- We offer certified developers to hire.
- We’ve performed 500+ Web/App/eCommerce projects.
- Our clientele is 1000+.
- Free quotation on your project.
- We sign NDA for the security of your projects.
- Three months warranty on code developed by us.
Part 1: Understanding the Basics and Key Cost Factors
Building a Shopify store has become one of the most popular ways for entrepreneurs and businesses to enter the world of e-commerce. With Shopify’s user-friendly platform, anyone can theoretically launch an online store, but when it comes to standing out, growing, and scaling, most business owners realize the importance of hiring a professional. The big question then arises: How much does it cost to hire someone to make a Shopify store?
In this multi-part article, we will explore the various aspects of hiring experts for Shopify store creation, break down costs in detail, and help you understand what to expect in terms of investment. In Part 1, we’ll start with the basics of what a Shopify store requires, the types of professionals you might need, and the main factors that influence cost.
Before delving into the pricing specifics, it’s important to define the scope of services when hiring someone for a Shopify store. Shopify development can encompass a wide range of services, from simple store setup to custom theme development and advanced integrations. Here are some of the key service categories:
This includes installing Shopify, selecting and customizing a theme, uploading products, configuring payment gateways, and setting basic shipping and tax settings. Usually, this is the minimum required to get an online store live and functional.
If you want your store to have a unique look or functionality beyond what the standard themes offer, you’ll need a developer or designer to create or customize a Shopify theme. This involves front-end design work and possibly back-end coding.
Many Shopify stores rely on third-party apps for additional features like subscription billing, advanced analytics, marketing automation, or custom product options. Sometimes, custom apps or integrations are needed, requiring skilled developers.
Once the store is built, many businesses hire experts to optimize the site for search engines, improve user experience, and set up marketing funnels — these services can be bundled or separate.
Shopify stores are dynamic; they require regular updates, security checks, bug fixes, and feature upgrades.
Understanding the type of professional you hire helps clarify the cost structure:
Shopify has an official directory of vetted Shopify Experts—agencies and freelancers specialized in store setup, design, and development. They often offer end-to-end services but at a premium price.
Freelancers are often less expensive than agencies but vary widely in skill and reliability. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com offer access to freelancers worldwide.
Some businesses hire full-time developers or designers as part of their team. This can be costly upfront but gives you full-time control over the store.
Many entrepreneurs use consultants or coaches who guide them through the process while they do most of the work themselves. This hybrid approach reduces costs but requires more personal effort.
Now that we have a basic understanding of what hiring someone means, let’s explore the main factors that impact how much it will cost:
The complexity of your store is arguably the biggest cost driver. A simple store with 10-20 products, a standard theme, and basic payment options costs significantly less than a large-scale store with thousands of SKUs, custom product configurators, and integrations.
Design is more than just aesthetics; it affects user experience, branding, and sales. Hiring a top-tier designer or agency to create a bespoke, high-converting Shopify theme is much more expensive than using a pre-built theme with minor tweaks.
The hourly rates of Shopify developers vary widely based on experience, expertise, and geography.
The amount of content — product listings, descriptions, images, videos — influences cost. More products mean more time to upload and format. Some agencies include product upload services; others charge per product.
Adding advanced features like subscription models, membership areas, or custom filters involves installing and configuring apps or building custom code, which can raise costs.
If you want to start strong, having SEO-friendly URLs, metadata, and integration with marketing tools (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, email marketing) might add extra setup fees.
Many Shopify store owners pay monthly retainers for ongoing support, updates, and troubleshooting.
Based on the above factors, here is a rough guide to typical costs:
| Service Type | Price Range (USD) |
| Basic Shopify store setup | $300 – $1,500 |
| Custom theme design & development | $5,000 – $20,000+ |
| Freelance Shopify developer (hourly) | $20 – $150/hr |
| Shopify Expert agency projects | $3,000 – $25,000+ (project based) |
| Product upload and content creation | $0.50 – $5 per product |
| App installation and integration | $500 – $3,000+ |
| SEO & marketing setup | $500 – $5,000+ |
| Ongoing maintenance (monthly) | $100 – $1,000+ |
Keep in mind that these ranges are indicative and can vary widely based on location, scope, and negotiation.
