How much does an ecommerce website cost? Full breakdown

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If you’re ready to invest in an online store, you might be wondering how much the average ecommerce website costs. 

The truth is ecommerce website costs vary depending on your business needs. The good news is that we’ve created a guide that takes the guesswork out of the process.

We’ll break down what affects ecommerce website costs, comparing the pricing of top platforms and custom options so you can budget accordingly.

We’ll also explore how to identify and reduce the hidden costs of running an ecommerce website.

What affects the cost of an ecommerce website?

Ecommerce website cost varies based on factors like platform choice, customization level, ecommerce tools, and ongoing expenses like maintenance, security, and marketing.

No matter the complexity of your store, understanding ecommerce website development costs helps you budget smarter. 

Here are the key factors influencing ecommerce website prices:

• Platform choice: Hosted vs. self-hosted
• Development and design costs 
• Hosting, security, and maintenance expenses 
• Features and integrations that impact cost
• Marketing and SEO expenses to consider 

Platform choice: Hosted vs. self-hosted 

You have two options when building an ecommerce website: hosted or self-hosted platforms.

A hosted platform like Shopify handles server management, security, and updates. They’re easy to set up but can limit customization and involve subscription fees. 

The ecommerce website cost for such platforms ranges from $5 to over $2,000/month, depending on your plan, features, and transaction fees.

On the other hand, a self-hosted platform like WooCommerce offers full control over design, functionality, and backend operations but requires technical expertise. Costs vary, with basic setups ranging from $20 to $100/month, while highly customized stores — including hosting, security, and development — can cost $500 to over $2,000/month.

Hosted platforms work well for a quick, easy setup, whereas self-hosted solutions offer advanced customization and long-term scalability.

Development and design costs

Opting for the DIY route means using free or premium themes and website builders. Platforms like Shopify offer themes ranging from $0 to $200, depending on design and functionality.

Alternatively, you could hire freelancers or an agency, which would increase your ecommerce website cost but give you access to tailored solutions. The cost of custom development can range from $2,000 to over $100,000, depending on complexity, platform, features, and developer expertise.

Many of the best ecommerce websites prioritize custom design for scalability. A well-tailored site enhances user experience. It sets you apart from competitors, potentially leading to higher long-term returns.

Choosing between DIY and professional development depends on your budget, technical skills, and business goals.

Hosting, security, and maintenance expenses 

Hosting impacts performance. That’s why it’s a key factor in determining ecommerce website cost. Shared hosting, ideal for small sites, can start at just a few dollars a month. However, this can affect performance during traffic spikes. 

VPS hosting offers better scalability at $20/month. Meanwhile, dedicated servers — the most powerful option for large-scale ecommerce platforms — range from $50 to more than $300/month.

SSL certificates are also important for encrypting customer data and ensuring safe transactions. Basic SSLs are often free, while Wildcard SSLs for multiple subdomains cost $36 to over $350/year. 

Furthermore, maintenance costs vary by store size. For example, large platforms can pay up to $5,000/month for maintenance.

Features and integrations that impact costs 

Payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal handle transactions securely and help build customer trust, but they charge processing fees. Stripe’s rate is 2.9% + $0.30, while PayPal’s updated pricing is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. 

Choosing the right gateway affects profit margins and should be factored into ecommerce website cost. 

Marketing automation tools like Omnisend improve engagement with personalized emails and SMS campaigns, with paid plans starting at $16/month. You can also leverage free advanced analytics tools like Google Analytics 4 to track customer behavior. 

Other third-party apps, such as inventory management and CRM software, streamline stock tracking and manage customer interactions. 

Marketing and SEO expenses to consider 

Marketing is crucial for driving ecommerce traffic and sales. Without a solid strategy, even the best stores struggle to attract customers. 

Businesses typically invest in email/SMS marketing, paid ads, SEO, and content marketing, contributing to the overall ecommerce website cost.

• Email and SMS marketing: According to Litmus, email drives an average ROI of $36 for every dollar spent. Investing in SMS and email marketing for ecommerce is highly beneficial for your ROI. Omnisend customers, for example, get $68 back for every $1 spent — one of the highest ROIs in marketing. 
• Paid advertising: Businesses pay $0.26-$0.30 per click and $1.01-$3 per 1,000 impressions on social media, with monthly budgets between $500 and over $10,000. According to Statista, paid search advertising, which includes Google Ads, results in an average ROI of 38%.
• SEO and content marketing: According to SEO.com, SEO services cost $1,500 to $5,000/month. Content marketing agencies charge $2,500 to $10,000/month.

