Short answer: a custom e-commerce website from 2nd Code is approximately ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 to build, plus yearly running costs (domain, hosting, maintenance) and per-order costs (payment gateway and shipping). Template platforms cost less to start but add monthly and app fees.
One-time build cost
| Store size | Typical scope | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small catalogue | Up to a few hundred products, standard checkout | Around ₹50,000 |
| Growing brand | Coupons, wallet, OTP login, staff panel | ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| Custom / industry store | Live rates, schemes, prescriptions, marketplace | ₹1,00,000+ |
Approximate rates — the final quote depends on your requirements.
Recurring costs
- Domain — yearly renewal.
- Hosting — shared hosting for small stores; VPS as traffic grows.
- Payment gateway — a percentage per transaction (check current gateway pricing).
- Shipping — per-order courier charges via an aggregator.
- Maintenance — updates, backups, fixes and new features.
Platform vs custom over 3 years
Platforms are cheaper in month one; custom stores avoid monthly plan and app fees, so they are often cheaper over two to three years once you need several paid apps. Details in Shopify vs custom e-commerce in India.
Budget checklist
- Number of products and variants.
- Payment methods (UPI, COD, wallet).
- Shipping and returns setup.
- Special features for your industry.
- Who uploads products and writes descriptions.
See the e-commerce development guide, pricing and our e-commerce service.
See real stores we have built: The Jewellery Edit and The Hakiman.
Frequently asked questions
Is a custom e-commerce website worth it for a small brand?
If you need unique features or are paying for several platform apps, custom often pays back within two to three years.
Who pays the payment gateway fee?
The store owner pays the gateway fee per transaction.
Sources & references
| Source | Checked |
|---|---|
| Razorpay Pricing | Oct 2026 |
| 2nd Code pricing | Oct 2026 |
Prices in this article are approximate. Spotted an error? Email admin@2ndcode.com — see our editorial policy.