

Shipping

Shipping fees can vary based on factors like the shipping carrier, package weight, destination, and delivery speed. Shopify integrates with multiple carriers, such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, with real-time rates showing at checkout. You can also use Shopify Shipping to enjoy up to 88% shipping discount.

If you use Shopify Fulfillment Network or third-party logistics (3PL), fulfillment fees typically range from $3–$8 per package, plus storage fees.

You can choose to offer free shipping, flat rates, or carrier shipping rates to fit your business model and strategy. 

Ongoing Maintainance and Development

As your business grows, you might need ongoing maintenance and development to keep your store running smoothly and adapt to changing needs. This could include:

• Theme updates and customizations
• App maintenance and updates
• Bug fixes and troubleshooting
• Content updates

For most small to mid-sized stores, these costs range from $50 to $300 per month, depending on whether you handle them in-house or hire a professional. Additionally, premium apps and integrations may have recurring fees, further adding to your maintenance budget.

Scaling a Shopify store often brings additional expenses. These costs may include upgrading your Shopify plan (e.g., from Basic to Advanced - $399/month), hiring developers for custom features, and improving infrastructure for higher traffic and sales. Depending on your growth stage, scaling can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000+ annually.

5 Best Shopify Website Development Companies

When evaluating Shopify website development companies, you want to focus on firms with a proven track record, innovative design approaches, and expertise in delivering customized solutions. Here are five top Shopify website development companies to consider:

Avex Designs

Overview: Based in New York City, Avex Designs specializes in creating high-quality Shopify websites with a focus on user experience and conversion optimization.

Services: Custom Shopify development, eCommerce strategy, and digital marketing.

Notable Clients: KITH, Eugenia Kim, Pony Sneakers, Iconix.

Average Hourly Rate: $150

Minimum Budget: $25,000–$50,000

Founded: 2013

Team Size: Under 49 employees

Location: New York City, NY

Sunrise Integration

Overview: Established in 1999, Sunrise Integration is a Los Angeles-based software development firm specializing in enterprise eCommerce solutions, data migration, and mobile app development. With over 24 years of experience, they have become a trusted partner for businesses seeking innovative and integrated digital solutions.

Services: Custom software development, API integration, data migration, mobile app development, and eCommerce solutions.

Notable Clients: DHL, Live Nation, Disney, Pitney Bowes, FreshBooks, Quay Australia.

Average Hourly Rate: $100–$149/hr.

Minimum Budget: $5,000+.

Founded: 1999.

Team Size: 10–49 employees.

Location: Los Angeles, CA.

VT Labs

Overview: VT Labs is a technology company specializing in custom software development with a focus on eCommerce solutions. They are known for delivering tailored services that align with client's specific business needs.

Services: Custom software development, eCommerce solutions, and technology consulting.

Notable Clients: Information not specified.

Average Hourly Rate: $50–$99/hr.

Minimum Budget: $5,000+.

Founded: Information not specified.

Team Size: 50–249 employees.

Mobikasa

Overview: Mobikasa is a full-service digital agency specializing in eCommerce development, combining creative design with technical expertise to build exceptional online stores. They focus on delivering scalable and high-performing eCommerce solutions that resonate with the target audience.

Services: ECommerce website design, Shopify development, digital marketing, branding and identity design, web and app development.

Notable Clients: Information not specified.

Average Hourly Rate: $50–$99/hr.

Minimum Budget: $5,000+.

Founded: Information not specified.

Team Size: 50–249 employees.

Locations: New York, Los Angeles, London, Dubai, New Delhi.

WebDesk Solution LLC

Overview: Founded in 2011, WebDesk Solution LLC is a certified eCommerce development agency offering comprehensive services, including custom design and development, API integration, and mobile app development. They are certified partners with major eCommerce platforms and focus on delivering customer-centric digital solutions.

Services: ECommerce development, web development, web design, mobile app development, digital marketing, WordPress website design, PPC, eCommerce CRO, full-service digital solutions.

Notable Clients: Information not specified.

Average Hourly Rate: $80/hr.

Minimum Budget: $1,000–$10,000.

Founded: 2011.

Team Size: Under 49 employees.

Location: Great Neck, NY.

Bottom Line

The cost of building a Shopify website depends on your goals and the features you prioritize. While a simple store can start at a modest budget, investing in premium themes, apps, and customizations can enhance functionality and user experience. By planning carefully and choosing the right options, you can create a store that fits your needs and grows with your business.

FAQs

What is the base cost of a Shopify plan?

Shopify offers three main pricing tiers: the Basic plan at $39/month, the Shopify plan at $105/month, and the Advanced plan at $399/month. Each plan includes features tailored for different business sizes, but additional transaction fees apply if you use third-party payment gateways.

Are Shopify themes included in the platform cost?

Shopify provides a selection of free themes to get started, but premium themes with advanced designs and features cost between $150 and $350 as a one-time purchase. Premium themes are ideal for creating a more professional and unique store.

What are the typical costs for third-party apps?

The cost of apps varies widely based on functionality, with many apps ranging from $5 to $50/month. Essential apps, like those for SEO, email marketing, or inventory management, often have free plans with limited features, but premium versions may cost more depending on the scale of your business.

How much does it cost to hire a Shopify expert for customization?

Hiring a Shopify expert or developer for customization can range from $50 to $200/hour. For tasks like theme modifications, custom integrations, or advanced functionality, the total cost may run between $500 and $5,000, depending on the project’s complexity.

Are there additional costs for hosting or domain registration?

Shopify includes hosting in all its plans, which saves you the trouble of setting up a separate hosting service. However, you’ll need to register a custom domain, which typically costs $10 to $20/year. You can purchase domains through Shopify or third-party providers like GoDaddy.

What is the average cost of building a Shopify store for beginners?

Beginners often spend around $200 to $500 to build their Shopify store. This includes a premium theme, a few essential apps, and a custom domain. Using free themes and apps can reduce this cost, but premium options add a polished, professional touch.