Guide · October 2026

How much does an e‑shop cost in 2026?

The build price is only the start. An online store has three costs: the build, the monthly running costs and the cost of every order. Here we go through each one with real numbers, so you can budget properly before you start.

1. The 3 costs of an e-shop

• Build (one-off): design, setup, categories, payments, shipping, legal pages.
• Running (monthly or yearly): platform or hosting, domain, extensions, maintenance.
• Per order: payment fees, courier cost, packaging.

Many quotes show only the first number. An e-shop that is cheap to build can cost more every month, and vice versa.

2. How much the build costs

Based on the published price lists of Greek companies, this is the usual range in 2026.

• Basic packages on a stock theme: from about €400 to €1,000
• Small e-shop with custom design (up to 100 products): €1,500 – €3,500
• Large stores connected to an ERP, accounting or warehouse system: often over €5,000

What pushes the price up: the number of products and variants (sizes, colours), migrating products from an old site, connections to other systems, multiple languages and custom design.

3. Monthly running costs

Shopify prices are from its official Greek price list (October 2026). On Shopify the monthly subscription is mandatory. On WooCommerce you pay for hosting and any extensions you need. Also budget for maintenance: updates, backups and security, so the store never goes offline.

4. Cost per order

Card payments. Every provider charges a fee. For example, Stripe charges 1.5% + €0.25 for standard European cards, 2.8% + €0.25 for premium European cards and 3.15% + €0.25 for cards from outside Europe. Greek banks and other providers have their own rates, often negotiable depending on turnover.

Watch out on Shopify: if you don't use Shopify Payments, you pay an extra transaction fee: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced, on top of your provider's fee.

Shipping. Couriers (ACS, ELTA Courier, Geniki Taxydromiki, BOX NOW and others) price per parcel based on volume and weight. Decide from the start whether you charge shipping, offer free shipping above an amount, and accept cash on delivery, which has its own cost.

5. What applies specifically in Greece

• Receipts and myDATA. Every sale comes with a receipt or invoice that is transmitted to the Greek tax authority's myDATA platform. Discuss with your accountant how this will happen (an e-invoicing provider, accounting software or a connection to the e-shop), because the connection is a cost that is often forgotten.
• 14-day right of withdrawal. Consumers can return an online purchase within 14 days, with the exceptions set by law. You need a clear returns policy.
• Business details and legal pages. Company name, VAT number, General Commercial Registry (ΓΕΜΗ) number and address must be visible, along with terms, privacy and cookie policies (GDPR).
• Marketplaces. If you also sell on Skroutz or other marketplaces, factor in the commission per category and the cost of product feeds.

We are not accountants or lawyers. For the tax and legal obligations of your own business, ask your accountant.

6. Shopify, WooCommerce or custom?

Shopify: quick to set up, with hosting and security included, but you pay a subscription forever and depend on the platform.

WooCommerce: the store is yours, with no mandatory platform subscription, and thousands of extensions for Greek banks, couriers and invoicing. It needs good hosting and regular maintenance.

Custom: for special flows, such as booking and payment together, configurable products or a 3D configurator. It costs more to build, but does exactly what you need.

7. Worked example

A store with 100 orders a month, average value €50, paid by European card via Stripe.

• Fee per order: 1.5% × €50 + €0.25 = €1
• Monthly fees: 100 × €1 = €100
• On Shopify Basic with an external provider, add 2% × €5,000 = €100, plus the subscription

That's why you should always compare the total cost of the first year, not just the build price.

e smartchoice prices

You pay for the build once, with no mandatory subscription to us. Maintenance is optional and can be cancelled any time. See what the e-shop includes, our maintenance plans and the website cost guide.

What to ask before you sign

• What is the total cost of the first year?
• Is there a platform subscription or a commission on sales?
• Who owns the store and the customer data?
• Can I add products and offers myself?
• How does it connect to myDATA and couriers?
• What happens if something stops working on a Saturday night?