Budgeting your Shopify store project depends largely on your business goals and available capital. Here are some guiding questions:
Answering these will help you create a realistic budget.
You agree on a total price before work starts. Common with agencies. Good for clearly defined projects but can be expensive if the scope changes.
You pay for actual time worked. Flexible for evolving projects but can be unpredictable.
Ongoing monthly fee for maintenance or continuous improvements.
Some projects mix fixed price and hourly billing (e.g., fixed price for setup, hourly for later tweaks).
In Part 1, we explored the broad landscape of hiring professionals to build Shopify stores and the main factors influencing costs. Now, let’s take a closer look at the basic Shopify store setup — the foundation for any e-commerce business on Shopify.
A basic Shopify store setup refers to the essential work needed to get a functional online store up and running on the Shopify platform. For many small businesses or startups, this level of service might be sufficient to start selling quickly without heavy upfront investment.
Typically, a basic setup includes the following tasks:
The hired expert will assist with:
Shopify offers hundreds of free and paid themes in its Theme Store. The setup typically involves:
Products are the heart of your store. The setup includes:
Shopify supports multiple payment gateways (Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, etc.). Setup includes:
Basic configuration includes:
Creating and linking fundamental pages such as:
Setting up the store’s main menu and footer navigation for smooth browsing.
Assistance with store testing, troubleshooting issues, and going live.
The cost for a basic setup varies by location, freelancer or agency rates, and scope. However, here is a general breakdown:
| Provider Type | Typical Cost Range (USD) | Notes |
| Freelancers (low-cost) | $200 – $700 | Usually overseas, less experience |
| Freelancers (mid-tier) | $700 – $1,500 | More experienced, better quality |
| Shopify Experts/Agencies | $1,200 – $3,000 | Includes project management and some extra polish |
Several factors impact the pricing:
A store with 10 products will cost less than one with 50+ products due to data entry time.
If you want simple branding like logo upload and color changes, it costs less. Customizing the homepage layout or product pages can add to time.
Freelancers in countries like India, the Philippines, or Eastern Europe often charge less hourly compared to those in North America or Western Europe.
Experienced Shopify Experts or agencies tend to charge higher rates because of quality assurance, ongoing support, and project management.
Some basic setups might include training sessions, SEO setup, or marketing integration for extra fees.
At this price, you’re likely hiring a freelancer who will:
Expect minimal customization and limited support. Communication might be slower, and you might need to provide clear instructions.
Here, the service usually improves with:
The freelancer or small agency may offer better communication, some training, and faster delivery.
Agencies or top Shopify Experts provide:
This option is best for businesses wanting a strong and reliable foundation with fewer surprises.
Even with a basic store, some additional services might be required:
If you don’t have a logo, many providers charge $100 – $500 for a simple logo design.
Product descriptions and policy pages may need professional writing services, costing $20 – $100 per product or page.
High-quality product images can significantly boost sales but can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if outsourced.
Connecting Shopify to email marketing services like Mailchimp or Klaviyo for newsletters and campaigns.
Basic setup may not include installing paid apps; each app can add monthly fees ($5 to $50+) and setup charges ($50 to $500).
If budget is tight, consider these strategies:
To avoid wasting money, watch out for:
In Part 2, we discussed the costs associated with setting up a basic Shopify store — the essential steps to get your store live and functional. However, many entrepreneurs and businesses quickly realize that a standard setup may not fully capture their brand’s personality or support their specific business needs. This is where custom Shopify theme design and development comes into play.
Creating a custom theme tailored to your brand and customer experience can significantly increase your store’s appeal and sales potential, but it also substantially impacts the cost. In this section, we will dive deep into what custom theme design involves, the factors influencing pricing, typical cost ranges, and how to make smart decisions to balance cost and quality.
A Shopify theme is essentially the front-end template or “skin” of your online store. It dictates how your website looks and behaves—from the homepage layout and navigation menus to product pages and checkout experience. Shopify offers both free and premium themes that store owners can customize to a degree.
But when the available themes don’t meet your branding, design, or functionality expectations, a custom theme is designed and developed specifically for you by Shopify developers and designers.
