Ongoing Costs of a Shopify Website
Shopify is a hosted, all-in-one platform. This means many essentials are bundled together — but that convenience comes at a monthly cost.
1. Monthly Subscription Fees
Shopify operates on a subscription model. As of now, plans typically include:
Basic Shopify – monthly fee
Shopify / Advanced Shopify – higher monthly fees with more features
This fee is ongoing for as long as your store is live.
2. Transaction Fees
If you don’t use Shopify Payments, Shopify charges additional transaction fees on every sale, on top of:
Payment gateway fees (e.g. Stripe, PayPal)
Even when using Shopify Payments, standard card processing fees still apply.
3. App Costs
Many features that seem “basic” — such as:
Advanced shipping rules
Subscriptions
Product bundles
Custom checkout options
…often require paid third-party apps.
These apps usually charge monthly fees, which can add up quickly as your store grows.
4. Theme & Customisation Costs
Shopify offers free themes, but many businesses choose premium themes for a more polished look. These are usually a one-off cost, but custom changes can be limited unless you pay for developer support.
5. What You’re Paying For
With Shopify, your monthly fees include:
Hosting
Security
Platform updates
Technical maintenance
This makes Shopify appealing for business owners who want a hands-off technical solution.
Ongoing Costs of a Self-Hosted WordPress + WooCommerce Website
WooCommerce is an open-source eCommerce plugin that runs on WordPress. Unlike Shopify, it gives you full ownership and control — with more flexibility around costs.
1. Hosting & Domain
You’ll need:
Web hosting (monthly or yearly)
A domain name (yearly)
Hosting costs vary depending on performance and provider, but you’re free to upgrade or change hosts as your business grows.
2. Plugin & Extension Costs
WooCommerce itself is free, but you may choose paid extensions for:
Subscriptions
Advanced shipping
Bookings
Payment gateways
The key difference?
Many WooCommerce extensions are annual fees, not monthly — often making them more cost-effective long term.
3. No Platform Transaction Fees
WooCommerce does not charge platform transaction fees. You only pay:
Standard payment gateway fees (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
This can result in noticeable savings as your sales increase.
4. Maintenance & Updates
With a self-hosted site, ongoing maintenance may include:
WordPress updates
Plugin updates
Security monitoring
Backups
This can be handled:
By your web designer
Through a care/maintenance plan
Or by you, if you’re comfortable
5. Design & Flexibility
WooCommerce allows for:
Fully custom designs
Greater control over SEO
More flexibility as your business evolves
While setup may require more upfront planning, many businesses appreciate the long-term freedom and scalability.
Shopify vs WooCommerce: Cost Comparison at a Glance
Shopify
Fixed monthly platform fees
Ongoing app subscriptions
Possible transaction fees
Lower technical involvement
Less flexibility long term
WooCommerce
Hosting + domain costs
Optional annual plugin fees
No platform transaction fees
More control and customisation
Flexible, scalable, and cost-effective over time
What This Means for Wollongong Small Businesses
For businesses based in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the wider Illawarra, ongoing website costs matter — especially when margins are tight and every monthly expense adds up.
Many local businesses choose Shopify for its simplicity and predictable monthly pricing. However, over time, subscription fees, app costs and transaction fees can become a significant ongoing expense as your store grows.
A self-hosted WooCommerce website, on the other hand, can offer Wollongong business owners greater flexibility and control. With no platform transaction fees and the ability to choose your own hosting and extensions, WooCommerce is often a more cost-effective solution in the long term — particularly when paired with support from a local web designer who understands your business and market.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Wollongong Business
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Shopify may suit Wollongong businesses looking for a quick, hands-off setup with minimal technical involvement.
WooCommerce is often better suited to local businesses wanting a custom website, stronger SEO performance, and more control over ongoing costs.
Working with a Wollongong-based web designer can help ensure whichever platform you choose is set up correctly from the start, avoiding unnecessary costs and limitations later on.
Need Local Advice Before You Commit?
If you’re a Wollongong or Illawarra business owner trying to decide between Shopify and WooCommerce, getting local advice can make all the difference. The right platform choice now can save you time, money, and frustration as your online store grows.
A well-designed website isn’t just about looks — it’s about choosing the right foundation for your business.