Are you planning to start your own online business in the coming year? Or are you planning to upgrade your eCommerce store? In either case, one key decision needed at this stage is to select the right eCommerce platform for your store.
There are many eCommerce platforms that can help you set up your online store. However, among all those eCommerce platforms, Shopify stands out as the most favorable one, and to build a profitable online store, you can consult the top Shopify development companies listed here.
Even the top eCommerce development companies suggest using Shopify to build online stores.
But why? There are several reasons for choosing Shopify to build an eCommerce store. Let's have a quick glance at them.
As per a recent report, 30% of online stores use Shopify platform and therefore Shopify has become one of the biggest names in the US eCommerce software market.
Congratulations! You have chosen the best eCommerce platform for your online store. Let's now quickly move on to the topic of this blog, which is the Shopify website cost.
There are different costs associated with building a Shopify store - subscription charges, developers' salaries, template costs, and more. Here, we will discuss the complete cost breakdown of developing a Shopify website. But before that, let's look at the overall estimated cost of building a Shopify website.
Overall Estimated Cost of Shopify Store
| DIY Shopify Store Development | $50-$1000 |
| Professional Shopify Website Development | $300-$4500 |
Also, if you add some customized elements to your Shopify website, there can be some additional costs such as:
| Customized Design | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| Customized Functionality | $500 - $20,000 |
Therefore, the cost of your Shopify web development project depends on whether you do it yourself or hire a professional eCommerce development company/developer. Also, whether to hire professionals or do it yourself depends on the customization you require in your Shopify project.
Let's now move on to discussing the Shopify Subscription Packages.
Shopify Subscription Packages
Shopify offers different subscription packages depending on the features and complexity of the online store you plan to build. The Shopify subscription packages are mentioned below:.
| Plan | Price | Transaction Fees | Suitable For |
| Starter | $5 Per Month | In-Person - 5% Online - 5% + 30 Cents |
Solopreneurs selling in-person and on social media |
| Retail | $89 Per Month ($79 Per Month if paid annually) | In-Person - 2.6% + 10 Cents Online - 2.9% + 30 Cents |
Small businesses that need advanced tools and inventory tracking |
| Basic | $39 Per Month ($29 Per Month if paid annually) | In-Person - 2.6% + 10 Cents Online - 2.9% + 30 Cents |
Startup eCommerce businesses that sell offline and online require a robust online presence. |
| Shopify | $105 Per Month ($79 Per Month if paid annually) | In-Person - 2.5% + 10 Cents Online - 2.7% + 30 Cents |
Small and medium-sized eCommerce businesses that sell offline and online require a systematic approach to selling. |
| Advanced | $399 Per Month ($299 Per Month if paid annually) | In-Person - 2.4% + 10 Cents Online - 2.5% + 30 Cents |
Large eCommerce businesses that sell offline and online require a systematic approach to selling and staff management. |
These are the pricing packages offered by Shopify. But wait, which one do you think suits your eCommerce business the best? Let's have a quick glance at the features of these pricing packages to make the right decision.
Starter Plan Features
Shopify's Starter package is the lowest-priced option available for newly started businesses and requires an easy setup. It includes features such as:
- A basic website with product pages, a contact page, and checkout features
- Can list an unlimited number of products
- Facilitates sharing product links on social media platforms
- Includes a linkpop account for social media bio
- Can accept credit cards online and in person
- Includes a POS mobile app for accepting payments in person
- 1 POS Lite location
- Can generate basic sales reports
- Ability to manage orders and inventory
- Can accept returns and refunds
- Includes 24/7 live chat support
Retail Plan Features
Shopify’s retail plan is specially designed for brick-and-mortar stores that also need a basic online store. Besides the features of starter plans, the retail plan includes features such as:
- Customer management tools
- 1 POS Pro location
- Unlimited staff accounts and products
Basic Plan Features
Shopify offers a basic plan that is specifically designed for small businesses that require an online store that is rich in features. It also includes tools for selling in person. Below-mentioned are its features -
- Multiple themes to customize the online store
- 60+ analytical reports allowing you to make informed decisions
- Up to 10 inventory locations
- 24/7 live chat support
- Unlimited product listings
- Allows issuing gift cards
- Includes POS Lite for brick-and-mortar stores
- Marketing automation
- Enables shipping discounts and shipping label printing
- Supports international sales and shipping, currency conversion, and language translation
- Customer segmentation filters
- Alternative sales channels support
Shopify Plan Features
The Shopify plan is specifically designed for small and mid-sized businesses with multiple employees and requires a store rich in features. Besides the basic plan features, the Shopify plan includes -
- 5 staff accounts
- Shipping insurance plus shipping discount of up to 88%
- USPS Priority Mail Cubic pricing
Advanced Plan Features
Shopify’s advanced plan is meant for established large eCommerce giants that require in-depth insights into sales, have a huge number of employees, and are handling a lot of shipping. In addition to Basic and Shopify, the Advanced plan offers the below-mentioned features:
- Customized sales and performance reports
- 10x checkout capacity
- 15 staff accounts
- Third-party shipping calculations on a real-time basis
So, now you can calculate the cost of building your Shopify store if you do it yourself. But what if your Shopify project is complex?
