Opening a Shopify store is easier than ever—you can launch one with just a few clicks.
But building and maintaining a successful e-commerce business requires more than technical setup.
If you’re wondering how much does it cost to start a Shopify store, the answer varies based on your business model, product range, and growth strategy.
However, most store owners should budget between $2,000 and $3,000 for initial launch expenses.
This guide breaks down every cost associated with starting and running a Shopify store, from subscription fees to marketing investments.
Summary
- Monthly Subscription Costs: Shopify plans range from $29 to $299 per month, with different features and transaction fee structures for each tier.
- Initial Setup Expenses: Expect $50 to $1,000 for DIY builds or $300 to $4,500 for professional store development using ready-made themes.
- Custom Development Investment: Custom Shopify website development cost ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 for themes, and $5,000 to $20,000 for custom functionality.
- Ongoing Operational Costs: Factor in domain registration ($10-$40 annually), apps ($10-$200 monthly), payment processing fees (0.5%-3%), and marketing expenses.
- First-Year Business Spending: New businesses spend an average of $40,000 annually, varying by employee count and operational scale.
- Profitability Potential: Average Shopify stores earn $72 per customer, with top performers exceeding $149 per customer.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Shopify Store?
Many business owners over or underestimate the actual cost of launching their online business.
According to Shopify’s research, new businesses spend an average of $40,000 annually in their first year.
This figure varies considerably depending on your business structure and staffing needs.
Businesses with zero employees averaged around $18,000 per year, while businesses with 1-4 employees spent an average of $60,000 per year.
Beyond employees, this investment covers Shopify web development, Shopify app development, Shopify web design services, Shopify migration services, advertisements, inventory, and integration services.
Additional costs include one-time setup fees, taxes, and legal requirements.
Let’s break down exactly where your money goes when starting a Shopify store.
Understanding Shopify Pricing Plans and How Much Shopify Cost Per Month
Choosing the right Shopify plan directly impacts how much does Shopify cost for your business.
Basic Shopify Plan: $29/Month
The Basic Shopify plan provides everything new entrepreneurs need to launch their first online store.
Transaction fees: 2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.7% in-person, 2.0% for non-Shopify payment providers.
Key features include unlimited products, shipping discounts up to 64%, four inventory locations, two staff accounts, 24/7 support, abandoned cart recovery, and SSL certification.
Standard Shopify Plan: $79/Month
The mid-tier Shopify plan caters to growing businesses needing sophisticated reporting.
Transaction fees drop to 2.6% + 30¢ online, 2.5% in-person, and 1.0% for third-party providers.
This plan expands inventory management to five locations, allows five staff accounts, improves shipping discounts to 72%, and adds professional sales reports.
Advanced Shopify Plan: $299/Month
The Advanced Shopify plan serves established businesses with complex operational needs.
Transaction fees: 2.4% + 30¢ online, 2.4% in-person, 0.5% for third-party providers.
Manage up to eight inventory locations and create 15 staff accounts.
Features include advanced report builder, third-party calculated shipping, and priority support.
Shopify Plus: Enterprise Solution
For high-volume operations, Shopify Plus starts at several thousand dollars monthly.
This provides dedicated account management, custom checkout experiences, and advanced automation.
Breaking Down the Cost of Shopify: What Affects Your Total Investment
The Shopify website cost extends far beyond monthly subscription fees.
Store Design and Development
DIY builds using free or premium themes ($140-$300) keep expenses low.
Professional development services range from $300 to $4,500 for theme customization.
Custom Shopify website development cost escalates to $2,000-$15,000 for bespoke themes and $5,000-$20,000 for custom functionality.
Domain Registration and Apps
Domain registration costs $10 to $40 annually.
Essential Shopify apps charge $10 to $200 monthly for email marketing, inventory management, and customer support.
Payment Processing
Shopify fee structure includes payment processing costs that impact profitability.
Using Shopify Payments eliminates additional transaction fees.
