Setting Up Your Ecommerce Website: A Comprehensive Cost Guide (2024 Edition)

As a budding entrepreneur looking to venture into the ecommerce arena, you might be concerned about the financial implication of setting Up Your Ecommerce website. However, you shouldn’t be overly worried! With proper planning and a well-tailored budget, you can efficiently launch your online store. This guide offers an in-depth analysis of the potential costs involved, helping you make informed decisions.

Overview

Setting up an ecommerce website can range from as low as £176 annually for a self-built, small to medium-sized site, and could exceed £10,000 for a large-scale ecommerce site developed by a professional web designer. The table below provides a detailed cost structure based off of average prices for eccomerce websites.

Ecommerce Website Cost Breakdown

The financial commitment towards setting up an ecommerce website largely depends on several factors:

1. The number of product lines you intend to sell
2. The expected volume of sales
3. The anticipated number of site visitors
4. Your expansion plans

Typically, a website with a broad product range and high sales volume would cost more than a site offering a few products at a low volume. Additionally, any custom ecommerce functionality would escalate the cost.

Factors Influencing Website Cost

Before reaching out to web designers for quotes, it’s crucial to understand what you want from your ecommerce website. The best way to comprehend your ecommerce needs is through careful planning.

Planning Your Ecommerce Website

A well-devised plan is paramount in establishing your online business. This guide helps you navigate the planning process efficiently.

What Goes into setting up your eCommerce website?

Every ecommerce platform requires a domain name and website hosting. A domain name usually costs around £20 annually. This can however depend on your domain choice and extension. The hosting cost will vary according to your site’s size and the anticipated number of visitors. For instance, The Elite Web Co’s., Web Hosting Plus, suitable for ecommerce sites, starts as low as $25.99.

The other primary cost involves hiring a web designer, should you choose to do so. The fee depends on the project size, with prices commencing from around £1,500. If this seems overwhelming, you can explore low-cost DIY ecommerce software that doesn’t require technical skills. However, if you want a quality web design team, see below for the most efficient option.

Cost-Effective Options for Ecommerce Websites

For small ecommerce platforms, cost-effectiveness is essential. You wouldn’t want to spend a significant amount recovering the amount spent on web design. Luckily, there are affordable options that offer a wide range of functionalities.

Option 1: The WordPress LAB

The WordPress LAB is the easiest way to get a stunning website without the hefty price tag that most web designers charge. One of the best parts about The WordPress LAB is that the designers don’t just build you a website and abandon you, they maintain and look after your website for life. For just $79 a month, you’ll receive:

• WP Rocket Cache Optimisation
• Unlimited Image optimisation service
• Elementor Pro Subscription
• Essential Add-ons Subscription
• Premium Add-ons Subscription
• Access to the Elite helpdesk
• Website security
• Unlimited maintenance
• Unlimited repairs
• Google Business Initial Setup
• Google Search Console Configuration
• Google Analytics Configuration
• Custom Analytics Area Within The WP LAB
• Sitemap created and submitted
• A set amount of development time a month (depending on the plan you choose)
• Daily backups
• Unlimited Malware and Hack removal

All of this for just $79 per month makes The WordPress LAB a complete steal, plus you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your website again. The WordPress LAB offers 3 price plans fully loaded with everything you need for your journey on the web. You may be a store looking to take your products to the internet, or you could be a pre-existing store looking for an upgrade to help you expand. There really is a plan for everyone, no matter what your requirements or budget are.

Option 2: Elite’s Online Store

For just $26.99 monthly, you can set up your online store on The Elite Web Co., without hiring a web designer. With a pre-built template, all you need is to replace the text and photos with your own. You also get free digital marketing tools, including an SEO tool, social media integration, and an email marketing tool. The price also includes web hosting and an SSL certificate, which encrypts private data such as names and banking details.

Alternate options for ecommerce websites

We looked for some of the other web designers available for hire. One of the most reputable we found was Alt Agency. We found that they’re cheapest packages are from $477 + tax. No matter how good a job, this is too much for most businesses to be paying monthly. Many other web design businesses charge similar, if not more expensive prices.

Ensuring Fair Pricing

For DIY options, you only need to ensure the ecommerce platform you choose provides the features you need at an affordable price. However, when employing a web designer, it’s crucial to get cost estimates from several designers. Remember, the lowest quote might not be the best. If a price seems too good to be true compared to other quotes, exercise caution. This especially applies to web designers advertising on websites such as Fiverr.

Conclusion

Launching an ecommerce website doesn’t have to break the bank. By understanding your business needs and future plans, you can ensure you get the best deal for your online store.