You need to hire a Shopify expert or outsource your online store development project to a professional Shopify development company, which can increase your cost of building your Shopify store.
But then you may ask why do that as it increases your cost?
Let’s look at the reasons you should hire a Shopify expert.
Why Hire a Shopify Expert?
Shopify experts can give your online store a professional touch. Below are some common challenges you can face if you Do It Yourself when it comes to building a Shopify store.
A professional Shopify expert will help you ensure the following:
- Your online store includes customized features and functionality
- It helps you focus on your core business tasks
- Quick troubleshooting and no technical disturbances
- Pages load faster, leading to improved performance
- High-end security in terms of payment collection and customer data protection
- Improved store experience and reduced cart abandonment
Hence, hiring Shopify experts is important. Now, let's move on to the cost of hiring Shopify developers based on experience, location, and hiring models.
Cost of Hiring Shopify Developers Based on Experience
| Junior Shopify Developer (<2 years experience) | $75-$100 Per Hour |
| Intermediate Shopify Developer (2-5 years experience) | $100 - $150 per hour |
| Senior Shopify Developer > 5 years experience) | $150 - $200 per hour |
These are the hourly rates charged by Shopify developers in US. The hourly shopify developer rates can vary depending on their geographic location. Let’s have a look at cost of hiring Shopify developers based on location.
Cost of Hiring Shopify Developers Based on Location
| US and Canada | $50 - $150/hour |
| Western Europe | $40 - $90/hour |
| Eastern Europe | $30 - $65/hour |
| Asia | $20 - $45/hour |
| Africa | $25 - $50/hour |
| Latin America | $35 - $70/hour |
Basically, the cost of hiring Shopify developers from Asian countries can prove to be lower than Shopify developers in USA and Europe. Let’s elaborate on this further and have a look at the cost of hiring Shopify developers from major Asian countries.
| India | $15 - $100/hour |
| Bangladesh | $8 - $50/hour |
| Pakistan | $5 - $50/hour |
| China | $20 - $45/hour |
Although hiring Shopify developers in Pakistan can be cheaper than in other Asian countries, businesses still prefer hiring top Shopify developers in India due to the large pool of talent available and cost-effectiveness. When hiring Shopify developers, price shouldn’t always be considered. Quality that meets global standards matters a lot. Therefore, it is important to consider hiring the top Shopify development company or developers who offer excellent technical expertise and prompt services at cost-effective prices.
Besides location, the cost of hiring Shopify development services can vary depending on your hiring model. Let’s examine different hiring models you are likely to consider based on your project challenges, resources, and budget.
Hiring Models: In-house Developers, Freelancers, Professional Agency
Basically, there are three major hiring models that companies follow - hiring in-house Shopify developers, delegating the Shopify development project to Freelancers or a professional agency.
Let’s start by describing the cost of hiring in-house Shopify developers.
Cost of Hiring In-House Shopify Developers
If you are planning to hire in-house Shopify developers, the cost of your project will depend on their salaries. Here, we have listed the Annual salaries of Shopify developers in different countries.
