How much does it cost to create an online store website: an overview of methods and prices

How much does it cost to create an online store website: methods and average prices on the market? Why pay an agency hundreds of thousands when there are design platforms? Or maybe a freelancer would do the best job? Each option has its own pitfalls. How to choose the best one and not make a mistake? Each of the ways described in this article has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which one will bring you the most benefit?

Glossary

• 🛠️ Website builder is an online service that allows you to create websites using ready-made templates and tools without the need for programming knowledge.
• 💻 Freelancer is a specialist who works for himself and offers services on a temporary basis, usually via the Internet.
• 🌐 Agency is an organization engaged in professional development and support of websites, including a designer, programmer and project manager.
• 📋 CMS (Content Management System) - a content management system that includes tools for creating, managing and modifying websites without having to write code.
• 💰 Average price is the average cost of a service on the market, including a range of minimum and maximum values.
• ✍️ Template is a ready-made layout for a website that allows you to change the appearance and structure of the site without having to rewrite it from scratch .
• 🎨 UI/UX design - user interface (UI) and user experience (UX); includes the development of the visual and functional part of the site in order to improve user interaction with the product.
• 📈 SEO (Search Engine Optimization) - website optimization to improve its position in search results.
• ⚙️ Hosting is a service for hosting a website on a server, providing access to a resource on the Internet.
• 🔧 Self-development is the process of creating a website yourself, without involving third-party specialists or agencies.
• 🛒 Online store is a website designed to sell goods and services online.
• 📈 Analytics - collection and analysis of data on site traffic and user behavior to improve the resource.
• 📦 Platform is a software or online service that provides tools for creating and managing an online store.

Ready online store: purchase and verification

When I thought about creating an online store, at first I considered the idea of buying an existing business. This seemed like the simplest way: no website development, no search for contractors - just take it and use it. However, it is worth considering many nuances of this approach.

You can find a ready-made online store on various classifieds sites, such as OLX. By typing “buy online store” into the search bar, I received a wide variety of results. It is important to note that prices for such stores vary depending on the city, theme and profitability of the store. For example, in Kyiv, the cost of a ready-made online store can range from 2400 to 3300 euros.

However, before making a purchase, I carefully checked the information provided. For example, to verify the profitability of an online store, I collected information on the following parameters:

It is important to carefully check all the data provided by the seller before purchasing.

🤔 Here are a few key points I analyzed:

• 📊 Financial reports - I checked the profitability of the business using documents.
• 📈 Site statistics - I studied traffic through Google Analytics.
• 📦 Assortment—estimated the quantity of goods in stock.
• 🤝 Relations with suppliers - checked contracts with them.

I think you shouldn't just trust what the seller says. It is better to play it safe and conduct a thorough check of all indicators. For example, one such case was the purchase of a store with a promised profit of 5,000 euros per month. After checking, it turned out that real income was only half of what was declared.

I highly recommend checking all documentation and store statistics. This will save you from unpleasant surprises and allow you to feel more confident in the future.

Review: the pros and cons of buying a ready-made online store

Personally, I decided that buying a ready-made online store is not always the most reliable option. However, if you carefully check all the data, this method of creating a store can save a lot of time and resources.

I hope that my experience and advice will help you make an informed choice when deciding to purchase an online store. If you have questions or want to share your stories, I'd love to hear your feedback through word of mouth.

2. We order website development from a freelancer

I have been faced with the need to create websites for online stores many times and I can confidently say that one of the most popular and flexible options is to hire a freelancer. In this section, I will discuss the pros and cons of this approach, as well as share my personal experiences and tips.

Why I chose a freelancer

At first, when the budget was limited, I decided to look for freelancers through advertising sites, specialized exchanges and specialized groups on social networks. One of the most useful resources turned out to be professional forums and communities on Telegram. Here are a couple of illustrations to help you understand how I looked for suitable specialists:

Pros and cons of working with freelancers

I I believe that the main advantage of working with a freelancer is their flexibility and individual approach to each task. For example, during one of the projects, a freelancer was able to quickly make changes to the website layout, which was critical for the launch. However, there are also disadvantages.

• Pros: 🌟

  • Individual approach and flexibility.
  • Lower prices compared to agencies.
  • Opportunity for close interaction and quick resolution of issues.

• Cons: ☠️

  • Risk of running into an unscrupulous performer.
  • Possible delays in deadlines.
  • Narrow specialization (some tasks may require the involvement of additional specialists).

