How much does it cost to build a Shopify website? A detailed cost breakdown

When starting a Shopify store, jumping right into designing your website and adding products can be tempting. Before you get too far ahead, you must first understand how much it will cost to build your Shopify website. This estimate will help you budget wisely and, in turn, optimize your store for conversions. The more you invest upfront in your Shopify store, the better your store will be when launching and attracting your first visitors. This blog will help you with that all-important cost estimate for building a website and Shopify conversion rate optimization.

Once you have a solid grasp of how much it will cost to build your Shopify website, you can use Instant’s Shopify landing page builder to optimize your store for conversions. Our tool will help you create effective landing pages that capture visitors' attention, encourage engagement, and boost sales.

Table of Contents

• How much does it cost to build a Shopify website? Cost at a glance

• What affects the cost of building a Shopify store?

• What are the Shopify pricing plans?

• How much does Shopify cost? Cost breakdown

• 6 best Shopify page builders for reducing Shopify development cost

• How much should I pay someone to build a Shopify website?

• Can I build my website on Shopify for free?

• Recurring costs involved in building and running a Shopify website

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify landing page builder

How much does it cost to build a Shopify website? Cost at a glance

Building a Shopify website can be costly, but they are an essential investment for running a successful online business. Before going into the detailed cost analysis of developing a Shopify website, let's give you a general overview of website development costs with the Shopify platform. This will provide you with an estimated figure in mind from the beginning. A simple Shopify store build with a ready-made theme costs as below: 

• DIY store creation: $50 – $1000 

• Professional store development: $300 – $4,500 

And if you go for a custom Shopify website, you can expect additional costs: 

• Custom theme development: $2,000 – 15,000 

• Custom app build/ custom functionality: $5,00 – 20,000 

As you can see above, DIY store costs can be quite affordable. You can easily DIY your Shopify store to the standard of a custom store if you use a Shopify page builder like Instant. You can create high-quality templates without having to code. If you want to hire Shopify developers, the costs will increase.

What affects the cost of building a Shopify store?

One of the most significant cost drivers is the design of your store. If you opt for a custom design, you’ll likely spend more than using one of Shopify’s pre-made templates. 

Custom designs give you more control over the look and feel of your site, but they require hiring a designer or developer. Templates are more affordable and can be modified with less effort but may need more uniqueness. 

Content creation and product/category setup

Creating high-quality content like:

• Product descriptions

• Images

• Videos 

Shop owners are often responsible for providing product information, such as:

• Names

• Descriptions

• Prices

You can do this yourself or hire professionals to create content for you, which could increase your costs, the size of your product catalog matters. If you have a lot of products or categories, this will take time or money to set up because every page requires work before your store can launch. 

SEO and marketing

While building the store, you’ll also need to consider marketing and SEO costs. A solid SEO strategy drives traffic, and good marketing can increase sales. Both elements can increase your upfront expenses but are essential for long-term success. 

Shopify integrations and API costs

Integrating Shopify with other systems, such as inventory management or accounting software, can add to your costs. Ready-made apps can handle some integrations, while others may require custom development. These integrations may involve ongoing fees, so it’s essential to consider these recurring costs.

Shopify website migration costs

If you’re moving from another platform to Shopify, you’ll need to factor in data migration costs. Depending on the size and structure of your existing website, transferring customer information, product data, and other content can become a complex process. If done professionally, this will add to your overall project cost. 

Third-party applications

To enhance Shopify’s capabilities, store owners add third-party apps to their online store. There are lots of apps you can find in the Shopify App Store. There’s no fixed number of apps a Shopify store should have. Shopify merchants install apps based on the specific needs of their store and the features they want to offer the customers. You can list Shopify apps based on the additional features you require in your online store. There are some common Shopify apps that every store should have: 

• Shopify page builders for those who prefer DIY and more customization 

• Product reviews and customer testimonials 

• Pop-ups, banners, and exit-intent campaigns 

• Upselling and cross-selling 

• Abandoned cart recovery and retargeting 

• Email marketing automation 

• Live chat and customer support 

• Social media marketing 

• Sales and marketing channels 

• Loyalty programs and rewards 

Some Shopify apps offer a freemium plan, providing basic functionality at no cost. Others charge a monthly or annual subscription fee based on usage or the number of features enabled. Some apps may charge transaction fees or require additional purchases for specific features. 

Domain registration

Don’t forget the domain registration cost when calculating the Shopify development costs. After all, it is a crucial part of your online business. Even though Shopify offers a dedicated domain name for your store, you still need to add a custom domain name to your Shopify site. 