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in the US
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | $40,000 - $60,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | $60,000 - $80,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | $90,000 - $120,000 per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in the United Kingdom
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | £25,000 to £35,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | £35,000 to £50,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | £50,000 to £70,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in Canada
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | CAD 50,000 to CAD 70,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | CAD 70,000 to CAD 100,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | CAD 100,000 to CAD 140,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in Australia
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | AUD 55,000 to AUD 75,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | AUD 75,000 to AUD 110,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | AUD 110,000 to AUD 150,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in Germany
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | €40,000 to €55,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | €55,000 to €80,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | €80,000 to €110,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in India
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | ₹3,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | ₹6,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | ₹12,00,000 to ₹20,00,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in Japan
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | ¥3,500,000 to ¥5,000,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | ¥5,000,000 to ¥8,000,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | ¥8,000,000 to ¥12,000,000+ per year |
Annual Salary of Shopify Developers in Bangladesh
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | BDT 300,000 to BDT 600,000 per year |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | BDT 600,000 to BDT 1,200,000 per year |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | BDT 1,200,000 to BDT 2,500,000+ per year |
Now, moving on further to different hiring models, what if you need to outsource Shopify development services? You need to make a decision whether you want to outsource your Shopify project to freelancers or a professional Shopify development company.
Let’s compare the cost of outsourcing Shopify projects to professional companies and freelancers.
Cost of Outsourcing Shopify Projects to Freelancers V/S. Professional Agency
| Experience Level | Freelancer | Professional Agency |
| Entry-Level Shopify Developer | $20-$40 Per Hour | $50-$100 Per Hour |
| Mid-Level Shopify Developer | $40-$80 Per Hour | $100-$150 Per Hour |
| Senior-Level Shopify Developer | $80-$150 Per Hour | $150-$250+ Per Hour |
Shopify development companies and freelancers also offer project-based rates, as mentioned below:
Shopify Website Cost Based on Project Requirements
| Experience Level | Freelancer | Professional Agency |
| A basic Shopify store setup with minimal features and theme customization | $500–$2,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| A mid-sized Shopify store that requires customized features, app development, integrations, and performance optimization | $2,000–$10,000+ | $5,000–$20,000+ |
| An enterprise-level Shopify store that requires high-end customized features & design, SEO, marketing automation, and ongoing support | $10,000–$25,000+ One Time Charge + $500–$2,000 Per Month for Ongoing Support | $10,000–$50,000+ One Time Charge + $1500–$3,000 Per Month for Ongoing Support |
These hourly costs and project-based costs can vary depending on the location of freelancers and professional agencies to which you outsource your project. Hiring professional agencies or freelancers totally depends on your project requirements and budget. Both options have their own pros and cons. Hiring a freelancer can save you costs, but a professional Shopify company can give you a hassle-free experience and quality results.
When project requirements are low, and the budget is constraint, hiring a freelancer Shopify developer can be the best option. On the contrary, if you need to build a larger Shopify store with complex feature requirements, it would be a smart decision to outsource Shopify development services.
Assuming that you have hired a professional Shopify development company, let’s calculate the total estimated cost of building a Shopify website after considering all the different types of costs discussed above.
Calculate Shopify Website Cost
The cost of building a Shopify website varies depending on the business size and features required in the online store. Some examples of calculating Shopify website development costs are mentioned below.
Estimated Cost of Building a Small Shopify Store
| Shopify Subscription Cost | $29 Per Month (Basic Plan) |
| Transaction Fees | $29 Per Month (Assuming $1000 Sales in a Month) |
| Theme Cost | Free or Can Use a Paid Theme that Costs a Minimum $180 (One-Time) |
| Shipping Cost | $29.99 Per Month (Not More Than 500 Shippings in a Month) |
| Development Cost | Approximately $1500-$3000 |
Estimated Cost of Building a Mid-Sized Shopify Store
| Shopify Subscription Cost | $79 Per Month (Shopify Plan) |
| Transaction Fees | $182 Per Month (Assuming $7000 Sales in a Month) |
| Theme Cost | A theme that costs Minimum $200 (One-Time) |
| Shipping Cost | $69.99 Per Month (Not More Than 3000 Shippings in a Month) |
| Development Cost | Approximately $3000-$7000 |
Estimated Cost of Building a Large-Sized Shopify Store
| Shopify Subscription Cost | $299 Per Month (Shopify Plan) |
| Transaction Fees | $260 Per Month (Assuming $10000 Sales in a Month) |
| Theme Cost | Custom Theme (Cost Depends on Theme Development Service Provider) |
| Shipping Cost | $159.99 Per Month (Not More Than 10,000 Shippings in a Month) |
| Development Cost | Approximately $8000-$15000 |
Besides these costs, there are some additional costs related to your Shopify store that you need to consider; let’s have a look at them.
