When someone decides to take the plunge into the world of e-commerce, one of the first questions is "How much does it cost to have an online store in 2024?" The truth is, there's no magic formula for answering this question, and the cost of having an online store can vary considerably depending on the many factors and services you must consider and decide on.
So let's break down the key elements you need to consider and answer the troubling question: How much does it cost to have an online store in 2024?
1. Domain and server (hosting)
In our first stop on the journey to discover how much it costs to have an online store in 2024, we come across two key elements: the domain and the server or hosting.
1.1. Domain: Your own address on the network
A domain is your eCommerce store's calling card; it's the unique symbol that defines you online. To put this into context, if your online store is called "Imagine Business," your domain could be www.imaginebusiness.com. There are a wide variety of domain providers, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Raiola Networks, that offer fairly similar prices. The annual cost you would have to pay to maintain your domain is around €12.
It's important to emphasize the importance of having your own professional domain, as some free domain offers don't provide the security and brand image your eCommerce store will need to excel in 2024.
1.2 Hosting: Your space on the Internet
Essentially, hosting is the corner of the internet where your store will reside. When someone wants to know how much it costs to have an online store in 2024, they often forget to include this element in their calculations. Although prices can vary dramatically depending on the provider and type of hosting, you can find options starting at €15 per month.
Considering cheaper or free options? Stop before you make a costly mistake. A low-quality hosting service could cause your website to load very slowly, damaging your Google search rankings (SEO), or even cause your store to go down frequently, which could lead to lost customers and sales.
Therefore, answering the question "How much does it cost to run an online store in 2024?" involves considering how much you're willing to invest in a good hosting solution. You could start with shared hosting if you're just launching your online store; rates can range from €6 to €10 per month. As your business grows and attracts more traffic, you could opt for a virtual private server (VPS), which will allow you to have dedicated resources. For a VPS, you can expect initial investments of between €15 and €25 per month.
If your online store experiences significant popularity and traffic, you might consider a managed VPS server. In this case, you'll likely need to invest around €50 per month.
2. eCommerce platforms
A crucial factor in figuring out "how much it costs to have an online store in 2024" is choosing the right e-commerce platform. This software is the engine that will drive your store, allowing you to manage product catalogs, payment methods, databases, and all aspects related to your e-commerce operations.
To better understand how much it costs to run an online store in 2024, it's essential to take a look at the most popular e-commerce platforms and their costs.
2.1. WordPress WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free plugin that allows you to convert a WordPress website into an online store. Its initial cost is zero and it's quite easy to use. However, keep in mind that you may need to invest more to access additional features through extensions. This can be an attractive option if you're just starting out and have a limited product selection.
2.2 Shopify
If you're wondering "How much does it cost to have an online store in 2024?" and are considering Shopify as a platform, you should know that it's the leader in the US for its ease of use and powerful features. Shopify offers several pricing plans, starting at around €30 per month.
2.3 Magento
Magento is a robust and powerful platform, highly valued for its flexibility and customizable features. Its adaptability and functionality make it a great option for online stores with a high sales volume. However, when calculating how much it will cost to run an online store in 2024 using Magento, you should keep in mind that it's a complex platform that may require a powerful hosting provider and possibly an experienced developer to manage.
2.4 PrestaShop
When considering how much it costs to run an online store in 2024, PrestaShop may appear to be a valid option. It sits midway between Magento and WordPress in terms of ease of use and power. It also offers a package called PrestaShop Ready that includes web hosting for €19.90 per month.
Note: The lifespan of your online store
When you're first embarking on your e-commerce journey and wondering, "How much does it cost to run an online store in 2024?", SaaS solutions like Shopify make it easy to do it yourself, very quickly, and without the need for extensive technical knowledge.
However, as your project grows and you have a larger budget, you'll need to scale to more powerful platforms and tools. If the technical side starts to become a headache, it's better to seek outside help and focus on what you do best: selling.
If you decide to seek assistance, you may want to consult our partners, who can help you with any e-commerce platform. It's worth noting that Doofinder is integrated with all of them.