Domain registration fees range from $10 to $30 per year.  The cost of domain registration can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The domain name

• The top-level domain (TLD) you choose

• The domain registrar you use

Domain names with high-demand keywords or shorter lengths are typically more expensive. While .com is the most popular, you can explore extensions like .shop or .store that align with your brand identity. In short, the cost of building a Shopify store can vary greatly depending on design choices, content creation needs, marketing, integrations, and any migration requirements you have. 

Enhancing Shopify store performance with customizable landing pages

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!

What are the Shopify pricing plans?

Shopify lite plan: The bare minimum for selling online

Shopify Lite costs $9 per month. This plan doesn't let you create a Shopify website. It’s for businesses that want to add a buy button to their existing website or sell in person and need a point-of-sale (POS) processor. 

For this reason, it’s not the ideal solution for the average small business looking to build a professional online store. The Shopify Lite plan offers a card reader for in-person purchases. These transactions have a 2.7% fee, while online sales go through the Shopify payment gateway, which charges a fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.

Shopify basic plan: For small businesses new to selling online

The Shopify Basic plan costs $39 ($29 per month, paid annually). It offers more features than the Lite plan, making it a good choice for small businesses looking to build a comprehensive online store with omnichannel selling capabilities, including dropshipping. Basic includes an online store with both a website and a blog. 

Users can list and sell unlimited items in online marketplaces and social media channels. The Shopify basic plan includes solutions for businesses interested in offering in-store transactions, such as card readers. With Basic, online purchases have a per-transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents, while in-person purchases have a 2.7% fee.

Shopify standard plan: For growing eCommerce businesses

The standard Shopify plan costs $105 ($79 monthly, paid annually). It includes everything you will get with Basic, performance reports, up to five staff accounts, and gift card purchase support. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the abandoned cart recovery tool. 

You’ll need this plan to begin any international selling, as it allows you to use country-specific domains and currency conversions. Shopify fees are lower than the Basic plan, at 2.6% plus 30 cents per transaction. The in-person card transaction fee is also 2.5%, with no additional surcharge.

Shopify advanced plan: For high-volume eCommerce operations

The Shopify Advanced plan costs $399 monthly ($299 per month, paid annually). It’s designed for businesses selling large volumes online and in person and needs more advanced features. With unlimited storage capacity, up to 15 staff accounts, and third-party calculated shipping rates, this plan is built for extensive traffic. 

Users will also have access to customized reporting options and eCommerce automation. Shopify Advanced fees are the lowest of all the plans, with online fees running 2.4% plus 30 cents per transaction. The in-person transaction fee is also 2.4%, with the surcharge waived.

How much does Shopify cost? Cost breakdown

The do-it-yourself Shopify store build

If you want to do a DIY, the costs will be low. You can find premium (or even free.) Shopify themes that are ready for around $99-$300, and then just customize them with your images and text. You can use a page builder like Instant for more customization options. If you want more features than what comes with a ready-made theme or a particular design or don’t want to do it yourself, then this will cost more money (and time).

Build it yourself: $50-$1000

Do-it-yourself option: For those willing to put in some hours while saving money, you can use a free basic theme from the Shopify theme store and customize it yourself. No developer knowledge is required here, but you must fine-tune it to make your website look good. Buy a ready-made premium theme for a more polished look and better functionality, then invest some time adding quality photography and content. 

No developer knowledge is required; just general computer literacy, some free time, and an eye for design will be helpful. You also get more customization options and flexibility to match a custom store design if you use a page builder. You can get more customization options without coding or paying huge developer costs. Page builders like Instant have a free forever plan if you test the waters before upgrading to a paid plan.

A simple build with a ready-made theme: $300 – $4,500

You may need to hire professionals to tweak and set up a ready-made theme. If you've tried premium themes that are mostly fine but lack some functionality or design elements that require tweaking, you will want to get Shopify developers involved to do the required tweaks.

Custom theme build: $2,000 – $15,000

Professional Shopify designers and developers design your website. Your product pages are built specifically for your products and offerings. The website matches your branding precisely, and you have ultimate flexibility on how things look! 

Custom theme build with integrations/ custom functionality - $5,00 – $20,000

Professionally designed online shop with unusual functionality that is not provided by Shopify by default. You get bespoke design and bespoke functionality. Your website will communicate with:

• Third-party systems

• CRMs

• Shipping providers

You gain flexibility in what your website can do. Note that the cost varies and depends on many factors, so you will have instances where the fees exceed the estimated cost in this post. 

6 best Shopify page builders for reducing Shopify development cost

1. Instant: The quickest way to build Shopify landing pages

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!

2. GemPages: The popular Shopify page builder

GemPages is another highly regarded page builder for users of all skill levels. Its drag-and-drop functionality allows for easy page customization without any coding knowledge. 

