A detailed guide on eCommerce website cost + tips to reduce it
Instant Team
A detailed guide on eCommerce website cost + tips to reduce it
When improving your Shopify conversion rate, choosing the best Shopify theme for your store is one of the most significant factors. A Shopify theme is the foundation of your online store, and it will dictate much of your store's performance and design. For instance, some themes are designed with Shopify conversion rate optimization, allowing you to set up your store and start making sales quickly. Others may look appealing but will slow your store down and make operating easier. Choosing the right Shopify theme for your store will help you create a visually attractive storefront that appeals to your target audience and enhances your eCommerce website cost. In this article, we'll review the best Shopify themes for conversion rate optimization to help you achieve your business goals.
One of the best ways to boost your conversion rate is to create an optimized landing page to target your audiences. Instant's Shopify landing page builder makes it easy to create stunning landing pages without any code.
Table of contents
What is an eCommerce website?
An eCommerce website is essentially a digital storefront. It's an online platform where goods and services are traded between buyers and sellers over the internet. Unlike a physical storefront, an eCommerce website can be accessed anytime, anywhere, as long as an internet connection. A digital shopfront:
Displays products or services
Allows users to select and purchase them
Facilitates the acceptance of payments.
Ecommerce website vs. other types of websites
What distinguishes an eCommerce website is its ability to handle transactions. eCommerce transactions are the lifeblood of any online store, allowing for exchanging goods, services, and funds over the web. These transactions are supported by online store platforms, specialized software solutions that provide the necessary eCommerce tools for:
Managing sales
Inventory
Customers
Other critical aspects of online business operations
Website builders like Wix incorporate eCommerce features in their platforms to help you build a successful online store.
Things to consider when assessing eCommerce website cost
When calculating the cost of a custom eCommerce website, the number of features and functionality you want will directly impact the overall cost. Features that require additional development time and resources to implement:
Advanced product search
User accounts
Product customization
Inventory management
User reviews
Design and user experience (UX)
A well-designed and user-friendly eCommerce website is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. eCom website platforms and themes come with preset designs and UX elements. These can be customized to fit your business's and target audience's unique needs. The more you customize your online store's design and user experience, the higher the cost.
Selecting an eCommerce platform
The eCommerce platform you choose will impact the overall cost of your custom website. There are various platforms to choose from, including:
Open-source options like WooCommerce which don’t have any initial licensing fees.
Hosted solutions like Shopify, which charges monthly subscription fees.
Integration with third-party services
Suppose your online store requires integration with external systems, such as:
Payment gateways
Shipping carriers
CRM tools
This can add to the development cost as it involves extra time and resources.
Mobile responsiveness
With more consumers shopping online on mobile devices, ensuring your eCommerce website works well on various devices and screen sizes is essential. Creating a responsive design may increase costs, but it is necessary for reaching a broader audience.
Product database size
The number of products and categories you plan to offer on your eCommerce website will affect its complexity. A larger product database may require more backend resources and impact the overall development cost.
Security and compliance
If your eCommerce website will handle sensitive customer information, you must invest in robust security measures and comply with data protection regulations, such as GDPR. This might require additional security software and regular audits, which can increase the overall cost of your website.
SEO and digital marketing
Investing in SEO-friendly features and digital marketing tools can enhance your website’s visibility in search engine results pages. These elements may require additional development and can impact the overall cost of your eCom website.
Content management system (CMS)
Choosing the suitable CMS for managing your website content can influence the overall cost of your project. Customizing a CMS to fit your needs might require more resources, impacting your budget.
Maintenance and support
After the website’s launch, ongoing maintenance and support are essential. Budgeting for is necessary to keep the site running smoothly, such as:
Regular updates
Bug fixes
Customer support
The no-code landing page builder for Shopify
Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:
High-converting landing pages
Product detail pages
Sections
Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions.
Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder today!
Related Reading
Detailed breakdown of eCommerce website cost
Ecommerce software costs
Ecommerce solutions have varying costs. Pricing varies based on the out-of-the-box features, software type, and service level. Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your online store is critical. Some popular options include:
Shopify
WooCommerce
BigCommerce
Domain name costs
Your domain name will cost you annually unless you can pay for a few years upfront. GoDaddy says purchasing a domain name typically costs between $2 and $20 per year. The price depends on where you are buying it from and the extension you get, such as .com or .shop. Purchasing from a private seller or through an auction will usually be more expensive.
