In 2026, an online store is not just a website with products, but a full-fledged sales tool that directly affects profits, marketing, and business scaling. More and more companies in Ukraine are moving from marketplaces to their own e-commerce solutions in order to control prices, customer communication, and brand development. However, this raises a key question: how much does an online store cost and what budget should you really set aside at the start?
The cost can vary significantly depending on the platform, development approach, and business objectives. Below, we will examine this issue in detail, without promotional promises or unnecessary theory.
Why having your own online store is profitable
Unlike marketplaces, having your own website gives your business complete control over processes. You are not dependent on commissions, changes in platform rules, or search algorithms. A turnkey online store allows you to invest in SEO, build brand trust, and form a base of loyal customers. That is why e-commerce development in 2026 is seen as a long-term investment rather than a one-time expense.
What determines the cost of an online store?
The price of creating a website is determined by several key factors:
- platform for an online store;
- complexity of design and structure;
- number of products and categories;
- necessary integrations (payment, delivery, CRM);
- further plans for the development of the project.
The more complex the business logic, the higher the cost of website development.
Option 1: Website builders (Prom.ua, Shopify, WooCommerce)
Website builders are the fastest and cheapest way to launch an online store.
Average price: 30,000–60,000 UAH
Launch date: 2–4 weeks
Suitable for testing a niche or small catalog. However, customization, SEO, and scaling capabilities are limited. In the long term, businesses often face the need to migrate.
Option 2: Ready-made solutions based on popular CMS
A CMS solution is the perfect balance between price and flexibility.
Average price: 65,000–120,000 UAH
Development time: 1–2 months
This approach allows you to adapt the structure to your business, implement SEO logic, and gradually expand functionality. It is this format that is most often chosen by companies that order online stores in Ukraine for stable growth.
Option 3: Custom turnkey development
Custom e-commerce development — a solution for businesses with complex logic or big plans.
Average price: from 250,000 UAH
Development period: 3–5 months
This type of turnkey online store is created from scratch: architecture, UX, integrations, scaling. This is the most expensive type of website development, but it also has the greatest growth potential.
Comparison table of options
| Option | Approximate price | Advantages | Restrictions |
| Designers | 30,000–60,000 UAH | Quick start | Limited SEO and scaling |
| CMS solution | 65,000–120,000 UAH | Balance of price and capabilities | Requires support |
| Custom development | from 250,000 UAH | Complete freedom | Higher initial investment |
Hidden costs: what to consider besides development
Often, the budget for a website is not limited to its creation alone. It is also worth setting aside funds for:
- hosting and domain;
- licenses or paid modules;
- content filling;
- SEO at the start;
- technical support.
These points are often underestimated when creating a budget for a website.
Monthly expenses for maintaining an online store
On average, e-commerce support costs between 6,000 and 18,000 UAH per month. This includes updates, backups, minor adjustments, and monitoring of operational stability.
How to choose the best option for your business
The main life hack is to start with goals, not platforms. If a business plans to grow, saving money at the start often leads to double the expenses a year later. That is why a professional web studio in Ukraine always starts with analysis, not templates.
In 2026, the key investment will not be in a “beautiful website,” but in logic, scalability, and stability. If you are planning to order an online store, it is worth considering it as a business asset.
The best approach is to obtain a preliminary estimate and consultation to understand the actual cost of creating an online store specifically for your project.