Are you considering opening an online store in 2024? Learn about the costs you need to consider to successfully start and run your e-business. From basic expenses to advanced solutions, we have prepared a comprehensive overview of e-commerce costs. Find out how much an online store costs!
How much does an online store cost?
The cost of setting up an online store can vary significantly depending on the chosen solutions and the needs of the entrepreneur. The basic costs of starting an e-commerce business include:
- Domain purchase
- Hosting
- Store software
- Possible additional services
Prices can range from a few hundred PLN for the simplest solutions to tens of thousands for advanced, dedicated platforms.
It is important to remember that investing in an online store is not just a one-time expense. Key long-term costs include:
- Domain renewal
- Hosting fees
- Software updates
Shopify – What Is It and How Does It Work?
Basic costs of setting up an online store
Starting your e-commerce journey requires taking into account several fundamental cost elements:
- Domain – annual fee ranging from 50-100 PLN
- Hosting – from around 100 PLN per year for basic packages to several thousand for advanced dedicated solutions
- Store technology – open-source options (e.g., WooCommerce) may be free but require additional costs for customization and maintenance
- SSL certificate – essential for transaction security, typically costing 100-500 PLN per year
Cost of owning a store vs. a dedicated store
Choosing between an owned store and a dedicated store is a key decision affecting costs:
Owned store:
- One-time investment in customization and implementation
- No recurring licensing fees
- More cost-effective in the long run
Dedicated store:
- Significantly higher initial investment (often tens of thousands of PLN)
- Full customization tailored to unique business needs
- No additional store software fees after the first year
Maintenance costs of an online store
Running an online store comes with various maintenance costs that should be considered in long-term business planning. The total cost of an online store also depends on:
- Domain and hosting fees
- SSL certificate
- Administration and ongoing maintenance
- System updates
- Technical support
- Store performance optimization
Domain and hosting costs
A domain and hosting are fundamental elements of any online store:
- Domain – annual cost of 50-100 PLN (some premium domains may be significantly more expensive)
- Hosting:
- Basic packages for small stores – 100-200 PLN per year
- Advanced solutions – up to several thousand PLN per year
SSL certificate cost
An SSL certificate is a crucial security feature for every online store. Costs vary:
- Free certificates (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) – 0 PLN
- Standard certificates – around 100-300 PLN per year
- Advanced certificates with extended validation (EV SSL) – up to 1000 PLN per year
Who is a stakeholder – how to understand this concept in business and why it matters so much?
Administration and maintenance costs
Managing and maintaining an online store includes:
- Regular software updates
- Possible technical support
- Time spent managing the store
- Adding new products
- Creating product descriptions
How much does an online store cost? Costs related to software and e-commerce platforms
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a crucial decision that affects store maintenance costs. Entrepreneurs can choose from a variety of solutions, from open-source platforms to advanced SaaS (Software as a Service) systems.
Example annual subscription costs for the cheapest package:
- Shoper - Annual Cost - ~3,300 PLN
- Shopify - Annual Cost - Up to 50,000 PLN
WooCommerce/SureCartFlexible, depends on selected options and hosting
In addition to software, additional costs for plugins, integrations, and store management time should be considered.
Open-source platforms vs. SaaS
Choosing between open-source platforms and SaaS is a key decision when creating an online store. Here are the main differences:
Open-source platforms (e.g., Magento, WooCommerce)
- Greater flexibility and control over the store
- Free basic software
- Costs arise from customization, hosting, and maintenance
- More cost-effective long-term, especially for stores with specific requirements
SaaS platforms (e.g., Shopify, Shoper)
- Operate on a subscription model
- Costs: from a few dozen to several thousand PLN per month
- Ease of use and no need to invest in infrastructure
- Often chosen by small and medium-sized businesses or e-commerce beginners
- Predictable costs and technical support
Cost of plugins and integrations
Additional store functionalities often require purchasing and integrating specialized plugins, significantly impacting the overall e-commerce budget.
- Single plugin prices – from a few dozen to several thousand PLN
- Integrations with payment systems, logistics platforms, or analytics tools – additional costs
- SaaS platforms often offer basic integrations within their subscription
How to Promote an Online Store Step by Step?
It’s worth carefully analyzing store needs and selecting only essential extensions to optimize costs. As the business grows, more advanced and costly solutions may become necessary.
Marketing and promotion costs of an online store
Marketing and promotion are key elements of a successful online store in 2024. Effective online marketing strategies are essential for attracting customers and building brand awareness. Costs vary significantly depending on the strategy and campaign scale.
When planning a marketing budget, both financial costs and time investment should be considered. For many online store owners, especially at the start, time is the most valuable resource.
Online marketing costs
Online marketing expenses include a variety of activities:
- Search engine advertising (e.g., Google Ads) and social media ads (e.g., Facebook Ads)
- Budgets from a few hundred to tens of thousands PLN per month
- Content marketing
- Creating valuable content, blogs, and video materials
- Costs of hiring copywriters or producing professional materials
- Tools for campaign analysis and monitoring
- From a few dozen to a few hundred PLN per month
SEO and promotion costs
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a long-term strategy that can bring significant benefits to an online store.
- SEO costs:
- From a few hundred PLN per month for basic actions
- Up to several thousand PLN for comprehensive services from a specialized agency
- SEO results are usually visible after several months of systematic efforts.
Other promotional activities include:
- Influencer marketing
- From a few hundred PLN for a single promotion
- Up to tens of thousands PLN for long-term campaigns with popular creators
- Affiliate programs
- Email marketing
It’s worth experimenting with different promotional methods to find the most effective channels for your store. The costs of these activities are flexible and depend on the scale of cooperation.