Ecommerce hosting costs
Once you register a domain name, it's time to find a web host. Solutions such as BigCommerce and Shopify are hosted on the cloud and offer web hosting as part of the subscription. That means you won’t have to hunt for third-party hosting or deal with the challenges of managing it.
Self-hosting costs
If you want to self-host your online store, you will have some costs associated.
You’ll have the costs of creating the solution, like servers and dedicated physical space.
You’ll have the costs associated with maintenance, security, and more.
Add to that the complexity of the solution and the individuals you’ll need to hire specifically to manage the solution, and you’re looking at quite a steep startup cost.
SaaS platform hosting costs
On the other hand, businesses can partner with a hosting provider to host their online storefront, ranging from $80-$730 per month. Depending on your CMS or ecom software, companies offer several solutions to:
Host a site
Provide security
Updates
The costs associated with these SaaS hosting solutions often depend on a variety of factors, like website traffic or sales per month.
SSL certificate costs
An SSL certificate ranges in price from $20 - $70 per year. While this may be one of the least inexpensive parts of your online store, it provides the security over a network you'll need for customers to visit and shop on your website. Sometimes, search engines use an SSL certificate as a ranking factor, too. Some hosting solutions offer this as part of their fee, so keep that in mind.
Data import costs
This ensures that all of the information stored on your site will be kept safe, no matter what. With regular data backups, you could retain money and even customers. Data backup costs usually depend on the size of your site files.
Payment processor costs
It's easy to overlook the costs associated with payment processing, but they can add up fast. Payment processing costs depend on the type of payment you want to offer during checkout—such as PayPal or various credit cards—the type of currency you'll accept and the regions where you'll be selling. You'll pay fees to each payment gateway you want to offer.
Here's an example of how it breaks down:
PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + a fixed fee based on transaction location.
Stripe Standard: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Authorize.net – 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction + $25 monthly fee.
This doesn't include any fees that might come from your bank. When reviewing the overall costs for payment processing, WooCommerce and BigCommerce offer the lowest prices and provide some of the most flexible options for accepting payments.
Costs associated with building an eCommerce store
Once you have your basic foundation, creating the site itself takes time. Let’s examine some of the costs associated with building an ecom store.
Backend web development costs
Backend web development handles the complex operations behind the scenes of your site. It involves building the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power the user interface. Costs for back-end development can vary widely based on factors such as:
Project complexity
Required technologies
Developer expertise
Location
Platforms with robust API integrations, like BigCommerce, may be able to alleviate some of these challenges, and platforms like WooCommerce may be able to help brands connect with other databases using add-ons like plugins. However, fully open-source platforms like Magento may require more custom development work.
Frontend web design costs
All major ecom solutions have online store website design themes you can choose from. Some themes may cost less than what you're already paying to use the platform, while others may range in price from $60-$200 each. You could also hire a developer to create a custom design for your site, which could be more costly.
Stores hosted on BigCommerce have access to various free and premium themes. Cornerstone is BigCommerce’s most popular theme, which is optimized for:
Sales and discounts
Large catalogs
Multi-purpose
Mobile, tablet, and desktop
Businesses using platforms like Magento or WordPress may need to collaborate with web developers, designers, or plugins to create custom features and functionality.
UI/UX design costs
User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design are the science behind creating custom websites that are both visually appealing and user-friendly. UX focuses on the overall experience of interacting with a website, while UI concentrates on the visual elements and layout.
Investing in high-quality UX/UI design can significantly impact a website's success by increasing user engagement and conversions. The cost of UX/UI design varies based on:
Project complexity
Designer expertise
Scope of work
While basic designs may be relatively affordable, complex projects involving extensive user research and prototyping can require a significant upfront investment.
Agency costs
The cost of a developer building your ecom site depends on the features you need to run a successful online store business. If you're looking for options that are not standard, consider hiring a professional eCom website development agency to create a site for you.
Development agencies can do the following:
Backend web development
Frontend web design
UI/UX design
Ecommerce services
Mobile app design
Digital strategy
Custom software development
Custom software development
Custom software development for ecom websites allows businesses to create customized online functionality based on their needs. By creating bespoke software, companies can gain a competitive edge through unique features, improved performance, and enhanced security.
This level of customization comes at a premium. Custom development costs are typically higher than off-the-shelf platforms due to the required time, expertise, and resources. The overall expense will depend on the software's complexity, the size of the development team, and ongoing maintenance requirements.
