How Much
Does It Cost to Make a Shopify Website in 2026

Launching an online store is an exciting venture for entrepreneurs, but a common question is: “How much does it cost to make a Shopify website?” Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms worldwide, known for its ease of use, scalability, and customizable themes. The Shopify website cost in 2026 typically ranges from $30–$250 upfront for a budget-friendly DIY Shopify store, plus $9–$39 per month for the Shopify subscription plan. For more advanced or professionally developed Shopify stores, including premium themes, essential apps, and custom development, costs can rise to $3,000–$20,000+.

This comprehensive guide covers Shopify development costs, affordable website setup, domain registration, free and paid themes, essential Shopify apps, marketing tips, and step-by-step instructions for building a cost-effective online store for startups and small businesses.

Shopify Subscription Plans: Choosing the Right Plan

Shopify offers several subscription plans to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Choosing the right plan is key to balancing features with cost.

Shopify Lite Plan

• Cost: $9/month
• Allows selling products on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram or on an existing website.
• No full Shopify storefront included.
• Perfect for micro-businesses or side hustles testing the market.

Basic Shopify Plan

• Cost: $39/month
• Ideal for startups launching their first store.
• Includes online store, unlimited products, blog, SSL certificate, discount codes, and 24/7 support.
• Suitable for small businesses looking for a professional store without overspending.

Shopify Standard Plan

• Cost: $105/month
• For growing businesses that require more advanced features.
• Includes professional reports, gift cards, and better shipping discounts.

Advanced Shopify Plan

• Cost: $399/month
• Best for large businesses with complex operations and high sales volume.
• Includes advanced reporting, third-party shipping calculators, and enterprise-level features.

💡 Tip: Most startups can start with Basic Shopify and upgrade later as their business grows.

Domain Name Costs: Affordable Options

A professional domain name is essential for credibility and SEO.

• Shopify Domain: $14–$25/year
• External Registrars: $10–$15/year (GoDaddy, Namecheap)
• Consider first-year discounts, promo codes, and avoid premium domains initially.

A clean, branded domain name builds trust with customers and improves search engine rankings.

Shopify Themes: Free vs Paid

The theme you choose affects design, user experience, and conversion rates.

Free Themes

• Cost: $0
• Examples: Dawn, Debut
• Mobile-responsive and customizable
• Great for startups on a tight budget

Paid Themes

• Cost: $140–$350 (one-time fee)
• Offer advanced customization, professional aesthetics, and pre-built sections
• Usually include better mobile responsiveness, animations, and layouts optimized for conversions

💡 Tip: Start with a free theme. Paid themes can be added later as your revenue grows.

Shopify Apps: Adding Functionality on a Budget

Apps enhance your store but can also add monthly costs.

Free apps: $0/month for basic SEO, email marketing, analytics, and inventory management

Paid apps: $5–$50/month per app

Recommended budget-friendly apps for startups:

• SEO Optimizer: Improves visibility in search engines
• Email Marketing Tools: Free tiers of Klaviyo or Mailchimp
• Social Proof Apps: Boost credibility with reviews and testimonials
• Upselling Apps: Encourage customers to buy more

Only install essential apps initially. Avoid unnecessary apps that add monthly fees.

Development Costs: DIY vs Professional

Custom development can significantly increase costs.

DIY Setup

• Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor allows easy customization without coding
• Customize logo, colors, menus, and product categories
• Cost: $0–$100 using free resources

Freelance Developers

• Cost: $500–$3,000 for a basic Shopify store
• Ideal for small businesses needing a professional design

Development Agencies

• Cost: $3,000–$20,000+
• Best for advanced customizations, app integrations, and unique storefront features

💡 Tip: For budget-conscious startups, DIY setup is sufficient. Hire developers only for features you cannot implement yourself.

Branding and Design Costs

Affordable branding is possible without compromising quality:

• Logo: Free tools like Canva or Hatchful → $0–$50
• Product Images: Free stock photos from Unsplash, Pexels → $0
• Typography & Colors: Use Google Fonts and Adobe Color → $0

Focus on clean, consistent branding rather than expensive designs.

Marketing Costs for Budget Stores

Marketing is essential for traffic and sales but can be affordable.

