This blog was updated on 09 May 2025, for more information connect with our team: https://www.easystore.co/contact 

How Much Does It Really Cost to Start an Online Store in 2025?

It’s 2025, and many startups still worry that building a website for online selling is expensive. 

Truth is—it doesn’t have to be. Unless you're hiring an agency to design a fully customized website, you can launch your online store without spending a fortune. 

In fact, with online store builders like EasyStore, you can get started for free using ready-made templates.

But what does it actually cost to build an online store? That depends on your business goals, budget, and how hands-on you want to be. 

While a professionally developed ecommerce site can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000, using an online store builder can significantly reduce your costs without compromising professionalism or functionality.

By the end of this blog, you’ll understand what makes up the cost of an online store and how to launch one for free or with minimal investment.

Online Store Builder vs Web Designer

First, define your business needs. Many startups don’t need a fully customized website when starting out.

A well-designed template with enough flexibility will meet most requirements:

• Boost your SEO so more people can discover your store

• Enable customers to browse and place orders independently

• Grow your customer database to encourage repeat purchases

Why Use an Online Store Builder?

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, fast, and beginner-friendly way to start selling online, a store builder is ideal. 

Platforms like EasyStore are designed for non-technical users, allowing you to launch within an hour.

Some builders advertise “free” stores—but be cautious of hidden fees for domains, hosting, SSL, design, and maintenance. 

Here's a breakdown of what really goes into the cost of an online store and how to keep your expenses low.

The True Cost of Running an Online Store

Let’s look at the typical components that make up the cost of an online store:

1. Domain Name: $10–100/year

Your domain is your website’s address (e.g. mystore.com). Pricing depends on the domain's popularity and demand.

With EasyStore’s freemium plan, you get a free EasyStore-branded domain upon registration. Annual plans even include a free custom domain.

2. Website Hosting: $15–120/year

Hosting is where your website’s data is stored. Some platforms, like WooCommerce, require self-hosted solutions, which means additional complexity and cost.

EasyStore includes free hosting in all plans—including the free one—so you won’t have to manage servers or install software.

3. SSL Certificate (Security): $0–1500/year

SSL encrypts user data to keep your site secure. It’s also essential for SEO.

Every EasyStore website comes with free built-in SSL and follows industry security standards like AES-256 and TLS.

4. Store Design: $50–15,000

A good design makes your site user-friendly and visually appealing. Typical design costs range from free templates to expensive custom builds.

EasyStore offers over 40 professionally designed themes for free. You can easily customize them with drag-and-drop tools—no design skills required.

5. Plugins and Features: Varies

No platform can meet every business need out of the box. Plugins and app integrations help you add extra functions like email marketing, logistics, or accounting.

With EasyStore’s App Store, over 100 integrations are free. While some apps may charge a fee, most startups will find the free tools more than sufficient.

6. Payment Processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Payment gateways like PayPal or iPay88 typically charge a small transaction fee.

EasyStore partners with major local and global gateways, many offering free setup and no subscription fees. You can even accept manual payments at no cost.

Helping Startups Minimize Upfront Costs

Here’s a cost comparison of building an online store with and without EasyStore:

Startups often operate on tight budgets. EasyStore was built with this in mind—removing unnecessary upfront costs so you can focus on building your product, brand, and marketing.

How to Launch Your Free Store in Minutes

Creating an online store is easier than ever with EasyStore. Here's how:

1. Sign up for an account

2. Upload your products

3. Choose a free theme

4. Set up payment and delivery methods

5. Start selling!

Why Ecommerce Still Matters in 2025

Even though physical stores are back in full operation, ecommerce remains crucial. 

Shopping habits formed during the pandemic have stuck—many customers still prefer the convenience of buying online.

Over 50% of shoppers are expected to continue online shopping habits formed during the pandemic. 

According to Statista, ecommerce could make up nearly half of total retail sales by 2025.

Why?

• Online shopping is faster and more convenient

• Price comparison is easier

• Social platforms like TikTok and YouTube are integrated with ecommerce

Ecommerce is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying competitive, especially for startups.

Final Thoughts

Getting your business online doesn’t have to be expensive. 

With EasyStore, most of the key costs—domain, hosting, SSL, design, and integrations—are included for free or at a very low cost.

Sign up for your free store today at www.easystore.co and bring your business to life online.

Make Customers Love Buying From You

EasyStore empowers your brand to prioritize customers and enhance their experience, creating a unified customer experience (UCX) that makes customers love buying from you.

Over 50,000 brands have grown their businesses by embracing unified customer experiences (UCX) strategy through EasyStore across multiple sales channels - online store, retail outlets, marketplaces, and social media, ensuring consistency in product and service offerings for a seamless shopping journey.