E-commerce29 July 202611 min read

Building an online store: the complete guide from cost to platform

An online store is the only sales channel that works 24/7 without a salary. But the difference between a well-built store and one that "just exists" is 3–5x in sales. Here is everything to know before ordering one.

MU
Must Uba tiim
Marketing agency · Tallinn, Estonia

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Contents

  1. What does building an online store cost?
  2. WooCommerce or Shopify — which to choose?
  3. What makes a store actually sell: 7 elements
  4. The step-by-step process: from idea to launch
  5. Common mistakes that eat sales

What does building an online store cost?

The honest answer: it depends on scope. But here are realistic ranges to plan with:

SolutionPriceBest for
Template-based storefrom €2,490Starting shop, up to ~200 products, standard needs
Custom-designed store€4,000–8,000Growing brand that wants to stand out and scale
Fully custom build€8,000+Large catalogue, integrations, B2B logic, multiple markets

Add running costs: hosting, platform fees and maintenance — typically €30–150 per month. Beware of "€300 online store" offers: they usually end with rebuilding the store a year later.

WooCommerce or Shopify — which to choose?

WooCommerceShopify
OwnershipThe store is 100% yoursYou rent the platform
Running costLower (hosting ~€10–30/mo)From ~€36/mo + transaction fees
CustomisabilityUnlimitedLimited to apps and themes
Local payments & parcel lockersFully supportedSupported, partly via apps
Best forMost storesFast start, simple catalogue

Our recommendation: for most businesses we build WooCommerce — you keep ownership, running costs are lower, and local payment and delivery integrations are first-class.

What makes a store actually sell: 7 elements

  1. Speed under 2 seconds. Every extra second of loading = −7% conversion.
  2. Mobile first. Over 60% of purchases happen on phones.
  3. A simple checkout. Guest checkout, bank links, Apple Pay — every extra field loses buyers.
  4. Good product photos and copy. The client can’t touch the product — image and text do the selling.
  5. Trust signals. Reviews, return policy and contacts clearly visible.
  6. An SEO foundation from day one. Categories and product pages that match searches — free traffic for years. See our SEO guide.
  7. Automation. Orders into accounting, stock in sync, abandoned-cart emails — see our API integrations guide.

The step-by-step process: from idea to launch

4–8
weeks — typical build time
2.9%
conversion rate of a good store
24/7
sells without a salary

Common mistakes that eat sales

Check your (future) store

  • Reaching checkout takes more than 3 clicks
  • No guest checkout — you force account creation
  • Shipping cost only appears at checkout
  • Product photos are from the manufacturer’s catalogue, not your own
  • The store loads in over 3 seconds
  • Google can’t find a single one of your categories

If you are planning to build an online store or upgrade an existing one, see our e-commerce development service — we build stores that sell, not stores that merely exist. Ask for a free quote — we reply within 24 hours.

How long does building an online store take?

A typical store is ready in 4–8 weeks. A template-based build is faster; a large catalogue with integrations takes longer. You get an exact timeline in the quote.

Can I edit products and prices myself?

Yes — we hand the store over with training. Products, prices, campaigns and content pages are fully in your hands, no developer needed.

Do payments and parcel-locker deliveries come set up?

Yes. Bank links, card payments, parcel-locker providers and shipping-cost logic are configured and test-purchased before launch.

Planning an online store?

Tell us about your product — we’ll put together an exact plan and quote within 24 hours.

Get an e-commerce quote →