Comparing ecommerce platforms: Which one fits your budget? 

Choosing the right ecommerce platform isn’t just about features. It’s about finding the best value for your ecommerce website cost. This section compares platform pricing to help you invest wisely.

Platform	Upfront cost	Ongoing costs	Best for
Shopify	— Subscription fees: $5-$2,300/month — Domain: $10-$20/year  — Premium themes (optional): $100-$500	— Subscription fees: $5-$2,300/month — Shopify transaction fees: 2.4%-2.9% (+ $0.30)  — Third-party payment fees (provider + additional Shopify fee): 0.6%-2%	Businesses of all sizes
WooCommerce	Free	— Hosting: $120/year on average  — Domain: $15/year on average — Paid themes (optional): $20-$100/year  — Native payment extensions: 2.9% + $0.30/sale on average  — Shipping extensions (advanced options): $100/year on average — Developer fees (optional): $10-$100/hour	Small to medium-sized businesses
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)	— Magento open source: Free  — Adobe Commerce: Contact Adobe’s sales team for exact pricing — Extensions: $0-$15,000year	Businesses must contact Adobe’s sales team for exact pricing	Medium to large businesses
Custom-built website	— Design and development: $2,000-$100,000+ — Domain: $10-$30/year — Hosting: $3-$500/month — SSL certificate: $0-$300/year — Payment gateway integration: Varies by provider (some charge setup fees, others don’t)	— Hosting, domain, and SSL renewal — Site maintenance: $700-$5,000/month — Payment processing fees: 2%-3.5%/transaction (varies by provider) — Inventory management system: $29-$175/month — Customer support: Around $500/month (varies based on AI, outsourcing, or in-house team) — Marketing costs vary depending on strategy and industry	Medium to large businesses, high-growth startups, niche businesses

1. Shopify 

Shopify powers millions of ecommerce businesses. It offers an all-in-one solution with hosting, security (including SSL certificates), and automatic updates. Unlike open-source platforms like WooCommerce, it requires no technical expertise.

Pricing

Shopify offers a free trial with no credit card required, followed by $1/month for the first three months. Here are its plans: 

• Starter: $5/month. Allows you to sell via social media and messaging apps or create a basic online store.
• Basic: $39/month. Ideal for solopreneurs, includes 10 inventory locations and localized selling in three markets.
• Shopify: $105/month. Includes everything in Starter plus five additional staff accounts.
• Advanced: $399/month. Best for scaling businesses as it includes everything in Basic plus 15 additional staff accounts and 10x checkout capacity.
• Plus: $2,300/month. Enterprise solution with 200 inventory locations, unlimited staff accounts, and a customizable checkout.

Pros

• Easy to use, no coding needed
• Customizable storefronts and free Shopify apps
• Secure hosting with 24/7 support
• Optimized checkout that increases conversions by 15%
• 150 million active buyers

Cons

• Higher transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
• Paid apps add to ecommerce website cost
• Limited customization on lower plans
• No built-in email hosting
• URL structure impacts SEO

2. WooCommerce 

With over 4.6 million stores, WooCommerce is a top open-source platform for WordPress. It offers full control over design, features, and data. However, it requires self-managed hosting, security, and updates.

Pricing

The total cost of building an ecommerce website with WooCommerce depends on the level of customization and automation. The platform is free to use. However, WooCommerce pricing for add-ons is:

• Hosting: $120/year on average
• Domains: $15-$30/year on average
• Paid themes: $20-$150/year 

Pros

• Free WooPayments signup (10% off processing fees for three months)
• Seamless WordPress integration
• Supports PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay
• Unlimited customization and built-in SEO advantages from WordPress

Cons

• Requires third-party plugins, increasing security risks
• Limited to WordPress, restricting CMS migration options
• Requires regular updates and technical upkeep
• Steeper learning curve

This video compares WooCommerce and Shopify on pricing, features, and ease of use to help you choose the right platform:

3. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) 

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is a scalable, open-source platform for medium to large businesses with complex ecommerce needs. It offers higher conversions, faster load times, and advanced customization.

