The cost of an eCommerce website varies depending on several factors, including design, features, functionality, and the size and nature of your business. Understanding the costs of building and maintaining such a platform will help you make informed decisions as you expand your digital presence.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key considerations before building an eCommerce website, break down the costs of various elements, and provide tips on managing your expenses effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The cost of creating, launching, and maintaining an eCommerce website depends on many different factors, such as functionality, inventory size, advanced features, etc.
- Domain registration and website hosting are crucial for establishing a memorable and consistent online presence.
- SEO, content marketing, and website maintenance are long-running costs that ensure business sustainability and growth.
Table of Contents
eCommerce Website Cost Breakdown
eCommerce website development cost can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Whether you’re launching a small online store for your startup or a large marketplace with thousands of inventory items, here’s a breakdown of the key expenses you should consider:
- Domain name
- Web hosting
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate
- Payment processing
- Web development
- Search engine optimization
- Content marketing
- Ongoing maintenance
1. Domain Name: $10 to $20/Year
Your website’s domain name serves as your brand’s identity online. A top-level domain name (TLD) ending in “.com” will go a long way in establishing and maintaining credibility and trust for your customers.
Here are the prices from some of the most popular domain name providers for eCommerce in 2025:
| Provider | .com | .org | .store |
| Namecheap | $10.28 for the first year, $15.88/year upon renewal | $7.48 for the first year, $14.98/year upon renewal | $0.98 for the first year, $35.48/year upon renewal |
| GoDaddy | $0.01 for the first three years, $21.99/year upon renewal | $9.99 for the first year, $22.99/year upon renewal | $0.99 for the first year, $79.99/year upon renewal |
| Shopify | $15/year | $17/year | $9/year |
If your desired domain name is not available, you might be able to buy it from a private seller or through an auction, but that will be more expensive.
2. Web Hosting: $3 to $400/Month
The cost of an eCommerce website is also influenced by its hosting plan. After registering your domain name, the next step is to choose a web hosting solution.
Here are the four main types of hosting:
- Shared hosting: The most affordable option, but your site will share server space with many other websites.
- Virtual private server (VPS) hosting: Your site shares a server with others, but you're allocated a definite percentage of resources. It offers a better performance than shared hosting.
- Dedicated hosting: You get an entire server dedicated to your site. This is ideal for large eCommerce sites with substantial traffic, though it tends to be the most expensive option.
- Cloud hosting: This operates across multiple interconnected servers, providing better load balancing and handling traffic spikes efficiently.
You can also self-host your eCommerce shop, but it comes with significantly higher costs and requires your own dedicated hardware.
Below are the prices from the most popular web hosting providers in 2025. Note that most hosting plans offer base prices for the first 24 to 48 months and are renewed at higher costs after the initial signup period.
| Provider | Shared hosting | VPS hosting | Dedicated hosting | Cloud hosting |
| Bluehost | $2.95 to $13.95/month | $46.99 to $94.99/month | $141.19 to $312.19/month | $29.99 to $109.99/month |
| Hostinger | $2.99 to $7.99/month | $4.99 to $19.99/month | NA | $7.99 to $29.99/month |
| HostGator | $2.75 to $5.25/month | $53.99 to $128.99/month | $188.79 to $391.19/month | NA |
| DreamHost | $2.59 to $3.95/month | $10 to $60/month | Starts at $165/month | Usage-based billing |
| A2 Hosting | $1.95 to $13.95/month | $2.99 to $45.95/month | $199.99 to $535.99/month | NA |
3. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate: Free to Over $2,000/Year
An SSL certificate can cost up to $2,000 per year, depending on the level of security you require for your website and the subscription plan you choose.
An SSL certificate is mandatory for any website because it:
- Ensures that data sent from your server to visitors and shoppers remains encrypted
- Makes your website appear secure to search engine algorithms, which can positively impact your rankings
- Reduces the bounce rate by providing website visitors with a sense of security
Basic SSL certificates are often included with hosting plans, while premium options provide higher levels of security and cost more.