Reasons for investing in a custom theme include:
A typical custom Shopify theme project has two main phases:
Simple, clean designs cost less than intricate, highly artistic designs with multiple custom graphics and animations.
Basic themes might have 5-7 unique page types, while complex stores require custom templates for different product types, landing pages, blog layouts, etc.
Adding features like advanced product filters, custom checkout flows, multi-language support, or API integrations increases development time and cost.
Top-tier designers and Shopify Plus agencies charge premium rates due to their experience, design quality, and project management capabilities.
More iterations of design and development phases can extend timelines and add to costs.
Custom Shopify theme costs vary widely but here are typical price brackets:
| Project Scope | Price Range (USD) | Description |
| Basic custom theme design | $3,000 – $7,000 | Minimal custom features, mostly branding and layout tweaks |
| Mid-level custom theme | $7,000 – $15,000 | Multiple custom templates, some advanced features |
| Complex or Shopify Plus theme | $15,000 – $30,000+ | Fully custom design, advanced features, integrations, enterprise-level |
Custom themes require a team of skilled designers and developers who spend weeks or even months crafting your store’s visual and functional elements. The costs reflect:
Know exactly what you want your theme to achieve and avoid “feature creep” that inflates costs.
List features by importance and phase the project to build core features first, adding extras later.
Hire designers and developers with proven Shopify experience and clear portfolios.
Start with a premium Shopify theme and customize key elements to balance uniqueness with cost savings.
Custom themes need updates; budget for ongoing support.
Custom Theme Development is creating a theme from scratch tailored to your needs.
Theme Customization modifies an existing theme by changing layouts, colors, fonts, and adding small features.
Customization typically costs much less:
In the previous parts, we covered the basics of Shopify store setup and the substantial investment involved in custom theme design. However, most successful Shopify stores need more than just a good design and setup—they require custom features, integrations with other tools, and ongoing technical support to stay competitive and grow.
In this section, we will explore how much it costs to hire Shopify developers for app integration, custom feature development, and ongoing store maintenance, giving you a complete picture of the costs involved beyond initial setup.
Shopify’s app ecosystem is vast, with thousands of apps that can extend your store’s functionality. However, out-of-the-box apps often require configuration and sometimes custom work to fit your business needs perfectly. Custom development is also necessary when:
Beyond Shopify Payments, integrating alternative payment gateways for specific countries or cryptocurrencies may require development.
If you offer subscription products or memberships, apps like ReCharge or Bold Subscriptions often require customization.
Stores selling customizable products (e.g., engraved jewelry, build-your-own bundles) often need custom configurators.
Connecting Shopify to external warehouse management or ERP systems requires API integrations.
Automating data flow between Shopify and marketing platforms like Klaviyo, HubSpot, or Google Analytics.
Creating or integrating reward systems that encourage repeat purchases.
The costs here depend on the complexity and scale of work:
| Service Type | Price Range (USD) | Description |
| Basic app installation & setup | $100 – $500 | Configure apps without code changes |
| Moderate app customization | $500 – $2,500 | Customizing app UI or workflow |
| Custom app development | $3,000 – $15,000+ | Building apps or heavy API integrations |
| Shopify API integrations | $1,000 – $10,000 | Connect Shopify with external systems |
| Automation workflows | $1,000 – $5,000 | Custom scripts to automate tasks |
Many developers charge hourly for app integrations and custom work:
Projects can range from a few hours to several hundred hours depending on complexity.
Installing and configuring a third-party app (e.g., email popups, reviews) with no custom coding: $100 – $400.
Tweaking app appearance or workflows, integrating with your theme: $500 – $2,000.
Building or customizing subscription logic to fit business rules: $4,000 – $12,000.
Connecting Shopify with ERP or inventory software for real-time sync: $8,000 – $20,000.
Custom automations like order tagging, email triggers, or fulfillment workflows: $1,500 – $5,000.
A Shopify store is not a “set and forget” project. Maintenance ensures:
| Model | Price Range (USD/month) | Description |
| Basic support (few hours) | $100 – $300 | Small updates, bug fixes, monitoring |
| Moderate support | $300 – $800 | Regular updates, minor feature additions |
| Dedicated developer/team | $1,000 – $3,000+ | Full-time or near full-time support |
Look for Shopify Experts or developers with proven track records in app integration and custom development.
