How Much Does Shopify Web Development Cost?

Introduction

Shopify is a fully hosted platform to build your eCommerce store and sell your products and services. It is secure, fast, extensible, and easy to manage. With Shopify being the choice of millions of eCommerce brands, choosing this platform for your store is a no-brainer. The first step would be to decide the features and functionalities you require for your next. The next step would be to Hire a Shopify Developer and get started with your project. 

Now, if you are planning for a Shopify eCommerce store then the biggest question that arises is what is the approximate Shopify web development cost? Well, there is no fixed answer to that. The cost will depend on several factors, including your chosen development company. So let’ look at Shopify web development cost.

Factors that Affect Shopify Web Development Cost

The final cost of Shopify web development will depend on multiple factors. You can opt for a primary store or something more advanced. Here are some of the factors that affect the Shopify website development cost:

1. Shopify Subscription Plan

Shopify has three subscription plans: Shopify Basic, which starts at $29 per month with an additional 2.9% + 30 per transaction; Shopify Standard, which starts at $79 per month with an extra 2.6% + 30 per transaction; and Advanced Shopify which costs $299 per month with an additional 2.4% + 30 per transaction.

2. Website Complexity

A big Shopify store with multiple advanced features and dozens of pages will be more expensive than a simple, small one. If you are willing to develop a small store with basic functionality, customization, and essential features can cost around $1,500-$2,000. A fully customized large Shopify store that integrates complex features and functionality, unique style, and high-quality visuals can cost around $7,000-$35,000.

3. Custom Design and Shopify Theme

If you want to create a unique brand value, a custom design is all you need. A large custom Shopify store with user-friendly navigation, high-quality visuals, and advanced features will cost you more. It can cost you around $7,000 to $35,000. 

Also, if you don’t like the idea of free Shopify themes and want to deliver more to your customers, opt for a custom Shopify theme. Custom themes are flexible and unique, which allows them to grow with your business. These custom Shopify themes can cost you around $150-$350.

4. Functionality and Features

If you opt for basic features and functionality, it will cost you. However, if you want to add more security and advanced features, it can cost you around $400-$10000 or even more.

Shopify Website Development Average Costs Breakdown

If you plan to develop a Shopify store, consider the price factor. The overall cost of Shopify web development plans ultimately depends on the features, functionality, plugins, etc that you choose. Here is a breakdown of the average Shopify Web Development cost:

Features	Cost
Shopify Starter Plan	$5 per month
Basic Shopify Plan	$29 per month
Standard Shopify Plan	$79 per month
Advanced Shopify Plan	$299 per month
Shopify Plus	$2000 per month
Shopify Transaction Fee	1%-5% per transaction, depending on your Shopify plan
Shopify Credit Card Charges	2.4%-2.9% + 30¢USD per online transaction, depending on the Shopify plan
Shopify Theme Cost	It can go up to $400, depending on the customization
Domain Name	Depending on the domain and several other factors, it can cost around $12-$85.
Shopify Apps	It can cost around $20 to $80 on average and can go up to $400 or even more
Shopify POS Payments	The premium version is available for $89
Developer’s Fee	It can cost $25 to $55 per hour or even more
Size of the project	It can cost around $1500 to $35,000, depending on the project size
Themes	$150-$400 depending on the customization
Shopify Development costs	$2000 to $7000 or even more

Pricing Breakdown for Shopify Website Development Cost

From small to large businesses, Shopify now powers over 4.3 million websites. Shopify is an excellent option to build a robust store to sell your products and services. Now the point is knowing what is the actual cost to hire a Shopify expert? The Shopify development cost depends on various factors, some of which are listed below:

1. Shopify Plan

There are primarily three Shopify plans that businesses can choose from, namely:

• Shopify Basic Plan
• Shopify Standard Plan
• Advanced Shopify Plan

Shopify Basic Plan

A basic Shopify plan costs around $29 per month and delivers you with an eCommerce blog and store. You can sell unlimited products and create two business staff accounts. If you are a newly established or small business, this basic plan can be an affordable way to get a robust, fully functional online store.

Shopify Standard Plan

In this plan, you can create up to 5 business staff accounts. Suppose you are planning to expand your business operations or need additional features not available in the Shopify Basic plan. In that case, the Shopify Standard plan is ideal. It can cost you around $79 per month.

