The cost to set up an eCommerce store can range from as little as $20 per month to over $2,000 per month, with a significant one-time development cost for highly complex builds. For most small to medium-sized businesses, a realistic starting budget is between $50 and $300 per month.
The final price tag is not a single number but a combination of your chosen platform’s fees, design, apps, payment processing, and marketing. Popular platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Wix offer all-in-one solutions, while open-source options like WooCommerce and Magento provide more flexibility at the cost of greater technical involvement.
Key Factors in Platform Selection
Choosing the right platform is the most critical financial decision you’ll make. It sets the foundation for your costs, capabilities, and growth potential. While monthly fees are a major component, you must also evaluate the platform based on how it aligns with your business goals, technical skills, and long-term vision.
- Cost Structure: Look beyond the advertised monthly plan. Consider transaction fees (common on Shopify unless using Shopify Payments), payment gateway costs, and the price of essential apps or extensions.
Shift4Shop (formerly 3DCart) stands out by offering zero transaction fees and a built-in payment gateway on its plans. WooCommerce is “free” but requires paid hosting, a security certificate (SSL), and potentially premium plugins.
- Ease of Use & Time to Launch: If you want to launch quickly without coding, all-in-one platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and BigCommerce are ideal. They handle security, hosting, and updates for you. Open-source platforms like Magento and PrestaShop offer immense power but require developer expertise, significantly increasing initial setup time and cost.
- Scalability & Growth Potential: Your platform must grow with you. Shopify Plus and Salesforce Commerce Cloud are enterprise-grade solutions for large-volume businesses but come with a high cost. BigCommerce is renowned for its strong built-in features that scale well without needing numerous apps. Consider how easily you can add products, enter new markets, and handle traffic spikes.
- Design Flexibility: Your store’s look and feel impact customer trust and conversion. Most platforms, including Wix and Weebly, offer drag-and-drop builders and customizable themes (both free and premium). WooCommerce, being a WordPress plugin, offers nearly limitless design possibilities through thousands of themes and page builders.
- Integrations & Ecosystem: No platform does everything natively. You’ll need integrations for email marketing, accounting, shipping, and CRM. Investigate the available apps in each platform’s marketplace. Shopify boasts the largest app store, while Volusion and others have more curated selections. Ensure your essential tools are available and affordable.
- SEO Capabilities: Your ability to rank on search engines is built into the platform. BigCommerce is often praised for its robust, built-in SEO features. Shopify has improved significantly but often requires apps for advanced SEO control. WooCommerce, powered by WordPress, is also an SEO powerhouse due to plugins like Yoast.
FAQs
What is the cheapest eCommerce platform for a small business?
For those on a tight budget, platforms like Shift4Shop (which has a free plan if you use their payment processor) or a basic WooCommerce setup on affordable hosting can minimize monthly costs, though they may require more hands-on technical management.
Which is better for small businesses, Shopify or Squarespace?
Shopify is universally better for businesses whose primary goal is to sell products, thanks to its superior sales tools, shipping options, and vast app ecosystem. Squarespace is excellent for businesses that prioritize beautiful design and storytelling (e.g., artists, photographers) and have a simpler product catalog.
How much does it cost to build a website on WooCommerce?
While the WooCommerce plugin itself is free, you must budget for WordPress hosting (~$10-$30/month), a premium theme (~$50-$100), an SSL certificate (often included with hosting), and potentially essential premium plugins. A realistic starting cost is ~$300 for the first year, excluding transaction fees.
What are the hidden costs of running an eCommerce store?
Common hidden costs include payment processing fees (2-3% per transaction), monthly app subscriptions for added functionality, email marketing service fees, advertising spend (Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram Ads), and chargebacks.
Is Magento good for a startup eCommerce business?
Typically, no. Magento (now Adobe Commerce) is a powerful enterprise-level solution but is complex, requires dedicated developer resources for setup and maintenance, and has high hosting demands. It is generally not cost-effective for startups and small businesses compared to SaaS options.
Final Thoughts
Setting up an eCommerce store is an investment with a wide range of potential costs. Your best approach is to start by defining your business needs, technical aptitude, and budget. There is no single “best” platform—the right choice is the one that offers the best balance of cost, control, and convenience for your specific situation.
By carefully evaluating your options among leaders like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and others, you can make a smart, informed decision that lays a strong foundation for your online business‘s success. Explore their free trials and demos to find the perfect fit to launch, grow, and scale your venture.