The cost of creating an online store is one of the most important questions you can ask when entering the world of e-commerce. In reality, the prices of designing an online store are a major concern when starting any new business, and nothing of value comes for free. Your budget affects most of your business decisions, and accurately determining the cost of an online store is an essential part of your planning. Many factors will influence it, but your main goal is to build an online store for your company that fits your budget and satisfies your customers. Many companies face challenges while trying to strike this balance, and it's best to understand the costs in advance to make the right decisions. This article from Milaknight, the best digital marketing company, will help you understand the true costs of building your online store and how to reduce them without compromising quality. Plus, Milaknight can design a custom online store for you with the best features.

What is Web Hosting?

Before comparing e-commerce platforms, you need to understand web hosting. All websites need hosting, which provides their presence on the internet and storage space for the thousands of files every website requires. It also provides a constant internet connection allowing visitors to access it.

Famous web hosting companies include 1&1, HostGator, and GoDaddy. Web hosting is generally inexpensive, but its cost varies depending on your needs. Basic e-commerce hosting can start at a few dollars per month, while advanced options can cost thousands.

When using one of these companies, you’ll have access to a file management interface that lets you upload (or modify) your site’s files. You can also install programs for various purposes, such as WordPress for blogging or other software for creating forums and communities.

Types of E-commerce Software

There are three main types of e-commerce software for building your website:

1. Open-source E-commerce Software:

Open source means the software’s code is available for everyone to customize. Open-source e-commerce software is usually free. There are no fees to download it, and businesses are allowed to use and customize it to fit their needs. Magento and the WordPress plugin WooCommerce are examples of open-source e-commerce software.

2. Licensed E-commerce Software:

Licensed software is similar to open source in that you are responsible for installing and updating it. However, it’s not free—your business pays a license fee to use the software. These fees sometimes include access to the source code, allowing for the same kind of custom development available with open-source options.

3. Hosted E-commerce Platforms:

Hosted e-commerce software differs from open-source and licensed options. It offers a more comprehensive platform that includes web hosting and other core features as part of the price. The advantage of this option is that you don’t need to install, maintain, or secure the software yourself. All you have to do is create an account and choose a service plan to build your website.

What Does the Cost of Creating an Online Store Include?

The cost of creating an e-commerce website goes beyond just adding pixels. Let’s look at the key elements that make up the cost of an e-commerce project and what you should get for your money:

  • Wireframes: These planning documents, known as wireframes and mockups, form the foundation of your entire project.
  • Page Layouts and Templates: These ensure your blog posts, product pages, contact forms, and other sections maintain a consistent appearance while serving their specific purposes.
  • Design and Development Stages: The focused manual work of designing and building your site makes up the bulk of a full e-commerce website quote.
  • Content Management System (CMS): The backbone that enables you to manage your website easily, allowing updates without needing a developer. This is a crucial cost component.

E-commerce Store Design Prices in 2025

Here are the factors influencing the average cost of creating an online store for your business. Please note that these prices are constantly changing, and at Milaknight, we offer e-commerce store design services with the best deals. All you have to do is contact us for a custom quote:

  • Startups and Small Businesses: Need a basic design that effectively conveys their new brand to their audience. The website also requires a few pages (About Us, Services, Contact) to provide more information and allow communication. The cost ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on scope and product volume.
  • Medium-sized Businesses: These require a CMS to launch a digital marketing strategy, enabling more people to access their professionally designed site. They can implement SEO and content marketing strategies through the CMS to grow their business and revenue. Costs start at $10,000 and can reach up to $50,000 annually.
  • Large Enterprises: Need expansion to maintain and grow their operations. They require website design services that monitor site performance, implement changes for improvement, build a clear information structure, and follow strict security procedures. E-commerce stores must integrate multiple databases to ensure smooth transactions and inventory management. Costs range from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.

Additional Costs for E-commerce Projects

Some web design companies offer additional services that complement site-building solutions. As add-ons, they may not be as comprehensive as those offered by specialized agencies, but the convenience of getting all services affordably from a company like Milaknight is unmatched:

1- Graphic Design Services:

Alongside website design, digital marketing agencies can create brand guidelines, including logos, fonts, and colors aligned with your company’s goals. These are used to create marketing materials online (email templates, banners, infographics) and offline (business cards, flyers). Costs range from $100 to $1,000 per task.

2- Content Marketing:

Creates high-quality content in various formats and promotes it across digital channels to increase site visibility. The company may also review your existing content to determine if it needs improvement or updates. Costs vary depending on the work volume.

3- Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Improves your website’s ranking by optimizing keywords relevant to your business. Services include on-page optimization, link building, and content creation. Specialized digital agencies charge a monthly fee between $3,000 and $5,000 globally.

4- Secure Sockets Later (SSL):

One of the many security features offered by web design agencies, an SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted from the browser to the website. This is crucial for e-commerce sites and those that request sensitive information from customers. This certificate costs $175 per year, but it is typically part of the cost of opening an online store and is part of most web design packages.

5- Website Development:

Covers the services above, offering comprehensive solutions to meet your website’s needs. This may include plugins, applications, updates, support, and maintenance. Expect to pay between $2,000 and $60,000 per year, depending on the services included.

E-commerce Store Design Prices at Milaknight

The cost of creating an online store has changed over the years. Generally, better tools now allow for better websites at lower prices. A $2,000 budget can now deliver a much more advanced website than it could two years ago. This cost is considered reasonable.

Not all website design methods cost the same. There are many options, each with its price and advantages. Milaknight stands out by offering premium e-commerce design services with the best custom pricing.

There’s no need to hesitate or worry about the cost of an e-commerce project. Milaknight provides this service at a professional level that meets your expectations. If you want to know how much it costs to open an online store or need a quote, just contact us here.

Conclusion:

Finding a suitable company to design, develop, host, manage, and support your online business is not easy these days. However, Milaknight, the expert in digital marketing, provides all the tools needed to start your online store. The most unique aspect is that all online stores designed by Milaknight are professional and rival top global stores in terms of visual design and performance speed. Plus, the cost of creating an online store is highly competitive.