Why can the price of an online store vary so much?
If you’ve already looked for quotes to build an online store, you’ve probably noticed major price differences. Some providers advertise stores for just a few hundred euros, while others charge several thousand — or even tens of thousands. So, what’s the difference? And which offer is right for you?
The price of an online store doesn’t just reflect the amount of work involved but, more importantly, the quality, project goals, and long-term value you receive. It's similar to buying a car: you can choose a basic model that gets you from point A to B, or invest in a vehicle that offers comfort, performance, safety features, and long-term reliability. Both choices make sense — but for different users with different needs.
The same applies to online stores. A store that costs €3,000 is usually built on a ready-made template, with basic functionality and limited upgrade options. It’s a good choice for those just starting out and looking to test the market. On the other hand, a higher-priced store includes custom design, automated processes, advanced user experience, SEO strategy, integrations with accounting or ERP systems, and reliable technical support.
To illustrate this more clearly, here are two examples:
- Company A sells a few unique products made from natural materials and wants an online presence without major investment. A basic store based on a template, with a simple payment system and a few products, is more than sufficient.
- Company B is a distributor with hundreds of products, updates stock daily, sells in multiple countries, and needs automatic synchronization with its business systems. A simple store won’t do — they need a comprehensive solution that enables growth and professional operations.
The price difference is not about prestige — it’s about the specific needs and goals of your business. The key question is not which store is cheaper, but which one will bring you more value and fewer headaches in the long run.
What affects the cost of an online store?
When we talk about how much it costs to build an online store, we need to understand that several factors influence the final price. The price is not random; it depends on the scope, complexity, and goals your business wants to achieve. Some stores can be built quickly with basic features, while others require extensive planning, development, and third-party integrations.
Below are the main factors that affect the price of an online store the most:
- Number of products and categories: A store with 15 products is much simpler than one with hundreds or thousands, which requires filters, advanced search, and structured navigation.
- Design: Are you using a pre-built template or a custom design? A unique design tailored to your brand takes more time, testing, and coordination — but also leaves a stronger impression on customers.
- User Experience (UX): The more tailored the store is to your customers — faster, clearer, more intuitive — the higher the likelihood of purchases. This requires additional planning and testing.
- Functionality: Basic stores allow basic sales. But if you need discount codes, multiple languages, related products, recommendations, dynamic pricing, gift cards, or subscription models, the project scope increases quickly.
- Payment and delivery systems: The more custom options you want (e.g., installment payments, integration with GLS, DPD, Slovenian Post, etc.), the more work is required for integration and testing.
- Integrations with ERP, CRM, or accounting: If you want stock, orders, invoices, and customer data to sync automatically with your business system, additional technical integration is needed.
- SEO and site structure: If you want your store to rank high on Google, you need a well-thought-out URL structure, fast load times, mobile optimization, and quality content — often not included in basic packages.
- Advertising readiness: A store that’s technically ready for Facebook Ads, Google Ads, email marketing, and event tracking (Meta Pixel, GA4) adds value — but also requires extra work.
Each of these items plays a role in shaping the final price. The key is to work with your developer to define what you truly need now — and what can be added later. That way, you avoid overspending while still including essential features your business needs to succeed.
What are you really paying for?
When you invest in building an online store, you’re not just paying someone to “make a website.” You’re investing in professional expertise, experience, strategic planning, and technical execution that ensure your store is not only visually appealing – but also fast, efficient, and built to grow.
The cost of an online store is essentially the price for an entire system working behind the scenes: from product display, simple checkout, and payment processing to order management, backend system connections, and advertising integrations.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s what different investment levels typically include:
- Basic level (from €3,000): A solid online store built on a proven platform (like WooCommerce), using a customized template with essential features, basic payment integration, and initial product upload. Ideal for getting started quickly and testing the market.
- Standard level (from €6,000): A store with custom design, enhanced user experience, advanced filters, delivery and multiple payment integrations, technically optimized for SEO and advertising. Perfect for businesses aiming to build a strong online sales channel.
- Advanced level (from €10,000): A complete solution with automation, multilingual support, ERP/CRM integrations, advanced search, AI-powered product suggestions, and multi-store or international market capabilities. This is the foundation for long-term online growth.
Of course, every project is unique. Sometimes a basic store may require less, other times even an entry-level solution can involve additional needs that increase the scope. That’s why we always recommend creating a plan based on your goals – not just a prepackaged offer.
It’s important to understand that a high price doesn’t necessarily mean a rip-off – and a low price isn’t always a great deal. A professionally built store means fewer headaches later, higher conversions, and a better experience for both you and your customers.
When is a basic store enough – and when do you need an advanced one?
This is a common question among entrepreneurs: Should I start with a basic online store and upgrade later, or invest in a more complete solution from the start?
