Glossary
eCommerce
eCommerce (Electronic Commerce)
An eCommerce website is any site that facilitates commercial transactions online — from a small Etsy-style shop to a massive Amazon-scale marketplace.
eCommerce Website Cost by Platform
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Transaction Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic | $29/month | 2.0% (no 3rd party) | Small-medium stores |
| Shopify Standard | $79/month | 1.0% | Growing stores |
| WooCommerce | $0 (plugin) + hosting | 0% (your payment fees only) | WordPress users |
| Wix eCommerce | $27/month | 0% | Simple stores |
| BigCommerce | $39/month | 0% | Scaling retailers |
| Squarespace Commerce | $27/month | 0% | Design-focused brands |
What eCommerce Development Costs
| Store Type | Development Cost | Ongoing/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Template-based (DIY) | $0-$500 | $400-$1,200 |
| Small custom store (Shopify) | $2,000-$8,000 | $800-$2,400 |
| Mid-size custom store | $8,000-$30,000 | $2,400-$6,000 |
| Enterprise eCommerce | $50,000-$500,000+ | $12,000-$60,000+ |
Essential eCommerce Costs Beyond the Store
- Payment processing: Stripe/PayPal take 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- SSL certificate: Required for all eCommerce (customers won't buy without it) — $0-$200/year
- Product photography: $50-$500 per product (or DIY)
- Shipping software: ShipStation, EasyPost — $25-$150/month
- Email marketing: Klaviyo, Mailchimp — $30-$300/month
- Returns management: 15-30% of orders are returned; software costs $50-$300/month
eCommerce Platform Comparison: Shopify vs WooCommerce
| Factor | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Setup ease | Very easy | Moderate |
| Design flexibility | Good | Excellent |
| Transaction fees | 0.5-2% (or 0% with Shopify Payments) | 0% |
| Plugin ecosystem | 8,000+ apps | 50,000+ plugins |
| Hosting | Included | Separate ($10-100/mo) |
| Best for | Quick launch, growing brands | WordPress sites, flexibility |
Use our eCommerce website cost calculator to estimate your total store investment. See our Shopify vs WooCommerce guide for a detailed comparison. For small business options, read our small business website cost guide.