How much does it cost to create an online store in 2026?

The cost is not one number. This is an honest invoice: what you actually pay, and what can be zero.

Search for “how much does an online store cost” and you get conflicting numbers: one source says zero, another says thousands of riyals. Both are partly true — the difference is which line item each one is talking about. The platform can be free, while the real fees show up in payments, shipping, and marketing. This breakdown helps you see where you will actually pay and where you will not.

The summary in three points

Platform: from 0 to 299 SAR per month, and it can stay 0 forever if you choose a free platform.
Variable fees: payment gateway and shipping fees, usage-based — not paid before you sell.
Optional costs: domain, design, apps, and marketing — starting at 0 and growing by your decision.

Estimated cost table

Item	Estimated cost	Note
Platform	0 – 299 SAR/month	The Zum 0 forever; Salla Basic 0, Plus 99, Pro 299; Zid Starter 0, Rise 99, Growth 299
Domain	~40 – 70 SAR/year	Optional at first; local domains may differ
Hosting	0 with the platform	WooCommerce needs separate hosting
Theme and design	0 – 1,500+ SAR	A free theme is enough to start; custom design costs more
Payment gateway	0 setup + transaction fees	Varies by provider and card type
Shipping	Per order and destination	A per-shipment fee set by the carrier
Apps and add-ons	0 – hundreds of SAR	Optional, and some are monthly subscriptions
Marketing	0 – any budget	Start with content and free marketing

Figures are planning estimates and change with the provider and seasonal offers. Check the official pages before subscribing.

What can actually be zero

Creating the store, adding products, and receiving orders on a free platform.
Hosting, maintenance, and updates on hosted platforms.
Basic design through a free theme.
Initial marketing through content and posts, with no ad budget.

What you pay per transaction

Payment gateway fees: usually a percentage plus a fixed amount per transaction, varying by provider and card type. And shipping fees: a cost per shipment set by the carrier based on destination and weight.

These fees are not for The Zum. The Zum takes no commission on your sales, and the money goes to your account through the gateway you connect.

How to start on the lowest possible budget

Choose a free platform, such as The Zum (0 SAR).
Photograph your products with your phone and add them with clear descriptions.
Connect your payment gateway to your account.
Define shipping regions and costs clearly.
Delay the domain and custom design until you actually need them.
Market with content before you pay for ads.

Mistakes that raise the cost

Paying a monthly subscription before your first sale.
A paid upgrade for a feature you do not need yet.
Buying themes and apps before knowing your best-selling product.
Spending on ads before your product pages are ready.
Ignoring payment and shipping fees when setting your price.

When does the cost actually rise?

The cost rises when you need real growth tools: point of sale and branches, accounting and marketing apps, a custom design, or logistics integrations. These are not flaws — they are the cost of growth. The mistake is paying for them before you need them.

FAQ

Can I create an online store for free?

Yes. Hosted platforms offer free plans (The Zum 0, Salla Basic 0, Zid Starter 0), and hosting and basic design are included. Payment and shipping fees remain usage-based.

What is the lowest realistic starting budget?

You can start at 0 SAR for the platform, with 40–70 SAR per year for a domain if you want one, and payment gateway fees deducted from each transaction.

Is hosting a separate cost?

On hosted platforms, no; hosting is part of the service. On WooCommerce you need separate hosting paid annually.

How much should I budget for marketing?

Start at zero: content, posts, and customer experience. Do not pay for ads before your store and product pages are ready.

Are payment gateway fees fixed?

No. They vary by provider and card type, and are usually a percentage plus a fixed amount per transaction.