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The cost of creating an online store: what the price depends onThe choice of the contractor and its impact on the project budgetChoosing a CMS or platform for online tradingDesign and visual design of the site: we form an attractive lookThe functionality of the online store: what features do you need?Layout and responsive design: convenience on all devicesTerms of reference (TOR): the basis of quality developmentHosting and domain name: fixed costsContent filling: quality description of productsSEO optimization and promotion: the key to visibility in search enginesOnline store support and maintenance: we ensure stable operationApproximate price segments on the Ukrainian marketResults: how to optimally plan the budget for creating an online store
This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Opening your own online store — is an important step for many entrepreneurs looking to expand their business or create it from scratch in the digital space. Before immersing yourself in the world of e-commerce, a key question arises: how much does it cost to develop an online store? There is no unequivocal answer, because the cost of creating an online site depends on many factors. Understanding all aspects of pricing will help form a realistic budget for the future project.
The cost of creating an online store: what the price depends on
The price of creating an online store – is not a fixed amount. It depends on many components that directly relate to the scale, complexity and individual needs of your business. Understanding these factors will allow you to plan investments effectively and avoid unforeseen costs. The average cost of a simple online store on a template with basic functionality in Ukraine can be from 2,500 to 3,000 US dollars ($2,500 to 3,000). However, the range of development prices can vary from several thousand hryvnias to six-digit amounts, depending on the chosen approach and the complexity of the project.
The choice of the contractor and its impact on the project budget
By choosing who will develop your online store, you largely determine its final cost. There are several main options, each of which has its own advantages and price features:
- Web studios: Companies specializing in website development offer a comprehensive approach, guarantees and quality. This is usually the most expensive option, but it includes a full cycle of work, from terms of reference to launch and support.
- Freelancers: Independent specialists can offer a lower price, especially for simpler projects. The minimum starting price of an online freelance store in Ukraine can start from UAH 40,000 for a template site. However, it is important to carefully check portfolios and reviews here, because the level of responsibility and experience can vary greatly.
- SaaS platforms: These are ready-made cloud solutions such as Khoroshop, Shopify, Tilda, Wix eCommerce. They allow you to quickly launch a store for a subscription fee, minimizing initial development costs. The cost on such platforms can start from 1990 USD ($). This is a great option for small and medium-sized businesses that want to get a quality resource without deep technical knowledge.
- Self-development: This path requires considerable technical knowledge and time, but is the most budget-friendly in terms of direct development costs.
Choosing a CMS or platform for online trading
A content management system (CMS) or a specialized platform for e-commerce is the foundation of your online store. Their choice directly affects the functionality and, accordingly, the total cost of development:
- OpenCart, WordPress (with WooCommerce): These are popular open source CMSs. They allow you to create functional stores with wide expansion capabilities using plugins. The cost of development on OpenCart can start from 1000 US dollars ($).
- Bitrix, Laravel: These systems are often used for more complex and individual projects that require significant improvements and unique functionality.
- SaaS platforms (Shopify, Khoroshop): Offer ready-made solutions with a wide range of functions, integrated hosting and technical support. Here you pay a subscription fee that includes most of the necessary services, which greatly simplifies start-up and maintenance.
Design and visual design of the site: we form an attractive look
The appearance of your online store – is the first thing a potential customer sees. The user's desire to stay on the site and make a purchase depends on its attractiveness and convenience. Design cost can vary significantly:
- Template design: The most budget option. A ready-made template is selected, which minimally adapts to your brand. The cost of such a solution is much lower, since there is no need to develop unique elements (.
- Template with functionality refinement and design change: A medium-priced option that allows you to give the template uniqueness due to changes in visual style and the addition of individual functions.
- Customized or unique design from scratch: This is the most expensive option, which involves the development of an original visual concept that fully meets your needs and corporate style. It includes processing all elements and blocks, creating page layouts, determining the color scheme and fonts (fonts). This approach ensures uniqueness and high ease of use (UX/UI).
The functionality of the online store: what features do you need?
The number and complexity of functionality — is one of the most important factors affecting the price of development. The more integrations and unique solutions you plan, the higher the cost. Here are the main functional blocks:
- Basic functionality: Product catalog, product cards, basket, order placement, user's personal account, site search, filters and sorting.
- Payment systems: Integration with various payment services (LiqPay, WayForPay, Portmone, etc.) for ease of payment.
- Delivery systems: Integration with delivery services (Nova Poshta, Ukrposhta) for automatic cost calculation and order tracking.
- Warehouse accounting systems and CRM/ERP: Integration with warehouse accounting programs (for example, 1C, KeyCRM) for automatic product unloading, updating information about balances and prices, forming a client base and tracking the stages of order processing (.
- Additional features: Product comparison, wish lists, calculators, recommendation blocks, online chat, integration with social networks, multi-currency, multilingualism, feedback and rating system.
Each additional feature requires time and resources to implement, which is directly reflected in the final price of the development.
