How much does it cost to start an e-commerce business?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2025 7:06 am
There has never been a better opportunity to start an online business, with eCommerce retail sales expected to exceed an estimated $6.8 trillion globally in 2023.
But how much does it cost to start an e-commerce business that brings money to the table? That’s what we’ll explore in the next section.
An ecommerce business can start with a minimum budget of $100, which includes a subscription to an ecommerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce and a theme to start building your online presence.
E-commerce businesses are less expensive than brick-and-mortar stores investor leads because they don’t require as many licenses and permits and don’t have to pay rent for a store. For example, starting a dropshipping business will likely be less expensive because you won’t have to invest in inventory, raw materials, or other costs. This gives you more time to focus on marketing and streamlining your retail pick-and-pack process .
In the first year, new eCommerce store owners can anticipate business costs of up to $40,000, which are recovered from profit margins and returned to the owner. This does not mean, however, that you should spend $40,000 to launch your online store.
Depending on the industry, eCommerce business model, and whether the company is a full-time employee, this cost can vary significantly. The following chart illustrates where eCommerce companies spend their budget in the first year:
But how much does it cost to start an e-commerce business that brings money to the table? That’s what we’ll explore in the next section.
An ecommerce business can start with a minimum budget of $100, which includes a subscription to an ecommerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce and a theme to start building your online presence.
E-commerce businesses are less expensive than brick-and-mortar stores investor leads because they don’t require as many licenses and permits and don’t have to pay rent for a store. For example, starting a dropshipping business will likely be less expensive because you won’t have to invest in inventory, raw materials, or other costs. This gives you more time to focus on marketing and streamlining your retail pick-and-pack process .
In the first year, new eCommerce store owners can anticipate business costs of up to $40,000, which are recovered from profit margins and returned to the owner. This does not mean, however, that you should spend $40,000 to launch your online store.
Depending on the industry, eCommerce business model, and whether the company is a full-time employee, this cost can vary significantly. The following chart illustrates where eCommerce companies spend their budget in the first year: