How Much Does It Cost to Sell With Shopify?
If you’re researching Shopify, one of the first questions you’ll have is: how much does it really cost? From setup and design fees to monthly hosting and transaction charges, there are a few factors to consider when budgeting for your eCommerce store.
This guide breaks down Shopify startup costs, monthly fees, transaction charges, and whether it’s worth the investment for your business.
Shopify Website Setup Costs
The cost of building a Shopify store depends on whether you design it yourself or hire a professional. Shopify provides free templates and basic themes, which can get you online quickly — but the results depend on your design and technical skills.
For a store designed to convert, many SMEs choose to hire a Shopify expert. This ensures a polished design, user-friendly experience, and better long-term ROI.
Typical costs:
- DIY with free theme: £0 (excluding your time)
- Customised setup by a freelancer: £800 – £1,500
- Fully bespoke design by an agency: £2,000+
For most small businesses, expect to budget £800–£1,000 for a professionally designed Shopify store.
Shopify Monthly Hosting Fees
Shopify includes hosting in its plans — so there are no extra server costs. Plans start small and scale with your business:
- Basic Shopify: $29/month (~£20)
- Shopify: $79/month (~£60)
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month (~£230)
- Shopify Plus: $2,000+/month (enterprise scale)
*Note: Shopify charges in USD, so final UK pricing may vary with exchange rates.
Most small businesses will find the Basic or Shopify plan more than enough to get started and grow — the higher tiers are for larger, multinational eCommerce brands like Gymshark, Huel, and Heinz.
Shopify Transaction Fees
Shopify charges a small fee per transaction when using Shopify Payments (the built-in system):
- 2.2% of each online sale
- + 20p per transaction
If you choose an alternative payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe, additional fees may apply. These transaction charges are standard across the eCommerce industry.
Is Shopify Worth the Cost?
You may be comparing Shopify to cheaper platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WooCommerce. While they can look attractive at £20/month, the reality is different:
- Shopify is purpose-built for eCommerce — it isn’t trying to be everything for everyone.
- Simple integrations with Google Shopping, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more.
- Built-in SEO, analytics, and reporting tools.
- A huge app ecosystem for scaling your business.
In short: Shopify costs more than “starter” platforms, but delivers far more power, scalability, and efficiency for serious online businesses.
Can You Use Shopify for Free?
Yes — Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, letting you explore the platform and experiment with store setup. If you work with an authorised Shopify partner like Morgan Digital, you can also use a staging store to design your site before going live and paying for hosting.
Need Help With Your Shopify Store?
At Morgan Digital, we design, build, and optimise high-performance Shopify stores that convert visitors into customers.
FAQs: Shopify Costs
How much does a Shopify website cost to build?
Expect £800–£1,000 for a professional setup, or more for a fully bespoke build. DIY is possible using Shopify’s free themes.
How much are Shopify monthly fees?
Plans range from $29 to $299 per month, with enterprise pricing at $2,000+. Most small businesses start with the $29 plan.
What are Shopify’s transaction fees?
Using Shopify Payments: 2.2% + 20p per transaction. Alternative gateways may charge more.
Can I try Shopify for free?
Yes — Shopify offers a 14-day free trial. Partners like Morgan Digital can set up staging stores before launch.
