The short answer

Cost comes down to scope: how many templates, how complex the catalogue is, whether data is migrated, what must be integrated and who creates the content. Budget for ongoing costs too, including platform fees, apps, payment fees and future development.

One-off costs

  • Planning: how much needs working out before design starts.
  • Design: number of unique templates and whether a brand system exists.
  • Development: existing theme, adapted theme or custom build, plus custom features.
  • Data: how many products, how clean they are and what history is moving.
  • Integrations: the number of systems, API quality and exception handling.
  • Content: photography, copywriting and product information.
  • Testing and launch: more markets, payment methods and systems mean more to test.

Ongoing costs

  • Platform: your monthly plan. Check Shopify’s current pricing in your billing currency.
  • Payments: processing fees, plus extra Shopify fees if you use some third-party providers.
  • Apps: monthly fees add up, and some depend on order volume.
  • Development and support: fixes, updates and new features.
  • Marketing: a store does not bring its own traffic.

What makes a quote hard to compare

Quotes can look far apart because they assume different things. Ask each supplier what is included in design rounds, how many templates, who loads products, what testing covers, how redirects are handled and what support follows launch. Compare scope first, then price.

How to prepare for a useful estimate

  • List must-haves separately from nice-to-haves.
  • Provide your product count, variant structure and current platform.
  • Name each system the store must connect to.
  • Say who is producing photography and copy.
  • Share any fixed dates and a budget range, even a broad one.

A limit of this advice

We have not published typical prices here, because a number without your scope could mislead you more than it helps. Platform pricing changes, so check the provider’s current information.