How much does an online store cost and what does it entail? A guide for those who don’t want to fail at the start.

Thinking about your online store but have no idea what costs are involved? You’re not alone – it’s one of the most frequently googled questions in the e-commerce world. This post isn’t about “make millions without leaving home,” but rather a practical guide: how much, for what, when, and if it can be done reasonably – without a company, stress, and burning the budget. We’ll cover ready-made platforms, dropshipping models, options for creators, as well as less obvious expenses that often surprise you after launch. If you want to start smartly – you’re in the right place.

How much does an online store cost – 0 zł or 15 thousand? The truth about costs before you upload your first product

It’s not that everything costs a fortune, but it’s also not as rosy as platform ads promise. How much does an online store cost? In theory, you can start for free, literally without spending a dime. In practice – the more control and options you want, the more you need to consider costs. How does this look?

On one hand, you have ready-made solutions like RefSpace, which allow you to start completely without investment, yet still sell products and earn commissions. On the other hand, there are platforms like Shopify, which cost from $39 per month just for system access. In addition, there are templates, integrations, payments, graphics, copy, SEO…

If you’re thinking about your own store from scratch (e.g., on WooCommerce), expect costs around 5–15 thousand zł, depending on what you want. The more features, the higher the price. Then there are costs of maintaining the online store, such as domain, hosting, technical support, and possibly charges for external plugins. Can it be managed cheaper? Yes – if you’re tech-savvy or don’t mind simplicity. But if you want to build something that will last for years, it’s worth knowing what you’re really getting into.

Want to start quickly? Here’s how much a store costs right now, and how much for years

Not every purchase decision has to be eternal. If you want to “just get started,” an option is, for example, RefSpace – you set up a profile in a few minutes, choose products, add a video, and go. The cost of setting up an online store in this model is exactly 0 zł. But if you’re aiming for a long-term business with full automation, custom design, and analytics – you need to prepare for higher expenses.

Platforms like WooCommerce or PrestaShop are free by themselves, but implementing them by a specialist costs several to several thousand złotys. Shopify or Shoper, on the other hand, operate on subscriptions – from 100 zł per month upwards. Additionally, paid templates (around 500 zł), integrations with couriers, payment gateways, and accounting (another few hundred). The costs of maintaining an online store on such platforms may over time exceed the initial setup cost – especially when you add marketing and updates.

How much does it cost to set up an online store? Things no one counts: hidden costs that overwhelm beginners

Everyone counts hosting, domain, and template. But few beginners consider the costs of small things that over time add up to a considerable amount. An example? 

• SSL certificate – sometimes free, but often paid. 
• Plugins for SEO, security, backups – 100 zł here, 300 zł there, but over a year it can add up to 2–3 thousand. And we haven’t even touched on the time you spend on support, updates, and finding solutions in forums.
• There’s also the time spent testing ads, preparing product descriptions, creating graphics, writing regulations, and privacy policies. 
• Outsourcing these tasks to a copywriter, graphic designer, and lawyer costs another 3–4 thousand zł. And that’s not the end. 
• In many cases, you also need to pay for integrations with an invoicing system, accounting, and sometimes even…training on operating your own store. 

That’s why solutions like RefSpace take away a huge part of these costs – you have a ready-made system and sales panel that requires no extras.

Ready-made, open-source or RefSpace? When and for whom is it worthwhile

Each model makes sense – provided you choose it consciously. Ready-made subscription shops are convenient, but they have limitations. 

• Open-source offers great flexibility, but it requires knowledge (or a budget for a specialist). 
• RefSpace, in turn, is a mix of simplicity, low entry threshold, and automation – ideal for creators, people without technical knowledge, and those who simply want to “see if it works.”

If you’re a freelancer, coach, or YouTube creator – RefSpace allows you to integrate sales with content. You can promote products in videos, and the user can reach your Space with just one click. If you already have a community or want to build one around recommendations –  it works like a store, landing page, and affiliate program in one. On the other hand, if you’re planning a large brand with an advanced search engine, product comparison, filtering – an open-source or subscription platform might be a better choice. But keep in mind that you will need more time, resources, and patience then.

A store is not everything – how much does it cost to promote anything?

This is the moment when many people give up – because setting up a store is just the beginning. Until someone knows your store exists, they won’t buy anything. Implementing Meta ads, Google Ads campaigns, influencer marketing – it all costs. The average monthly advertising budget that allows for sensible conversion is now a minimum of 1000–1500 PLN. And that’s assuming you have well-optimized campaigns. And you still have to pay for graphics, videos, content.

Fortunately, there are also more organic paths. If you’re active on social media and have an engaged audience – RefSpace allows you to promote products without an advertising budget, thanks to the power of recommendations and native integration with platforms like YouTube or TikTok. Your recommendation works like an ad, but without the costs. It’s a great solution to start with, especially if you want to test different formats and audiences before investing serious amounts in performance marketing.

DIY or agency? How much does it cost to build a store that won’t collapse after a week

If you have the time, patience, and technical inclination – you can try DIY. WordPress + WooCommerce can be set up independently, but you need to handle hosting, updates, backups, plugins, and the rest. It doesn’t always pay off time-wise, especially if you’re doing it “off-hours.” For someone who just wants to make money from their products, it will be easier and faster to launch RefSpace and focus on content, not technology.

If you’re aiming for a more advanced project – an agency is a natural choice. But you have to consider that the cost of setting up an online store by specialists depends on the level of complexity. A standard price estimate for a store with dozens of products, full analytics, UX, and graphics is at least 10–12 thousand PLN. Then there are annual fees, tool subscriptions, maintenance, support. It’s a great path if you have a strategy and budget – but there’s nothing wrong with starting smaller. The important thing is to start at all.

Don’t have a product? You can still sell – and without a company!

Sounds suspicious? Yet, RefSpace and the dropshipping model show that today you can launch e-commerce without having your own product, background, or formalities. You don’t need a company, business account, or even your own photos. You choose products available on the platform, record a recommendation video, upload it to your Space, and…that’s it. The suppliers handle shipping, payment processing, and complaints, and you get a commission. Importantly, it operates legally, even if you’re an individual.

In the dropshipping model through RefSpace, you practically skip all entry costs. You don’t have to pay for licenses, domain, certificates, or courier integrations. You don’t even need to know what logistics is. Additionally, you don’t incur the costs of an online store’s terms and conditions, as the platform handles the formalities. For many, this is the best way to start – you can test an idea, product, target group without pressure and see what’s truly successful. Sounds like something worth trying, even after hours.