There are two types of website: showcase sites and e-commerce sites. A showcase site focuses on presenting information about a company or its products, without the possibility of online transactions. E-commerce sites, on the other hand, go beyond mere display, enabling direct sales of products through integrated shopping cart and payment functionalities. In this article, we'll explore the different financial aspects to consider when setting up an e-commerce site.

What determines the price of an e-commerce site?

When it comes to pricing an e-commerce site, many factors come into play to shape the final price. From concept to desired functionality, design to technical capabilities, each element contributes to creating a unique navigation. Just as an architect prepares the plans for his construction in advance, in the design of a website it's the definition of precise specifications that defines and frames the project, saving time and money during the design phase.

Understanding the key elements and differences between the provider options that determine the price of an e-commerce site is essential to making the most appropriate decision for launching your online store.

Technical features

When it comes to determining the cost of an e-commerce website, technical elements make up part of the budget. These elements lay the essential foundations of your company's online presence, and influence its visibility and security. Three main technical elements stand out: hosting, domain name and maintenance.

The domain name

Comparable to your home postal address, a domain name represents the location of your site on the Internet. Typically, it begins with"www." and ends with the extension ".com", for commercial websites.

A domain name is essential for several reasons:

• It makes your site accessible online. Without it, your website cannot be found.
• It is an integral part of the virtual identity of your online business.

It's important to note that we're talking about leasing rather than buying. It's essential to renew your domain name every year. To obtain a domain name, you need to go to dedicated platforms, called registrars, such as Gandi, OVH, Ionos and others. The average cost is €15 per year.

Accommodation

Hosting is a virtual storage space where all site data is housed. It guarantees website availability 24 hours a day. Various options are available in this sector, ranging from shared hosting, where several sites share the same resources, to dedicated hosting, which provides resources exclusive to a single website.

The associated rates may vary according to the features chosen. Shared hosting is generally more affordable, with rates starting at €80 per year. Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, offers higher performance and exclusive resources, and can cost up to €2,000 per year. The choice will depend on the specific needs of your e-commerce site and the priority given to performance and security. Some Nocode platforms, such as Shopify, offer hosting as part of the monthly fee paid to the platform.

Maintenance

Maintenance covers the essential tasks required to keep a website in perfect working order over the long term:

• Bug fixes.
• Security updates
• Regular content backups.
• Add new elements.
• Integration of additional functionalities.
• Renewal of domain name, hosting and SSL certificate.
• Management of technical aspects to optimize natural referencing on Google, etc.

It's important to note that maintenance is not included in the initial price of the website. It is an additional service.

Some providers offer maintenance options on a fee-for-service basis, which can quickly become costly. It's best to opt for monthly or annual subscription packages, which ensure medium- to long-term follow-up. This is often the case with traditional web agencies.

Maintenance costs vary according to your needs. On average, rates range from €30 per month to €5,000 per year.

Visual elements

Defining your graphic charter

A graphic charter is a set of elements that define the visual identity of a brand or company. It encompasses design elements such as colors, typography, logos, icons and layout rules. When creating an e-commerce site, a graphic charter plays an important role. It ensures visual consistency across all the pages of the website, making it easier for users to navigate. In terms of investment, the cost of developing a graphic charter varies according to the complexity of the elements to be created and the level of personalization required. It can range from 250 euros for a freelance to several thousand euros, depending on the size of the business, its needs and the skills of the designer hired for the project. You can also define the colors of your graphic charter yourself, using the coolors platform for example. Many Nocode tools offer templates, enabling you to choose from a wide range of professional designs to create your e-commerce site.

Marketing elements

In addition to the costs associated with the design, conception and development of your e-commerce site, it's essential to consider the marketing expenses required to ensure the visibility and growth of your online store. The aim is to attract qualified visitors and convert them into customers

• Digital advertising is often a major marketing expense. Advertising campaigns on platforms such as Google Ads and social networks like Facebook and Instagram can be highly effective in targeting your audience and driving traffic to your site. Amounts vary depending on the bidding model and the level of competition for specific keywords and audiences. For initial advertising campaigns (SEA), you should consider a monthly budget of around 200 euros to 400 euros if you do it yourself.

• Search engine optimization (SEO) is another essential aspect of online marketing. It's all about optimizing your site for search engines, and can contribute to sustainable, high-quality organic traffic. If you hire a specialized SEO agency, monthly costs can vary between €500 and €1,500, depending on the competition in your sector.

• Content marketing also plays a major role in your online presence. Regular production of blog posts, videos or relevant content can boost your authority and visibility. Content creation costs vary according to the type of content and frequency of publication, with monthly rates ranging from €300 to €800 if you use a specialized service provider.

• E-mail marketing remains a powerful way of maintaining a link with your customers. Using automation tools and creating attractive newsletters can require a monthly investment of around €100 to €300, depending on the size of your contact list.

