Selling online lets a Coimbatore business reach customers across Tamil Nadu and India. But ecommerce quotes vary widely, from a few thousand rupees for a basic store to several lakhs for a custom platform with apps.
This guide explains approximate 2026 costs, what drives them and the running costs to plan for.
Cost by type of store
Store type | Typical features | Approximate build cost |
Starter store | Up to ~100 products, payments, basic shipping | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 |
Growing brand store | Custom design, filters, coupons, reviews, WhatsApp updates, integrations | ₹80,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
Custom platform | Multi-vendor, B2B pricing, subscriptions, ERP or POS integration | ₹2,50,000 – ₹10,00,000+ |
Store + mobile apps + delivery app | Customer app, delivery partner app, admin | ₹5,00,000+ (or a ready platform) |
Fluxx Tech pricing: [add your price for each type].
Platform choice and its effect on cost
Platform | Upfront cost | Ongoing cost | Best for |
Shopify | Lower | Monthly subscription plus app fees | Brands that want to launch fast |
WooCommerce (WordPress) | Lower to medium | Hosting, plugins, maintenance | Content-heavy stores, flexible budgets |
Custom build | Higher | Hosting and maintenance | Unique workflows, scale, full control |
Ready platform (such as FluxxCart) | Medium | Subscription or licence | Stores that also need customer and delivery apps |
We compare these in detail in Shopify vs WooCommerce vs Custom.
What drives the cost
• Number of products and variants: sizes, colours and weights multiply setup work.
• Design: a ready theme is cheaper; a custom brand experience costs more.
• Payments: UPI, cards, net banking, COD and wallets through a payment gateway.
• Shipping: integration with courier aggregators for rates, labels and tracking.
• GST invoicing: automatic tax invoices with correct GST details.
• Integrations: inventory, accounting, ERP, POS or marketplace sync.
• Customer features: accounts, wishlists, reviews, loyalty points, referral codes.
• WhatsApp automation: order confirmations, shipping updates, abandoned cart reminders.
Running costs to plan for
Item | Approximate cost |
Domain | ₹800 – ₹1,500 per year |
Hosting or platform subscription | ₹1,500 – ₹20,000+ per month, depending on platform and traffic |
Payment gateway | About 2% per transaction for common methods; check your gateway’s rates |
Shipping | Per order, by weight and distance |
Apps and plugins | Varies |
Maintenance | ₹5,000 – ₹30,000 per month for active stores |
Marketing | Ads, influencer and content budgets |
Marketing is often the biggest ongoing cost. A store without traffic will not sell, however good it looks.
Launch checklist
1. Product photos on a clean background, several angles
2. Clear product descriptions with size charts and care instructions
3. Shipping, returns, refund and privacy policies
4. GST registration and invoice settings
5. Test orders with every payment method
6. Google Analytics and conversion tracking
7. Google Merchant Center for Shopping listings
8. WhatsApp order updates
How to keep costs sensible
• Start with your best-selling 30–50 products, not the full range
• Use a proven platform unless your workflow is truly unique
• Add features based on customer requests, not guesses
• Budget for marketing from day one
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start selling online? A starter store on a hosted platform with a ready theme, a payment gateway and courier integration.
Do I need a GST number to sell online? GST rules for online sellers depend on turnover and how you sell. Check with your accountant before launch.
Should I sell on Amazon and Flipkart or my own site? Many brands use both: marketplaces for reach, their own site for margins, customer data and brand building.
How long does it take to build an ecommerce site? A starter store takes 2–4 weeks. A custom store takes 6–12 weeks or more.


