How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shopify Store in 2024?

How much does it cost to build a Shopify store in 2024? It’s a question on the mind of every new e-commerce entrepreneur looking to make their mark. With Shopify’s reputation as a leading website builder for online stores, the appeal is clear, but what’s the real cost behind getting your store up and running? 

From essential startup fees to custom design options, understanding the Shopify website builder cost can help you budget smartly and avoid any surprise expenses. In this blog, we’ll break down the key factors that impact pricing so you can confidently plan your Shopify store journey, making 2024 your year to go live online.

Overview of Shopify Pricing Plans:

Basic Shopify Plan – $19 Per Month:

The Basic Shopify Plan is an excellent choice for startups or those creating a Shopify store for small businesses. Priced affordably, it provides the essentials to get your online store up and running without overwhelming costs. Here’s what’s included:

Key Features:

• • • • • Online store with unlimited product listings.
        • Access to basic sales and customer support tools.
        • Two staff accounts for easy team collaboration.
        • Standard reporting and analytics tools for tracking growth.
        • Basic customization options and access to Shopify’s app store for additional features.

Who It’s Best For? This plan is ideal for small businesses or individuals looking to establish their first e-commerce presence. It covers all the core functions needed to launch a simple, straightforward store without requiring high upfront investments.

Shopify Plan – $49 Per Month:

The Shopify Plan is a middle-ground option, great for growing businesses looking for a balance between features and pricing. This plan builds on the Basic Plan, adding more advanced options to help manage an expanding business.

Key Features:

• • • • • All the benefits of the Basic Plan
        • Advanced reporting tools for deeper sales insights
        • Five staff accounts, allowing a larger team to collaborate
        • Discount codes and promotional tools to enhance marketing
        • Enhanced shipping discounts, which are helpful for managing higher volumes

Who It’s Best For? This plan suits businesses ready to scale up, whether you’re managing an existing e-commerce business or expanding a small business to include more features. The Shopify website builder cost in this tier is justified by its added capabilities, especially for teams requiring more collaboration tools and analytical insights.

Advanced Shopify Plan – $299 Per Month:

The Advanced Shopify Plan is designed for businesses looking to optimize their operations with advanced reporting, customizations, and better shipping solutions. This is the top-tier option for stores handling significant sales volumes.

Key Features:

• • • • • Full suite of professional reporting and analytics tools, including custom reports
        • Fifteen staff accounts, supporting larger teams
        • Third-party calculated shipping rates, perfect for businesses with complex logistics
        • Advanced discounts and promotional capabilities
        • Lower transaction fees compared to lower plans

Who It’s Best For? This plan is ideal for well-established businesses or enterprises looking for comprehensive e-commerce solutions and detailed reporting. For larger businesses, the cost to build a Shopify store in 2024 at this level can be seen as an investment in detailed analytics and seamless management of high-order volumes.

Additional Costs to Consider:

Domain Name Registration:

Domain name registration is typically around $15 to $20 annually, though prices vary based on the registrar and any additional services. Shopify’s own domain registration typically starts at about $15 per year. However, some premium domain names or specific top-level domains (.shop, .store, etc.) may be more expensive, sometimes reaching $80 or more annually. This cost is recurring and essential for any business aiming for a professional online presence.

Theme and Design Expenses:

Shopify offers a variety of free themes, but for a more customized look, premium themes are available and cost between $100 and $350 as a one-time purchase. This expense is non-recurring unless a different premium theme is selected in the future. 

For businesses needing more advanced customization, hiring a designer or a Shopify expert for tailored branding can range from $500 for minor tweaks to $20,000 for full, custom designs by professional development agencies. Opting for a custom design allows for more brand-specific visuals, which can significantly impact user experience and conversions.

App Integrations:

The Shopify App Store has thousands of add-ons, some of which are free, while others range from $5 to $50 per month for common functionalities like email marketing, SEO, or enhanced product galleries. More advanced or custom app integrations, such as private apps, may involve one-time development fees that start around $1,000 and can go up to $5,000 or more, depending on the developer’s expertise and the complexity of the app’s requirements.