3. Design: A determining factor in how much it costs to have an online store in 2024
Ok, you've decided on your domain, hosting, and platform. Now, what's next when you ask yourself, "How much does it cost to have an online store in 2024?"? Indeed, it's time to shape your eCommerce. You've entered the realm of design.
Here, you'll need to consider aspects such as the Content Management System (CMS) of your choice, the theme or template, the number of pages you'll need to create, and any additional features you want to incorporate. It's important to note that some modules or add-ons may require a fee, so these should be taken into account when calculating how much it will cost to have an online store in 2024.
Designing an online store can cost anywhere from €0 to over €1,500, depending on the number of pages to be designed, whether you opt for a fully custom design or use a template, and whether you opt for additional branding services. Remember that the more complex your eCommerce requirements are, the larger the budget required for its creation.
But when talking about design, we can't just focus on the visual aspect.
4. Copywriting: The art of selling with words
Sales copy may be one of the most overlooked aspects when thinking about "how much does it cost to have an online store in 2024," but it's essential to improving your online store's conversion rate. Copywriting for your website won't be included in your initial budget, and you may need to hire a professional copywriter unless you're skilled at doing it yourself.
Text on the homepage or About Us page, for example, can cost around €500. But don't ignore the product sheets.
Product listings are vital for converting visitors into buyers. Never use the text you receive from your supplier, as Google could penalize you for duplicate content. If you have a large number of products, you could negotiate a product listing package with a professional to spread the cost over several months. Or, you could learn how to do it yourself.
5. Applications and add-ons
The next installment in our journey to answer the question "How much does it cost to run an online store in 2024?" involves considering the additional features your store might need.
These features may include adding cookie alerts, implementing cross-selling options, or building an email subscriber list. Make sure you factor in the cost of these types of features when calculating how much it will cost to run an online store in 2024.
6. Marketing: A crucial factor in determining how much it costs to have an online store in 2024
Just as if you had a physical store, where you would carefully choose its location, you need to think about how to attract people to your online store. This is what's known as traffic.
You can attract traffic to your online store in two main ways: through search engine optimization (SEO) or paid marketing campaigns. There are also ways to promote your store at no cost, such as posting on social media where you think your potential customers can find you, or creating engaging YouTube videos.
Now, when you ask yourself, "How much does it cost to have an online store in 2024?" you must keep in mind that these techniques take time. As with almost everything, there is a direct relationship between investing time or money in your online store.
6.1. SEO: The key to attracting qualified traffic
To determine how much it costs to have an online store in 2024, you must also consider how much it will cost to have Google display you as a relevant result for users searching for the products your store offers. The cost of SEO services for an online store can vary significantly, but typically won't be less than €400 per month.
6. 2. Paid Marketing: Attracting traffic in exchange for investment
In addition to SEO, you can also attract traffic to your online store with paid campaigns. Cost per visit is a crucial factor to consider here. According to Revealbot, you should invest approximately €130 in advertising to receive two or three sales. Now you understand why marketing is a crucial part of your online store's initial budget.
7. Payment Gateways: Ensuring Revenue Flow
However, having an online store in 2024 also requires a secure and reliable payment gateway to protect both your income and your customers' money. Depending on your sales forecasts and your buyers' profile, you could choose different payment methods, from virtual POS to PayPal or Stripe.
8. Agencies specialized in eCommerce
If you prefer to leave the challenge of building a successful online store in the hands of experts, you might consider hiring the services of an eCommerce agency. Whether you need email marketing services, strategies to increase the average purchase price, affiliate systems, or more complex initiatives, agencies offer a wide range of services that can be tailored to your needs and budget.
Knowing all this, how much does it cost to have an online store in 2024? Obviously, the answer will be different for everyone. No eCommerce store is the same, and therefore costs vary. However, the guide provided will help you understand and calculate a realistic budget according to your needs.
In addition to these costs, don't forget that you must comply with legal requirements and other obligations. So, if you're just starting out in the world of e-commerce, make sure you're well-advised.
In short, "how much does it cost to have an online store in 2024" is a question that carries with it several implications worth considering. Remember, the most important thing is to focus on offering a quality product or service and an exceptional user experience in your online store, as these are the true drivers of success in e-commerce.