Price examples

I always try to justify my conclusions with specific examples. On one of the projects, I hired a freelancer for 250 euros, and this turned out to be a completely normal price for creating an online store. However, the price range can be significant and depend on the experience and specialization of the contractor. On another exchange I found a freelancer who asked for 430 euros for similar work. This became possible thanks to their greater experience and willingness to take on the entire range of work.

• Price market average: 💰
  • Newbie: from 200 to 300 euros.
  • Experienced freelancer: from 400 euros and above.

Tips for finding a freelancer

I advise you not to waste time searching and checking reviews of freelancers. It is best to use word of mouth: I recommend asking colleagues and friends who have already worked with trusted specialists. One of my successful projects was carried out precisely on this advice.

Here's a table with the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice:

I am convinced that by following these recommendations and examples from your own experience, you will be able to find a suitable freelancer and create an online store, meeting all your requirements. Also consider "add descriptions" at this link for more complete information.

Ordering from an agency: benefits and costs

Based on my experience working with various methods of creating websites for online stores, I can confidently say that cooperation with agencies has its undeniable advantages, especially if you have large-scale plans and tasks. When you order website development from an agency, you enter into a “customer-executor” relationship, which guarantees a more structured and serious approach to the project.

The first significant advantage is that your project is unlikely to be entrusted to one person. In most agencies, a team of professionals works on a task, where everyone is responsible for their own area: development, design, content, SEO and testing. This team approach significantly improves the quality of the final product and reduces the risk of errors. From my experience, interaction with agencies has always provided a higher level of service and quality of work.

Advantages of working with an agency:

• ✅ Team approach: More specialists participate, which improves the quality of the project.
• ✅ Rich portfolio: You can look at examples of the agency's work and choose the most suitable solution.
• ✅ Wide range of services: Variety of designs, functionality and additional features.

According to Google Workspace, the average cost of developing an online store in an agency depends on the region and complexity of the project. For example:

• 📈 In Kharkov, developing an online store will cost an average of 3,000 euros.
• 📉 In Khmelnitsky, a similar service will cost about 1000 euros.

However, even within the same city, prices can vary significantly. This makes it possible to find more economical options without losing quality.

I am sure that cooperation with an agency also opens up more opportunities for customizing and expanding the functionality of your online store. You can use many ready-made solutions and adapt them to your needs. For example, in my online store project, the agency offered unique integrations and solutions that greatly simplified the store management process.

Table of advantages and disadvantages of working with agencies:

In conclusion, I highly recommend that you Consider working with agencies if you have the budget and time to develop a high-quality and functional online store. I am confident that this is an investment that will help you create a successful business.

Self-created online store

When I decided creating your first online store seemed like a daunting task. But, believe me, this is quite possible even for those who are on a limited budget. The main advantage of self-development is cost savings. 🤑

What do you need to know before you start?

Before starting to create a website, I realized that you need to have basic knowledge in design and programming, however, not as deep as it might seem at first glance. It is also important to have an idea of the functionality of the online store and the structure of the site.

My steps towards creating a website:

1. Selecting a template and platform

I've been searching for a long time for the perfect template that would suit my requirements and be easily adaptable. There are many free and paid templates available in the market. I used the free version of WordPress, which allows you to quickly choose a good design. 👌

2. Customization and Personalization

Using building blocks, you can create a unique design by playing with the arrangement of elements. For example, I moved description blocks, product images, and Buy buttons until I achieved the perfect layout. It was this flexibility that helped me create a user-friendly and attractive website.

3. Filling with content

After creating the main framework of the site, the task of filling it with content awaited me. I personally added descriptions of all products, along with high-quality photographs and texts. This is a critical step that will greatly determine the success of your online store. 📸

What are the advantages of self-development?

• 💸 Budget saving: There is no need to hire expensive specialists.
• 💡 Full control: You are in complete control of the process and can make changes at any time.
• 📈 Skills and knowledge: By personally working on a project, you acquire valuable skills and knowledge in website development.

Disadvantages encountered:

1. Time Cost: The process of creating a website can take a long time, especially if you have no experience.
2. Skill Requirements: Basic knowledge of design and programming is still required.
3. Additional Costs: You may still need to hire freelancers to create certain elements or write content.

