How Much Does Shopify Cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Sell With Shopify?

We guess you have been researching Shopify, and you want to know how much it will cost to get started, ongoing costs and any other fees you might need to consider. It can be hard to know where to start and what needs to be factored into your budget when getting your business online, from branding and design to ongoing costs for hosting and payment processing fees.

This blog will cover everything you need to know, from getting started to running costs and more when considering using the dedicated eCommerce system Shopify. 

How much do Shopify websites cost to get started?

Like any website project, you will need to consider if you will hire a web designer to work on your Shopify store or attempt it yourself. Shopify does provide some basic templates and themes for you to be able to tackle this yourself. However, the outcome of your website will be determined by your skills as a designer. If you are looking for your eCommerce store to succeed, however, It is advisable to hire a Shopify expert web designer who can guide you, create a stunning web experience for your customers, and maximise your investment return. 

Shopify website design prices can range from £800 to a few thousand, depending on the complexity and depth you require. However, for most small businesses getting started with a Shopify website, you can expect to pay between £800-£1000 for the initial design.

How Much Do Shopify Websites Cost to Host?

Shopify has a few hosting plans to choose from, starting from as little as £20 per month, right up to £2000 per month*. Which one you need depends on what level of services you require and which additional features you deem necessary. 

• Basic Shopify: $29 per month
• Shopify: $79 per month
• Advanced Shopify:  $299 per month
• Shopify Plus Enterprise: $2,000 per month (scaleable)

Before you see the big figures and run for the hills, it is worth remembering that the larger packages are designed for multinational billion-pound businesses that use the platform, such as the likes of Gym Shark, Heinz, Huel and Death Wish Coffee. The basic and primary plans offer plenty for smaller businesses to get ahead online and generate more customers and income. 

*(Shopify charges in USD, so exact pricing fluctuates slightly depending on the exchange rates). 

How Much Does Shopify Take per Transaction?

If you use the integrated Shopify payment handling system and not a third party system such as PayPal or Stripe, the fees per transaction is simple and straightforward:

• 2.2% of each online sale
• 20p per transaction 

This is in line with most card merchants fees that we have checked, which range between 2 and 5%. 

You may ask why there are any payment handling fees as you are paying a monthly fee; however, this is down to the card providers, not Shopify themselves. This is an industry practice, no matter which payment provider or platform you choose to host your eCommerce website. 

Is Shopify Worth The Cost?

You may have looked at other platforms such as Wix and Squarespace and seen their eCommerce offerings for around £20 per month. Or even thought about teaming WordPress up with WooCommerce and hosting your eCommerce store this way, all of which are valid options. So why would you consider paying a little more for Shopify? 

The truth is that eCommerce is what Shopify does and all it does. It does not try to be everything the internet needs or wants from a content management system. It chooses to focus on what is required to make eCommerce simple, effective and profitable. Offering simple integrations with:

• Google merchant centre for Google shopping
• Social media channels for social shopping
• Email marketing platforms
• Ads and marketing channel integrations

Plus, all the usual suspects needed by an eCommerce store, such as analytics and SEO features. In other words, it is a one-stop-shop for eCommerce brands that want to be able to grow and scale with ease. 

Can you use Shopify for free?

Shopify offers a 14 day free trial of the platform to allow you to get used to how it works and play with some of the features. If you also use an authorised Shopify partner such as us at Morgan Branding, you can also set up a “staging” store which allows you to design the store and get it ready for launch before paying any hosting fees. Once your store is live, however, monthly payments apply. 

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