How much does a Shopify store cost?

/ 02

Pricing tiers explained

Here's how the UK market for a Shopify store actually breaks down in 2026:

• • Paid theme + DIY (£200–£500 + your time) — for pre-launch validation You get: Off-the-shelf theme, self-configured.
• • Freelancer setup (£1,000–£3,500) — for first store You get: Theme install, product upload, basic customisation.
• • Custom studio build (RIOT) (£3,500–£12,000) — for brands that need to look distinctive You get: Custom theme, Klaviyo setup, apps, optimisation.
• • Shopify Plus agency (£25,000+) — for £1m+ revenue brands You get: Enterprise features, checkout customisation, larger team.

/ 03

What changes the price

The same tier of supplier can quote wildly different prices depending on scope. Here are the factors that move the number up or down:

• • Number of SKUs
• • Custom design vs. paid theme
• • App stack (loyalty, reviews, subscriptions, quiz)
• • Klaviyo email flow setup
• • Migration from existing platform
• • Custom features (bundle builders, product configurators)

/ 04

Hidden costs nobody mentions

Every headline price hides costs that only surface later. Watch for these:

• • Shopify plan: £25–£300/mo
• • Apps: £100–£500/mo typical
• • Klaviyo: £30–£300/mo
• • Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments (0.5–2%)
• • Product photography

/ 05

What we charge

Shopify store builds from £3,500. Klaviyo setup £300–£800. Theme customisation £800–£3,000.

We're a small Colchester studio working with UK SMBs and international clients. Our pricing is fixed, itemised, and includes everything you'd expect from a good agency — without the agency overhead.

/ 06

How to compare quotes fairly

The biggest mistake when getting quotes for a Shopify store is comparing headline numbers without checking scope. A £500 quote and a £2,500 quote for what looks like the same thing are almost always for very different things.

Three checks that put every quote on a level playing field: 1) Ask what's included by line item. 2) Ask what happens if scope changes mid-project. 3) Ask what you own at the end (files, code, accounts). If any supplier can't answer those clearly, move on.

/ FAQs

Common questions