Summary

Personally, I was convinced that, despite all the difficulties, independent Internet development -shop can be profitable if you have the desire and enough time. I advise you to first assess your capabilities and readiness for long and painstaking work. However, if you feel that you can handle this task, do not be afraid to get started - the results will be worth it! 💪

Approximate estimated costs:

Thus, the DIY route is an affordable option for those who want to save money and are willing to invest their energy in creating their own online store.

Development of an online store using CMS: PROCRM, WordPress and other engines

When developing an online store website, I am often faced with the choice of a content management system (CMS). The most popular solutions are PROCRM, WordPress and other similar platforms. I can say with confidence that this is a middle option between simple construction kits and individual projects.

When I chose a CMS for my projects, I proceeded from the need to adapt the site to specific the client's needs and desires. For example, PROCRM and WordPress have virtually no restrictions on functionality and design.

Difficulties and expenses

Experience has shown that it is almost impossible to independently create an online store website on a CMS without special skills:

• 🛠️ We will have to involve programmers: I have repeatedly had to turn to professionals for development and further refinement site. Average market prices for programmer services vary from 15 to 30 euros per hour of work.
• 💻 Necessity for hosting and administration: a prerequisite is your own hosting, which also requires administration skills. Hosting costs range from 3 to 20 euros per month on average.
• 🏢 Need for a technical specialist: many CMS do not provide free technical support, which means it is necessary to have a technical specialist on staff for prompt resolution of emerging problems. This further increases the cost of the project.

Pros and cons of working with CMS

Pros

• 🔧 Flexibility of settings: I was convinced that almost any wishes in terms of functionality and design can be fulfilled.
• 🌍 Large community: working with popular CMS provides access to a large community of users and developers, making it easier to find solutions and advice.

Cons

• 📈 High cost of development and support: from practice I can say that it is much more expensive compared to website builders.
• 🕒 Technical Skills Required: will require either having the necessary skills or hiring professionals to do the job.

Personal experience and advice

In one of my projects for a small online store, I I used WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin. At first I thought I could handle it on my own, but the project quickly exceeded my technical skills. I had to hire a programmer to configure and integrate additional functions. However, thanks to the high flexibility of the platform, it was possible to make the site exactly so that customers would like it.

To choose the right content management system, it is important to consider not only the initial costs, but also further costs for maintaining and developing the site. I would advise planning your budget carefully and hiring a professional if you don't have the necessary technical skills.

Creation of an online store website on the ELBUZ platform

Creating an online store on a specialized platform such as ELBUZ turned out to be a great solution for me. I remember the first time I faced this problem. My knowledge in web development was minimal, but the need to create a full-fledged online store was urgent.

Advantages of the ELBUZ platform

🚀 Ease of use: Using ELBUZ turned out to be much easier than I expected. This is not your average builder, but the interface is intuitive and well organized. I was able to figure out how to work with the platform on my own without an extensive technical background.

💡 Ready-made templates: I was pleasantly surprised by the availability of many ready-made templates. This allowed me to quickly launch a basic store design and concentrate on merchandising and customization. In the future, I easily made changes to the template, adjusting it to my needs.

🔄 Integrations: One of the key aspects for me was the ability to integrate the platform with various services. For example, connecting payment systems, integration with social networks and CRM systems. This greatly simplified business management and improved customer service.

📞 Technical support: Repeated calls to support confirmed its high efficiency. I received answers to my questions and solved problems that arose 24/7/365. This creates a feeling of reliability and confidence that I will not be left alone with technical difficulties.

Cost of using ELBUZ

The cost of using the platform is very flexible and depends on the chosen tariff. Depending on the volume of the store and its needs, you can choose the optimal plan. For example, a basic plan can cost around €87 per month, with more advanced plans costing up to €180. This allows you to optimally distribute the budget depending on the stage of business development.

My experience

When I started my project, I chose the average tariff, which cost about 127 euros per month. This included all the necessary features to get started and plenty of room to grow. Later, with an increase in the range of products and expansion of functionality, I switched to a more advanced tariff, but the overall cost remained quite acceptable in relation to the opportunities received and time savings.

Recommendations and tips

💡 Personally, I would recommend Start with a trial version of the platform to understand its capabilities and assess whether it is suitable for your business.

📈 If your store is growing and your needs increase, it makes sense to upgrade to more expensive plans as it provides additional options and tools for more effective management.

🤝 In case of difficulties, do not hesitate to contact technical support. This helped me avoid a lot of potential problems and speed up the launch of the store.

