How much does it cost to build an e-commerce website?

A basic Shopify or WooCommerce store with design customization is often in the range of roughly PKR 8,50,000 to 28,00,000. A custom e-commerce platform with unique features, integrations, and optimized performance is typically higher — often roughly PKR 42,00,000 to 1,70,00,000 depending on scope. The investment depends on catalog size, payment complexity, and whether you need integrations with ERP or fulfillment systems.

How long does it take to build an online store?

A template-based store can be live in 2 to 4 weeks. A custom e-commerce platform takes 8 to 16 weeks depending on features like custom checkout, multi-warehouse inventory, or subscription products. We deliver in 2-week sprints so you can start selling sooner with a phased launch.

Should I use Shopify or build a custom store?

Shopify is the right choice if you have a straightforward product catalog, standard checkout needs, and want to launch fast. Build custom when you need unique pricing logic, complex fulfillment workflows, integrations with your existing business systems, or when Shopify's 2% transaction fees are eating into your margins at scale.

How do I make my e-commerce site show up on Google?

Three things matter most: fast page speed, unique product descriptions with relevant keywords, and structured data markup (Product schema with price, availability, and reviews). Technical SEO includes proper URL structure, canonical tags, an XML sitemap, and internal linking between related products and categories.

Can you help migrate my store from Shopify to a custom platform?

Yes. We handle full e-commerce migrations including product data, customer accounts, order history, URL redirects for SEO preservation, and payment processor transition. Most migrations take 6 to 10 weeks with zero downtime for your live store.

E-commerce Development Guide

How to build an e-commerce website that actually sells

Building an e-commerce website is not just about listing products online. The stores that actually sell have fast page loads, smooth checkout flows, mobile-first design, and backend systems that handle traffic spikes without crashing. Here is how to build one properly.

What does it take to build an e-commerce website that generates revenue?

A profitable e-commerce website needs five things: fast page speed (under 2 seconds), a frictionless checkout with minimal steps, mobile-optimized design (70%+ of traffic is mobile), reliable payment processing with multiple options, and backend infrastructure that stays up during sales events. Everything else — design, content, marketing — builds on top of these foundations.

Page speed under 2 seconds — every extra second costs you 7% in conversions
Mobile-first checkout flow — most shoppers browse and buy on their phones
Multiple payment options (cards, wallets, buy-now-pay-later) to reduce cart abandonment
Inventory management and fulfillment integration for real-time stock accuracy
SEO-optimized product pages with structured data for Google Shopping results

Step 1: Choose the right platform and architecture

Your platform choice depends on catalog size, customization needs, and budget. Shopify works for stores under 500 products with standard features. WooCommerce suits businesses already on WordPress. Custom headless commerce (Next.js + Stripe or Medusa) is best for stores that need full control over the shopping experience and are planning to scale.

Shopify: Quick setup, app ecosystem, but limited customization and transaction fees
WooCommerce: Flexible if you are already on WordPress, but slower and plugin-dependent
Headless commerce (Next.js + API): Maximum performance and flexibility, higher initial cost
Consider headless when you need sub-second page loads or sell in multiple channels

Step 2: Design for conversion, not just aesthetics

A beautiful store that does not convert is a cost center. Conversion-focused e-commerce design means clear product photography, visible pricing, trust signals (reviews, security badges, return policy), and a checkout that takes fewer than 3 clicks from cart to payment confirmation.

Product pages with high-quality images, reviews, and clear add-to-cart buttons
Simplified checkout — guest checkout option, address autocomplete, saved payment methods
Trust signals visible on every page (SSL badge, return policy, customer reviews)
Category pages with smart filtering and sorting to help buyers find what they want

Step 3: Set up payments, shipping, and fulfillment

Payment processing is where most DIY stores lose customers. Offering only one payment method costs you 20–30% of potential sales. Integrate Stripe for cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile wallets, and a buy-now-pay-later option when your average order value is high enough to justify it. For shipping, connect your store to your fulfillment provider's API for real-time rates and tracking.

Stripe or similar payment processor with PCI compliance built in
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and digital wallet support for mobile checkout
Real-time shipping rate calculation from carrier APIs
Automated order fulfillment notifications and tracking emails

Step 4: Optimize for performance and SEO

Google ranks fast stores higher, and shoppers abandon slow ones. Optimize images (WebP format, lazy loading), use server-side rendering for product pages, implement structured data for rich Google Shopping snippets, and set up a CDN for global delivery. These technical decisions directly impact your revenue.

Server-side rendered product pages for instant load and SEO indexing
Image optimization with next-gen formats and responsive sizing
JSON-LD structured data for Product, Offer, and Review schemas
CDN and edge caching for fast delivery regardless of customer location

Related resources

E-commerce development services Custom web development Our e-commerce portfolio Development pricing

E-commerce FAQ

Common questions about building an e-commerce website

Ready to build a store that sells?

Tell us about your products, target customers, and revenue goals. We will respond with a recommended platform, feature scope, timeline, and honest pricing.

See e-commerce projects