Creating an online store in 2024 is a strategic decision for any entrepreneur or merchant who wants to expand their business and reach a global market. In an increasingly digital world, having an online presence is not just an option, but a necessity. However, one of the most common questions that arise when considering this step is: how much does it really cost to create an online store?
In this article we will compare the price of the most popular platforms so you can have your professional store. Read on to find out how much it costs to create an online store today.
Factors that influence the cost of an online store
Before we go into details about specific costs, it’s important to understand the factors that can influence the total cost of an online store:
- E-commerce platform: The choice of platform significantly affects the cost. Some platforms have free or low-cost plans, while others may require a higher initial investment.
- Design and customization: If you want a unique and highly customized design, you will likely need to hire a designer or developer, which can increase costs. But many platforms have a simple default design template.
- Additional features: Features such as your own domain for your store, shipping options, email marketing, and other advanced functionality may have additional costs.
- Maintenance and support: Maintenance and support costs may vary depending on the platform and whether you choose to handle it in-house or outsource it.
Popular platforms to create online stores
Neolo Shop
Neolo is a very popular platform in the world, which offers a competitive and user-friendly solution for entrepreneurs and merchants.
Its main advantage is that it does not charge commissions per sale, which can mean significant savings for businesses.
- Plans: Neolo offers a 30-day free trial period. After that, the plans are affordable and include an own domain that can be used both for the store and for emails.
- Features: Neolo stands out for its agile and immediate customer service via WhatsApp, and for offering all the necessary tools to manage an online store efficiently without having previous knowledge.
See how easy it is to use and upload products!
Shopify
Shopify is one of the most well-known and widely used platforms in the e-commerce world. It is an all-in-one solution that facilitates the creation, management and scaling of online stores but is more complex to use.
- Features: Shopify offers a large number of themes, 24/7 support, marketing and analytics tools, and a robust app store to extend the functionalities of your store.
Wix
Wix is a popular platform for its ease of use and flexibility. It offers a drag-and-drop editor that allows users to create attractive websites without coding skills. It features several pricing plans ranging from free options to premium plans with more features.
- Plans: The free plan includes Wix ads and a Wix branded domain. Paid plans include custom domain and remove ads.
- Features: Wix offers a wide range of templates, payment method integration, SEO tools, and customer support.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open source e-commerce platform designed for WordPress. It is flexible and scalable, making it ideal for stores looking for a high level of customization.
- Cost: WooCommerce itself is free, but you will need WordPress hosting and you may need to purchase additional extensions and plugins.
- Features: It offers a wide variety of extensions to customize your store, from payment methods to marketing integrations.
How to have a free online store in 2024
While some platforms have free plans, these often come with significant limitations. However, Neolo Store offers an excellent opportunity to create your online store with no upfront costs through its 30-day trial period.
Here’s how to take advantage of this offer:
- Registration: Sign up at Neolo Shop and activate your 30-day free trial period. No credit card is required to get started.
- Initial setup: Use the intuitive store builder to design your store, add products, and set up payment and shipping methods.
- Own domain: During the trial period you can use a free domain but then you can get your own domain which will make you look more professional.
- Customer support: Take advantage of immediate support via WhatsApp to solve any questions or problems you may have while setting up your store.
- Evaluation: At the end of the 30 days, you will be able to evaluate if Neolo is the best option for you. If you decide to continue, the paid plans are competitive and do not include commissions per sale.
Additional costs to consider
In addition to the basic costs of the platform, there are other expenses you may want to consider when creating your online store:
- Hosting and domain: Some platforms include hosting and domain in their plans, but in other cases, you will have to pay for these services separately. Except if you use Neolo Shop, which belongs to Neolo Web Hosting, you have everything included in the paid plan.
- Design and development: If you want a highly customized store, you may need to hire a designer or developer, which can vary in costs.
- Marketing and advertising: Marketing tools, paid advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO) may require additional investment.
- Product photography: High-quality images are crucial to attract customers. Hiring a professional photographer or investing in good photographic equipment may be necessary.
- Security: Investing in SSL certificates and other security measures is essential to protect your customers’ data.
Conclusion
Creating an online store in 2024 is a worthwhile investment for any entrepreneur or merchant.
Costs can vary significantly depending on the platform you choose, the level of customization you need, and other additional factors. However, with options like Neolo Shop, you can start your e-commerce venture economically and efficiently. Take advantage of their free trial period and competitive advantages to set up your online store with no commissions per sale and exceptional customer support.
Regardless of the platform you choose, the most important thing is to take action and start building your online presence.
E-commerce continues to grow, and being prepared to take advantage of this trend can be the key to your future business success. Get started today and take your business to the next level!