Layout and responsive design: convenience on all devices
Layout – is the process of converting a design layout into functional site pages using HTML and CSS. It ensures the correct display of all elements on the screen. The cost of layout depends on the number of pages and the complexity of the design.
Adaptive design is a mandatory requirement for a modern online store. It guarantees the correct display of the site on any devices – computers, tablets, smartphones. This is not just convenience, but also an important factor for SEO promotion, because search engines prefer adaptive sites.
Terms of reference (TOR): the basis of quality development
The creation of a detailed technical task (TOR) is the first and one of the most important stages of development. This is a document that describes all the requirements for the structure, functionality, design and content of the future online store. TK provides an accurate calculation of the cost of the project and helps to avoid misunderstandings between the customer and the developer. The development of TK can make up about 10% of the total project budget, on average it is $250-300.
Creating a successful online store — is not just a website development, but a whole set of works that requires a professional approach at every stage. If you are looking for a reliable partner to implement your e-commerce ideas, pay attention to the opportunities offered by the digital agency «Fenix Industry», which specializes in a comprehensive approach to development, offering solutions adapted to the unique needs of the business. You can learn more about their approach to e-commerce at the link: https://fnx.com.ua/ua/ecommerce-development.
Hosting and domain name: fixed costs
Hosting – is the place on the server where your site's files are stored. Its cost depends on the amount of data and the required power. For small projects, you can choose budget hosting, while for large stores with high traffic, more reliable and expensive solutions are needed. Hosting prices can vary from $5 to $50 per month.
Domain name – is the address of your website on the Internet (for example, your store.ua). Its cost depends on the domain zone and is approximately $15 per year. These costs are regular and must be budgeted every year.
Content filling: quality description of products
Quality content – is not just texts and images, it is an important sales tool. Product descriptions, photos, video reviews, blog articles – all affect the buyer's decision. The cost of content can be included in the initial development package for a certain number of pages, and further addition of content can be paid separately (.
SEO optimization and promotion: the key to visibility in search engines
Creating an online store – is only half the battle. In order for potential buyers to learn about it, it is necessary to carry out SEO optimization and engage in promotion. Basic SEO optimization of an online store depends on the number of web pages (pages). This includes working with keywords, meta tags, site structure, download speed and other technical aspects.
SEO optimization – is a continuous process that requires regular analysis of positions, adaptation of strategy to changes in search engine algorithms and content updates (content updates). Additional promotion services (contextual advertising, SMM, email marketing) will also require a separate budget.
Online store support and maintenance: we ensure stable operation
Starting an online store does not mean the completion of all work. Continuous technical support and maintenance is necessary for its stable and efficient operation. It is a service that is paid monthly and its cost depends on the size of the site, the complexity of its structure and the technologies used.
What is usually included in the support price:
- Monitoring of site performance and security.
- Updating the CMS and its modules.
- Fixing technical errors and bugs.
- Data backup.
- Protection against hacker attacks.
- Optimization of databases.
- Content management (adding/editing products, descriptions).
- SEO optimization of content (working with meta tags).
- Development and implementation of new functions.
Competent technical support increases user trust, improves conversion and reduces the risks of resource failures (. The average cost of technical support in the regions of Ukraine can start from 60-100 US dollars ($60-100).
Approximate price segments on the Ukrainian market
In order to better navigate the cost of development, three main price segments on the Ukrainian market can be distinguished:
- Budget segment (from UAH 10,000 to UAH 30,000): These are mostly simple template solutions, minimal functionality, basic design. Suitable for small business or niche testing.
- Middle segment (from UAH 30,000 to UAH 150,000): Includes development on popular CMS with template refinement or partially individual design, integration with main payment systems and delivery services. This is the optimal choice for a medium-sized business.
- Premium segment (from UAH 150,000 and above): This is individual development from scratch, unique design, wide functionality, integration with complex corporate systems, high productivity and security. Such projects are usually implemented for large companies or those with specific requirements. Large-scale online shopping from scratch can cost between $27,000 and $40,000 (USD).
It is important to remember that these figures are indicative. The final calculation of the cost of an online store is always carried out individually after a detailed discussion of all requirements and drawing up a technical task.
Results: how to optimally plan the budget for creating an online store
Creating an online store — is an investment in your business, and its success largely depends on competent planning. To get a quality product at the best price, you should take into account the following steps:
- Clearly define your goals and needs. What products will you sell? Who is your target audience? What functionality is critical and which can be added later?
- Formulate detailed requirements for the future site. This will help developers accurately estimate the scope of work.
- Consider different options for contractors and platforms, compare their offers and choose the one that best suits your requirements and budget.
- Don't skimp on critical aspects such as responsive design, basic SEO optimization, and security.
- Always budget for store support and further development, as e-commerce – is a dynamic and constantly changing area.
Remember that the online store – is not just a site, but a powerful tool for the development of your business. By investing in its quality development, you are laying a solid foundation for future success in online trading.
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