Cost Estimate for Creating an Online Store

Creating an online store requires a serious approach, knowledge in web development, UI/UX design, server configuration, and database management.

Effective online store creation goes beyond just an attractive design. The structure, functionality, and platform navigation are also of paramount importance, collectively ensuring user-friendliness. A professional team capable of bringing a high-quality eCommerce resource to life is necessary.

The cost of creating an online store depends on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the project's structure and complexity. Simple portals will be cheaper, while resources with extensive functionality and stylish design may require significant investments. Thus, budget planning for creating an online store becomes an essential step for entrepreneurs aiming to leverage the advantages of online sales.

Building a turnkey online store: available paths for your business

The modern internet is a place where any business can thrive, provided, of course, that its product or service is in demand. Considering that the majority of sales happen online today, it's no surprise that there are several variations when it comes to creating an online store.

When it comes to the different paths you can take in creating an online store, the following should be mentioned:

Developing an online store using ready-made templates

Creating an online store using website builders like Wix or Shopify is a simple and cost-effective method for establishing a web store. The process begins with selecting a platform that best suits the client's needs and provides the necessary functionality. Next, it involves customizing the design based on the available templates on the chosen service, adding the required information, and creating product listings. As a result, the client gets a straightforward online store with basic features.

This method is ideal for small businesses with a limited range of products, where the emphasis is on speed and affordability. However, it's worth noting that if there is a need to expand the business and add new features, a new online store may need to be created, as website builders do not always offer deep template customization options.

For medium and large businesses, especially those with ambitions for long-term growth, template-based online stores can be limiting. They often have limited functionality and design options. Therefore, it's important not only to assess the cost of creating the online store at the moment but also to consider the potential for future customization, scalability, and updates. Considering the prospects for business development, investing in custom solutions may be a more profitable option in the long run.

The price of creating an online store using a website builder can vary significantly and depends on several key factors:

• Template price
  In most website builders, a selection of templates is offered, including both free and premium options. The choice of a specific template can impact the price, especially if a premium design is selected, which may be more expensive. You can also opt for a custom design for your online store, but such a solution is almost guaranteed to be more costly than a premium template.
• Store setup
  The setup price includes web development, design, and programming. The more complex the design and functionality, the higher the setup costs will be.
• Service plan tier
  The price of the tariff plan directly affects the range of functions available to you on the service. Thus, the more functions and opportunities you want to get, the more money you need to invest in monthly payments. It is worth remembering that if at least one planned payment is missed, the service will immediately disable your store, and will open access to it only after paying for the plan.
• Integrations and additional features
  Additional integrations such as warehouse management systems, payment systems, message gateways, marketing tools and others may be required for the full functioning of an online store. The price of these integrations should be included in the budget.
• Support and maintenance
  Even when using a website builder, an online store requires support and maintenance. This includes updates, bug fixes, and the addition of new content. The cost of support can vary depending on the scope of work.
• Marketing and promotion
  Don't forget about expenses for marketing and promoting your online store. Advertising campaigns, SEO optimization, social media efforts – all of these will require additional investments.

As mentioned, each ready-made template service has its subscription. Its price affects the range of features available to the user. Among the most popular platforms for creating templated online stores, Wix and Shopify stand out. You can find out the cost of creating a website, online store, or other web resources on their official websites. For your convenience, we provide a table with prices specifically for online stores -

Wix

Shopify

Thus, the price of creating an online store using the designer can be relatively low, if you choose conditionally free solutions and limit functionality. However, if additional features, integrations and marketing campaigns are needed, the total price can increase significantly. It is important to analyze your needs and budget to choose the best solution for your business.

CMS-based development

Creating an online store using popular Content Management Systems (CMS) such as OpenCart and Magento provides broader possibilities when establishing an online business. There are numerous free and paid options available on the market. When talking about the most popular CMS for creating online stores, it's worth mentioning:

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular plugin for the WordPress content management system that allows you to easily create an online store. Its basic functionality is free and includes features such as product addition, inventory management, order processing, and more. You can also expand your store's functionality with free or paid extensions. WooCommerce is a flexible solution suitable for small and medium-sized online stores.

Magento

Magento is a powerful platform for creating online stores with two main versions: Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce (formerly known as Magento Commerce). Magento Open Source is a free and open version that you can download and install on your server. It contains a basic set of e-commerce features, while Adobe Commerce is a commercial version that provides additional functionality and support. The price of Adobe Commerce typically depends on the size of your business and includes a subscription fee. Magento is suitable for medium and large online stores and can be the best choice for enterprises with high functionality and extension needs.

