Quick answer: The cost of a Shopify store ranges from very little (a basic DIY store running on a standard plan with a free theme) to thousands of dollars (custom design, development and marketing). The honest way to budget is to split costs into platform fees, design, setup work, apps, and marketing, then decide which ones you'll do yourself.
We won't quote Shopify's plan prices here because they change. Check Shopify's pricing page for current numbers. What we can do is show you the other costs people forget.
1. Platform fees
- Shopify plan: a monthly or annual subscription. Higher plans offer lower payment rates and more features.
- Payment processing: a percentage plus a fixed fee on each transaction. This applies on every plan.
- Domain name: typically a modest annual fee.
2. Theme and design
- Free Shopify themes: a good start for many stores.
- Paid themes: a one-time fee for more features and styling.
- Customization: adjusting layouts, colors and sections. If you hire someone, this can be a few hours or several days of work.
- Logo and branding: from DIY to a professional identity kit.
3. Store setup work
This is the time cost most people underestimate:
- Adding products: titles, descriptions, images, variants, prices and inventory. Even 50 products can take days.
- Creating collections and navigation.
- Setting up shipping, taxes and payment providers.
- Writing policy pages and the About page.
- Connecting email, analytics and your domain.
You can do it yourself, or pay for a setup service. Our new store design and setup, product upload and brand identity kit are fixed-price and start from modest amounts, with larger packages for bigger catalogs and more custom work.
4. Apps
Many apps have free plans, and many charge a monthly fee. Common categories: reviews, email marketing, subscriptions, upsells, loyalty and shipping labels. A sensible rule is to start with the minimum and add apps only when a clear need appears. Each app also affects speed. See our app audit guide.
5. Content and photography
- Product photos: DIY with a phone (see our guide) or a professional shoot.
- Copywriting: writing it yourself costs time; hiring costs money.
- Blog content: an ongoing investment that pays off over months.
6. Marketing
This is usually the biggest long-term cost. Paid ads, influencer partnerships, email and SEO all need time or money. Don't assume a store brings customers by itself. Budget for acquiring them.
7. Inventory, shipping and operations
- The cost of the products or materials themselves.
- Packaging and shipping supplies.
- Postage or a fulfillment partner.
- Returns and customer service time.
- Taxes and accounting. See sales tax basics.
Three example budgets (illustrative)
- Lean DIY: platform plan, free theme, a handful of free-plan apps, phone photos. Your main cost is time.
- Guided launch: the above plus professional setup help, a brand kit and polished product copy so you launch with fewer mistakes.
- Growth-ready: a customized theme, strong product content, email flows, tracking and ongoing support.
Where people overspend (and underspend)
- Overspend: paying for ten apps they don't use, a complicated custom theme before they have customers.
- Underspend: product photos, product descriptions and trust basics (policies, contact details). These directly affect sales. See building trust.
How to budget
- List what you need to launch: products, design, policies, payments, shipping.
- Decide what you'll do yourself and what you'll outsource.
- Add a monthly line for apps and marketing.
- Keep a cushion for surprises.
Want a written price?
Tell us about your store and we'll respond with a written scope and fixed price, so you know the cost before we start. Request a quote. If you're moving from another platform, see what drives migration costs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main costs of a Shopify store?
Platform plan and payment fees, a domain, theme and design, setup work, apps, product content and photography, and marketing.
Can I build a Shopify store for almost nothing?
Yes, if you do the work yourself with a free theme and few apps, though your time is the cost.
Where do beginners usually overspend?
On many unnecessary apps and complex custom design before they have customers.
What should I never skimp on?
Product photos, product descriptions and trust basics like policies and contact details, because they directly affect sales.
Related services
- New Shopify Store Design & Setup โ a new store designed, set up and ready to sell
- Shopify Product Upload & Catalog Management โ clean, consistent bulk product uploads
- Shopify Logo & Brand Identity Kit โ a logo, palette and font pairing applied to your store