Ongoing eCommerce costs to consider
Ongoing website maintenance and management is an overlooked but critical aspect of online store success. Costs for this encompass a range of expenses, including:
Hosting fees
Domain Registration
Domain name renewals
Security updates
Content management
Performance optimization
Technical support
While some tasks can be handled in-house, complex issues or the need for specialized expertise may require outsourcing, which can significantly impact overall costs. Regular budgeting for maintenance is essential to ensure:
Website uptime
Security
Optimal performance
Data backups
Data backups ensure that all the information stored on your site will be kept safe, no matter what. Regular data backups can save valuable development hours, customer data, and transactions. Data backup costs usually depend on the size of your site files.
Inventory management
An online store will have some inventory and shipping costs associated with it, even if these are handled through a third party.
Security
In addition to your SSL certificate, you'll want security software to protect your business and its information from outside threats. This is usually a monthly, subscription-based fee.
Marketing
Regular communication with potential and current customers can help maintain your revenue stream. Depending on your email contacts list size, some email marketing solutions may offer free plans or a monthly cost.
Other digital marketing efforts will require a budget, such as:
SEO
PPC ads
Social media
Product marketing will help increase your brand awareness and direct traffic to your online store.
What is the cheapest website for eCommerce?
Instant: Build high-converting Shopify pages with no coding knowledge
Instant is a straightforward Shopify landing page builder that enables eCommerce teams and agencies to develop fully customizable and advanced Shopify pages without any coding knowledge. With its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish high-converting:
Landing pages
Product detail pages
Sections
Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder for free today!
Pricing
Instant starts at $0.99 per month for the first three months and then increases to $19 per month. After the recent upgrade, Instant has a free plan that allows users to create and publish one landing page.
WooCommerce: The free Shopify alternative for WordPress users
WooCommerce isn't a platform per se but a plugin for the open-source WordPress software. If you already have a WordPress site, install WooCommerce for free and start selling products immediately. Setting one up is easy and affordable if you still need a WordPress site. Many cheap hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations.
You can also use the Woo Express service from the WooCommerce team, which includes built-in hosting and offers one of the easiest ways to get started with your store. Once you've set up your WordPress site, you can choose a free eCommerce theme and install the WooCommerce plugin. Then, you can add your products and launch your store.
Pricing
WordPress and WooCommerce are both free. You'll just need to pay for hosting and a domain name. Most web hosts offer cheap entry plans. For example, shared hosting with Bluehost starts at just $2.95 monthly.
Meanwhile, a .com domain from Namecheap will cost around $10 – $15 annually. You can also get a free domain name for your first year if you use Bluehost.
Pros
Free
Highly customizable open-source software
1,400-plus themes available (free and paid options)
Mobile apps
Excellent SEO
Sell physical products, digital downloads and services
No contracts required
Cons
It only works with WordPress websites
Paid WordPress hosting required
Frequent updates required
Steep learning curve for some
No phone support is available
Ecwid: Add eCommerce functionality to your existing site
Ecwid is an eCommerce tool you can plug into your existing site or social media accounts to sell online. It's compatible with websites built with:
WordPress
Wix
Weebly
Joomla
Squarespace and more
If you don't have a website, you can build one through Ecwid using a ready-made eCommerce template. You'll also have access to:
Over 50 content blocks
Automatic maintenance
Security updates
Pricing
The Venture plan starts at $15 monthly and lets you sell products on Instagram and Facebook. There are no transaction fees. The free plan is okay for very small stores.
Pros
A free Ecwid plan is available, which is generous regarding features.
Ecwid represents a straightforward way to add eCommerce to any existing website.
The product is cheap in comparison to other solutions.
Point-of-sale functionality is available, and there are many ways to implement it.
Multi-currency selling is easy enough to implement.
It supports multi-language versions of your store.
Cons
SEO features could be better.
The mobile POS integrations only work with iOS devices.
A limited number of apps/integrations are available in the Ecwid App store.
You can't change product URLs or create redirects, which could be better from an SEO point of view.
You can't create AMP versions of product pages using Ecwid.
The free version doesn't let you access any of the SEO features.
