With everyone continuously adapting to the digital landscape today, setting up a robust online presence is no longer just an option. It's a necessity for businesses that want to stay competitive. eCommerce websites are at the core of this evolution since they serve as the digital storefront for companies seeking to connect with their audience and drive sales.
However, crafting a thriving eCommerce platform is not that simple due to aspects significantly impacting its overall cost. From website design and development to hosting and support, understanding these factors is key to effective budgeting and investing in building a successful online platform.
In this article, you'll learn all about eCommerce pricing and the cost considerations you must account to make strategic decisions in your digital ventures.
How Much Does a Website Cost in the Philippines?
An eCommerce website comprises multiple components and serves various purposes like brand introduction, showcasing services, product sales, and customer relationship building. Moreover, there are different types of websites, which significantly affect the design cost.
Each website has its unique structure and complexity and, therefore, distinct pricing. Although the cost of developing a website isn't fixed, below are the following estimated rates:
- Portfolio or corporate website project – PHP 50,000 to PHP 80,000
- eCommerce or online store website project – PHP 100,000 to PHP 500,000
Furthermore, the eCommerce website price in the Philippines varies based on customization levels. For instance, a custom-built one may range from PHP 100,000 to PHP 200,000, with an additional PHP 25,000 to PHP 50,000 for integrating a shopping cart. Meanwhile, small to medium businesses’ eCommerce sites typically cost between PHP 80,000 to PHP 150,000.
It's also important to note that website designers and developers may charge per project or on an hourly basis. Less experienced ones can price from PHP 150 to PHP 300 per hour, while expert ones can cost PHP 1,000 to PHP 3,000+ hourly.
8 Cost Considerations That Determine eCommerce Website Price
Before you gamble your resources and transition to eCommerce, there are several things to bear in mind. Whether you plan to make a simple or complex website, it’s best to think about these features so you can stay on the budget while hitting your target:
1. Website design and development
Websites come in different forms. Tailoring your website design to unique specifications rather than using pre-existing templates is more expensive. Likewise, intricate layouts and advanced functionalities demand more resources, impacting the overall cost. For instance, animated product galleries and personalized user dashboards require additional time and specialized expertise from developers.
Incorporating secure payment gateways and robust security measures also add to website development expenses.
2. Content management system (CMS)
CMS platforms come with diverse pricing models. For example, WordPress, an open-source CMS, is free to use. However, some advanced features or plugins might require premium subscriptions or one-time purchases, depending on functionalities and support. Moreover, customizing a CMS to meet specific business needs or scaling it up for future expansion often involves additional costs.
Similarly, customization might require hiring developers or purchasing custom themes, adding to initial expenses. Some CMS options also involve recurring licensing fees, impacting your overheads. Luckily, RUSH offers an unlimited license for CMS on all their eStore plans, making it more convenient while giving you a good return on investment in business.
3. Product catalog and database management
Handling a larger number of products or diverse variations requires more extensive database resources, potentially increasing operational costs. A website selling apparel with numerous categories, each containing a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles, demands a robust database capable of efficiently storing and managing this extensive product data.
It would also require structuring and optimizing the database for smooth operations and faster access to information. Additionally, implementing seamless import/export functionalities for product data is essential for efficient inventory management and updates. The increased complexity in catalog management, optimization, and development efforts all translate to higher costs.
4. Mobile responsiveness and user experience
Since many consumers use mobile phones nowadays, responsive designing is key for optimal viewing experience. It may require specialized design elements and flexible images to ensure your website layout is mobile-friendly. Developers might also create a dedicated mobile app together with the website for a more tailored user experience.
With RUSH’s eStore, businesses are enabled with an online webstore accessible via desktop and mobile. They may have a GLife storefront on GCash, as well as a customer app, depending on the eStore package. When it comes to engagement, RUSH also offers various methods optimized for mobile devices. These can include transactional SMS, email, and push notifications.
Another essential for customer satisfaction and seamless browsing is improving user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). From designing user-friendly interfaces and optimizing layouts to ensuring easy navigation throughout the site, these features influence your overall eCommerce pricing.
5. Third-party integrations
Integrating external services like payment gateways and shipping providers into an eCommerce platform is necessary for smooth transactions and order fulfillment. But, take note that offering multiple payment options and providing real-time shipping rates add to your eCommerce website price.
Equally, syncing an eCommerce platform with Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Inventory Management Systems, or analytics for marketing purposes can streamline business operations, but impact complexity and cost.
With RUSH, all eStore plans conveniently come with various payment modes, including credit/debit cards, eWallets, and cash on delivery. It also checks order fulfillment processes, from pre-ordering to delivery. As for logistics, you get custom radium KM with a base fare of PHP 70 and an additional PHP 7 charge for every kilometer.
6. Security and compliance
Implementing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates and ensuring a secure checkout process are fundamental for safeguarding customer data during online transactions. These encrypt sensitive information such as credit card details. Besides security, adhering to data protection regulations like GDPR, PDPA, or CCPA is crucial for handling customer data.
Likewise, continuous safeguarding and maintenance are essential to protect an eCommerce platform from evolving threats. Overall, these security and data protection measures, along with legal compliances, contribute to long-term operational costs.
7. Hosting and infrastructure
There are different hosting providers and types (shared, VPS, and dedicated). A growing eCommerce website starts with shared hosting due to its affordability. However, as traffic and resource demands increase, the site might need to upgrade to a virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated hosting for better performance. The same goes for scalability, bandwidth requirements, backup, and recovery plans.
An eCommerce platform that expects heavy traffic during seasonal sales would demand a hosting plan that aligns with such requirements. This aspect is critical because overestimating bandwidth needs might lead to unnecessary expenses, while underestimating could result in a website slowdown during peak times. Implementing robust backup and recovery solutions is also crucial for safeguarding data.
The selection of hosting provider and type, estimation of scalability and bandwidth needs, and investment in reliable backup and disaster recovery plans all contribute to the overall hosting costs of an eCommerce website.
8. Ongoing maintenance and support
Consistent updates, bug fixes, and improvements are vital for maintaining a secure and optimized eCommerce website. It's also important to engage technical support services to resolve issues and provide assistance when needed. Continuous monitoring and optimization of website performance are also a must to guarantee a smooth user experience.
Put together, these maintenance and support efforts tally up to higher eCommerce costs but are deemed necessary, especially if you want to support and increase eCommerce sales.
Mapping out your eCommerce Costs
Crafting a successful online platform involves a variety of factors to consider. Prioritizing the right features and envisioning long-term scalability is pivotal. This approach empowers you to embark on your digital journey with clarity and confidence, maximizing the value of your investment and positioning yourself for online success.
If you're looking for accessible website-building options, RUSH is one of the best eCommerce solutions providers. By partnering with platforms like RUSH, you gain not only affordability but also a streamlined approach to digital growth. Through unlimited transactions, products, software access, and more, this online store builder offers endless opportunities for business expansion in the online space.
As you establish your online presence with RUSH, you pave the way for seamless eCommerce ventures. Reach out to us today to inquire about RUSH's eCommerce platform.