Ask for examples of similar projects.
Avoid vague proposals; ensure the scope, deliverables, and timeline are clearly defined.
Select providers with clear communication channels and availability.
So far, in Parts 1 through 4, we’ve covered the full spectrum of hiring costs for building a Shopify store — from basic setup and custom theme development to app integration, custom features, and ongoing support. Now, in this final part, we’ll focus on how to budget wisely, maximize your return on investment (ROI), and manage your Shopify project effectively to ensure success.
Your budget should reflect what you want to achieve. A hobby store with a small product catalog needs less investment than a rapidly scaling brand targeting multiple markets.
Remember to account not just for initial build costs but also for ongoing expenses like:
Unexpected issues arise during development, so add a buffer of 10-20% to your budget for overruns.
Prepare detailed documentation including your vision, must-have features, and preferred design styles. Clear scope reduces misunderstandings and rework.
Consider launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) store with core features, then iteratively improve. This saves money upfront and helps test market response.
Leveraging premium Shopify themes or existing apps can dramatically reduce custom development time and costs.
Instead of hiring a generalist, consider specialists — a designer for branding, a developer for custom coding, and an SEO expert for marketing setup.
Regular check-ins and feedback loops keep the project on track and avoid costly surprises.
Tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira help track tasks, deadlines, and communications.
Break the project into phases (design, development, testing) with clear deadlines to monitor progress.
Test your store on multiple devices, browsers, and scenarios (mobile, desktop, different payment methods) to catch issues early.
Ensure that you or your staff know how to manage the Shopify admin, update products, and handle orders to reduce dependency on developers.
| Store Type | Initial Build Cost | Monthly Costs | Notes |
| Small Basic Store | $500 – $2,000 | $50 – $150 | Basic theme, limited products, minimal customization |
| Growing Mid-Size Store | $3,000 – $10,000 | $150 – $500 | Custom theme, some app integrations, marketing setup |
| Large Enterprise Store | $15,000 – $50,000+ | $500 – $2,000+ | Fully custom, multiple integrations, dedicated support |
Building a successful Shopify store is a multifaceted journey that combines strategy, design, technology, and ongoing management. As we’ve explored throughout this article, the cost of hiring someone to make a Shopify store varies widely depending on your store’s complexity, the expertise you require, and the scope of your project.
Starting with the basics, a simple Shopify store setup can be an affordable way to launch your e-commerce business. It includes essential configurations like theme selection, product uploads, and payment and shipping setup. This level is ideal for small businesses or entrepreneurs just stepping into online sales. However, even at this level, costs can vary based on how many products you sell and the degree of customization you want.
For brands that want to stand out and deliver a memorable user experience, investing in custom Shopify theme design and development becomes essential. Custom themes not only reflect your unique branding but also offer advanced functionalities that off-the-shelf themes can’t provide. Though these custom solutions come at a premium, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, they can significantly enhance your store’s performance and customer engagement.
Beyond design, the integration of apps and custom features plays a critical role in shaping how your store operates and scales. Whether it’s subscription management, product configurators, or syncing Shopify with external business systems, custom development and app integration require skilled developers whose rates vary depending on the complexity of your requirements. Additionally, maintaining your store with ongoing technical support ensures smooth operations, security, and adaptability as your business grows.
To successfully navigate these costs, it is crucial to set a realistic budget aligned with your business goals. Clear communication, detailed project scopes, and choosing the right hiring model—whether fixed price, hourly, or retainer—can help you maximize value and avoid costly surprises. Managing your Shopify project with effective tools, phased milestones, thorough testing, and proper training ensures a smooth launch and sustainable growth.
Ultimately, the investment you make in hiring professionals for your Shopify store should be viewed as a foundation for your brand’s online success. While the upfront costs may seem substantial, the right expertise combined with strategic planning can lead to higher conversions, better customer experiences, and scalable operations that justify every dollar spent.
By understanding the full spectrum of costs and carefully planning your project, you can build a Shopify store that not only fits your budget but also serves as a powerful engine for your e-commerce ambitions.
Book Your Free Web/App Strategy Call
Get Instant Pricing & Timeline Insights!