A detailed breakdown of Shopify website development cost

Do you need help figuring out the cost of building your Shopify store? You're not alone. Whether starting fresh or giving your online shop a facelift, knowing what you'll spend can feel like solving a puzzle. It’s essential to the broader picture, like boosting your Shopify conversion rate optimization. Understanding these costs helps you plan effectively and make informed decisions that can drive your business forward. This article will show what you can expect to pay for a Shopify site and how these expenses influence your online success.

If you're looking for a tool to simplify the process, Instant’s Shopify landing page builder can speed up development and help you stay within budget.

Table of Contents

• 8 Key factors influencing Shopify website development cost

• How much does Shopify cost per month? Shopify pricing plans

• How much does Shopify cost? Cost breakdown

• How much does Shopify website development cost? Additional costs

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

• Is it free to build a website on Shopify?

• Which Shopify plan is best for your business?

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

8 Key factors influencing Shopify website development cost

1. Complexity of design

The complexity of the design plays a big role in the cost of developing a Shopify website. A highly intricate, customized design demands more time and effort from developers. In contrast, simple designs using standard templates are more budget-friendly. If you want to keep costs down, think straightforward.

2. Functionality requirements

Next up is functionality. Advanced features like:

• Complex product customization

• Subscription models

• Multi-language support 

It can significantly increase development costs. Prioritize what you need for your business. This will help you monitor costs and ensure the development aligns with your goals.

3. Scale of operations

The size of your online store also matters. Larger stores with:

• Extensive product catalogs

• Multiple categories

• Frequent updates require more robust customization and infrastructure

Which translates to higher costs. Smaller stores, on the other hand, can get by with less.

4. Custom development work

Custom development work is another factor to consider. Tailoring features, integrations, or workflows to meet specific business requirements involves extra time and resources, affecting overall development expenses.

5. Website responsiveness

In today's world of diverse devices and screen sizes, your online store must provide a smooth user experience. This requires thorough design and corresponding development efforts, leading to increased costs.

6. SEO and marketing tools

Incorporating SEO strategies during development is crucial for long-term success, but it requires an upfront investment. Similarly, integrating marketing tools like:

• Social media

• Analytics

• Email marketing

It can enhance your store's performance.

7. Content creation

Engaging content is essential for capturing customers' attention, but creating:

• High-quality product descriptions

• Images

• Videos

• Blogs 

Requires more working hours and resources, affecting the overall development budget.

8. Maintenance and support

Ongoing maintenance and support are essential for keeping your Shopify website running smoothly post-launch. Factoring in costs for updates, security patches, bug fixes, and technical support ensures your website remains sustainable and performs well over time.

How much does Shopify cost per month? Shopify pricing plans

Shopify offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate businesses at various stages of growth and complexity. Here's a breakdown of each plan:

1. Shopify lite: The starter kit

For just $9 a month, Shopify Lite is perfect if you want to add a buy button to your existing website or need a point-of-sale system for in-person sales. It's not designed to build a full online store, but it's great for those needing a simple transaction solution. Online sales come with a 2.9% fee plus 30 cents per transaction, while in-person transactions incur a 2.7% fee.

2. Shopify basic: The small business solution  

At $39 per month, or $29 per month if you pay annually, Shopify Basic is geared towards small businesses looking to establish an online presence. This plan allows for unlimited product listings and omnichannel selling, including dropshipping. Online purchases have a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents, and in-person sales are charged 2.7%.

3. Shopify standard: The growth stage    

Costing $105 per month, or $79 per month annually, Shopify Standard is for businesses that need more than just the basics. It includes features like performance reports, five staff accounts, and the ability to sell internationally. This plan lowers the transaction fees to 2.6% plus 30 cents for online sales, with a 2.5% fee for in-person transactions.

4. Shopify advanced: For high-volume sellers  

Priced at $399 per month, or $299 per month if paid annually, Shopify Advanced is built for businesses with high sales volumes. It offers advanced features like custom reporting, e-commerce automation, and third-party shipping rates. Transaction fees are the lowest, at 2.4% plus 30 cents for online sales and 2.4% for in-person transactions.

5. Shopify plus: The enterprise solution  

Shopify Plus starts at $2000 per month and is tailored for high-growth eCom enterprises. It includes exclusive features like Shopify Flow and Launchpad to handle increased complexity as your business expands.

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!

How much does Shopify cost? Cost breakdown

Budget-friendly DIY: Shopify on a shoestring

Are you thinking about going it alone? It's a great move if you’re on a budget. You can start by picking a free theme from the Shopify theme store. No coding skills? No problem. You’ll just need some time and a bit of creativity to tweak it into something unique.

Need more from the basics? Consider investing in a premium theme. These cost between $99 and $300 and offer more polished designs and features. Add your images and content, and you’ll have a professional-looking store without breaking the bank. If you want more customization, use a page builder like Instant. They often have free plans, so you can test the waters before committing.

Simple yet effective: Hire some help

Did you get more cash to spend? You can hire a pro to help set up your store with a ready-made theme. This is a good option if you’re short on time or want more functionality than what’s available. Costs can range from $300 to $4,500, but having a developer polish your site can make a difference.