OpenCart

OpenCart is a free CMS for creating online stores. Its basic functionality allows you to add products, manage orders, and track inventory. However, there are paid versions like OpenCart Pro that come with additional features out of the box and the ability to choose from a variety of modules. This can be convenient for those looking for ready-made solutions for quickly launching a store.

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a popular CMS for creating online stores. Its free version has basic functionality for adding products, managing orders, and inventory. However, there are paid modules and extensions available to expand your store's capabilities.

Drupal

Drupal Commerce is an extension of the Drupal content management system that allows you to create online stores. The basic version is free and has basic functionality, but to expand your store's capabilities, you can use paid modules.

It is important to understand that expanding the functionality of a store may require the involvement of developers. While a wide selection of modules simplifies the integration of features, it should be kept in mind that sometimes module installation can become problematic due to incompatibility with other modules or improper code implementation. To avoid problems, it's advisable to consult qualified specialists.

When choosing a CMS for an online store, it is important to consider the size of the business and its needs. There are CMS options that are convenient for creating small online stores and have the potential for scalability and future feature expansion. Such CMS systems are often recommended for small companies that are starting their online business and plan to grow it gradually.

The answer to the question of how much it costs to create an online store on CMS platforms can vary significantly and depends on various factors that need to be taken into account:

• Working on the interface
  Creating a unique and attractive design can increase the project's cost. Template designs may be more affordable, but to make your store stand out among competitors, a unique design may require additional investment.
• Customization of various options
  The more functionality you need for your online store, the more time and resources will be required for customization. This includes working on purchase options, delivery systems, product search filters, and SEO optimization.
• Integration of third-party services
  If you plan to integrate third-party services, such as payment systems, delivery services, or marketing tools, this can also affect the project's cost. Integrating with other services may require additional time and expertise.
• Hosting costs
  Hosting is where your online store will be hosted. The price of hosting can vary depending on the chosen hosting provider and the amount of resources required for the store.

It's also important to consider that when choosing paid CMS plans, you will have access to more advanced options and tools, which can increase the cost but also provide greater flexibility and opportunities for your online store.

When creating an online store using a CMS, it's recommended to start by defining the essential functions of your website. In other words, you need to determine how your online store should operate to meet your business needs.

After that, explore the basic options provided by the CMS you've chosen. Different CMS platforms may have different functionalities, and it's crucial to assess if they align with your requirements.

Additionally, you should calculate the cost of all the plugins and extensions you plan to add to your store. Some plugins may be free, while others may be paid. Planning your expenses for expanding your store's functionality will help you create a budget for the project.

If you choose a template and install a free version of a CMS, you can launch your site with a minimal budget. For instance, the cost of creating an online store on a CMS typically starts at $2,000. This budget will provide you with a medium-sized resource, unique design, all basic features, and a high level of stability, but without extravagance.

To precisely determine the cost of creating an online store on CMS platforms, you should consult with developers and web development specialists to create a more accurate project cost estimate. 

Developing an online store using a framework

Creating an online store using frameworks such as Laravel, Yii2, Symfony, Django, Ruby on Rails, and others provides a reliable and flexible solution for building an online platform. When discussing the creation of an online store with a framework, it's essential to mention the following steps:

