Related: Offshore Software Development Rates by Country in 2026 (How to Get Quality for Less)
An online store can cost $500 or it can cost $50,000. The right number depends on what you sell and how you build it. This guide gives you real 2026 prices, the cheapest path that still looks professional, and the running costs most guides leave out, so you can start without wasting money.
Key takeaways
- A simple store on Shopify or WooCommerce costs about $500 to $3,500 to set up.
- A custom or heavily designed store costs $5,000 to $25,000 or more.
- Budget for ongoing costs too: hosting, payment fees, apps, and marketing.
- You do not need a big budget to start. A lean store can launch cheap and grow later.
- The biggest waste is paying for features you will not use in your first year.
E-commerce cost by approach
| Approach | Typical 2026 cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder (Wix, Shopify basic) | $30 to $80 / month | Tiny budget, simple catalog |
| Shopify with a clean theme | $500 to $3,000 setup | Most small stores |
| WooCommerce (WordPress) | $800 to $4,000 setup | Content plus a shop |
| Custom store | $5,000 to $25,000+ | Unusual products or scale |
For most small businesses, the middle two rows are the sweet spot. A clean Shopify or WooCommerce store looks professional, takes payments, and costs a fraction of a custom build.
The affordable way to start
You can launch a real store on a small budget if you keep it lean:
- Start with a proven platform (Shopify or WooCommerce) instead of a custom build.
- Use a clean theme tailored to your brand, not a fully bespoke design.
- Launch with your best products only. Add the rest after you make sales.
- Skip the apps you do not need yet. Each one adds a monthly cost.
This is how a store goes live for under $1,500 and still looks trustworthy. You can always invest more once the sales are coming in. For the wider picture, see our website cost guide.
The running costs nobody mentions
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hosting / platform fee | $30 to $300 / month |
| Payment processing | about 2 to 3% per sale |
| Apps and plugins | $0 to $200 / month |
| Domain name | $10 to $20 / year |
| Maintenance | optional, $50 to $250 / month |
Budget these from day one. A "cheap" store that ignores them gets expensive when something breaks. See website maintenance costs for the upkeep side.
Shopify vs a custom store
Shopify is the right call for most stores. It is fast to launch, secure, and handles payments and hosting for you. A custom store is worth it only when your products, pricing, or workflow do not fit a standard platform. See custom vs off-the-shelf to decide.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to sell online?
A Shopify basic plan or a WooCommerce store with a clean theme. You can be live for a few hundred dollars plus a small monthly fee.
Can I get a professional store for under $1,500?
Yes. A clean Shopify or WooCommerce build with your branding and your top products fits that budget and looks trustworthy.
When do I need a custom store?
Only when a standard platform cannot do what you need, such as unusual pricing, large catalogs, or deep integrations.
Working with Apex Logic
We build clean, professional online stores that real customers trust, and we keep the price affordable. We start most stores from around $1,000, scope the work honestly, and hand you full ownership. Tell us what you want to sell and we will give you a fixed, fair quote.
References
Shopify, BigCommerce and platform pricing (2026) - store setup and monthly costs.
Apex Logic project data (2024 to 2026) - real store build ranges.
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