Third-party providers add 0.5% to 2.0% depending on your plan.
Additional Costs When Running a Shopify Store
Beyond setup, ongoing operational expenses affect your total Shopify website cost.
Inventory and Fulfillment
Initial inventory varies—handmade goods might require $500-$2,000, while wholesale products demand $5,000-$20,000.
Dropshipping eliminates upfront inventory costs but reduces profit margins.
Fulfillment costs include packaging materials ($0.50-$3.00 per order) and shipping.
Marketing and Customer Support
Budget at least $500-$1,000 monthly for paid advertising when launching.
Email marketing platforms cost $10-$100 monthly.
Customer service tools range from free email support to $50-$200 monthly for live chat.
Maintenance and Updates
Budget 5-10 hours monthly for product additions and content updates.
Major redesigns every 3-6 years keep your store fresh.
Is It Worth Opening a Shopify Store?
Absolutely—Shopify offers compelling advantages that justify the investment.
Cost Advantages
Shopify customers spend an average of $2,000 less annually than non-Shopify customers.
Transaction fees remain lower than many competitors.
Volume discounts on shipping further decrease operational costs.
User-Friendly Platform
Shopify’s intuitive interface works without coding knowledge.
The platform comparison shows it handles security updates, server maintenance, and technical infrastructure automatically.
24/7 customer support and extensive documentation provide help when needed.
Is a Shopify Store Profitable?
Yes, Shopify stores can be highly profitable with proper execution.
Revenue Potential
The average Shopify store earns $72 per customer.
Top 20% of stores generate more than $149 per customer.
Your profitability depends on product selection, pricing strategy, marketing effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
Success Factors
Thorough business planning establishes realistic revenue targets.
Market research identifies profitable niches with manageable competition.
Effective marketing drives qualified traffic while maintaining acceptable customer acquisition costs.
Product selection focusing on healthy profit margins ensures sustainable revenue.
Maximizing Return on Investment
Strategic decisions help optimize Shopify website builder cost allocations for maximum profitability.
Optimize Expenses
Utilize free design tools like Canva for graphics and content creation.
Handle photography and basic content writing yourself initially.
Negotiate with suppliers for better wholesale prices.
Leverage Shopify’s built-in features before investing in premium apps.
Focus on Customer Acquisition
Invest in marketing channels with proven ROI.
Track customer acquisition costs to ensure profitability.
Implement loyalty programs and excellent customer service for repeat purchases.
Build email lists to create owned marketing channels.
Improve Conversion Rates
Optimize website design to reduce friction in the buying process.
Streamline checkout with guest options and multiple payment methods.
A/B test product descriptions, images, and pricing.
Professional photography and compelling descriptions deliver the highest conversion improvements.
Estimating Your Complete Shopify Startup Budget
Create a comprehensive budget covering all initial and ongoing expenses.
Minimal Budget ($500-$1,500)
- Basic Shopify plan: $29/month
- Domain name: $10-$40
- Free theme: $0
- DIY photography: $0-$200
- Basic apps: $0-$50/month
- Initial inventory (dropshipping): $0-$500
- Marketing: $200-$500
Moderate Budget ($3,000-$8,000)
- Standard Shopify plan: $79/month
- Premium theme: $140-$300
- Professional customization: $500-$2,000
- Professional photography: $500-$1,500
- Essential apps: $50-$150/month
- Initial inventory: $1,000-$3,000
- Marketing: $500-$1,000
Premium Budget ($10,000-$30,000)
- Advanced Shopify plan: $299/month
- Custom theme development: $2,000-$15,000
- Professional content: $2,000-$5,000
- Premium apps: $200-$500/month
- Substantial inventory: $5,000-$15,000
- Comprehensive marketing: $2,000-$5,000
Key Takeaways
Shopify store costs range from $500 for DIY approaches to $30,000+ for custom professional builds, with monthly fees between $29 and $299.