• Creating a technical specification
  To begin the project, a detailed technical specification is required. This document outlines business goals and functional requirements that need to be implemented in the online store. It includes defining crucial aspects such as product catalog management, order processing, payment, delivery, and user interface. The technical specification should also consider the choice of framework, technical requirements, and budget. Creating a technical specification helps establish clear goals and expectations for the project, serving as the foundation for its successful implementation.
• Competitor and market analysis
  For the successful development of an online store, it's essential to analyze competitors and market trends. This stage involves studying the activities of competing companies, segmenting the target audience, and identifying industry trends. SWOT analysis helps identify your business's strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats in the market. This analysis helps better understand how your store can stand out and attract customer attention.
• Framework selection
  The choice of a framework depends on the technology stack, developer preferences, and project requirements. Laravel is a popular choice due to its intuitive development environment and a wealth of built-in tools like Eloquent ORM and Blade templates.
• Prototyping and design creation
  The next crucial stage is prototyping and designing the online store. A prototype is a structural model that shows the layout of elements and functions on the site's pages. It serves as the basis for testing the user experience before active development begins. Design creation involves selecting a color palette, creating page layouts, and choosing fonts, and images. The goal is to create an attractive and user-friendly design that aligns with the brand and target audience.
• Front-end development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)
  After prototyping and design approval, the next step is front-end development. This process includes creating the site's structure using HTML, styling elements with CSS, and adding interactivity using JavaScript. If modern frameworks like Vue.js or React are chosen, they provide tools for building dynamic user interfaces.
  The progressive framework Vue.js and the JavaScript library React are used to develop user interfaces that allow for the creation of efficient and scalable web applications. They simplify the development process by providing a component-based approach while ensuring high performance and code maintainability. Additionally, when using these frameworks, it's possible to integrate them with the backend for more advanced functional capabilities
• Database design
  A crucial part of the process is designing the database structure. Developers determine the database's structure to store information about products, orders, customers, and more. Here, the Laravel framework provides tools for creating and managing database migrations.
• Building functionality
  Developers start building the online store's functionality, including product management, shopping cart, order processing, authentication and authorization systems, discount mechanisms, and more.
• Testing
  Testing is a crucial stage, including functional, integration, and performance testing. These tests help identify and resolve errors and ensure the online store operates stably.
• Performance optimization
  To ensure high performance, optimization methods such as caching, database optimization, and server configuration adjustments are used to speed up the online store's operation.
• Launch and support
  After completing the development, the store is ready for launch. However, the work doesn't end there - continuous support, updates, and improvements are necessary.
• Integration with external services
  To meet customer needs, the online store can be integrated with various external services, such as payment systems, inventory management systems, and others.
• SEO optimization
  Search engine optimization is essential to attract organic traffic. Laravel framework and third-party SEO plugins can be used for optimizing the online store.
• Analytics and monitoring
  The use of analytics tools allows for monitoring the online store's performance and understanding user behavior, helping to make informed decisions.

When discussing the cost of creating an online store on Laravel, it's worth paying attention to the table below –

Creating an online store using the Laravel framework has numerous advantages that make it the best choice compared to other options. When discussing why development of this framework is the best solution, it is important to mention the following benefits:

• Feature-Rich framework
  Laravel is one of the most popular PHP frameworks designed for web application development. It offers a wide range of tools and functional capabilities that greatly simplify the creation and management of an online store.
• MVC architecture
  Laravel is based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture pattern, which promotes the separation of business logic, user interface, and data management. This makes the code more organized and easier to maintain and scale.
• Clean and understandable code
  Laravel places a strong emphasis on code cleanliness and clarity. The framework encourages the creation of high-quality code, making it easier for development teams to collaborate and reducing the likelihood of errors.
• Community support
  Laravel has a vast and active community of developers who regularly contribute and create plugins, extensions, and libraries for the framework. This ensures an extensive set of resources and tools for building an online store. Security: Laravel takes security seriously, providing tools to protect against common threats such as SQL injections, CSRF attacks, and more.

Our team specializes in creating online stores using the Laravel framework. We are ready to assist you in launching your online store, providing maximum functionality, reliability, and security, and ensuring a successful online presence. We work with you at every stage of development and provide continuous support for your project.

Turnkey store creating

Creating a turnkey online store is one of the most comprehensive and costly approaches to building online services. This method can be used for both CMS-based and framework-based development. Typically, businesses choose this path when they have unique requirements and aim to stand out among their competitors. Here are some key aspects of developing a turnkey online store:

• Custom design
  One of the main advantages of custom development is the ability to create a unique design that fully aligns with the brand and corporate style of the company. This allows the store to stand out from competitors and establish a memorable identity.
• Flexible functionality
  When creating a turnkey online store, you have full control over functionality. You can integrate any necessary programs and services, and create specific features tailored to the unique needs of the business.
• Marketing research
  Before starting development, in-depth market research is conducted to better understand your target audience, competitors, and market trends. This helps define the store's development strategy and functional requirements.
• Speed and performance
  A custom-designed online store can be optimized for maximum performance and speed. This is essential to meet the needs of modern users who expect fast loading times and responsive interfaces.
• Scalability
  By creating a turnkey online store, you can consider future business growth and development. This means the online store will be able to adapt to new needs and scale as required.

However, it's worth noting that creating a turnkey online store requires significant investments of time and resources. Choosing turnkey development comes with a substantially higher cost compared to other solutions. This approach is typically recommended for large-scale projects with a wide range of products and serious plans for the future. Thorough market research, and defining business goals and strategy should be carefully planned before embarking on the development process.

