Online shop budgets for UK businesses
E-commerce Website Cost
An e-commerce website in the UK typically costs £2,000 to £6,000 with a freelancer or £5,000 to £20,000 with an agency to build, plus ongoing platform, payment and maintenance costs that can add up to more than the build over a few years. This guide explains what affects the build price, the running costs that catch shop owners out and how to compare platforms fairly.
What affects the build price
The number of products and variants, how products are organised, custom design, integrations with stock, accounting or delivery systems, migrating products from an old shop and features such as subscriptions, wholesale pricing or product personalisation. Product photography and descriptions add cost if you need help with them.
Running costs that catch people out
Most platforms charge a monthly plan fee. Payment providers charge a percentage and sometimes a fixed fee per transaction. Apps and plugins for reviews, shipping, email marketing or subscriptions often have their own monthly fees. Add hosting where the platform doesn't include it, plus maintenance and support.
Comparing platforms fairly
A platform with a low monthly price can become expensive once you add the apps you need and pay transaction fees on growing sales. A fair comparison estimates the total over three years at your expected sales volume.
| Cost to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Platform plan | Rises with features and staff accounts |
| Payment processing | A percentage of every sale |
| Apps and plugins | Monthly fees that add up |
| Hosting and maintenance | Needed for self-hosted platforms |
| Design changes | New pages, campaigns and fixes |
Start lean, then grow
Many successful shops launch with their best products, a clean design and essential features, then add more once they understand customer behaviour. It keeps the initial build affordable and focuses spending on what sells.
E-commerce budget checklist
- Build cost, including product setup and migration
- Platform plan at the level you'll need
- Payment processing fees at your expected sales
- Monthly app and plugin costs
- Hosting, maintenance and support
- Photography and product descriptions
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Is Shopify or WooCommerce cheaper?+
It depends on your products, sales volume and the apps or plugins you need. Compare the three-year total, including transaction fees and maintenance.
How many products affect the price?+
Larger catalogues need more setup, better organisation and often integrations. Our calculator includes product bands to reflect this.
Can I pay monthly for an online shop?+
Yes. Pay-monthly plans can spread the build cost and include hosting and support, though platform and payment fees still apply.
Related guides
Sources
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