The question “how much does an online store cost?” is similar to the question “how much does a car cost?”. The answer is always the same: “It depends on the configuration.” You can assemble a budget option to get started, or you can choose a premium business car—and both will drive. The same applies to websites: the final price of an online store depends on dozens of factors.
To help you get oriented, we at Kliox have prepared an honest breakdown of all cost items. We will show what the cost of website development consists of, what hidden costs exist, and why high-quality development is a profitable investment rather than just an expense. This article will help you plan your budget and understand exactly what you are paying for.
Main development costs: what is included in the price
When you order online store development, the price is formed by the work of an entire team of specialists. This is not just website creation, but a comprehensive process that includes several key stages. 
- Design (UX/UI) This is not just a pretty picture. The design price includes:
- UX research: Analysis of your audience and competitors.
- Prototyping: Creating the logical structure and skeleton of the website.
- UI design: Development of a unique visual style, selection of colors and fonts.
- Layout and Front-end This is the process of transforming a static design mockup into an interactive, responsive website that looks perfect on all devices—from smartphones to large monitors.
- Programming (Back-end) This is the brain of your store. It includes setting up the server-side, databases, admin panel, as well as implementing all functionality: cart, order system, personal account.
- Platform and plugin costs Depending on the choice (e.g., Shopify), there may be a monthly subscription fee. For WordPress, paid plugins may be required to extend functionality, which also affects the final development cost.
Hidden costs that are often forgotten
High-quality online store development is only part of the investment. There are also regular hidden costs that must be included in the budget to keep your business running smoothly. Honest contractors always warn about them in advance. 
- Hosting and domain fees
- Domain (your website name) is paid annually. Cost — from 300 UAH/year.
- Hosting (the place where the website is hosted) is paid monthly or annually. Hosting fees for an online store start from 200 UAH/month.
- SSL certificate This is the padlock next to your website address that ensures a secure connection. Without it, browsers will mark your site as unsafe, which scares customers away. Cost — from 0 to 2000 UAH/year.
- Website technical support After launch, the website requires regular maintenance: updates, backups, virus protection. The cost of website technical support services can be hourly or in the form of a fixed monthly fee.
- Payment system commissions For each successful online payment on your website, payment systems (LiqPay, Fondy) charge a commission, usually around 2–2.5% of the transaction amount.
Marketing investments: how to attract your first customers
Even a perfectly developed online store will not sell if no one knows about it. Therefore, after launch, it is necessary to allocate a marketing and advertising budget. These are not expenses, but investments in attracting your first customers.
Main areas of marketing investment:
- SEO promotion: Work on improving your website’s positions in Google. This is a long-term investment that brings a steady flow of free traffic in the future.
- Contextual advertising (Google Ads): The fastest way to get hot customers who are already searching for your product. Requires a regular advertising budget.
- Targeted advertising on social networks (Instagram, Facebook): Allows you to show your product to your target audience and increase brand awareness.
- Content marketing: Writing useful blog articles, creating video reviews. This works on trust and audience engagement at early stages.
Planning a marketing budget is a critically important step. Its size depends on your niche, competition, and business goals.
Our pricing approach: transparent Kliox packages
At Kliox, we understand how important transparency is when it comes to the price of an online store. To simplify your choice and budget planning, we have developed three clear packages. Each of them is a ready-made solution for a specific stage of business development. 
- Fast Start Package (from $1499) An ideal option for testing a niche or launching your first store. Includes everything you need to start selling with minimal investment.
- Comprehensive Solution Package (from $3999) The optimal choice for a business aiming for growth. Includes custom design, extended functionality, and basic automation.
- Custom Solution Package (from $6999) For projects with unique requirements. Involves custom development, complex integrations, and full control over business logic.
You can find more detailed information about what is included in each package on our Tariffs page. This approach allows you to immediately understand the approximate cost of website creation and choose the best option for yourself.
Conclusion: an online store is an investment in your business
As you can see, how much an online store costs is a complex question. The final cost consists not only of the development itself, but also of subsequent expenses for support and marketing.
Most importantly, remember that this is not an expense, but an investment in a powerful business tool. A properly designed and promoted online store pays for itself quickly and becomes the main source of your revenue. The price of an online store directly depends on its potential to solve commercial tasks.
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