Essential qualities of an e-commerce store

Creating a successful e-commerce store is a complex and multifaceted process that requires attention to various aspects, from design to technical support. Let's explore the key elements that an e-commerce store should possess to be successful –

UI/UX design

The design of an e-commerce store is the first thing visitors notice, and it should reflect the store's brand. Modern, stylish, and intuitive design not only creates a positive impression but also encourages customers to make purchases. The color palette, fonts, and page layouts — all should be meticulously crafted to create an attractive look.

Speed and stability

The functionality and speed of an e-commerce store are of paramount importance. A slow or frequently malfunctioning e-commerce store can deter visitors. The store must be fast, stable, and capable of handling high traffic loads, especially during sales and promotions.

User-friendly navigation

Well-designed navigation helps customers easily find the products they're looking for. The site should have a clear structure with categories and filters, as well as a search function that quickly and accurately locates desired items.

Product information

Each product should be informatively presented, including high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, specifications, current prices, customer reviews, and information on stock availability. Customers should have all the necessary information to make purchasing decisions.

Mobile compatibility

Many customers use smartphones and tablets for shopping. Therefore, your e-commerce store should be adapted for mobile devices to provide a seamless user experience, regardless of the device used.

Technical support

Having responsive technical support is crucial. Quick responses to customer issues and questions help retain satisfied customers and prevent sales loss.

Content

High-quality content, such as articles, blogs, product reviews, and informative materials, can attract visitors, improve SEO, and establish your store as an industry expert. Useful content meets customers' informational needs and assists them in making purchase decisions.

SEO optimization

Optimizing your e-commerce store for search engines (SEO) helps attract organic traffic and makes the store more visible to potential customers. Optimization involves adapting content, meta-tags, and other factors that influence search engine rankings, in compliance with current search engine requirements.

An e-commerce store is a comprehensive solution that requires attention to every detail. Only with a well-planned approach to creation and maintenance can you build a successful and profitable project.

Key structural elements of an online store

Creating a successful online store begins with careful planning of its structure. A well-designed structure should strike a balance between being attractive to visitors and efficient for the business. Let's explore the main sections an online store should consist of to ensure its success:

Home page

The home page of an online store serves as the virtual shopfront and should be highly attractive and informative. It can feature blocks with current special offers, showcase new arrivals, and provide quick access to key store sections. A well-designed home page can significantly increase conversion and visitor retention.

User account

When creating an online store, special attention should be given to personalizing the customer experience. User accounts provide a convenient tool for tracking orders, managing personal data, and offering personalized recommendations and special offers. This creates a unique experience for each customer, improves service levels, and contributes to customer retention.

Catalog

An organized catalog with diverse categories and filters is the key to convenient navigation. Easy and instant product search with filters and sorting ensures intuitive access to products. Customers can easily find items based on various parameters such as price, brand, size, color, and more, making the shopping process quick, convenient, and pleasant, creating the foundation for a successful online store.

Special offers and new arrivals

Special offers and promotions capture attention and motivate shoppers through seasonal discounts and unique deals. Don't forget the page showcasing new arrivals, which enhances the user experience by keeping visitors informed about the latest trends and most sought-after products. This contributes to increased sales and customer satisfaction with access to up-to-date items.

Product page

In an online store, the product page plays a pivotal role in providing detailed product information and interacting with potential customers. The product card should be informative and persuasive, including high-quality images from various angles, detailed descriptions with product specifications and features, as well as current pricing and stock availability. A key element of the product page is the ability to quickly add items to the cart and make a convenient purchase. Additionally, sections with reviews and ratings on the product page build trust with customers and convince them of the product's quality. Information on available payment methods and delivery options should also be clearly presented so customers can make informed decisions and confidently complete their purchase

Cart and checkout

A user-friendly and intuitive cart helps customers add items, manage orders before checkout, and calculate the final purchase price. An efficient checkout page reduces cart abandonment and promotes successful transactions.

Contact information

This section should provide ample contact details, including email addresses, phone numbers, and physical store addresses. This ensures transparency and customer trust by making it easy for them to reach out.

Don't forget about chatbots. Chatbots make the interaction process more interactive and convenient for visitors, improving their overall experience in the store. Contact information and an efficient chatbot system on the page ensure that customers have confidence that their questions and needs will be promptly met, making their store visit pleasant and productive.