Custom theme magic: Tailored to you

Ready to go all out? A custom theme is designed specifically for your brand. This option offers ultimate flexibility in terms of design and functionality. Costs range from $2,000 to $15,000, resulting in a site as unique as your business. 

High-end customization: Integrations and special features

Do you need more than a pretty website? This is the way to go if you require custom functionality or integrations with third-party systems. Costs range from $5,000 to $20,000, resulting in a fully customized online store that meets all your needs. 

How much does Shopify website development cost? Additional costs

You’re not stuck with Shopify for domain setup or hosting. They toss in some free myshopify.com domains, but who wants those? 

A custom domain does wonders for your brand. It boosts visibility and authority. You can snag one for as low as $11 a year, but prices can climb to $81, depending on your pick. A .com domain will run you about $14 a year. Check availability with Shopify’s domain generator. It’s easy.

Getting the look: Shopify theme costs

The design of your store isn’t just about looking pretty. Your theme can make or break your conversion rates. Shopify offers free and paid themes with options to tweak colors, designs, and layouts. If you’re eyeing a paid theme, expect to drop between $150 and $350. 

Need more customization? Consider page builders. They let you create a unique store without coding or hiring a developer. Page builders like Instant even offer free plans to test before you buy.

Expanding functionality with third-party apps

Shopify’s built-in features won’t cover everything. That’s where third-party apps come in. These apps, from marketing tools to inventory management, enhance your store’s functionality. Shopify’s App Store boasts over 7,600 free and paid apps. Costs for paid apps range from $9 to $49, but some can exceed $350. Choose wisely based on your needs.

Hiring Shopify experts for custom development

You’ve got your store up and running, but sometimes you need expert help. Hiring Shopify developers depends on their experience and the complexity of your project. 

Costs can vary widely. If you don’t want to go this route, tools like Instant’s page builder offer a DIY approach. They provide customization options without the hefty price tag of a developer.

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

When setting up a Shopify store, you might wonder how much to budget for a professional to build it. The cost of hiring a Shopify expert can vary widely, depending on factors like location and expertise. The United States and Canada, expect to pay between $50 and $150 per hour. 

Developers in Eastern countries, such as those in Asia, typically charge between $25 and $50 per hour. On Upwork, beginner developers can charge as low as $15 per hour, while experts charge around $95 per hour. Many developers also offer fixed rates for projects ranging from $500 to $25,000, depending on the complexity and customization needed.

Is it free to build a website on Shopify?

Beginning your Shopify adventure doesn't have to be expensive. You can start for free. 

Shopify offers a 3-day free trial to explore its features and begin building your site without spending a dime. You can access most tools, like:

• Choosing a theme

• Customizing your design

• Adding products

Get creative with your brand’s look and feel.

Easy steps to get your Shopify store rolling

Sign up with your email to kick things off. Then, it's all about setting up your store. 

• Fill in the basic details

• Pick a theme

• Tweak the design to match your brand

There are plenty of free ones, but It's straightforward and doesn't require a developer to get started. You’ll have a solid foundation in no time.

Budget-friendly options after your trial

Once the trial ends, don’t sweat it; you can continue the journey for only $1 for the first month. This is perfect for getting a real taste of what Shopify can do. It allows you to test the waters without diving into a full-priced plan. It's all about finding what best suits your business needs.

Know the limits: What’s missing in the free version

While the free trial is a great starting point, you’ll need a paid plan to keep your site running. The trial version comes with a Shopify subdomain, like yourstore.myshopify.com, which isn’t great for branding. Purchasing a custom domain will give your store a more professional look.

Which Shopify plan is best for your business?

Choosing the right Shopify plan is like finding the perfect pair of shoes. You need to know what fits best. Start by thinking about your business needs. What products are you selling? How many customers will you have? The answers will guide you to the right plan.

Shopify basic: Perfect for the budding entrepreneur

Are you just starting? Shopify Basic might be your best bet. It gives you unlimited products, so you’re not held back if you want to sell a huge range of items. It won't limit your storage or selling options either. It’s the perfect launchpad for a growing online store, offering flexibility without breaking the bank.

Shopify standard: Growing without breaking a sweat

If you're planning to expand, Shopify Standard is a solid choice. Yes, it’s pricier than the Basic plan, but that extra cost gets you essential tools like professional reports and in-depth analytics. You’ll have everything you need to see what’s working and what’s not, helping you boost sales and grow your business.

Advanced Shopify: For the serious seller

Ready to take your online business to the next level? The Advanced Shopify plan could be your ticket. With the lowest credit card rates and best shipping options in the U.S., it's perfect if you already have shipping accounts with carriers. If you’re selling internationally, you can set different prices for different regions, and the advanced report builder lets you create custom reports for deeper insights.

Shopify lite: Selling made simple

Do you already have a website and want to add a shopping cart? Shopify Lite is a great option. It lets you integrate products and collections directly into your site using Buy Buttons. Unlike the other plans, you won’t get a complete online storefront.

Shopify Plus: Maximum power for enterprise

For large businesses, Shopify Plus offers unmatched scalability. Yes, it’s around $2000 a month, but that investment gives you priority support, broader customization options, and additional storefronts for global reach. Your developers will have more access to the system, allowing you to create a store tailored to your needs.

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!