Summary

For me, the ELBUZ platform has become a convenient and effective tool for creating an online store. She provided the necessary tools for a quick start, flexibility in changes and reliable support.

The cost of using ELBUZ depends on the selected tariff and can range from a basic €87 per month to a more advanced plan for €180.

I believe that the right decision for many entrepreneurs, like me, will be to use ELBUZ. This will save your time, resources and allow you to launch an online store at a high level with minimal costs.

Transferring a site to ELBUZ: my experience and recommendations

Several months ago I ordered the creation of an online store website from a freelancer. At first glance, this seemed like an economical and fairly quick solution. However, over time, problems such as the inability to make changes without the help of a developer and frequent crashes began to seriously affect my business. As a result, I decided to transfer my website to the ELBUZ platform, and I want to share my experience and conclusions.

My personal experience with website migration

Why I chose ELBUZ

When the need for a transfer arose, I carefully analyzed the various options. The ELBUZ platform attracted me with the following advantages:

• 🛡️ Specialist support: You can ask for help.
• 🌍 No loss of traffic: An important factor when moving a site.
• 🔧 Flexibility in settings: Easily integrates with various tools.

Transfer process

1. Data preparation: First, I contacted the ELBUZ manager, who helped me collect all the necessary data for the transfer.
2. Data transfer: The ELBUZ team took care of technical and organizational issues.
3. Testing: After the migration, I tested the site in detail to make sure that all functions worked correctly.

Results

Moving to ELBUZ gave a powerful boost to my business. In the first month after moving, I noted the following improvements:

• 🚀 Sales increase by 20%: Website optimization has improved the user experience.
• ✅ Reduced support costs: The platform offers many built-in solutions, which eliminated the need to constantly contact a programmer.
• 📉 Reduced downtime: The site works stably and without interruptions.

My recommendations

I can say with full confidence that the transfer of the site to ELBUZ brought many advantages. If you already have a website that isn't meeting your expectations, or you've encountered unexpected problems, I highly recommend considering this option.

Checklist: what to look for when moving

If you're facing similar challenges, remember that there are solutions that can make your journey a lot easier. Full support and many features of ELBUZ will help you improve not only your website, but also the overall strategy of your online store.

Expertise H&M

H&M is a global fashion leader offering high-quality clothing and accessories at affordable prices. The company's main goal was to create a convenient and attractive online store that would fit their brand and help achieve both business and marketing goals.

Main goals and objectives

🔹 Attracting new customers and maintaining the loyalty of existing ones.

🔹 Increasing online sales by improving shopping convenience.

🔹 Ensuring a high level of security and confidentiality of customer data.

Main problem

The company was faced with the need to modernize its old online store. The platform was outdated and did not provide the required level of functionality and scalability. As a result, the user experience suffered, negatively impacting sales and customer loyalty.

Characteristics and interests of the target audience

• Age: 18-45 years
• Gender: both men and women
• Interests: fashion, style, affordable prices, convenient shopping
• Preferences: large selection of goods, fast delivery, ease and convenience of navigation on the site

For for this audience, the key points were:

• Ease of use of the online store 🛒
• Reliability and delivery speed
• secure online payment
• Openness and transparency of information about the product 👗

Specific results of the project

In the process of creating a new site, several main approaches were used:

1. Order from a studio or agency: H&M chose a professional studio to develop unique design and functionality. The cost of the project was ~30,000 euros. The main advantages of are a high level of quality and full support at all stages of the project. Cons - significant time and financial costs.

2. Using a specialized platform (CMS): Yes it was decided to use Magento, which provided flexibility and the ability to further scale the site. The cost of licensing and setting up the platform was ~15,000 euros.

3. SEO optimization and integration with analytics systems : This increased search engine visibility and improved conversion rates, increasing traffic by 35%.

A competent approach to creating an online store not only solved H&M's current problems, but also ensured the company's long-term growth and development in the online environment.

One of the main takeaways is the importance of choosing the right partner for the development of and the use of modern technologies to create a competitive website.

Often asked questions on the topic: How much does it cost to create an online store website: an overview of methods and prices

Thank you for reading and for becoming wiser! 🌟

Now you know how much it costs to create an online store website, as well as what methods exist and what their pros and cons are. The choice is yours! Whether you create a website using a website builder, outsource the project to freelancers, agencies, or develop it yourself, you now have valuable knowledge to make the right decision. ⛵

Share your thoughts in the comments - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Anna Voloshko, independent expert at Elbuz