When you start writing a Shopify app, it is not just about writing code, but also about customizing the experience seamlessly with Shopify’s powerful ecommerce platforms. But how do you know how much you’ll need to invest?
Shopify App Development – what is it, how it works, why should it be used?
Lets create your first marketplace (website) with Shopify cloud-based e-commerce platform. This service can be availed on subscription basis, as it resides on virtual cloud servers (works similar to Gmail). So once you decide the features that you want in your website like adding categories, adding products within those categories, menu bars, drop down selections, descriptive boxes, add to cart, modifying quantity of items into the cart, deleting an item from the shopping list, marking an item as favourite, payment gateway integration, and several thousands of features that apps like Amazon have. You need to include custom shipping options, subscription management, and enhanced analytics.
There used to be Public and Private types of apps (1) Public apps (those available to anyone on the Shopify app store) and private apps (built specifically for one store’s needs). The difference was that private apps tend to be a lot more customized, but they also come with their own set of challenges, like higher development costs and ongoing maintenance requirements.
Shopify has public apps – listed in the Shopify App Store for general use, and custom apps, which are tailored for a single store and installed via the Shopify Admin.
While private apps were once a separate category, all private apps have been converted to custom apps as of January 2023, a new app type introduced after 2022 that replaced the traditional private apps.
What Are the Different Types of Shopify App Development Services?
When considering how much a Shopify app will cost, always consider the complexity of the app. Simple utility apps perform one function well, like bulk editing tags, managing shipping rules, or automating simple tasks. They’re easy to build, usually costing around $5,000 to $15,000. Apps with slightly more complexity, will have additional features, and the cost of development will increase accordingly ($15,000 to $40,000). Complex enterprise apps – Klaviyo for email marketing, Loox for product reviews, Printful for print-on-demand, ReConvert for upselling, Yotpo Loyalty and Rewards for customer loyalty programs, Gorgias for customer service, and PageFly for landing page creation – feature a gamut of functionalities ($40,000 – $100,000).
So, How Do You Build a Shopify App?
As is obvious, no app built by a Shopify app development company can please 100% of the audience that lands on that website. Therefore, the concept of ‘one size fits all’ is quite irrelevant. You need to identify the purpose of the app: Will it serve a single store or many? Will it need the checkout process or advanced analytics? Shopify app development cost increases with the increasing complexity.
Why are Shopify App Maintenance Costs an additional overhead?
Getting software developed from a freelancer can be expensive as well as cost-effective, depending upon their rates, based on their location, skills and demand in the market. The cost cannot be closed once the app is deployed. Because it goes on until the app requires maintenance. Festivals demand load testing, because the users click in bulk, make orders, add several items in their cart, checkout, and huge transactions are involved.
A custom Shopify app will be built to your exact specifications, but it will cost significantly more. It’s a trade-off between the convenience and low cost of third-party apps and the flexibility and higher investment of custom apps. Freelancers are often cheaper than agencies. However, agencies bring more resources to the table, such as dedicated project managers, designers, and developers.
Alternatives to Shopify
This ecommerce platform shares the podium with several others that look and feel just the way it is. Amongst the big names you will find BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace, that have been known for ease of use, self hosted solutions and greater customization. Solutions for big companies like enterprises include Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento), while platforms like Ecwid and Square Online offer different strengths, such as scalability, specific features, or budget-friendly options.
- Small to Medium Businesses & Creatives (Wix, Squarespace, Square Online)
- WordPress Users (WooCommerce)
- Large-Scale or High-Volume Sellers (BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento))
- Specific Needs (Ecwid, Shift4Shop)
Conclusive
While we have elaborated a bit about Shopify ecommerce marketplace platform, and talked a bit about its alternatives, the cost to hire a Shopify Developer depends on location, experience, and the scope of your project.
Freelance Shopify developers across the continents charge on hourly or fixed basis, but the cost of asian developers is definitely on the lower end as compared to the western or middle eastern freelance developers.
But the cost of Shopify app will vary greatly based upon your intended target audience, user experience, enterprise level solution, and understanding how various factors affect the overall outcome.
