Building an eCommerce Website is a significant investment for any business. Whether you’re launching a small online shop or developing a complex online marketplace, understanding the costs involved is crucial. Many factors influence the total cost of an eCommerce Website, from the platform you choose to the custom features you require.
In summary
Development Costs:
Depends on platform, custom features, and complexity.
Hosting & Maintenance:
Ongoing costs for server hosting and upkeep.
Design & Customization:
Custom designs cost more than templates.
Plugins & Extensions:
Add-on functionalities can increase the total cost.
Marketing & SEO:
An essential part of driving traffic and sales, with its own costs.
eCommerce Website Development Cost: What You Need to Know
In this blog, we’ll break down the main components of eCommerce Website cost to help you make an informed decision about your budget.
1. Development Costs
One of the primary expenses of building an eCommerce Website is development. This includes the time and expertise needed to create a functional, user-friendly website. The cost varies based on whether you choose a pre-built platform or opt for a custom-built solution.
Using a Pre-built Platform (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce):
Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer templates and pre-built features that make it easier and quicker to get started. However, even with these, there may be costs for plugins, third-party integrations, and customization.
Custom Development:
A custom-built eCommerce Website allows for unique features and design tailored specifically to your business needs. However, this option tends to be more expensive due to the added complexity and development time required.
Typical Costs:
- Basic Platform Charges: Starting from ₹1499 onwards
- Basic eCommerce Website Setup: Starting from ₹25000 onwards
- Custom development: ₹ 90,000 and up, depending on complexity.
2. Hosting and Maintenance
After your eCommerce Website is up and running, you’ll need to account for ongoing hosting and maintenance costs. Hosting refers to the servers that store your website’s data and make it accessible to users online. The more traffic your website receives, the more expensive hosting may be.
Maintenance includes updates, security checks, and general upkeep to ensure your website continues to function smoothly. Skipping on regular maintenance can lead to issues that negatively impact user experience and conversions.
Typical Costs:
- Cloud Based Web Hosting: Starting from ₹1750 per month, depending on website size and traffic.
- Website Maintenance: Starting from ₹7500 per month, depending on the complexity of the website.
3. Design and Customization
The design of your eCommerce Website plays a significant role in user experience and brand perception. You can choose between pre-designed templates or opt for a fully customized design.
Readymade Templates: Many platforms offer ready-made templates that allow you to quickly set up your eCommerce store. While this is a more affordable option, it offers limited flexibility in terms of customization and branding.
Custom Design: A custom website design ensures your website aligns with your brand identity and offers a unique user experience. However, custom designs come at a higher cost due to the need for graphic designers and developers.
Typical Costs:
- Template-based design: Starting from ₹18000
- Custom design: Starting from ₹45,000 depending on complexity.
4. Plugins and Extensions
Plugins and extensions add functionality to your eCommerce Website, such as payment gateways, product filters, and email marketing integrations. While some platforms offer free plugins, others require premium plugins or custom-built features, which can add to the overall cost.
Typical Costs:
- Ready Plugins: Free to $100+ per plugin, depending on the platform and functionality.
- Custom plugins: ₹15,000 onwards depending on the scope.
5. Digital Marketing and SEO
Once your eCommerce Website is live, you’ll need to invest in marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) to attract visitors and drive sales. From paid advertising and social media marketing to SEO strategies that help your website rank higher on Google, these costs are an essential part of growing your online business.
Typical Costs:
- SEO services: Starting from ₹17500 per month.
- Paid advertising: We recommend a minimum budget of ₹10,000 to 15,000 per month
- Social Media Marketing: Starting from ₹20,000 onwards per month
Conclusion
The cost of an eCommerce Website can vary widely depending on your specific needs and goals. While the initial investment might seem high, remember that a well-optimized, user-friendly website is crucial for driving conversions and growing your business. As you budget for your eCommerce site, be sure to factor in not only the development and design costs but also ongoing expenses such as hosting, maintenance, and marketing.
Looking to Create an eCommerce Website?
At Witty Web Solutions, we provide full-featured eCommerce website solutions that help your business thrive.
Start selling online, offer discounts, accept payments and manage products with our full featured eCommerce website solutions on Shopify or WooCommerce.