Additional Costs Required to Build a Shopify Store
Domain Name Registration: Your Shopify store would require domain name registration, which can cost you approximately $10-$20 per year.
SEO & Digital Marketing: Hiring SEO and digital marketing experts becomes mandatory if you are facing fierce competition. SEO services can cost you around $500-$5000 per month, and paid advertising can cost you approximately $500-$10,000+ per month, depending on the business competition and online marketing strategies you need to implement.
Shopify Store Migration: If you are migrating your online store from any other platform like WooCommerce, Magento, etc., you will have to spend around $1,000–$10,000+ for transferring customer data, product information, and order history.
Compliance and Legal Costs: You may need to ensure your Shopify store complies with legal regulations pertaining to the regions it operates in. Complying with policies may require certain legal consultations, which can cost you around $500-$5000+.
Now, you can calculate the cost of your Shopify project based on your requirements and budget.
But, the key to success in this competitive eCommerce world is minimizing costs and maximizing revenue generation. Therefore, hiring a Shopify developer on a budget without compromising quality becomes essential. Let’s have a look at how to do that.
How can you hire a Shopify Developer within a Predefined Budget without Compromising Quality?
Are you looking for low-cost Shopify development services? Here, we can give you some tips on how to hire a Shopify developer on a low budget without compromising quality.
Set Clear Goals
Getting your Shopify project done within a predefined budget requires setting clear goals regarding project scope and time frame. Be specific about the features and facilities you need in your store, and ensure that you set task-based deadlines. This step can help you gain the most out of the hourly or monthly costs you pay to Shopify developers and save you money.
Search at the Right Places
Use reputable platforms like Goodfirms to find the top Shopify developers worldwide. You can also apply filters and get the list of Shopify developers based on location, expertise, price, and many other factors. You can find several Shopify developers here; check their portfolio and experience to get quality services at a low cost.
Evaluate Technical Skills Carefully
Whether you are hiring in-house Shopify developers or outsourcing your project to a professional Shopify development company, you need to make sure that the experts building your online store are technically sound. You may face delays in your Shopify project completion in case technical skills are lacking in the developers you have hired, and thus, you end up spending beyond your budget.
Ensure Prompt Services
If you have hired a freelance Shopify developer or outsourced your project to a Shopify development company, you must ensure they work in a time zone that is compatible with your working hours. They should also follow professional communication standards, ensuring prompt and quality services. Consistent availability and timely delivery result in saving costs and improved quality.
Choose the Right Pricing Model
Just make sure you choose the right pricing model that is suited to your Shopify web development project. For a well-defined project with specific features and functionality, a fixed price model will be the best, and for projects which are less-defined or require ongoing work, hourly-based pricing is the best. So choose the right pricing model as that can help you save costs.
Look for Quality and Not Cheap
Sometimes cheap proves to be more expensive. Make sure that you choose quality over cheap Shopify development services. Low-quality services can be cheap, but they come with a lot of rework, bugs, and missed sales opportunities, and it ends up costing you more than you expect. So, it becomes important to ensure that you check reviews and portfolios before you hire a Shopify developer for your project, instead of falling for cheap services.
Final Words
Calculating the cost of Shopify store involves many aspects like project requirements, experts’ location, current infrastructure and resources, market conditions, and many more. It's not only about the cost of the Shopify website that matters. It is also about choosing the right Shopify developer.
Selecting the best eCommerce website developers adds great value to your business. They can make your online store look better and work better. A Shopify store that is user-friendly and search engine friendly drives and engages more customers and improves revenue generation. Hence, finding the right partner to help you succeed in the eCommerce world is important. The final goal is to build a unique, user-friendly, and competitive Shopify store that can drive higher returns on investment.