Pricing

• Adobe Commerce Pro: Contact the sales team for exact pricing
• Managed Services: Businesses must contact Adobe’s sales team for exact pricing

Pros

• Fast storefronts and seamless checkout
• AI-powered personalization and search
• Optimized for Google Lighthouse 100
• Advanced A/B testing 
• API-first integration and built-in analytics
• Handles 200,000+ orders per hour and unlimited traffic
• Supports millions of SKUs and complex product catalogs

Cons

• High ecommerce website development costs
• Requires technical expertise and ongoing maintenance

4. Custom-built website 

A custom-built website provides full control over design, features, and scalability. However, it comes with a higher ecommerce website cost. It’s ideal for large enterprises, high-growth startups, or niche businesses. 

Pricing 

• Design and development: $1,000-$100,000+
• Ongoing costs: Maintenance costs could range from $3,600-$50,000
• Marketing costs vary based on strategy and business needs

Pros

• Full control over design and functionality
• No platform restrictions, allowing custom features
• Scalable for growing businesses
• Custom security measures and tailored customer experience

Cons 

• High initial development costs compared to CMS-based solutions
• Longer development time
• Requires technical expertise

Ecommerce website cost breakdown by budget 

The total ecommerce site cost depends on your platform, required features, and customization level. Let’s break it down:

Low-budget ecommerce website ($500-$5,000)

For small startups and DIY sellers, budget-friendly ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce provide an affordable way to start selling online.

Shopify’s pricing starts at $5/month and goes up to $2,300+. This ecommerce website cost covers hosting, security, and automatic updates.

In contrast, WooCommerce, a free self-hosted platform, charges $120/year on average for hosting, $15-$30/year for a domain, and $0-$1,00/year for SSL certificates. However, since maintenance isn’t included, sellers must handle updates, security, and backups.

At this budget, customization is limited so adding advanced functionality increases ecommerce website cost. 

Mid-range ecommerce website ($5,000-$20,000) 

A mid-range ecommerce website suits growing brands needing more customization, performance, and functionality. This ecommerce website cost covers custom design, premium plugins, and high-performance hosting.

Freelance development costs range from $500-$5,000+. Meanwhile, full-service agencies charge $3,000-$50,000+. 

Beyond development, reliable hosting is essential for performance and security. Hosting on platforms like Hostinger, IONOS, and GoDaddy is relatively cheaper as it starts at $2.99/month, $4/month, and $4.99/month, respectively, with high-traffic stores requiring advanced plans.

Additionally, SEO tools like SEMrush ($139+/month) help improve visibility, and security tools like Wordfence (free to $1,250/year) protect against cyber threats. This adds to the cost of ecommerce website development.

Also, budget for maintenance costs ($700-$5,000/month) and payment processing fees (2%-3.5% per transaction). 

High-end ecommerce website ($20,000-$100,000+) 

Enterprise brands need powerful platforms like Magento (Adobe Commerce) or custom-built solutions to handle high traffic, complex supply chains, and omnichannel experiences. This adds up to ecommerce website costs.

Enterprise ecommerce often requires more than $100,000 in development, design, security, and automation. Additionally, cloud hosting is ideal for preventing downtime during increased customer activity.

Another factor to consider is DDoS protection (mitigating cyberattacks that flood a website with fake traffic to crash it). This can be done using tools like AWS Shield, which costs $3,000/month.

In addition to these ecommerce website costs, third-party integrations drive further investment. 

A major cost for enterprise companies is advanced analytics like Google Analytics 360, which starts at $50,000/year. 

To ensure a good customer experience, site maintenance and multiple payment gateways must be considered. These are also essential ecommerce best practices to drive sales.

Investing in a high-end ecommerce website enhances brand perception, attracts high-value customers, and nurtures long-term loyalty.

Hidden costs of running an ecommerce website

Aside from initial costs, ongoing ecommerce website costs like transaction fees, maintenance, and operations can also add up quickly. Understanding these hidden expenses is crucial for budgeting. 

Payment processing fees that add up 

Every online sale comes with payment processing fees, typically a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount. While these costs are minimal, they quickly add to the overall ecommerce website cost, impacting profitability.