New Shopify businesses spend an average of $40,000 annually, varying by employee count and marketing investments.
High ongoing costs include subscriptions, transaction fees (0.5%-3%), apps ($10-$200/month), and marketing ($500-$5,000/month).
Shopify offers superior value through lower total costs, comprehensive built-in features, and reduced technical maintenance.
Average stores earn $72 per customer, while top performers exceed $149 through effective marketing strategies and operations.
Conclusion: Is Starting a Shopify Store Worth the Investment?
Understanding how much does it cost to start a Shopify store empowers you to budget effectively and make informed decisions.
While launching requires significant investment, Shopify’s competitive pricing and comprehensive features make it an excellent platform choice.
The platform costs less than alternatives while providing superior user experience and robust support.
Whether starting with a minimal budget or investing in professional development, Shopify accommodates businesses at every stage.
Success requires commitment to quality products, exceptional customer service, and effective marketing strategies.
Ready to start your e-commerce journey? Shopify’s free trial lets you explore the platform risk-free today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store?
Starting a Shopify store typically costs $2,000-$3,000 for basic launch, though expenses range from:
- DIY approach: $500-$1,500
- Professional setup: $3,000-$8,000
- Custom build: $10,000-$30,000+
First-year expenses average $40,000 according to Shopify research.
What is the monthly cost of Shopify?
How much is Shopify a month depends on your plan:
- Basic Shopify: $29/month
- Shopify: $79/month
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month
- Shopify Plus: $2,000+/month
What are Shopify fees for transactions?
Shopify fee structures vary by plan:
With Shopify Payments:
- Basic: 2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.7% in-person
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ online, 2.5% in-person
- Advanced: 2.4% + 30¢ online, 2.4% in-person
Using third-party providers adds: 2.0% (Basic), 1.0% (Shopify), or 0.5% (Advanced)
How much does a Shopify website cost to build professionally?
Professional Shopify website development cost ranges:
- Ready-made theme setup: $300-$4,500
- Custom theme development: $2,000-$15,000
- Custom functionality: $5,000-$20,000+
Developer hourly rates: $25-$150 depending on location and expertise.
Can I build a Shopify store myself to reduce costs?
Yes. DIY Shopify stores cost just $50-$1,000 initially using free themes and self-setup.
The Shopify website builder enables drag-and-drop customization without coding.
How much does Shopify cost compared to WooCommerce?
Shopify: $29-$299/month all-inclusive (hosting, security, support)
WooCommerce: Free plugin but requires hosting ($5-$50/month), extensions ($50-$200 each), and often developer help ($500-$5,000).
Shopify typically offers better value for non-technical users.
What ongoing costs should I budget for a Shopify store?
Monthly operating costs include:
- Subscription: $29-$299
- Apps: $10-$200
- Transaction fees: 0.5%-3% per sale
- Marketing: $500-$5,000
- Domain renewal: $10-$40 annually
How much inventory do I need to start a Shopify store?
Initial inventory depends on your model:
- Dropshipping: $0 upfront
- Handmade goods: $500-$2,000
- Wholesale products: $5,000-$20,000
Start small with 10-30 products and expand based on sales.
Is a Shopify store profitable?
Yes, with proper execution. Average stores earn $72 per customer, while top performers exceed $149 per customer.
Profitability requires effective product selection, pricing strategy, marketing, and customer service.
Does Shopify offer a free trial?
Yes, Shopify offers a 3-day free trial. After the trial, continue for $1 during the first month before selecting a paid plan.
What apps do I need for a Shopify store?
Essential apps include:
- Email marketing automation
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Product reviews
- Inventory management
- Customer support chat
Start with 5-10 essential apps at $0-$50/month total, upgrading as revenue grows.
How long does it take to set up a Shopify store?
Setup timelines vary:
- DIY with ready-made theme: 1-3 days
- Professional setup: 2-4 weeks
- Custom development: 6-12 weeks
Most entrepreneurs launch functional stores within one week.
