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Ecommerce website cost in Australia depends on your products, features and platform. At Rock Solid Marketing, our E-commerce package starts from $6,000 + GST (or 6 monthly payments of $1,000 + GST) for a full website with an online store, shopping cart and payment gateway. On top of the build, budget for hosting or platform fees, payment processing, ongoing care and marketing. Here’s how the costs break down.
How much does an ecommerce website cost?
An ecommerce website cost has two parts: the one-off cost to build the store, and the ongoing cost to run it. Here’s our own price list for the build, so you can see what’s included:
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | From $6,000 + GST, or 6 monthly payments of $1,000 + GST | A full website with an online store, shopping cart and payment gateway |
| Standard | $6,500 + GST, or 6 monthly payments of $1,085 + GST | 10 to 25 pages, security and SEO plug-ins, up to 25 products uploaded, a WordPress user manual, 12 months’ hosting and 4 weeks’ support |
| Advanced | $12,000 + GST, or 6 monthly payments of $2,000 + GST | A bespoke site of 25 to 50 pages with up to 50 products, email marketing integration, SEO set-up, CRM automation and 8 weeks’ support |
Extra design or development work beyond a package is charged at $175 + GST an hour. Our ecommerce website design page has the full details.
What affects the cost to build an ecommerce website?
The ecommerce website development cost mostly comes down to these:
- Number of products. Every product needs photos, descriptions, prices and options loaded. A few dozen is quick; hundreds take much longer unless you can supply a clean spreadsheet to import.
- Product options. Sizes, colours, bundles, made-to-order items and custom pricing all add set-up.
- Payments and shipping. A standard payment gateway and flat-rate shipping are simple; live courier rates, click and collect or several delivery zones take more work.
- Integrations. Connecting the store to your accounting software, stock system, email marketing or a CRM adds time.
- Design. A theme adapted to your brand costs less than a fully custom design.
- Content. Supplying your own product photos and descriptions keeps the price down; copywriting and photography add to it.
How much does a basic ecommerce website cost?
A basic online store with a small range of products, a standard payment gateway and simple shipping fits our E-commerce package, from $6,000 + GST. That covers a full website with the store, cart and checkout. If you only sell a handful of items alongside your services, a Standard website ($6,500 + GST, with up to 25 products uploaded) may suit you better.
How much should an ecommerce website cost?
An ecommerce website should cost what it takes to sell your range well. A store selling a few products to local customers needs far less than one with hundreds of products, several shipping options and stock synced to a warehouse. As an estimate based on our price guide: a store on our E-commerce package that also needs stock syncing with your accounting software and courier shipping rates usually adds several hours at $175 + GST an hour, so expect about $7,000 to $8,000 + GST. You get a fixed quote after the discovery call.
How much does it cost to run an ecommerce website?
After launch, these are the main running costs:
- Hosting or platform fees. A WordPress store with WooCommerce needs hosting: ours starts from $400 + GST a year, and our website packages include the first 12 months. A Shopify store pays Shopify a monthly plan instead.
- Payment processing. Every sale has card fees from your payment provider. Shopify also charges an extra fee if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments.
- Apps and extensions. Features like subscriptions, reviews or advanced shipping often have monthly or yearly fees.
- Domain renewal. Paid each year to keep your web address.
- Maintenance. Updates, backups and security checks (see below).
- Marketing. SEO, Google Ads or social media to bring in shoppers. Our SEO plans start from $1,000 + GST a month with no lock-in contract.
Our comparison of WooCommerce vs Shopify explains how the two platforms charge.
How much does it cost to maintain an ecommerce website?
Online stores need closer care than brochure sites, because payments, stock and checkout have to keep working. Our Premium care plan is built for online stores and complex sites: $549 + GST a month (minimum 6 months), covering everything in Essentials (updates, backups, security checks, SEO optimisation, hosting, and domain and SSL renewal) plus store and payment settings, an SEO health check and audit report, and a one-hour call each month. See our website care plans for the full list.
How much does it cost to start an ecommerce website?
To start selling online, plan for the build, your first year of hosting or platform fees, product photos and descriptions, and some launch marketing. Our packages include 12 months’ hosting, and the 6-month payment plan spreads the build cost: for example, 6 monthly payments of $1,000 + GST on the E-commerce package. If you want to test demand first, start with a smaller range and add products as sales grow.
What we ask before we quote an online store
Before we put a price on a store, we ask: how many products, and how many options each; who will supply photos and descriptions; how you’ll ship and to where; which payment methods you want; and whether the store needs to talk to other systems such as accounting or stock. The answers usually point to one package. If a simpler set-up will do for now, we’ll tell you before we quote. Our WooCommerce websites page explains how we build WordPress stores.
Frequently asked questions
Why do ecommerce website quotes vary so much?
Because they include very different things. One quote may be a template with your logo and a few products; another covers custom design, hundreds of products, integrations, hosting and support. Compare what each includes, not just the price.
Is it cheaper to build an online store myself?
The upfront cost is lower with a DIY platform, but you pay in time, and mistakes with payments, shipping or tax settings can cost sales. Many owners have a store built professionally, then manage products and orders themselves.
Can I pay for an ecommerce website in instalments?
Yes. Our E-commerce package can be paid over 6 monthly payments of $1,000 + GST.
Do I need a separate website and online store?
No. Our E-commerce package is a full website with the store built in, so your pages, products and checkout sit on one site.
How much does a regular business website cost?
Our website packages start at $5,000 + GST for up to 5 pages. See our guide to how much a website costs.
The short version
Ecommerce website cost in Australia, with us, starts from $6,000 + GST for a full website with an online store, plus running costs for hosting or platform fees, payment processing, care and marketing. Products, options, shipping and integrations drive the price.
If you’d like a price for your online store, book a free 30-minute discovery call and you’ll get a fixed quote based on what you actually need.