For example, Shopify Payments charges 2.9% + $0.30 for Basic Shopify, 2.6% + $0.30 for Shopify, and 2.4% + $0.30 for Advanced Shopify. Using a third-party provider adds extra fees. 

Stripe follows a similar 2.9% + $0.30 model, while PayPal charges more at 3.49% + $0.49/transaction. 

Chargebacks also increase ecommerce website costs. For instance, when a customer disputes a transaction, businesses lose the sale and pay an additional fee. Too many chargebacks may lead to higher processing rates or account restrictions.

How to reduce fees

• Use the most cost-effective processor 
• Negotiate lower rates with providers 
• Reduce chargebacks with better customer service and policies

Ongoing maintenance and software updates 

Ongoing maintenance is essential for smooth ecommerce operations. This includes security, plugins, and backups that add to ecommerce website costs.

For example, Shopify includes built-in security, while WooCommerce and custom sites require tools like Wordfence (free to $1,250/year) or Sucuri Security ($299-$999/year) to prevent cyber threats. 

Additionally, WooCommerce and custom sites need third-party data backup tools like Jetpack Backup ($11+/month) or Amazon S3 Glacier ($0.0036/GB). 

Extensions further increase the total ecommerce website cost, with WooCommerce Payments (2.9% + $0.30/transaction fee) and Shipping ($0-$119/year). Also, Adobe Commerce extensions range from $0-$15,000.

These tools improve user experience and site performance. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues, slow loading times, and lost sales.

Customer service tools and operational costs 

Customer service is essential for ecommerce businesses looking to scale. Invest in live chat solutions with AI-driven support and analytics, such as Tidio ($29-$2,999/month), HelpCrunch ($20+/month), and Zoho Desk ($7+/month).

Additionally, CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot ($25-$500 and $20-3,600/month) and budget-friendly options like Zoho CRM ($20-$65/month) help manage customer interactions.

Plus, employing customer support staff is beneficial but can further increase ecommerce website costs. According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate for a customer support agent is approximately $22. Beyond labor, a customer support team would require training programs to improve efficiency.

To reduce ecommerce website costs, automation is key. AI chatbots and automated emails handle routine queries, freeing agents for complex tasks.

Implementing these solutions enhances the shopping experience and plays a critical role in customer retention, which increases customer lifetime value.

How Omnisend lowers ecommerce costs while increasing revenue 

Omnisend is a cost-effective email marketing automation tool that helps business owners grow their ecommerce store and reduce ecommerce website costs while increasing revenue through email, SMS, and web push automation. 

With pre-built workflows, Omnisend automates key revenue-driving activities like abandoned cart recovery, order confirmations, and customer re-engagement. This allows you to save time while maximizing conversions. 

Automated emails, for example, generate 37% of sales from just 2% of email volume as per Omnisend’s 2025 ecommerce marketing report. Order confirmation emails boast a 70% open rate, making them powerful touchpoints to encourage repeat purchases. 

Getting started with Omnisend’s automation is simple. From the Automation dashboard, click Create workflow to access a range of pre-built automation templates, including welcome emails, abandoned cart recovery, and post-purchase follow-ups. 

Omnisend’s drag-and-drop editor allows users to customize workflows.

Additionally, Omnisend’s segmentation and A/B testing tools further refine campaign performance, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience. 

For brands using Shopify or WooCommerce, Omnisend integrates seamlessly. Businesses with custom ecommerce platforms can also integrate Omnisend via API. 

With a free plan available and pricing starting at just $16/month, Omnisend offers an affordable, scalable solution for ecommerce businesses. 

Wrap up 

The cost of ecommerce website building includes platform fees, development, security, and operations. Beyond setup, hidden expenses like payment processing, maintenance, and customer service add to ecommerce website costs.

To manage ecommerce website costs and grow revenue, leverage automation like AI customer support, CRM software, and email marketing tools like Omnisend to reduce manual work and scale operations.

Regular site maintenance, including backups and security tools, is essential for preventing data loss or hacking vulnerabilities that could lead to the loss of customer trust.

By optimizing these factors, you’ll be ready to launch and grow your ecommerce website in 2025.

Ecommerce website costs: FAQs