What would an online store cost you, and what would it give back?
For small sellers on lives, marketplaces or a shop counter. Put in your own numbers to see the hours you’d get back, what a store costs to run, and how doing it yourself compares. No email needed.
How does this compare with doing it yourself?
Same sales, same payments, three ways to get a store. The only differences are the price and who does the work.
The comparison appears once your estimate does.
What this counts, and what it leaves out
Counted
- Setup, and what a store costs to run each month
- Payment fees, and marketplace fees you’d stop paying
- Your admin time, before and after
Left out
- Product photos, stock, shipping and packaging
- Ads and marketing (see Online Store Marketing)
- Tax and accounting, and growth in your sales
- Introductory offers, like Shopify’s first months for $1
- GST and VAT: every price here excludes tax
How I worked this out
Method v2026.11.2. Prices checked 29 to 31 Oct 2026. It works as a WooCommerce cost calculator, with Shopify alongside for comparison.
Shopify (plans and Shopify Payments rates, checked 31 Oct 2026): US, AU, CA, NZ, UK · Domain: NameSilo .com, US$17.29 a year · Hosting: BigScoots Shared 155CC, US$11.95 a month billed monthly or US$10.95 billed yearly (checked 31 Oct 2026)
Fee sources (checked 29 to 31 Oct 2026): Etsy Fees & Payments Policy · Etsy payment processing fees · eBay US selling fees · eBay AU selling fees · eBay UK private seller fees · Stripe pricing: AU, NZ, US, CA, UK · Stripe Afterpay and Clearpay: AU, NZ, US, CA, UK
Questions
Is this a quote?
No. It’s an estimate from the numbers you put in. A quote comes after a call, once I know your store.
Do I need to give my email?
No. Everything on this page shows without one, and the numbers you type stay in your browser. If you want your breakdown by email, add your first name and email under the results. That sends one email; you only join my tips list if you tick the box and confirm.
Why compare Shopify if you only build on WooCommerce?
Because it’s the real alternative for most small sellers, and you should see its costs next to mine.
What if it says I don’t need a store yet?
Then you probably don’t. Payment links can tide you over until a store pays for itself.
Does it include marketing or ads?
No. Getting found on Google and in AI answers is priced separately, on Online Store Marketing.
Which currencies, and does it include tax?
USD, AUD, NZD, CAD and GBP, converted at rates updated monthly. All prices exclude GST and VAT.
How often are prices checked?
Exchange rates monthly, platform and payment fees every quarter, and whenever a provider announces a change.