What was the first thought that came to mind when you decided to build an eCommerce website?
Was it something to do with the website's design? Or were you considering your marketing strategy? Most likely, none of these. The most significant concern is usually the cost of developing an eCommerce website. It's no surprise that you're reading this.
The cost of an eCommerce website will range between $5,000 and $200,000, and in some cases, even more. It's not a precise estimate, but that's because the question is vague. If I asked you how much a car costs, you might come up with a similar cost estimate.
Factors Influencing the Cost of eCommerce Development
Design:
One can create stunning web designs for free using eCommerce platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. These platforms include free themes, which are helpful for those on a tight budget. Some of these free themes also look fantastic; however, the cookie-cutter options eventually need to be revised, achieving only the bare minimum.
Another option is to purchase a paid theme. A Shopify theme will cost you between $140 and $180. The cost of designing is unlimited in custom development. Everything is dependent on how engaging you want the UX to be. Brand perception is even more critical if you're a retailer planning to open an online store. The cost of custom design starts at $10,000.
Functionality:
If you want a simple eCommerce website, you'll find that most features are already present. But who wants a cookie-cutter shop? There will always be gaps in functionality, regardless of the eCommerce platform you use.
Plugins and add-ons come in handy here. You can easily find free and paid add-ons to improve the site's functionality. This is also where things get complicated. The free ones could be better. Because paid ones are typically developed by third parties, they do not always complement a website.
Basic Features: SaaS platforms
Similarly to themes, you can hire developers to customize the add-on for your site. They might even be able to design one from scratch. The two options are dependent on what you require. Basic eCommerce feature customization on platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce can range between $5,000 and $15,000.
But there's more- most eCommerce website owners want to expand beyond basic features. After all, who wants an online store without a wishlist or a website that cannot offer discounts?
Advanced Features
Adding advanced features necessitates a larger budget. A customization is a good option if you have a reasonable eCommerce website budget. The easier it is to attract customers, the more functional the website is. This enhancement would cost an additional $5,000 to $12,000.
However, there are a few differences between eCommerce platforms and custom eCommerce development, and the importance of basic and advanced features remains constant.
Custom Development
For primary e-commerce features, custom development typically costs between $20,000 and $30,000. They consist of functions like product management, categorization of products, payment portals, and similar ones. In custom development, an eCommerce development company can help you to develop your eCommerce store, and the overall cost starts from $50,000 and go up to $5,00,000.
Maintenance
After the website is launched, it will inevitably need regular care and upkeep. This is crucial because some flaws are only discovered after the website launches with the merchandise. The website remains competitive, thanks to frequent updates.
Maintenance for an eCommerce website depends on its size, just like other aspects of its construction. Smaller stores don't require extensive technical maintenance from you, especially those created on eCommerce platforms. You can delegate that to the service provider and concentrate on your company instead.
Final Thoughts
It is challenging to determine a standard price for all eCommerce websites because there are many variables to consider, including development, design, integrations, support, and more.
All of that necessitates a skilled workforce to guarantee a return on your investment. By working with a seasoned development firm, you get a rough budget estimate for your e-commerce website.
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