One of the most common questions we hear from brands considering Shopify is: how much does Shopify store setup actually cost? The honest answer is it depends — but in this guide we will break down every cost involved so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
How Much Does Shopify Cost? (Platform Fees First)
Before we get to setup costs, you need to account for Shopify's ongoing platform subscription:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Shopify | $39/month | New stores with low order volume |
| Shopify | $105/month | Growing stores with multiple staff |
| Advanced Shopify | $399/month | Scaling stores needing advanced reporting |
| Shopify Plus | From $2,000/month | Enterprise brands with high volume |
These are the recurring platform costs on top of your one-off setup costs.
Shopify Store Setup Cost by Project Type
Basic Shopify Store Setup
A basic store using a premium Shopify theme with customisation, product upload and full configuration:
- DIY: £0 developer cost + 40–80 hours of your own time + £180–£350 for a premium theme
- Freelancer: £800–£2,000 / $1,000–$2,500 / AUD $1,500–$3,500
- Agency: £1,500–£4,000 / $1,800–$5,000 / AUD $2,500–$7,000
Custom Shopify Store Design Build
A fully custom Shopify theme designed and built from scratch:
- Freelancer: £3,000–£8,000 / $4,000–$10,000 / AUD $6,000–$14,000
- Agency: £5,000–£20,000 / $6,500–$25,000 / AUD $9,000–$35,000
Shopify Plus Build
Enterprise Shopify Plus development with custom checkout, B2B and integrations:
- Agency: £8,000–£100,000+ / $10,000–$125,000+ / AUD $14,000–$175,000+
Shopify Migration Cost
Migrating from WooCommerce, Magento or another platform:
- Simple migration (WooCommerce, small catalogue): £1,500–£4,000 / $2,000–$5,000
- Complex migration (Magento, large catalogue): £5,000–£25,000 / $6,500–$30,000
Ongoing Costs to Budget For
Beyond the initial setup, budget for these ongoing costs:
| Cost | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| Shopify subscription | $39–$399 |
| Apps and plugins | $50–$500 |
| Domain name | $1–3 (billed annually) |
| Development retainer | $800–$3,000 |
| SEO services | $500–$3,000 |
| Marketing/ads | Varies by budget |
DIY vs Freelancer vs Agency: Which is Right for You?
The right choice depends on your budget, timeline and the commercial stakes involved:
- DIY: Free to cheap, but requires 40–80+ hours of your time. Fine for hobby stores; risky for commercial launches where speed and quality matter.
- Freelancer: Good for simple projects with clear requirements. Risk: variable quality and limited accountability if things go wrong.
- Agency: Higher cost, but provides a team, a process, accountability and a track record. Better ROI for stores where setup quality directly impacts revenue.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Shopify Setup Budget
- Write a detailed brief before getting quotes — specificity reduces scope creep and inflates costs
- Prioritise ruthlessly — launch with your core features, add extras later
- Choose a Shopify specialist over a generalist web agency — faster delivery, fewer mistakes
- Get fixed-price quotes — avoid open-ended hourly engagements for setup work
Our Shopify Store Setup Pricing
At Shopify Plus Designers, our Shopify store setup service starts from $899 / £749 / AUD $1,200. We offer transparent fixed-price packages with no hidden fees — for brands in the UK, USA and Australia.
Contact us for a free consultation and detailed quote based on your specific requirements. We will review your needs and provide a clear, itemised proposal within 24 hours.
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