Advanced Shopify Plan

This is the most expensive Shopify plan, costing around $299 monthly. Large businesses with great scalability scope usually use this Shopify plan. It provides advanced features for high in-store traffic, better user experience, and improved store functionality. If you want to boost your eCommerce store maintenance, then the Advanced Shopify plan is ideal.

2. Domain and Hosting Cost

Opting for a distinctive domain name is essential to boost your brand’s visibility and its products. When your store has a unique domain name, it also ensures better brand exposure and authority, which is essential if you want to improve the reach of your online business. Depending on the type of domain you decide to go for, it can cost you around $11 to $81 per year. The ultimate price will be based on your top-level domain extension.

3. Shopify Custom Theme

The look and feel of your eCommerce store are essential elements boosting conversion rates. You can see your website traffic reach heights when you have a visually appealing website theme. You can customize almost every aspect of your Shopify theme, from colors to layouts to designs. Even though free articles are available, the paid, personalized pieces are ideal if you want to deliver something unique to your users. 

Paid, customized themes can cost you around $150 to $400 or even more, depending on your customization requirement.

4. Additional App Integration Cost

Like any other eCommerce platform, Shopify can’t always meet all the unique needs of business owners. This is where apps and add-ons make it easier for Shopify developers and business owners. 

If you want to improve the functionality of your online store, you need additional applications and add-ons. Shopify recognized this need and developed an extensive range of Shopify apps that allow you to drive more visitors and convert them into paying customers. The cost of Shopify paid apps ranges from $9-$350 or even more, depending on your app integration needs.

5. Maintenance and Support

It would help if you had end-to-end support for your Shopify store to ensure complete functionality, security, and access to your customers. Developers will constantly scan and test your store for errors and bugs to ensure optimum performance. The Shopify maintenance and support can cost you around $500 to $2000, depending on the complexity and size of your Shopify store. 

Besides the factors mentioned above, you should also consider the cost of hiring a Shopify expert when calculating the overall cost. Hiring a Shopify developer can cost you around $25 to $95 per hour or even more, depending on the experience of the developer, the location of the developer, and your development needs.

6. Shopify Developer Cost

Freelancers:

• Cost – Freelancers tend to charge $30-100 per hour on average, making them very affordable for small projects
• Flexibility – You can easily switch freelancers at any time if needs change
• Limits – Individual freelancers may lack specialized skills or robust development processes

Agencies:

• Cost – Agencies charge $100-250+ per hour on average given their overhead
• Expertise – Agencies have access to diverse talent pools and specialized experts
• Support – Agencies provide full-service support from strategy through post-launch
• Process – Established and repeatable design, dev and testing processes

The tradeoff is lower costs versus more expertise/support with agencies. Smaller shops may lean towards freelancers, while major undertakings warrant an agency.

Location Differences:

• North America – $100-150 per hour average, high talent pool
• Western Europe – $80-130 per hour, strong development talent
• Eastern Europe – $30-90 per hour, growing tech talent and expertise
• India – $15-50 per hour, high potential but language barriers exist
• Latin America – $20-70 per hour, emerging market with web talent

Tips for Cost Optimization

• Clearly Define Requirements Early On
• Prioritize “Must-Have” vs “Nice-to-Have”
• Choose the Right Developer Level
• Consider Phased Project Timelines
• Incorporate 3rd Party Apps & Themes
• Allow Time for Testing and Revisions
• Focus on Maintainability

Conclusion

Shopify offers excellent value for your investment compared to several other eCommerce platforms. It is highly convenient for first-time online store owners as well. However, there is no fixed Shopify Store Development Cost. It depends on many factors, including the Shopify subscription plan, size and complexity of the project, features, functionality, additional app integrations, customization, domain name, developer fees, etc. 

The Shopify Basic plan can be a good idea for starting your online store. As your business grows, you can talk to your Shopify developer and upgrade your existing Shopify Development Service. You can slowly upgrade to the Shopify Standard or Advance plan as your business scales makes international sales, or needs advanced reports. You can choose the features and functionalities as per your business needs. 

As the best eCommerce development company, we can develop a robust Shopify store that meets all your needs at cost-effective prices. Contact us to get started with your Shopify project today.