Shopify: Affordable all-in-one eCommerce platform
Shopify is an all-in-one online store platform ideal for those needing more technical knowledge. Its Starter Plan helps you set up an online store in minutes without breaking the bank. You can sell products through:
Social media
Email
SMS
WhatsApp
Any other platform that lets you share product links
Once your business grows and you require more features, you can upgrade to another Shopify plan. If you want to learn more, you can check out our full Shopify review. We also have a Shopify vs. WooCommerce comparison to help you understand the differences between these two online stores.
Pricing
The Shopify Starter plan costs just $5 per month, and transaction fees are only 5% if you use Shopify Payments.
Pros
A nicely designed and professional storefront
A massive library of apps (over 1500 units) in their marketplace.
The simplest to use is the admin panel.
Cons
Shopify charges a transaction fee for every sale (which you can lower if you use Shopify Payment).
It is a paid product in general.
There is less flexibility and power because you need access to the underlying code to make changes.
Spree Commerce: A headless eCommerce platform for developers
Spree Commerce is a headless open-source platform for eCommerce websites. If you have web development experience or are willing to hire someone who does, then you can use Spree's pre-built integration with Next.js Commerce.
The Spree Javascript/TypeScript SDK and the Vue Storefront 2 integration are also available for designing a custom front-end shopping experience. With Spree Commerce, you'll get limitless storefront customizations, so you can create a truly unique shopping experience using your preferred application.
Pricing
Spree Commerce is available for free with React and Vue Storefront starters. Similar to WooCommerce, you'll still need to pay for hosting. If you want an affordable solution with packages catering to the Spree platform, check out A2 Hosting's Spree Commerce plans.
The cheapest plan starts at $2.99 per month, and the support team will even help you install Spree for free on your account.
Pros
Easily customizable construction allows users to create the ideal store for their business.
Light, fast, and flexible with a powerful backend admin module.
A comprehensive support package plus the Ruby on Rails community offers solid and reliable support.
Spree officially maintains many extensions to provide additional functionality that isn't available out of the box.
Fast and easy integrations with third-party solutions.
Cons
Coding skills or technical assistance are needed.
Currently, only a handful of themes are available.
In some cases, some “common” functionality may require custom development.
Related Reading
5 tips to reduce eCommerce website cost
1. Have a plan: Start with a strategy to save on your eCommerce costs
Starting with a strategy can help you save costs on your eCommerce site. Planning from the outset will allow you to decide on your goals, the features you want, and any customizations you may need. This process can help you eliminate unnecessary options and better focus your project to reduce costs.
On the flip side, if you do not have a plan for your eCommerce site, you will inevitably come up with requirements and requests for changes as you move through the development process. These edits can increase your costs significantly, as most eCommerce and web development companies charge hourly rates for these changes.
2. Start small to save big on your eCommerce development
Reducing the scope of your eCommerce website development can pay off. Starting with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can help you create the basic framework for your online store without breaking the bank.
An MVP approach offers several advantages.
It will allow you to launch a functional product quickly to get your business up and running.
The hosting and server features for an MVP will be cheaper, and fewer features mean lower maintenance costs.
You can also improve the customer experience by adding exciting features as you learn more about your audience and their preferences.
3. Prioritize user acceptance testing to reduce costs
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) should be a priority during the early stages of your eCommerce website development. If you wait until after launching your site to discover users do not like your website or need help navigating it, you will face expensive fixes down the line. Instead, test your website, apps, and features early and often to ensure they meet your users' needs before launch day.
4. Use available templates to reduce your Shopify costs
Once you have a plan, you can begin designing your site and customizing your interface. This is part of the process that showcases your brand and helps your customers associate your unique eCommerce business with your website. Many companies create simple designs and sell them as website templates. These ready-made templates can significantly reduce website development costs.
Marketplaces such as Shopify offer a variety of themes and templates that you can ask your web development partner to use and customize according to your unique needs and requirements.
These templates can range from $0 to $200.
If you want a personalized design, the price can be between $1500 and $5000.
For enterprise-level customization, it can shoot up to $50,000, depending on the number of pages and categories you have.
5. Reduce domain and hosting costs
A domain name is essential for two reasons:
To store the data centrally (login and registration, etc.)
Platforms like Google Apps need a domain verified as the owner.
If you do not get the perfect domain name at the beginning stage, you can invest in it later by purchasing it.
Related Reading
Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify landing page builder
Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:
High-converting landing pages
Product detail pages
Sections
Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions.
Try Instant's Shopify landing page builder today!
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