SHORT ANSWER
A Shopify store costs less than most people think. Running it starts at about $40 a month. Getting it built depends on what you need, and US agency quotes can run into thousands. You can get the same quality for much less if you know where to look. This guide shows you how.
Wondering what a Shopify website costs? Here is a clear breakdown in US dollars: what you pay Shopify every month, what affects the cost of getting it built, and how to keep both low.
There are two kinds of cost. The first is the monthly cost of running the store: your Shopify plan and any apps. The second is getting it built: the theme, the design and the setup. Let's look at each one.
1. Shopify store cost per month: your plan
Every Shopify store needs a plan. These are Shopify's US plan prices when you pay monthly. Paying yearly saves about 25%.
| Plan | Price per month | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | New stores and small shops |
| Grow | $105 | Growing stores with staff |
| Advanced | $399 | Busy stores that need better reports |
| Shopify Plus | from $2,300 | Large brands with high sales |
Shopify also takes a small fee on each card payment. On the Basic plan in the US it is about 2.9% plus 30 cents per online order. Bigger plans pay a little less per order.
2. Apps
Apps add features like reviews, email, upsells and shipping rules. Many have a free plan. Most stores end up paying $0 to $150 a month for apps. Start with only what you need, and add more when sales grow.
3. Theme
The theme is the design your store is built on. Shopify has free themes, and paid themes in the Shopify Theme Store usually cost $100 to $500, paid once. A paid theme gives you more layouts and features, but a free theme is fine for many new stores.
4. Building the store: who does the work
This is where the biggest difference in price comes from. You have three main options.
| Option | Cost level | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | Lowest | Your time, a theme, basic setup. Good if you have few products and some free weekends. |
| Freelancer | Medium | A store set up on a theme, products added, payments and shipping done. |
| Agency | Highest in the US | Custom design, more pages, apps set up, speed and SEO work, and support after launch. |
How to get agency quality without the US agency price
US Shopify developers often charge $50 to $150 an hour. That is why US agency quotes get high so fast. You don't have to pay that.
Many US store owners now work with an official Shopify Partner team outside the US. You get the same platform, the same quality and a fixed price, for a fraction of the cost. The key is to pick a team that is a verified Shopify Partner, shows real stores it has built, and gives you a fixed quote before work starts.
With H3: agency quality at a much lower price than US agencies. You get a fixed quote before work starts, no hourly billing, and support after launch.
Shopify website cost by store size
| Store type | Monthly cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $40 to $80 | Up to 50 products, free or paid theme, simple setup |
| Mid | $80 to $250 | Custom homepage, 50 to 500 products, reviews and email apps |
| Full / custom | $250+ | Custom design, custom features, store moved from another platform |
Hidden costs to plan for
- Domain name: about $15 a year.
- Product photos: good photos sell more. Plan for this if you don't have them.
- Moving from another platform: if you move your store to Shopify, moving products, customers and orders from WooCommerce, Wix or Magento adds work.
- Upkeep: small fixes, new pages and app updates after launch.
5 ways to keep the cost down
- Start on the Basic plan. Move up when your sales need it.
- Use a good theme instead of a fully custom design for your first version.
- Install only the apps you will really use.
- Pay yearly for your Shopify plan to save about 25%.
- Get a fixed quote before work starts, so the price doesn't grow.
Black Friday: 30% off store makeovers
Want your store ready for the holiday rush? H3 is giving 30% off Shopify store makeovers. Book by November 10.
Why store owners work with H3
H3 Technologies is a Shopify Select Partner and a Meta Business Partner. We have built more than 12 of our own Shopify apps, so we know the platform inside out. One team builds your store, sets it up and supports it after launch.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shopify website cost per month?
Between $39 and $399 for the plan, plus $0 to $150 for apps. Most small stores pay $40 to $150 a month in total.
Can I build a Shopify store for free?
You can use a free theme and build it yourself, but you still need a paid Shopify plan to sell. Shopify usually offers a short free trial to start.
How long does it take to build a Shopify store?
A basic store takes 1 to 2 weeks. A mid store takes 3 to 6 weeks. A custom store can take 2 to 3 months.
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is free software, but you pay for hosting, security and more upkeep. For most small stores the total cost ends up close, and Shopify needs less technical work.
How much does it cost to move my store to Shopify?
It depends on how many products, customers and orders you have. We look at your store first and then give you a fixed price, so there are no surprises.
Get your store built for less
Tell us what you need and we will send a free fixed-price quote within one business day. No hourly billing, no surprises. Get a free quote, or WhatsApp us at +1 346 347 1428.
