E-commerce website development is an essential requirement for businesses aiming to reach a broader audience and boost sales. However, building a professional ecommerce store can be a significant investment. The cost of e commerce website varies widely depending on the features, design, and complexity you need. It also depends on the platform you choose to build your store on. Understanding the different elements that contribute to the cost of an e-commerce website will help you plan your budget accordingly and make informed decisions. In this article we will dive deep into the details and help you understand everything.
Key Factors That Affect the Cost of an E-Commerce Website
Open-Source vs. Subscription Based Solutions
One of the first decisions to make when building an e-commerce website is the platform. There are two main types of platforms to choose from:
Open-source platforms: These include popular options like WooCommerce (built on WordPress), Magento, and PrestaShop. These platforms are free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, themes, plugins, and potentially development costs if customization is required.
Subscription: These are subscription-based, such as Shopify, BigCommerce, and Wix. The pricing model usually involves a monthly fee, but the platform is fully hosted, which means less technical hassle for you.
The cost of these platforms can vary greatly:
Open-source platforms generally have lower upfront costs but may require significant investment in design and development.
Proprietary platforms offer more convenience but come with ongoing monthly or annual fees that can add up over time.
User Interface Design and User Experience (UX)
The user interface design of e-commerce websites plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. A well-designed website with a seamless user experience can increase conversions and sales. At Software Ocean we design beautiful websites while keeping the cost of ecommerce website design affordable.
Pre-designed templates: Many platforms offer customizable templates that are affordable or even free. This is a budget-friendly option, but customization options may be limited.
Custom design: A unique design tailored specifically to your brand is often created by professional web designers. This is a bit expensive and costs may range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on complexity and the designer’s rates.
The design cost of ecommerce website will be influenced by factors like the number of product categories, the level of customization, and whether you want a fully responsive design (optimized for mobile and tablet viewing).
Features and Functionalities
The complexity of the features you want to include on your site will significantly impact the cost. Common features for an e-commerce website include:
- Shopping cart functionality
- Product catalog management
- Payment gateway integration
- Customer account management
- Search functionality and filters
- Inventory management
- Shipping and tax calculators
- Email marketing integration
- Customer reviews and ratings
Each of these features requires time and resources to develop, and they may require third-party tools or plugins. For example, integrating a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe often comes with transaction fees, while some advanced features may require custom development by a web developer.
The more features you need, the higher the development costs will be.
E-Commerce Website Development and Customization
E-commerce websites are more complex than basic informational websites. You’ll need developers to build custom features, integrate APIs, or make other technical adjustments to meet your specific business needs. The cost of development can vary based on whether you’re working with freelancers, a software development agency, or using a pre-built solution.
Freelancers: You might pay anywhere from $25 to $150+ per hour, depending on the developer’s expertise and location.
Agencies: If you choose a development agency, expect to pay between $5,000 to $50,000 for a high-quality, fully customized site. Large agencies working with enterprise-level solutions may charge even more. At Software Ocean we offer multiple options to choose. Due to this, you can select the cost of an e-commerce website depending on your requirements.
The development cost will depend on the complexity of the project and the amount of customization you require.
E-Commerce Website Hosting and Domain Name
The website hosting cost is an ongoing expense because you need to renew it every year. The type of hosting you choose (shared, VPS, or dedicated) will influence the cost.
Shared Hosting: Typically, this is the most affordable option, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per month. We host it on our servers and cover all the cost as part of the e-commerce website development plan.
VPS or dedicated hosting: These are more robust and scalable options, suitable for larger businesses, with prices starting around $50 to $100+ per month.
You’ll also need to purchase a domain name, which usually costs around $10 to $50 per year, depending on the domain registrar and the domain’s popularity.
Ongoing Maintenance and Support
After your e-commerce website is live, you’ll need ongoing maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly. This includes software updates, security patches, backups, and performance optimization. You may also need support for troubleshooting technical issues or adding new features.
Maintenance costs can range from $500 to $5,000 per year, depending on the complexity of the website and the level of service you need.
Marketing and SEO
Even the most well-designed and functional e-commerce website won’t succeed if people can’t find it. Investing in digital marketing and SEO (search engine optimization) is crucial for driving traffic to your site.
SEO: Hiring an SEO expert to optimize your website for search engines can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per month, depending on the complexity and competition in your industry.
Digital marketing: Running paid advertising campaigns (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) can add significant costs to your budget. The amount you spend on marketing will depend on your goals, but most businesses allocate at least a few hundred dollars per month for ads.
Additional Costs
There are several other costs to keep in mind:
SSL certificates: An SSL certificate is required for secure transactions and data protection. This can cost $10 to $200 per year.
Third-party integrations: Adding tools for email marketing, CRM systems, analytics, or live chat can incur additional costs, often ranging from $10 to $200+ per month.
Estimated Costs for Building an E-Commerce Website
While the exact cost of an e-commerce website varies based on the factors above, here’s a rough breakdown:
DIY using an e-commerce builder (e.g., Shopify or Wix): $29 to $299 per month for subscription fees, plus $100 to $2,000 for themes, plugins, and domain name costs.
Freelance developer: $3,000 to $15,000, depending on design, features, and customizations.
Agency development: $10,000 to $100,000+ for enterprise-level solutions, custom development, and branding.
The cost of building an e-commerce website can vary significantly based on features you select. You can look at our ecommerce website design price in our store and get your store live. We offer a long list of features and options to choose from. In addition, we also have affordable website development plans for start ups and corporate website development plans. Even if you are looking for a sales management software or a billing software we have this in store.