4. Payment Processing: Starts at 2.9% + $0.30 per Transaction
Most payment processors charge fixed fees per transaction. These costs can pile up quickly and vary depending on the payment gateways used for checkout, then accepted currencies, and the regions where you sell.
Here is a sample breakdown of merchant fees from top payment processors for eCommerce:
- PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + $0.49 fixed fee for transactions in USD
- Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction
- Authorize.net: 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction
- Square: starts at 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions
Transactions may also incur bank fees, conversion fees, and other costs, depending on the payment method chosen by shoppers. Factor these expenses into your product pricing to avoid losing out on profits.
5. Web Development: $3,000 to $20,000
One of the biggest differentiating factors influencing the cost of an eCommerce website is web design. You can choose a do-it-yourself solution and use one of many popular drag-and-drop website builders like Wix or Squarespace. However, for a professional, secure, and optimized eCommerce solution, it is best to hire a professional web designer.
The cost of hiring a web designer or agency varies wildly, with some individual contractors charging as little as $15 per hour while specialized agencies up to $200 per hour. The more unique and complex your website’s elements, the higher the costs will be. If you’d like to learn more, we’ve covered web design costs in detail.
Additionally, there are two general types of web design and development to consider:
5.1. Front-end Development
An eCommerce website’s front end involves designing and coding visual elements that visitors will see upfront (structure, style, interactive features, etc.). Creating a bespoke eCommerce interface costs around $3,000 to $10,000 or higher. The technologies used (e.g., JavaScript, React, Angular, or Vue), will significantly impact the price.
Professional web developers use the latest technology and best practices, ensuring a high-quality and secure online storefront that is easy to navigate and loads quickly.
5.2. Back-end Development
Back-end refers to the part of the website that is not visible to end-users. Front-end developers collaborate closely with back-end teams to integrate crucial eCommerce functionalities such as shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory systems.
Back-end development takes a lot of effort and time to complete and can be quite expensive, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
The quality of the back-end is critical, as it affects database management, security protocols, app integrations, and user requests. Given its importance, it’s best left to the professionals.
6. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): $150 to $5,000/Month
Investing in eCommerce SEO will strengthen your site’s online visibility and position in search engine result pages (SERPs). Without effective SEO, all your efforts will be wasted, as people will not be able to find your store
Good SEO performance leads to:
- Increased organic traffic
- Higher conversion rates
- Better brand awareness
- Better lead generation
- Improved credibility and competitive advantage
- Long-term return on investment (ROI)
On average, businesses pay between $1,500 and $5,000 a month for SEO services. Your expenses will depend on the size of your business, project scope, pricing model, and what you want to achieve. If you are running a small startup targeting only local customers, you can pay as little as $150 per month.
7. Content Marketing: $50 per Content Piece to $200/Hour
Regularly posting engaging and valuable content on your site, like articles, trivia, insights, and tutorials, will help convert casual shoppers into paying customers. A robust eCommerce content marketing strategy can help with the following:
- Enhanced brand authority
- Increased customer engagement
- Higher conversion rates
- Better lead generation
- Stronger customer loyalty
- More cross-selling and up-selling opportunities
- Sustainable ROI
You can commission individual content pieces for as low as $50. You can also hire content marketing agencies to develop an eCommerce content strategy that attracts, engages, and converts — their hourly rates go up to $200/hour.
8. Ongoing Maintenance: $600 to $12,000/Year
eCommerce website maintenance is essential to ensure smooth operations, optimal performance, and data security. An efficient website leads to happy customers, more sales, and long-term success. Key aspects of eCommerce site maintenance include:
- Security updates
- Performance monitoring
- Backup management
- Tech support and bug fixes
- Compliance updates
These should be taken care of throughout the entire lifetime of your website. Costs are based on the time spent on emerging issues and audits by software engineers and IT teams on maintenance. Fees can range from $600 to $12,000 each year.
