The Costs of a Self-Build DIY E-Commerce Website

Building an e-commerce site is more than just setting up a digital storefront; it’s about creating a seamless, trustworthy, and user-friendly experience. This blog post covers what you need to know about designing a successful e-commerce website on WordPress, the advantages of hiring a professional, and the essential tools and costs involved. As most tech companies are US based and the US dollar is the global currency, the prices are given in USD for this blog.

Why Choose WordPress for E-commerce?

• Flexibility and Scalability: WordPress is highly adaptable and can grow with your business.
• Customisation Options: From plugins to themes, there’s an abundance of ways to create a unique look and functionality.
• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is inherently optimised for SEO, critical for e-commerce visibility.

The Importance of Hiring a Professional

While it may be tempting to build a website independently, there are substantial benefits to hiring an expert.

1. Time Efficiency and Project Management: Professionals ensure that the project progresses smoothly and within a set timeframe, avoiding common pitfalls.
2. Optimised Performance: A professional brings specialised skills in web performance, ensuring quick load times, seamless navigation, and reliable performance.
3. Advanced Design and UX Knowledge: Experienced designers bring a refined understanding of user behaviour, helping create an intuitive and visually appealing site.
4. Long-Term Support and Maintenance: A professional is available to handle updates, troubleshooting, and any necessary redesigns or expansions as your business grows.

Essential Tools and Their Costs for E-commerce on WordPress

1. Elementor Pro

Elementor Pro is a popular page builder that’s highly recommended for designing custom e-commerce sites.

• Why It’s Important: Elementor Pro simplifies the design process with drag-and-drop functionality, templates, and widgets. It allows you to build responsive layouts with minimal code.
• Features:
  • Visual drag-and-drop builder
  • Responsive design controls
  • WooCommerce widgets for product grids, product pages, add-to-cart buttons, and more
  • Advanced form builder and popup builder
• Cost: $59/year for a single license.
• When to Upgrade: If you need more advanced functionality or plan to scale up, Elementor offers higher-tier licenses that allow for multiple sites.

2. Crocoblock

Crocoblock is a suite of plugins for WordPress that significantly enhances Elementor’s functionality, particularly for e-commerce and dynamic content.

• Why It’s Important: Crocoblock adds advanced dynamic features, custom post types, and WooCommerce-focused widgets, ideal for product filtering, listing, and advanced queries.
• Features:
  • JetWooBuilder for custom WooCommerce pages
  • JetEngine for dynamic content
  • JetSmartFilters for advanced product filtering
  • JetElements and JetPopup for additional Elementor widgets
• Cost: $130/year for a single website license.
• Considerations: Crocoblock is a powerful extension for Elementor Pro and best for businesses needing custom filtering, dynamic content, and WooCommerce customisation.

3. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the go-to plugin for creating an e-commerce site on WordPress, and while it’s free, extensions may add to the cost.

• Why It’s Important: WooCommerce is easy to set up, highly customisable, and supported by a vast community of developers and plugins.
• Essential Extensions:
  • WooCommerce Subscriptions ($199/year) for recurring payments
  • WooCommerce Bookings ($249/year) for booking services
  • WooCommerce Memberships ($199/year) for exclusive member areas
• Core Cost: Free, but extensions can range from $50 to $300 annually.
• When to Invest: WooCommerce extensions are beneficial when scaling the business or adding functionalities that enhance user experience, such as subscriptions, memberships, or personalised product recommendations.

4. Hosting

A reliable hosting provider is critical for uptime, speed, and security, directly impacting SEO and user satisfaction.

• Recommended Providers:
  • SiteGround: Known for reliability and speed, optimised for WordPress.
    • Cost: Starting at $100/year.
  • Bluehost: One of the most beginner-friendly options with strong support.
    • Cost: Starting at $120/year.
  • Kinsta or WP Engine: Premium options with advanced performance and security for growing sites.
    • Cost: $300-$400/year for a single license.
• Features to Look For:
  • Free SSL
  • Daily backups
  • WordPress-specific optimisations
  • Scalable bandwidth and storage options
• Considerations: Your hosting needs may grow as traffic increases, so choose a plan with scalability.

5. Theme

Your theme provides the base styling and layout for your site, and there are several options specifically designed for e-commerce on WordPress.

• Popular Themes for E-commerce:
  • Astra Pro ($59/year): Lightweight, fast, and highly customisable with Elementor compatibility.
  • GeneratePress Premium ($59/year): Known for speed and ease of use, works well with page builders like Elementor.
  • OceanWP ($39/year): Comes with e-commerce demos and WooCommerce optimisations.
• Cost: Ranges from $39-$60 annually for a single license.
• Considerations: Choose a theme that prioritises speed, is compatible with WooCommerce, and integrates seamlessly with Elementor.

6. SEO Tools

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for any e-commerce site’s visibility. Plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math help you optimise pages, product listings, and metadata for better ranking.

• Why It’s Important: SEO tools help you reach your target audience, driving organic traffic and sales.
• Features:
  • Metadata optimisation
  • Sitemap generation
  • Keyword analysis
  • Schema markup
• Cost: Free for basic features, but premium versions can cost around $99/year.
• When to Invest: When targeting competitive keywords or if you need advanced SEO support for large product inventories.

7. Security Plugins

An e-commerce site needs robust security to protect customer information and maintain trust.

• Recommended Plugins:
  • Wordfence: Includes a firewall, malware scanning, and brute-force attack protection.
    • Cost: $99/year for a single site.
  • Sucuri Security: Offers web application firewalls and regular malware scanning.
    • Cost: Around $200/year.
• Considerations: E-commerce sites are more vulnerable due to the sensitive data they handle, so a security plugin is essential.

8. Backup Plugins

Regular backups ensure that you don’t lose important data in case of unexpected errors or attacks.

• Recommended Plugins:
  • UpdraftPlus Premium ($70/year): Allows for automated, scheduled backups and easy site restoration.
  • Jetpack Backup ($99/year): Provides real-time backups and a user-friendly restore interface.
• Why It’s Important: Backup plugins provide peace of mind and allow you to restore your site quickly in case of an error or attack.

Total Annual Cost Overview

This range covers the basics but will vary depending on your store’s needs and the level of customisation required.

Conclusion: The Value of a Professional Touch

Creating an e-commerce site is a significant investment of time and resources. While WordPress is a flexible and robust platform, leveraging the experience of a professional ensures the right tools, design, and optimisations are in place from the start. With a professional’s insight, you can balance costs, prioritise performance, and design a site that not only meets your goals but scales with your growing business. Investing in the right tools is crucial, and with proper planning, your e-commerce website can achieve a seamless user experience and become a revenue-generating powerhouse.