So you want to start a Shopify store — but you are not sure how much it will actually cost?
You are not alone. This is one of the most common questions we get at Weblyvana before starting a new Shopify project.
The honest answer is: Shopify store cost depends on what you need. It can range from as low as $29/month for a basic setup to $500+ for a fully custom professional store.
In this complete guide, we break down every single cost involved in launching a Shopify store in 2026 — so you can plan your budget with zero surprises.
Let’s get into it.
1. Shopify Monthly Plan Cost
The first cost is your Shopify subscription. Here are the current plans in 2026:
Plan | Monthly Cost | Best For |
Basic Shopify | $39/month | New stores, beginners |
Shopify | $105/month | Growing businesses |
Advanced Shopify | $399/month | Scaling businesses |
Shopify Starter | $5/month | Sell via social media only |
Our recommendation for beginners: Start with the Basic plan at $39/month. It has everything you need to launch and start selling.
💡 Pro Tip: Shopify offers a 3-day free trial and then $1/month for the first 3 months on selected plans. Always check their current offers before signing up.
2. Domain Name Cost
You need a domain name for your store — for example, yourstore.com.
- Through Shopify: $14–$20/year
- Through Hostinger: Starting from $1.99/year ← much cheaper
👉 We recommend buying your domain through Hostinger — it is significantly cheaper and you get full control over your domain.
🔗 Get your domain name from Hostinger here
3. Shopify Theme Cost
Your theme controls how your store looks. You have two options:
Free Themes:
- Shopify has 10+ free themes
- Good for beginners
- Limited customization
- Cost: $0
Paid Themes:
- Available on Shopify Theme Store
- More professional and feature-rich
- One-time cost: $180–$380
- Popular options: Impulse, Prestige, Debut Pro
Our recommendation: If you are just starting out, a free theme works perfectly fine. You can always upgrade later when your store starts generating sales.
4. Shopify Apps Cost
Apps add extra features to your store — like reviews, email marketing, upsells, and more.
Here are the most common apps and their costs:
App | Purpose | Cost |
Loox / Judge.me | Product reviews | Free – $15/month |
Klaviyo | Email marketing | Free up to 250 contacts |
ReConvert | Upsell & cross-sell | $4.99/month |
Vitals | All-in-one (40+ features) | $29.99/month |
DSers | Dropshipping | Free |
Average app cost for a basic store: $0–$50/month
💡 Pro Tip: Do NOT install too many apps when starting out. Each app slows your store slightly and costs money. Start with just the essentials.
5. Professional Store Setup Cost (Hiring a Developer)
This is where many new store owners save money in the wrong places.
Setting up a Shopify store yourself takes time, technical knowledge, and a lot of trial and error. One wrong setting can hurt your sales from day one.
Hiring a professional Shopify developer like Weblyvana means:
- Your store is set up correctly from the start
- Mobile-friendly and fast loading
- Payment gateways connected properly
- SEO-ready structure
- Professional design that builds trust
At Weblyvana, our Shopify store setup packages start from just $99. You get a complete, ready-to-sell store without the headache.
6. Complete Shopify Store Cost Breakdown — 2026
Starter Store (Budget Setup)
Item | Cost |
Shopify Basic Plan | $39/month |
Domain (Hostinger) | $2/year |
Free Theme | $0 |
Basic Apps | $0–$15/month |
DIY Setup | $0 |
TOTAL MONTHLY | ~$54/month |
Professional Store (Recommended)
Item | Cost |
Shopify Basic Plan | $39/month |
Domain (Hostinger) | $2/year |
Free or Paid Theme | $0–$380 one-time |
Essential Apps | $30–$50/month |
Professional Setup (Weblyvana) | $99–$199 one-time |
TOTAL FIRST MONTH | ~$170–$270 |
MONTHLY AFTER SETUP | ~$70–$90/month |
Advanced Store (Custom)
Item | Cost |
Shopify Plan | $105/month |
Domain | $14/year |
Premium Theme | $200–$380 one-time |
Apps | $50–$100/month |
Custom Development | $200–$500 one-time |
TOTAL FIRST MONTH | ~$400–$600 |
MONTHLY AFTER SETUP | ~$155–$205/month |
7. Hidden Costs Most Beginners Miss
Here are costs that many people forget to include in their budget:
Transaction Fees:
If you do not use Shopify Payments, Shopify charges 0.5%–2% transaction fees on every sale. Use Shopify Payments (where available) to avoid this.
Product Photography:
Good product images can make or break your store. Budget $0 (DIY with phone) to $200+ (professional photography).
Marketing Budget:
Your store will not get traffic automatically. Budget at least $50–$100/month for Facebook ads or Google ads when starting out.
Email Marketing:
After 250 contacts, Klaviyo and similar tools start charging. Plan for this as you grow.
How to Reduce Your Shopify Store Cost?
Here are smart ways to keep costs low without sacrificing quality:
- Start with a free theme — upgrade only after your first sales
- Buy your domain from Hostinger — saves $10–15/year vs buying through Shopify
- Use free app alternatives first before paying for premium ones.
- Hire a professional for setup — avoid costly mistakes that hurt sales later.
- Start with Basic plan — upgrade only when you actually need more features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a Shopify store for free?
Shopify offers a 3-day free trial. After that, you need a paid plan starting at $39/month. There is no permanent free plan.
Is Shopify worth it for beginners?
Yes — Shopify is the easiest ecommerce platform for beginners. It handles hosting, security, and payments for you so you can focus on selling.
How much does a Shopify store cost per month in Pakistan?
The Basic plan costs approximately PKR 10,000–11,000/month at current exchange rates, plus app and domain costs.
Can I build a Shopify store myself?
Yes, but it takes time and technical knowledge. Most business owners prefer to hire a professional to set it up correctly from the start.
What is the cheapest way to start a Shopify store?
Shopify Basic ($39/month) + free theme + Hostinger domain ($2/year) + no paid apps = approximately $41/month to start.
Conclusion
So what is the final answer to “how much does a Shopify store cost in 2026?”
The realistic answer:
- Minimum: ~$41–55/month for a basic DIY setup
- Recommended: ~$100–150 first month with professional setup, then $70–90/month
- Advanced: $400–600+ first month
The biggest mistake new store owners make is trying to do everything themselves to save money — and then spending months fixing problems that a professional would have set up correctly in days.
At Weblyvana, we specialize in setting up complete Shopify stores that are fast, professional, and ready to sell — starting from just $99.
🔗 “Get a free consultation for your Shopify store today.”
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