GemPages offers a range of templates and elements, making it simple to create visually appealing pages. It provides features like A/B testing and SEO optimization tools, which can help enhance your store's performance.

3. Shogun: The powerful Shopify page builder

Shogun is a powerful page builder that combines ease of use with advanced features. It offers a beautiful user interface and a wide selection of templates that can be customized to fit your brand. 

Shogun is particularly beneficial for larger stores that require more complex page designs. It also supports A/B testing and analytics, allowing you to optimize your pages for better conversion rates.

4. EComposer: The versatile Shopify page builder

EComposer is a versatile page builder that focuses on creating high-converting pages. It provides a range of pre-designed templates and a drag-and-drop editor, making customization straightforward. EComposer is designed to be lightweight, ensuring that your pages load quickly, which is crucial for user experience and SEO.

5. PageFly: The popular Shopify page builder

PageFly is one of the most popular page builders for Shopify. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options. It allows you to create various pages, including landing, product, and collection pages. With a vast library of pre-made templates and elements, PageFly makes it easy to design pages that convert. It also integrates well with tools like Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics, helping you track performance effectively.

6. Zipify pages builder: The conversion-focused Shopify page builder

Zipify Pages Builder is known for its emphasis on optimization and conversion. It allows you to create various landing and product comparison pages. 

With features like countdown timers and buy boxes, Zipify helps you draw attention to key offers. It may be one of the pricier options, but its robust features make it worth considering for serious eCommerce businesses.

How much should I pay someone to build a Shopify website?

Most Shopify experts charge on an hourly basis, the rate of which depends on the level of required expertise. The hourly rate of hiring a Shopify developer from the United States and Canada starts at $50/hour, which can be as high as $150/hour for more experienced professionals.

Experts rate

The rate of Shopify experts in Eastern countries is comparatively lower. You can easily find a skilled Shopify developer from Asia at rates as low as $25/hour, which can go up to $50/hour for more experienced professionals. Below are the Shopify developers' starting rates on Upwork, a famous freelance platform:

• Beginner: $15/hour

• Intermediate: $33/hour

• Expert: $95/hour

Median rate

The median rate of Shopify developers on Upwork is $15 per hour to $29 per hour. Many developers also charge a fixed rate depending on the project.

Average rate

The average rate of hiring a Shopify developer for your store may range from $500 to $25,000, depending on the customization required. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary of a Shopify developer is $88,694 in the United States, which you may consider if you are considering hiring someone full-time.

Can I build my website on Shopify for free?

You can start building a website on Shopify for free, but there are some essential details to remember. Here’s how it works: 

Free trial period 

Shopify offers a 3-day free trial during which you can explore the platform and start building your website without any upfront costs. This trial allows you to access most of Shopify's features, including:

• Choosing a theme,

• Customizing your site

• Adding products

Initial setup 

You’ll need to create a Shopify account using your email address to get started. Once you’re in, you can set up your store by adding basic information, selecting a theme (many of which are free), and customizing the design to fit your brand. 

Low-cost options after the trial 

After the 3-day trial, you can continue building your website for just $1 for the first month. This is a great way to get a feel for the platform and see if it meets your needs before committing to a higher monthly plan. 

Limitations 

While you can create a website for free during the trial, you will eventually need to choose a paid plan to continue using Shopify. The free trial does not include a custom domain, which means your site will have a Shopify subdomain (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com) until you purchase a custom domain.

Recurring costs involved in building and running a Shopify website

When building a Shopify website, you will quickly discover that you must pay a monthly subscription fee to use the platform. The basic plan costs $29 per month and goes up to $299 monthly. With Shopify Plus, a subscription may cost you several thousand a month, depending on your business's size and needs. 

Payment gateway costs: Transaction fees add up

You should consider payment gateway integration costs and transaction fees. On average, these fees range from 0.5% to 3% per transaction. You can use Shopify payments, the platform's built-in processing system to avoid these costs. 

Domain name registration

Every website needs a domain name, and Shopify is no exception. Domain name registration costs between $10 and $40 a year. If you want your business to look professional, purchase a custom domain that reflects it instead of using the generic name Shopify gives your store. 

Apps and subscriptions: Boost functionality for a price

Shopify apps and subscriptions help you improve your store's functionality and performance. As with everything, good things don’t come for free. App prices range from $10/month to $200/month, but a good app should pay for itself. 

Maintenance and support: Keep your store updated

Shopify stores don't require ongoing maintenance, but you may be willing to change things around occasionally. It's also a good idea to update/refresh your shop fully once every 3-6 years.

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!