The answer depends on two key factors: your current needs and the speed at which you plan to grow. The cost of an online store shouldn’t be the only consideration – it’s more important that the solution supports your business goals.
Here are some real-world examples to help you decide:
A basic store is enough if you …
- sell a smaller number of products (up to 20–30),
- are entering the market and want to test demand,
- have a limited budget but want a professional start,
- don’t need external system integrations or advanced features,
- want to easily manage and update the store yourself.
This is ideal for local businesses, makers, small retailers, or entrepreneurs just starting their e-commerce journey.
An advanced store is essential if you …
- have a large product catalog with complex category structures,
- sell in multiple countries or currencies,
- need integration with accounting, ERP, or CRM systems,
- want automation (inventory sync, order processing, etc.),
- plan to focus on advertising, SEO, and email marketing.
This applies to fast-growing businesses, distributors, niche product stores, and anyone looking to scale professionally.
If you're still unsure, don’t worry – many online stores start small and scale up later. What matters most is that the initial structure is flexible enough to grow. We always ensure that your foundation is prepared for expansion when you're ready to take the next step.
How do you know if an online store is well-built?
Many entrepreneurs ask themselves at the end of a project: Was my online store really well-made? Was it worth the investment? Since most lack technical knowledge, this is a valid question. That’s why we’ve prepared a few clear indicators that help you recognize a quality online store – whether you’ve already launched one or are still deciding.
- The store loads quickly: Page load speed significantly affects both user experience and SEO. If the site takes more than 3 seconds to load, visitors often leave.
- The store works flawlessly on mobile: Most users browse on mobile devices today. A good design means text is readable, buttons are accessible, and the purchase process doesn’t require zooming in.
- The checkout process is simple: From product selection to order completion, there should be no unnecessary steps or confusion. If the customer gets lost during checkout, the store is not fulfilling its purpose.
- Products appear on Google: If you search for your product or business name and find nothing, that’s a sign the SEO basics were not properly handled.
- The store allows for growth: If your developer tells you something isn’t possible due to platform limitations – that’s a problem. A quality store is flexible and upgradeable.
- There is ongoing support: If bugs, changes, or technical questions arise, your provider must be reachable and responsive. Without this, even the best store won’t succeed long-term.
All of the above might seem obvious – but unfortunately, that’s not always the case in practice. That’s why it’s important to ask your provider how they will ensure the quality and long-term maintenance of your online store – not just focus on the initial price.
What are the additional costs after launching a store?
Many entrepreneurs expect that once the online store is completed, all costs are done too. But in reality, development is only the first step. Just like a physical store, an online one needs maintenance, hosting, and regular care to operate smoothly and deliver results.
It’s wise to factor in monthly or yearly ongoing costs when planning the price of your online store:
- Maintenance and updates: Every online store needs technical upgrades, security patches, and occasional functionality improvements. Maintenance keeps your store stable and secure.
- Hosting: Quality hosting impacts both speed and reliability. Hosting starts at a few dozen euros per year, but for serious stores, we recommend more robust packages with backups and support.
- Email inboxes and domains: If you have a professional domain (e.g., @yourcompany.com), you’ll also need email services and domain renewals each year.
- SEO and advertising: A store without visitors doesn’t sell. While not mandatory, it’s recommended. Think of Google ads, Facebook campaigns, or email marketing to reach new customers.
- Product and content updates: If you don’t manage the store yourself, you can order regular updates for products, text, and images. This is especially useful if your offerings change often or you run seasonal promotions.
- Additional upgrades: You may later want to add new features like advanced search, user reviews, or integrations with other platforms. That’s what we call growth – and your store should be ready for it.
While these costs aren’t necessarily high, it’s good to be aware of them in advance – mainly so you’re not caught off guard later. The good news is: when your store is set up properly, these extra costs aren’t wasted – they’re investments in its success and growth.
How to choose the right provider for building an online store?
At first glance, the price of an online store may seem like a simple number. But when you dig deeper, it becomes clear that it’s a comprehensive investment – in user experience, reliable performance, sales results, and your online visibility.
The smartest approach is not to decide based on price alone, but on what you get for your money. Does the provider offer a clear structure, support, security, speed, and upgrade options? Do they understand your business and help with marketing and strategy too?
If you want to build a solid foundation for success from the beginning, choose a team that understands how an online store works in practice – not just how it looks. Sometimes this means a slightly higher initial investment, but it pays off in the long run with better usability, fewer issues, and more sales.
On the online store development page, you can view our specific packages, where everything included is clearly explained. We’re also available for a free consultation to figure out what’s suitable and feasible for you.
No matter your industry – whether you're selling physical products, courses, digital content, or something else entirely – it’s important to understand from the start that there is no “fixed price” as such, but rather the value you get in return. And that is the key principle when choosing the right partner for your online store.
