- 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.
The first expense in building a Shopify website is the subscription fee. Shopify offers multiple pricing plans depending on the needs of a business. Below is a breakdown of these plans:
Shopify provides different plans with varying features and costs:
Shopify offers up to 25% savings on annual payments. Example:
If you don’t use Shopify Payments, transaction fees apply:
Using third-party payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) incurs additional fees of 2% (Basic), 1% (Shopify), or 0.5% (Advanced).
After selecting a Shopify plan, the next essential cost components are domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificates. While Shopify provides built-in hosting and security, you still need to consider domain-related expenses.
A domain name is your website’s address (e.g., www.yourstore.com). Shopify allows you to either buy a domain through their platform or use a third-party domain provider.
Alternatively, you can buy a domain from providers like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains at different rates:
One of Shopify’s advantages is that hosting is included in all plans, meaning you don’t have to pay separately for server space. Shopify provides:
If you were to host an eCommerce site separately (e.g., WordPress + WooCommerce), hosting costs could range from $10 to $50/month for shared hosting and $100+/month for dedicated servers.
An SSL certificate encrypts customer data and secures your checkout process. Shopify includes a free SSL certificate with all plans.
If using an external domain provider, SSL certificates can cost:
Shopify doesn’t provide custom email hosting (e.g., info@yourstore.com). You need a third-party email provider like:
| Expense | Shopify | Third-Party |
| Domain Name (.com) | $14/year | $10-$15/year |
| Hosting | Free (included) | $10-$50/month |
| SSL Certificate | Free (included) | $10-$100/year |
| Email Hosting | Third-party required | $1-$6/month |
Total estimated cost: $14–$100+ per year, depending on domain and email choices.
Once you have selected a Shopify plan and secured a domain, the next crucial step is designing your website. Shopify offers a range of themes and customization options, allowing businesses to create a professional and visually appealing store. However, the cost of designing your Shopify website depends on whether you use free themes, paid themes, or hire a professional developer for advanced customization.
Shopify provides two types of themes:
Shopify has around 12 free themes, suitable for beginners and small businesses. These themes are mobile-friendly, well-designed, and easy to customize. However, they have limited design flexibility. Popular free themes include:
✔ No additional cost.
✔ Easy to use and beginner-friendly.
✔ Fully optimized for mobile and SEO.
✖ Limited customization options.
✖ Fewer advanced features compared to premium themes.
✖ Not unique – Many businesses use them.
For more flexibility, businesses often invest in premium Shopify themes, available in the Shopify Theme Store and third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest.
Cost of Paid Themes:
✔ Professional and unique design.
✔ Advanced customization and layout options.
✔ Better performance and user experience.
✖ Higher upfront cost.
✖ Customization may require coding knowledge.
If pre-designed themes do not meet your business needs, you can opt for custom theme development. This allows full control over design and functionality.
Even if you choose a theme, some level of customization is required to match your brand identity. You can do basic edits yourself using Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor, but advanced changes may need a developer.
If you need deep modifications, you may hire a Shopify developer. Common customizations include:
Where to Find Developers?
Shopify’s App Store offers design-enhancing tools, some free and others requiring a subscription.
| Expense | Cost Range |
| Free Theme | $0 |
| Paid Theme | $140 – $400 (one-time) |
| Custom Theme Development | $500 – $30,000 |
| Shopify Developer (Customization) | $30 – $150 per hour |
| Shopify Apps for Design | $10 – $50/month |
After setting up your Shopify store with a theme and basic customization, the next major expenses come from Shopify apps, plugins, and marketing. These costs are essential for improving store functionality, enhancing customer experience, and driving traffic to your website. In this section, we will break down the different types of Shopify apps, their costs, and the expenses associated with marketing and advertising.
Shopify’s App Store offers thousands of apps that enhance different aspects of your store, such as product management, SEO, customer engagement, and analytics. Some apps are free, while others come with a monthly or one-time fee. The total cost of apps depends on how many additional features you need.
If you’re starting out with a limited budget, Shopify provides some free apps that cover basic functions:
✔ No additional cost.
✔ Basic functionality sufficient for small businesses.
✔ Easy to install and use.
✖ Limited features compared to paid versions.
✖ Less customization.
To unlock advanced features and automation, many businesses invest in paid Shopify apps. These typically range from $10 to $100 per month.
On average, businesses spend $50 to $300 per month on Shopify apps, depending on store complexity.
Marketing is one of the most important investments for any Shopify store. Without proper marketing, your store won’t get traffic or sales. Shopify marketing costs vary based on the methods used, including paid advertising, influencer marketing, SEO, and email marketing.
One of the fastest ways to drive traffic to your Shopify store is through Google Ads and Facebook Ads. However, these ads require a proper budget.
For new Shopify stores, a starting budget of $300 to $1,000 per month is recommended.
Another great way to promote your Shopify store is by working with influencers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for long-term organic traffic. Unlike paid ads, SEO takes time but generates free traffic over time.
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your Shopify store. Many email tools offer free plans, but advanced automation costs extra.