4 Considerations Before Creating an Online Store
eCommerce website costs are an essential part of the decision-making process for your business. Your choices should meet your business needs and power your long-term success. These are the top factors to consider when calculating eCommerce website prices:
1. Type of Online Shop
Answer the following questions to determine your type of online shop and better position your eCommerce site for success:
- Will you sell to individual consumers (B2C) or other businesses (B2B)?
- What specific features and functionalities would you like to integrate into your eCommerce website?
- What are the shopping preferences of your target audience?
- Do you want your business to grow exponentially in the next few years?
- Do you need your web pages to be available in multiple languages?
- Are you selling wholesale or retail?
2. Product or Service Offers
Next, clearly define your products or services. For example, you may already have a physical storefront and want to expand your reach via an eCommerce website. If that’s the case, you can offer customers the option to purchase online and pick up the items in-store.
Regardless of your delivery method, you need robust inventory and logistics management systems for your store.
If you’re providing services, you must answer the following questions:
- What type of services will you offer?
- What are your service fees?
- Will your website be the main channel for booking these services?
- What are the payment methods?
3. Budget Allocation
Set a budget for eCommerce website building and maintenance processes before signing up for a domain, hosting, or web development plan. While it can be easy to get sidetracked by the customization and other design features, you should focus on the essentials:
- The features needed for quick order fulfillment (inventory and supply chain management, operations and administration)
- Add-ons to guarantee a seamless buying experience for your customers (advanced search, one-click payments)
- Excellent site interface and easy navigation system
4. Shipping Options
Here are the considerations when setting up delivery and logistics for your eCommerce store:
- Carrier selection: Choose reliable carriers based on your product offerings, target area, and budget. Compare delivery times, tracking, and insurance. Expedited shipping options and free shipping can lead to more conversions.
- Shipping costs: Determine whether to offer flat rates or real-time shipping quotes based on your carrier. Balance affordability for shoppers with maintaining healthy profit margins for your business.
- International shipping: If you cater to a global audience, consider customs expenses, taxes, and delivery times. Choose a carrier that can handle these complexities.
Tips for Managing eCommerce Website Costs
To maximize profitability and ensure long-term sustainability, effectively manage your eCommerce website expenses. Here are some tips to help you:
- Find a host that is appropriately priced for your business type and needs. If you have a very small budget, start with free hosting options and upgrade in the future.
- Consider long-term hosting plans and domain registrations to lock in lower rates.
- Maximize database integration and functionality to give end-users control over personalization.
- Scale your expenses appropriately if you only need a few product pages.
- Leverage free plugins offered by website builders and eCommerce platforms.
- Invest in adequate SEO support to optimize your site and distinguish your enterprise from the competition.
eCommerce Websites Cost Takeaways
eCommerce website price depends on the site’s complexity and functionalities, the size of your inventory, and many other factors. Effectively managing these expenses will help your business stay competitive and ensure a seamless customer experience at an affordable price.
Partner with the top eCommerce development companies with the expertise to craft a development plan and launch your online shop.
eCommerce Websites Cost FAQs
1. How much does it cost to make an eCommerce website?
The expenses for a basic eCommerce site can start at around $1,000, while more complex sites with high-end customizations and extensive inventories may cost upwards of $50,000. Remember, these figures are rough estimates, and actual costs vary depending on your specific needs and the agency or developer you choose.
2. How much does Shopify cost per month?
Shopify’s subscription plans are as follows:
- Basic (for solo entrepreneurs): $39/month (billed monthly) or $29/month (billed yearly)
- Shopify (for small teams): $105/month (billed monthly) or $79/month (billed yearly)
- Advanced: $399/month (billed monthly) or $299/month (billed yearly)
- Plus: starts at $2,300/month on a 3-year term
Shopify also offers these alternative solutions:
- Starter plan: $5/month for a simple online store and selling through social media and messaging apps
- Retail plan: $89/month for in-person selling
- Enterprise commerce: custom pricing
