How much does an e-commerce website cost?
Online store pricing by size and platform — Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom.
An online store costs more than a brochure site because it does more: product catalogues, carts, secure checkout, payments, orders, and often accounts and shipping. The platform you choose is the biggest lever on price.
Shopify and WooCommerce (on WordPress) get you selling faster and cheaper; a custom store gives you total control and scales for high volume — at a higher build cost.
Typical cost by project size
Professionally built, custom-designed, with a few integrations. Ranges are rough planning figures — not a quote.
| Project size | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $7,400–$11,000 | ₹240,000–₹370,000 | 2–5 wks |
| Medium | $9,900–$15,000 | ₹330,000–₹490,000 | 5–10 wks |
| Large | $14,000–$21,000 | ₹460,000–₹690,000 | 10–20 wks |
INR uses local market rates, not spot exchange rates. Your exact price depends on features and detail.
Cost by build approach
The same medium-sized project, priced across the common ways to build it.
| Build approach | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $6,700–$10,000 | ₹220,000–₹330,000 | 5–10 wks |
| WordPress | $6,300–$9,500 | ₹210,000–₹310,000 | 5–10 wks |
| Custom code | $9,900–$15,000 | ₹330,000–₹490,000 | 5–10 wks |
Cheaper up front isn't always cheaper long term — the right choice depends on your goals.
What affects the price.
Number of products
A handful of products is simple; thousands with variants, filters, and search is a bigger build.
Platform
Shopify is hosted and quick to launch. WooCommerce is flexible and cheaper to license. Custom suits high-volume or unusual requirements.
Payments & checkout
Standard gateways are quick; multiple currencies, subscriptions, or custom checkout flows add work.
Integrations
Shipping, inventory, accounting, email marketing, and CRM integrations each add scope.
Design
A themed store is affordable; a fully custom, brand-led storefront costs more.
How to keep costs down.
- Launch on Shopify or WooCommerce first if you want to sell quickly and cheaply.
- Keep the initial catalogue lean and expand once you're live.
- Use built-in payment and shipping integrations before building custom ones.
- Invest in good product photography — it converts better than an expensive theme.
Common questions.
WooCommerce has no monthly platform fee (you pay hosting), while Shopify charges a subscription but handles hosting and security for you. Build cost is similar; Shopify is often faster to launch. See the platform table below.
Custom checkout, many product variants, complex integrations (ERP, multi-warehouse shipping), and a fully bespoke design are the biggest cost drivers.
Yes — most stores launch lean on a hosted platform and re-platform to custom only when volume or requirements demand it.
The old rules don't apply here.
Your competitors are settling for ordinary. You don't have to.