These costs add up to the ongoing monthly fees for Shopify’s plans:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Basic Shopify Plan: $19/month
                                    • Shopify Plan: $149/month
                                    • Advanced Shopify: $299/month
                                    • Plus Shopify: $299/month

With these additional costs, users can more accurately gauge the total “Shopify website cost per month” or “Shopify website development cost per month,” which may vary depending on the chosen plan and number of integrations or customizations required.

Optional Expenses for Enhanced Functionality:

Marketing and Advertising Costs:

Here’s a breakdown of typical marketing and advertising costs for a Shopify store, which vary based on campaign goals, target audience, and platform.

Social Media Advertising:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Facebook & Instagram Ads: $50 – $500/month for small businesses; higher budgets can exceed $1,000/month, depending on reach and frequency.
                                      • • Google Ads: Ranges from $200 – $1,000/month for competitive keywords in e-commerce.

Email Marketing Tools:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Basic Plans (e.g., Shopify Email): Free up to a certain email limit, typically around $10/month for small lists.
                                      • • Advanced Options (e.g., Klaviyo): From $20 to $100/month depending on subscriber numbers and email volume.

Influencer Marketing:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Micro-influencers may cost $50 – $500 per post, while established influencers can charge from $1,000 to several thousand dollars per post based on their follower count and engagement rate.

Content Marketing:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Blog writing, SEO content, and product descriptions generally range between $100 – $500 per month if outsourced, with costs varying based on the frequency and quality of content.

App Integrations for Marketing:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Shopify offers various app options like SEO and analytics tools, generally costing between $5 – $50/month per app to enhance marketing insights and improve targeting.

Payment Gateway Fees:

Shopify’s payment gateway, Shopify Payments, is the default for most stores, and it incurs no additional monthly fee but does include transaction fees. The standard rates are:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction
                                      • • Shopify Plan: 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction
                                      • • Advanced Shopify Plan: 2.4% + 30 cents per transaction

For those not using Shopify Payments, third-party payment providers are available but often include additional fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% of each transaction. These payment gateway fees, in combination with Shopify’s monthly plans, contribute to the Shopify website development cost per month, making it essential for businesses to consider them when budgeting.

Cost Breakdown Example:

Here’s an estimated cost breakdown example for building and maintaining a Shopify store for small, mid-sized, and large businesses. These estimates provide an overview of upfront and monthly costs based on typical business needs.

Notes:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1. Small Businesses typically have limited budgets, favoring Shopify’s Basic plan and low-cost marketing options.
                                        2. Mid-Sized Businesses require more robust marketing and app integrations for growth, so the Shopify Plan offers better scalability.
                                        3. Large-Scale Businesses benefit from custom themes and higher-end plans, making the Advanced Shopify plan ideal.

Conclusion: 

Cost to build a Shopify store in 2024 can vary significantly depending on the size of your business, the level of customization, and optional expenses like marketing and third-party app integrations. While the Shopify website builder cost is relatively affordable with a range of plans to fit different budgets, additional costs such as themes, domains, and advertising should be factored in to avoid surprises. 

Shopify offers great flexibility, allowing businesses to scale as they grow and adapt their stores to unique branding and operational needs. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand, careful budgeting and understanding these cost elements will ensure your Shopify journey aligns with your business goals.

FAQS About Shopify Website Costing 

Are there free themes available on Shopify?

Yes, Shopify offers a selection of free themes that cater to various styles and business needs.

Is there a trial period for Shopify?

Yes, Shopify typically offers a 3-day free trial, letting you explore its features before committing to a plan.

How much does shopify cost in 2024? 

Shopify plans range from $19/month for the Basic plan to $299/month for the Advanced plan. Additional app costs may apply based on your business needs.

How can I reduce my Shopify store costs?

You can cut costs by using free themes, limiting paid apps, and optimizing ad spend.