• Social Media Ads: $20–$100/month to start small campaigns
• Email Marketing: Free tiers of Mailchimp or Klaviyo → $0–$20/month
• SEO Tools: Free tools like Google Search Console, Ubersuggest → $0

💡 Tip: Begin with organic marketing and free tools. Paid campaigns can scale with revenue.

Shipping and Payment Costs

Consider transaction fees and shipping:

• Shopify Payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (Basic plan)
• Third-party Payment Gateways: Additional 2% fee if not using Shopify Payments
• Shipping Costs: Variable depending on carrier; Shopify supports flat-rate, calculated, or free shipping

Optimize your shipping strategy to balance costs with customer satisfaction.

Step-by-Step Guide to Launch a Shopify Store on a Budget

Launching a Shopify store doesn’t have to be expensive. By following a structured approach, startups and small businesses can create a fully functional e-commerce website without overspending. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to building your Shopify store on a budget:

1. Choose a Shopify Plan

The first step in launching your Shopify store is selecting the right subscription plan.

Basic Shopify ($39/month):

• Ideal for most startups and small businesses.
• Includes unlimited products, online store, blog, SSL certificate, discount codes, and 24/7 support.
• Covers all essential features to get your store up and running.

Shopify Lite ($9/month):

• Perfect for micro-businesses or entrepreneurs testing the market.
• Allows selling via social media or an existing website, without a full Shopify storefront.

Tips for saving:

• Start with Basic Shopify to access a full store.
• Upgrade to higher plans only when your sales volume and feature needs grow.

Choosing the right plan helps manage recurring costs while ensuring your store has the necessary tools to succeed.

2. Register a Domain Name

A professional domain name is essential for branding and credibility.

• Through Shopify: $14–$25/year for a .com domain.
• External Registrars (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy): $10–$15/year.

Tips to save money:

• Use first-year discounts offered by registrars.
• Avoid premium domains initially; stick with a standard .com.
• Keep your domain simple, memorable, and brandable.

A good domain improves trust with customers and boosts your store’s SEO performance.

3. Select a Free Theme and Customize Branding

Your store’s design significantly impacts customer experience and conversions.

Choose a free Shopify theme: Examples include Dawn, Debut, or Brooklyn.

• Free themes are mobile-friendly, responsive, and customizable.

Branding elements to focus on:

• Logo: Use free tools like Canva or Hatchful to create a professional logo.
• Colors and typography: Stick to a simple color palette and clean fonts.
• Images: Use free stock images from Unsplash or Pexels for product mockups.

Customization tips:

• Adjust the layout and navigation for easy browsing.
• Highlight featured products on the homepage.
• Ensure your branding is consistent across all pages.

Free themes allow startups to launch a professional-looking store without paying hundreds of dollars upfront.

4. Add Essential Apps Only

Shopify apps enhance functionality, but installing too many can increase monthly costs. Focus on essential apps for a lean, cost-effective store:

• Email Marketing App: Mailchimp or Klaviyo free tiers to collect emails and send newsletters.
• SEO App: Free tools to optimize product pages, meta titles, and descriptions.
• Review and Social Proof App: Encourage customer reviews to build trust.
• Inventory Management App: Basic tracking to avoid stock-outs.

Tips to save:

• Install only the apps that directly improve sales or customer experience.
• Avoid premium apps unless absolutely necessary.

Essential apps improve functionality while keeping your monthly costs minimal.

5. Upload Product Listings with Optimized Descriptions and Images

Product pages are the core of your e-commerce store. Creating high-quality listings can significantly impact sales:

• Product Images: Use clear, high-resolution images. Include multiple angles for each product.
• Descriptions: Write detailed, SEO-optimized descriptions highlighting features, benefits, and specifications.
• Pricing: Set competitive yet profitable prices. Consider adding promotional discounts initially.
• Categories & Tags: Organize products into logical categories and tags for easy navigation.

Tips:

• Use bullet points for readability.
• Add customer-focused benefits, not just technical specs.
• Optimize descriptions for search engines using relevant keywords.

Well-structured product pages improve customer experience and drive organic traffic.

6. Set Up Payment Gateways and Shipping Options

Ensuring smooth transactions and shipping is critical:

Payment Gateways: Shopify Payments is the easiest and cheapest option (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for Basic plan).