Administrative panel

One of the key components of a successful online store is the administrative panel, which provides the store owner with full control over all aspects of the business. In the administrative panel, you can track each completed order, and see which products were purchased, who made the purchase, and at what stage the delivery is. This allows for efficient inventory management and ensures customers have access to up-to-date products.

In addition, the administrative panel gives you complete control over the content of your store. You can easily update information on the website, and add news, promotions, and blog posts to maintain visitor interest. This helps create up-to-date and engaging content, which is essential for keeping visitors on the site and increasing conversion.

You may feel that you already have a comprehensive list of pages, which should be sufficient for comfortable site use. However, it's not that simple. In addition to the previously mentioned, your site should also include:

• FAQs
• Delivery and payment information
• Returns policy
• Warranties
• Privacy policy
• About us

It's worth emphasizing that each of these sections requires careful interface and content planning. User-friendly navigation, attractive design, and informative materials ensure a positive experience for your customers. Additionally, the structure of the online store directly affects the overall cost of creating an online store because more complex structures may require more time and resources for development.

How much does it typically cost to create an online store?

The cost of creating an online store depends on various factors that need to be considered when planning the project. Here are some of the key aspects that influence the price:

Hosting сost

The hosting cost depends on the chosen plan, including storage capacity, bandwidth, and other parameters. Quality hosting ensures the stable operation of your online store.

Domain name

Cost Registering and maintaining a domain name also requires financial expenses. The price of a domain can depend on its popularity and the domain zone (e.g., .com, .net).

Online store design

The choice of online store design can significantly impact the price. Using a ready-made design or creating a unique visual style are two different levels of expenditure. A unique design that reflects your brand may require more time and resources

Preparatory development stages

Before starting the development of the store, preparatory activities are often conducted, such as marketing research, creating a prototype of the online store, designing, and functionality development. These stages can increase the overall project cost but contribute to its successful implementation.

Content costs creating

Content for the online store is an important aspect. It includes product photos, descriptions, videos, and text. Writing unique content and professional layout may also require additional expenses.

Promotion expenses

After launching the online store, promotion is necessary to attract visitors. Marketing expenses, online advertising, and search engine optimization can significantly affect the budget.

In the end, the final price of developing an online store will depend on the sum of all these factors and can vary widely depending on the specific project requirements. It is recommended to conduct a detailed analysis and budgeting with developers and marketing specialists to accurately determine the total costs.

In summary: estimating the cost to develop your own online store

The price of creating an online store in Ukraine depends on many factors that should be taken into account during project planning. Let's start with choosing a platform for development. In Ukraine, there are various options available, ranging from shareware builders like Wix or Shopify to more complex and more functional CMSs, including such popular platforms as Woocommerce, OpenCart and Magento. The choice of a specific platform will affect the overall price of the project. The most optimal option is to choose development on frameworks, which will provide you with greater flexibility and reliability

In addition, the price of creating an online store will depend on the number and qualifications of specialists involved in the project. The level of payment of IT specialists in Ukraine is relatively low compared to Western countries, which can lower the overall price. However, experienced and skilled developers and designers can demand high fees

Moreover, the project timeline can also impact the budget. If the client requires expedited project completion, this may require additional resources and, accordingly, increase the price.

On average, creating a turnkey online store in Ukraine can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 or more. However, these figures are approximate, and the final price will depend on the specific project requirements, chosen solutions, and other factors. It is recommended to conduct a detailed analysis and discussion with the development team for an accurate cost assessment. You can always reach out to us to find out the current prices for creating websites, online stores, or other web projects.

Creating an online store based on the Laravel framework can be considered the most optimal solution. Laravel is a functional and flexible framework for web application development, offering a rich set of features and a wide community of developers.

Why choose us?

Our team specializes in creating online stores using the powerful Laravel framework. We understand that an online store is not just a virtual space for selling goods; it is your online identity and a powerful tool for attracting customers. We are ready to help you bring your unique idea to life and provide a personalized online store with maximum functionality that stands out from the competition.

We pay special attention to every detail, starting from designing the user interface and ending with configuring various options such as payment systems, delivery, and filters. We also specialize in integrating third-party services to help you optimize processes in your online store to the fullest. Furthermore, we are always prepared to accommodate the scaling of your project so it can grow with you.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us, and our professionals will gladly advise you on all aspects of creating and developing your online store. We believe that your business deserves the very best in the online world, and we are ready to help you achieve that goal.