Beyond marketing and apps, there are a few extra expenses that businesses should consider:
| Expense | Cost Range |
| Shopify Apps & Plugins | $50 – $300 per month |
| Paid Ads (Google & Facebook) | $300 – $1,000 per month |
| Influencer Marketing | $100 – $1,000 per month |
| SEO & Content Marketing | $100 – $2,500 per month |
| Email Marketing | $10 – $500 per month |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 30¢ per order |
After launching a Shopify store, the expenses don’t stop. Running an online business requires ongoing investment in maintenance, updates, customer support, and scaling. This final section will break down the monthly and yearly costs of keeping a Shopify store active and profitable.
Your Shopify subscription plan is a fixed cost that recurs every month. Depending on the growth of your store, you might upgrade to a higher plan for better features.
| Shopify Plan | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost (If Paid Annually) |
| Basic Shopify | $39/month | $348/year |
| Shopify (Standard Plan) | $105/month | $948/year |
| Advanced Shopify | $399/month | $3,588/year |
| Shopify Plus (Enterprise Plan) | Starts at $2,000/month | $24,000+ per year |
Many businesses stick with Basic Shopify at $39/month in the beginning but may upgrade later as sales increase.
Every time you make a sale, Shopify takes a small transaction fee, unless you use Shopify Payments.
| Payment Method | Transaction Fee |
| Shopify Payments | No extra fee |
| Third-party gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, etc.) | 2% extra per transaction |
???? Example Calculation:
???? Total Monthly Cost in Transaction Fees (for $10,000 in sales):
As your Shopify store grows, you may need employees or virtual assistants to handle tasks like customer support, inventory, or marketing.
???? Budget Tip: If you’re a beginner, handling customer support yourself can save costs.
If your Shopify store sells physical products, ongoing costs include:
???? Dropshipping vs. Stocking Inventory:
Regular maintenance ensures that your Shopify store runs smoothly. Some costs include:
???? Total Maintenance Cost Estimate: $50 to $200 per month, depending on store size.
When scaling a Shopify store, you may need better tools for automation, analytics, and advanced marketing.
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Yearly Cost |
| Shopify Plan | $39 – $399 | $348 – $3,588 |
| Domain Renewal | $1 – $5 | $10 – $30 |
| Transaction Fees | Varies (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction) | Varies |
| Customer Support | $10 – $500 | $120 – $6,000 |
| Inventory & Shipping | Varies | Varies |
| Marketing & Ads | $300 – $5,000 | $3,600 – $60,000 |
| Website Maintenance | $50 – $200 | $600 – $2,400 |
| Scaling & Advanced Tools | $100 – $5,000 | $1,200 – $60,000 |
Total Shopify Costs Per Month:
Running a Shopify store requires ongoing investment. While you can start with low initial costs, scaling a successful online store involves:
✔ Monthly Shopify fees ($39+).
✔ Transaction fees (2.9% per sale).
✔ Marketing & advertising (optional but important).
✔ Customer support & maintenance.
The exact cost depends on your business model, whether you’re running a dropshipping store, print-on-demand, or selling your own products. The key to success is optimizing your budget while maximizing sales!
After analyzing all the costs involved in building and maintaining a Shopify store, the big question remains: Is it worth the investment?
The answer depends on several factors, including your business model, budget, and long-term vision. Shopify provides one of the easiest and most reliable platforms for launching an online store. Whether you are a small entrepreneur selling handmade crafts, a dropshipper sourcing products from suppliers, or a large brand with thousands of customers, Shopify offers scalability, security, and flexibility that few other platforms can match.
However, launching a Shopify store is not just about creating a website and listing products. Success requires financial planning, marketing strategies, ongoing optimization, and customer engagement. While the initial setup cost can be relatively low—especially if you choose basic themes and apps—the real costs come in the form of transaction fees, paid marketing, and customer service.
For new entrepreneurs, Shopify’s Basic plan at $39 per month is often enough to start, but as sales grow, upgrading to higher-tier plans becomes necessary to access better features, lower transaction fees, and advanced analytics. These costs must be considered carefully, as failing to manage expenses can lead to a loss-making business even if you are making sales.
Another crucial factor is marketing. Many new store owners assume that once their store is live, customers will start purchasing. However, competition is fierce, and paid advertising, social media promotion, influencer marketing, and SEO are essential to driving traffic. Without an effective marketing budget, even the best-designed Shopify store can struggle to generate revenue.
Moreover, maintaining a store goes beyond just keeping the website running. You must consistently update product listings, analyze sales data, handle customer inquiries, process refunds, and optimize conversion rates. Some of these tasks can be automated with apps, but others require hands-on effort or hiring freelancers, adding to the ongoing costs.
That being said, Shopify remains one of the best eCommerce platforms for entrepreneurs looking to build a profitable online business. Its user-friendly interface, integration with multiple payment gateways, and vast app ecosystem make it a strong choice. It removes the complexities of coding and server management, allowing business owners to focus on selling.
Ultimately, whether Shopify is a worthwhile investment depends on how well you plan and execute your business strategy. If you are willing to invest in marketing, provide great customer service, and continuously optimize your store, Shopify can be a highly profitable platform. However, if you enter the market without proper planning and expect instant success, the costs can quickly outweigh the returns.