Third-Party Gateways: Optional, but may include extra fees.

Shipping Options:

• Flat rate: Simple and predictable for customers.
• Free shipping: Encourages sales but adjust product pricing to cover costs.
• Calculated shipping: Charges based on weight and carrier rates.

Tips:

• Start simple with flat-rate shipping or free shipping over a minimum order.
• Test payment methods before launching to ensure smooth transactions.

Setting up proper payment and shipping options ensures a professional and reliable shopping experience.

7. Launch Store and Start Marketing

Once your store is ready, it’s time to launch and attract customers:

• Social Media Marketing: Promote products on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest. Use free tools to schedule posts.
• Email Marketing: Send a launch email to subscribers and run weekly campaigns to drive sales.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog with SEO-optimized posts to attract organic traffic.
• Discounts and Promotions: Offer launch discounts or referral programs to encourage purchases.

Tips to save money:

• Focus on organic traffic and free marketing channels initially.
• Collaborate with micro-influencers for cost-effective promotions.
• Track results using free analytics tools like Google Analytics.

Marketing is crucial to drive traffic and sales, but startups can start small and scale gradually.

8. Optional Step: Monitor Performance and Optimize

After launching, continuously monitor store performance:

• Analytics: Track website traffic, product performance, and conversions.
• Customer Feedback: Use surveys or review apps to gather insights.
• A/B Testing: Test homepage layouts, product pages, and checkout flows.

Tips to save:

• Use free analytics and reporting tools initially.
• Make small changes to improve sales without investing heavily in paid services.

Optimization ensures your store grows sustainably while keeping costs manageable.

Summary of Step-by-Step Budget-Friendly Shopify Setup

By following this step-by-step guide, startups can launch a fully functional Shopify store with minimal upfront investment, typically under $250, plus a low monthly subscription fee.

Following this sequence helps you control costs while building a functional e-commerce store.

Total Affordable Cost Breakdown

Estimated Total Startup Cost: $30–$250 upfront + $9–$39/month

For professionally developed stores with paid themes, multiple apps, and marketing campaigns, costs can range from $3,000–$20,000+ upfront.

Factors Affecting Shopify Website Costs

• Number of Products: More products require more apps or inventory features
• Customization Needs: Custom themes and complex features increase costs
• Apps: More apps = higher monthly fees
• Marketing Strategy: Paid campaigns increase recurring costs
• Developer Expertise: Agencies charge more than freelancers

Start small and scale features gradually to manage costs efficiently.

Case Studies: Affordable Shopify Stores

Case Study 1: Startup Apparel Store

• Plan: Basic Shopify ($39/month)
• Theme: Free Dawn theme
• Apps: 2 free apps (SEO & email marketing)
• Marketing: Organic social media only
• Total Cost: $60 upfront + $39/month

Case Study 2: Handmade Jewelry Brand

• Plan: Basic Shopify ($39/month)
• Theme: Free Debut theme
• Apps: 1 paid app for reviews ($5/month)
• Branding: DIY logo ($0), product images from stock ($0)
• Marketing: Facebook Ads ($50/month)
• Total Cost: $50 upfront + $44/month

These examples show that a professional-looking Shopify store can be launched with minimal investment.

FAQs About Shopify Website Costs

Q1: Can I build a Shopify store for free?

• You can start a 3-day free trial, but after that, a plan is required.

Q2: Are there hidden fees on Shopify?

• Shopify charges transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments. Some apps also have recurring fees.

Q3: Can I upgrade my plan later?

• Yes, Shopify allows upgrading plans as your store grows.

Q4: How much should I budget for apps?

• For a small store, $0–$10/month is enough initially.

Conclusion

So, how much does it cost to make a Shopify website?

• Affordable DIY Store: $30–$250 upfront + $9–$39/month
• Professional Custom Store: $3,000–$20,000+ upfront

Shopify allows startups and small businesses to launch a professional online store without overspending. By starting with free tools, essential apps, and basic marketing, you can control costs while building a scalable store. As your business grows, you can upgrade themes, apps, and marketing campaigns to increase revenue.

💡 Final Advice: Start simple, track ROI, and scale gradually. Shopify is designed to grow with your business, making it a cost-effective choice for e-commerce entrepreneurs in 2026.