Shopify Store Launch Cost Calculator

What this tool does

Calculate the total first-year cost to launch a Shopify store. Covers plan fees, theme purchase, domain registration, app subscriptions, and estimated payment processing so you know the real number before you start.

How to use it

• Shopify Plan ($/mo): Basic is $39/mo, Standard is $105/mo, Advanced is $399/mo. Most new stores start on Basic
• Theme Cost (one-time): Free themes cost $0, premium themes range $150-$350. A good theme pays for itself in conversion rate
• Domain Cost (annual): Around $14/year for a .com through Shopify or ~$10/year through registrars
• Monthly App Costs: Add up recurring app subscriptions. New stores typically spend $30-$80/month on essentials like email, reviews, and analytics
• Est. Annual Processing Fees: Shopify Payments charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on Basic. Estimate this from projected annual revenue

Why it matters

The advertised Shopify plan price is only part of the picture. Theme, apps, and processing fees often add 50-100% on top of the base plan. Knowing the real all-in cost before launch prevents budget surprises in month three.

How to use the result

The result shows your estimated first-year total. Use it to:

1. Compare plans honestly: upgrading from Basic to Standard adds $792/year in plan fees alone, before processing fee savings
2. Budget for apps: if apps cost $50/month, that is $600/year, often more than the theme
3. Set revenue targets: divide your first-year cost by your average order value to see how many orders you need just to break even

Recommended next step

Try Profit Calc free on Shopify App Store to track real profit against these launch costs as your store grows