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How much does it cost to start an online store?
Pick a starting preset, then overwrite any line with real quotes. The totals update instantly.
Preset figures are rough planning assumptions, not quotes or current list prices. Replace them with real numbers from your suppliers and chosen platform.
Your estimate
One-time costs—
Monthly running—
Cash for first 3 months—
First-year total—
Tip: keep at least three months of running costs in reserve. Most stores take 60–90 days to find a repeatable marketing channel.
Get a fixed build quoteWhere the money actually goes
Platform fees are usually the smallest part of a startup budget. The big swings come from inventory, photography and marketing. A print-on-demand or digital store can start with almost no inventory spend; a stocked store with 30 SKUs may need thousands before launch.
Ways to start leaner
- Pre-sell or run a waitlist to validate demand before buying stock.
- Use a free or low-cost theme and spend the savings on product photos.
- Add apps only when they solve a problem you actually have.
- Start marketing with email, communities and content before paid ads.
See also: dropshipping vs inventory vs print-on-demand and the break-even calculator.