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

The demand for e-commerce websites continues to grow across all industries, and companies are already researching how much it will cost to develop an ecommerce site in 2026 to plan budgets in advance.

However, discussing pricing in software development is complex: it depends on scope, features, integrations with internal systems, design, and the level of customization required.

That’s why this article presents estimated ranges, trends that will impact costs next year, and tips to choose the ideal provider.

Additionally, we explain what an e-commerce website is, the steps to develop it, and how a specialized provider can optimize time, cost, and quality.

What is e-commerce website development?

E-commerce website development consists of creating a digital platform where users can view products, add them to the cart, pay online, and manage their purchase.

It includes technical aspects such as back-end, front-end, security, integrations with payment methods, inventory management, logistics, analytics, and user experience. In 2026, ecommerce websites will increasingly integrate advanced features such as:

• AI-powered recommendations
• Smart chatbots
• Real-time inventory
• Headless integrations
• Data-driven personalization
• Ultra-fast checkout

All of this affects the final cost of the project.

How much does it cost to develop an e-commerce website in 2026?

The costs will depend on the type of ecommerce, its complexity, and the provider executing the project.

These are general projected ranges for 2026:

1. Basic Ecommerce (simple catalog, standard checkout)

• Catalog between 20 and 200 products
• Light personalized template
• Standard checkout
• Integration with 1–2 payment gateways
• Basic admin panel

Estimated range 2026: USD $8,000 – $18,000

2. Professional Ecommerce (advanced features and customization)

• Fully customized design
• Advanced filters
• Integration with ERP or CRM
• Pricing/promotions rules
• Real-time inventory
• Automated marketing features

Estimated range 2026: USD $20,000 – $45,000

3. Enterprise Ecommerce (high volume and complex architecture)

• Headless commerce
• Multiple integrations (ERP, CRM, OMS, WMS)
• Large catalogs
• B2B and B2C capabilities
• Advanced roles, permissions, and workflows
• High-availability infrastructure

Estimated range 2026: Contact our expert team by clicking here and they will explain everything about your project.

Factors that will increase development costs in 2026

• Growing demand for AI-powered developments
• Higher expectations in UX/UI
• Complex integrations with enterprise platforms
• Stricter security standards
• Need for scalability from day one

These elements require more specialized teams and additional development hours.

How to develop an e-commerce website: key steps in 2026

Understanding the process is essential to avoid hidden costs. These are the fundamental steps any company should require:

1. Discovery and strategy phase

• Definition of the ecommerce objective
• User and product analysis
• Tech stack review
• Initial budget

2. UX/UI architecture and design

• Information architecture
• Wireframes
• Scalable visual design
• Prototyping

3. Frontend development

• Design implementation
• Interactive components
• Mobile optimization

4. Backend development

• Database configuration
• Business logic
• Payment methods
• Cart and checkout
• Authentication and roles

5. Integrations

• ERP
• CRM
• Logistics systems
• Notifications and automations

6. Testing and quality assurance

• Load testing
• Security testing
• Functional and regression testing

7. Deployment

• Cloud infrastructure
• Domains and certificates
• CDN configuration

8. Continuous maintenance and evolution

Ecommerce does not end at launch. It requires monitoring, optimization, and new features.

How to find the right e-commerce website developer

Due to the level of investment and responsibility, choosing the right provider is as important as defining the budget. Here are the keys to selecting the ideal partner in 2026:

1. Review real ecommerce experience

Ask for examples of stores they’ve built, platforms they work with (Magento, Shopify, VTEX, BigCommerce, headless), and performance metrics. Evaluate whether they’ve handled projects similar to yours and request client references.

2. Evaluate their knowledge of integrations

An ecommerce depends on connections with ERP, CRM, logistics systems, and payment gateways. The provider must show experience integrating systems, explain how they handle data synchronization, and present real cases.

3. Ensure they work with agile methodologies

Agile methodologies allow continuous delivery, budget control, and full project visibility. Look for providers that use sprints, frequent demos, and tools like Jira or ClickUp.

4. Request a detailed phase-by-phase estimate

Never accept a lump-sum price without a breakdown. The estimate should include discovery, design, development, integrations, QA, deployment, and maintenance, with hours and costs per phase.

5. Prioritize post-launch support and maintenance

Ecommerce requires ongoing updates, security patches, and optimizations. Verify SLAs, response times, what maintenance includes, and how they monitor the site.

6. Confirm security and compliance expertise

In 2026 there will be more privacy regulations and payment standards. Your provider must handle PCI DSS, data protection, security testing, secure access management, and recovery plans.

Why working with a specialized software provider is the best option

Ecommerce development requires multiple roles:

• Architects
• UI/UX designers
• Full-stack developers
• QA
• DevOps engineers
• Integration specialists
• Security experts

Hiring isolated freelancers may seem cheaper at first, but brings challenges: lack of scalability, inconsistencies, slow timelines, or security gaps. A specialized provider offers:

• Multidisciplinary teams
• Faster development
• Scalable architectures
• Security standards
• Proven experience in similar projects
• Post-launch support

In summary: it reduces risks and ensures an ecommerce ready to compete in 2026.

Rootstack: your ally to develop a competitive e-commerce website in 2026

Rootstack has more than 15 years of experience developing ecommerce platforms for companies of all sizes, from startups to global corporations.

Our team specializes in technologies such as Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, VTEX, BigCommerce, and headless architectures, as well as complex integrations with ERP, CRM, and enterprise systems. If you’re looking for:

• Clear estimates
• Agile development
• Security
• Scalability
• Real ecommerce experience…

Then Rootstack is your reliable partner to build your ecommerce platform in 2026. Contact us.

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