One UK agency quotes a few hundred pounds, another quotes tens of thousands, and both call it a Shopify website. They are pricing very different pieces of work. Breaking the cost into its parts makes the comparison fair.
1. Your Shopify plan
A monthly subscription, with lower rates for annual billing. Higher plans reduce card fees and add staff accounts and reporting. Shopify Plus is priced separately and suits larger brands. Check Shopify's UK pricing page for current figures.
2. Payment processing
Shopify Payments charges a percentage per card transaction, which falls on higher plans. Using a different payment provider adds a Shopify transaction fee on top.
3. Theme
Shopify's free themes are well built. Premium themes from the Theme Store are a one-off purchase. A custom-designed theme is a development project in its own right.
4. Apps
Reviews, subscriptions, loyalty, email marketing. Each app has a monthly fee, and they add up quickly. Every app also adds code that can slow the store, so choose carefully.
5. Agency development
This is where quotes differ most. The main drivers are:
- Theme setup, customisation or bespoke design
- Number of products and how they are imported
- Custom features: bundles, configurators, B2B pricing, subscriptions
- Integrations with ERP, warehouse or accounting systems
- Migration from another platform, including redirects
- Content, photography and copywriting
6. Ongoing costs
Domain renewal, app subscriptions and a support retainer or a budget for ad hoc work. Stores that get no attention after launch drift out of date.
Comparing quotes
Write one brief listing what you sell, how many products you have and what must be ready at launch. Send the same brief to each agency and ask for a scope with the price. If you would like our quote, send the brief and you will receive a fixed price in pounds.