To sum up, for marketing expenses related to the creation of an e-commerce website in 2023, it's prudent to plan for a monthly budget of between €800 and €2500, to be adapted according to your growth objectives.

How long does it take to design an e-commerce site?

The development time for an e-commerce site varies according to its complexity: from the visual appeal, to the number of pages and the quantity of products to be marketed. Simple e-commerce websites can be created in a matter of weeks, while more elaborate projects with custom features, such as complex payment systems or integration with third-party software, can take several months to fully develop.

How do you explain the price differences between Saas, OpenSource, CMS and custom e-commerce sites?

The process of producing an e-commerce website offers a variety of options, each with its own characteristics. The comparison table below highlights the key elements of common approaches, from CMS platforms to custom solutions based on code-based development, to help you make an informed decision based on your needs and resources.

If you're thinking of creating your e-commerce site yourself or with the help of a professional thanks to these solutions, here's the list: 

• Magento vs Shopify
• Squarespace vs Webflow
• Wix vs Shopify
• Top 7 Nocode tools for creating your website

If you'd like to know all about the differences between a bespoke project with code and Nocode solutions, take a look at our summary on the subject.

In 2023, which service provider will offer the most advantageous pricing solution for the creation of an e-commerce site?

The process of creating an e-commerce site involves a variety of options, each with its advantages and disadvantages. We're going to look at three main approaches to help you decide: do it yourself, use an agency and hire a competent freelancer.

Do it yourself

The cost

For entrepreneurs with technical skills and a willingness to make a personal investment, creating an e-commerce site can be an attractive option. Nocode website creation platforms such as Shopify, Wordpress with WooCommerce and Wix make it possible to create and manage your online store. Amounts associated with this approach generally range from €0 to €500. You'll need to take into account the monthly fees for the chosen platform, any logo production costs and paid extensions for specific functionalities.

The weather

Creating an e-commerce site takes time, even with the right digital solutions. The learning curve to master these platforms can be long, which could delay the launch of your online store.

Advantages and disadvantages

The major advantage is control over the management of your project. However, the final result may be limited by your technical and creative skills.

Choose an agency

The cost

Calling on a service provider specialized in e-commerce site production offers the advantage of benefiting from the expertise of a professional team. These agencies take charge of every aspect, from design to search engine optimization. Prices for this service generally range from €3,000 to €60,000, or even more, depending on the complexity of the site, the functionality required and level of customization desired, the number of pages, and the technology chosen. Although the cost is higher, this option guarantees a professional site tailored to your needs. If you'd like to opt for a Nocode solution for the development of your e-commerce site, Alegria.solutions has extensive expertise in these solutions, having already created hundreds of websites for customers of all sizes.

The weather

Working with an agency to create an e-commerce site in 2023 can speed up the creation process, since a team of experts will be working on your project. However, delays of a few weeks to a few months, depending on team availability, are common before launching the project.

Advantages and disadvantages

Using an agency to create an e-commerce site offers the advantage of professional expertise, and the possibility of completely delegating your project. However, it can also be more expensive than managing the design of your site yourself, or calling in a freelancer. Choosing a Nocode solution for e-commerce website development with an agency can be a good way to optimize your expenses while benefiting from in-depth support.

Hiring a freelancer

The cost

Hiring a freelancer to create your e-commerce site combines flexibility with personalized expertise. Freelance experts, whether web designers, Nocode Makers or marketing specialists, offer tailor-made solutions without the expense of an agency. The average daily rate (ADR) for Wordpress freelancers is €429, according to a Malt study. The total price will depend on the digital solution chosen for the development of your site and the hours of work required to complete it, but this option can be a good compromise between quality and budget. On average, you should expect to pay between €2,000 and €20,000 for an e-commerce site. 

The weather

The time it takes to design and develop an e-commerce site with a freelancer can vary according to the contractor's workload, skills, availability and any unforeseen delays. In general, it can take from a few weeks to several months.

Advantages and disadvantages

Using a freelancer to design an e-commerce site often offers greater flexibility in terms of cost and customization, enabling direct communication. However, this can sometimes mean longer lead times and limited resources compared to an agency, which could offer more diverse expertise.

At Alegria.solutions, we offer our customers access to a network of contractors carefully evaluated and selected for their skills. These Nocode experts have mastered platforms such as Webflow and Shopify, enabling them to develop high-quality, personalized websites. This expertise guarantees reliable results, meeting our customers' expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the price of an e-commerce website in 2023 will depend on the approach you choose. Creating the site yourself may be more economical, but it requires time and certain skills, notably graphic and technical. Using an agency guarantees professionalism and personalization, but at a higher cost. Hiring a freelancer combines personalized expertise with flexibility and shorter lead times. It's important to assess your needs, skills and budget to determine the best option for producing your e-commerce site. The price range can go from €1,500 for a self-created site to €100,000 if you call on a specialized agency to design an online store with highly advanced functionalities and substantial purchasing volume.