The honest answer to “how much does a Shopify store cost?” has three parts: what you pay Shopify, what you pay along the way, and what you pay someone to build it. Here is each part, so you can budget properly before you start.
Part 1: Shopify’s Monthly Plans
Shopify prices its plans in US dollars. Based on its 2026 pricing, the main plans are:
| Plan | Billed monthly | Billed annually (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | – |
| Basic | $39 | $29 |
| Grow | $105 | $79 |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 |
| Plus | From $2,300 | – |
Paying annually saves roughly 25% on Basic, Grow and Advanced. Because prices are in dollars, your naira cost moves with the exchange rate, so budget with some room. Shopify changes pricing from time to time, so confirm current figures on its pricing page before you commit.
Most new Nigerian stores start on Basic. Starter is built mainly for selling through social media and messaging rather than running a full online store.
Part 2: The Costs Along the Way
- Payment gateway fees — Paystack or Flutterwave charge their own processing fee on each sale.
- Shopify’s third-party transaction fee — because Shopify Payments is not available in Nigeria, Shopify adds 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced and 0.2% on Plus. On ₦1,000,000 in monthly sales through Paystack on Basic, that is ₦20,000 before Paystack’s own fee.
- A domain name — paid yearly.
- A theme — there are good free themes, and paid themes if you want a specific look.
- Apps — many charge monthly. Keep only the ones that earn their cost, because they also affect store speed.
- Product photography and content — often the most valuable spend of all.
Part 3: What a Shopify Developer Costs
There is no standard price, because stores differ so much. The cost depends on:
- How many products you are launching with
- Whether you want a customised design or a lightly styled theme
- Payment integration (Paystack, Flutterwave) and shipping rules
- Extra features such as WhatsApp ordering, bundles or subscriptions
- Training, content setup and support after launch
Ask for a written quote that lists exactly what is included, rather than comparing a single headline figure.
How to Hire the Right Shopify Developer in Nigeria
- Ask for live stores they have built, ideally ones that accept naira payments.
- Check they understand Nigerian payments and delivery, including Paystack setup and shipping rules.
- Make sure you own the store. You should be the account owner, with the developer given staff or collaborator access.
- Agree scope and timeline in writing, including what happens if you need changes.
- Ask about support after launch, because stores need ongoing fixes and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start small and upgrade later?
Yes. Many stores begin on a lower plan and move up as their sales grow and the lower transaction fees on higher plans start to pay off.
Are there hidden costs on Shopify?
Nothing hidden, but costs add up: apps, payment gateway fees, Shopify’s third-party transaction fee and your domain. Budget for these in addition to the plan price.
Do I need a developer, or can I build it myself?
You can build a simple store yourself. A developer is worth it when you need payments set up correctly for Nigeria, a custom design, faster performance or a smooth launch without trial and error.
Why does a higher plan sometimes make sense?
Higher plans cut Shopify’s third-party transaction fee. At higher monthly sales, the saving can outweigh the higher subscription.
Get a clear written quote for your Shopify store.
See our Shopify developer services or book a consultation.