About E-commerce and Web App Development.
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How much does it cost to build an online store? What factors influence the price?
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The cost of your digital solution depends mainly on your goals and the path you choose to achieve them - whether you opt for a ready-made platform or a custom-built solution.
If you're looking for a fast and simple launch, a Shopify-based store can start at around €5,000, covering basic setup, content configuration, and minor design adjustments.
For more complex needs - such as ERP or CRM integration, custom pricing logic, advanced design, or technical independence - a custom solution is a better investment. These projects typically start at €50,000.
That said, a tailor-made solution doesn’t have to be more expensive in the long run. Thanks to AI, we can automate parts of the development process, reducing programming hours and overall project costs. Once you factor in operational expenses, ongoing improvements, and support, a custom solution may prove not only more flexible but also more cost-efficient than a boxed platform.
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How do I choose the right platform? Shopify vs. custom - which makes more sense?
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Your choice depends on your current needs and your growth strategy.
Shopify is ideal for smaller e-commerce businesses aiming for a quick launch with minimal customization. It works well for selling a limited product range, with a narrow target audience, low competition, and basic integration needs.
On the other hand, if your business processes, pricing logic, or B2B model require a more tailored approach, a custom solution is the better choice. It gives you full control over every detail – from UX to data architecture – without the constraints of standard platforms.
These details can make a big difference, especially in competitive markets where similar products or prices are common. When deciding, don’t just look at what you need today - consider where you want your business to be in 2-3 years. Investing in flexibility can deliver ROI sooner than expected.
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How long does it take to develop an e-commerce site or web application?
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It depends on the complexity of the project and the platform chosen.
A Shopify store can be launched within days - all you need is your content, products, and basic design customization. A custom solution typically takes around 6 months.
The process starts with a discovery phase to understand your business, goals, and technical requirements. We then define a clear scope and deliver an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to help you go live faster and start collecting user feedback early.
We work in agile sprints, with regular communication, transparent reporting, and flexibility to adapt – ensuring the final product meets your needs in full.
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What are the ongoing costs after launching an e-commerce site?
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Monthly costs depend on the type of solution, level of customization, and required support.
Shopify has relatively low entry-level costs – starting with fixed monthly fees of just a few dozen euros. However, costs rise quickly as you customize the platform, add plugins, develop features, or connect external systems. Advanced setups can reach over €2,300/month, especially if ongoing developer support is needed. You can find official pricing at shopify.com/pricing.
Shopify works well for simple stores and fast go-lives. But with more customization, it becomes more expensive and reliant on external support.
A custom solution requires a higher initial investment but offers more predictable monthly costs, starting around €1,000. This typically includes infrastructure, security updates, feature development, performance optimization, and expert support.
We view post-launch operations as a natural continuation of the collaboration – a chance to evolve your system, adapt to change, and support business growth.
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Can AI be used during e-commerce development?
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Absolutely – artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we design, develop, and manage e-commerce solutions.
It can support processes such as automatically generating product names and descriptions, summarizing long-form content like blog posts or reviews, analyzing user behavior, predicting purchase patterns, or improving customer service through chatbots.
In our workflow, we also use AI to streamline development — for example, to generate initial components, structure database content, or create testing scenarios. This speeds up delivery and reduces the likelihood of errors.
For custom-built solutions, we can integrate AI directly into your system — whether for administrators or end-users. In the case of Shopify, AI is typically implemented through plugins that are easy to install but offer limited customization options.
To learn how we apply AI in practice, visit bart.sk/en/ai.
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Do I need to understand the technology behind my online store?
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Not at all. If you're unsure or don’t want to choose the tech stack yourself, we’ll handle it for you. Our team selects proven, sustainable technologies with your business growth in mind. We use industry-standard tools along with our own CMS for content management.
If you already have a preferred stack or existing system, we’ll adapt to it. And we always explain our recommendations in clear, non-technical language. You stay in control of decisions – we just make them easier.
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We already have a system in place. Can you connect to it, take over, or extend it?
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Yes – we can:
- Continue development of your frontend, backend, or CMS
- Take over maintenance and future development
- Integrate your e-shop with external systems like CRM, ERP, inventory, accounting, or loyalty programs
- Propose automation to reduce errors and manual work
- Optimize existing UX, performance, or SEO
Our goal isn’t to replace everything at any cost – it’s to help you move forward, whether that means a small upgrade or long-term partnership.
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How do I choose the right CRM/ERP system? Can you help?
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Yes, we also support our clients in selecting systems to connect with their e-shop or internal operations. Based on your business size, goals, and technical readiness, we recommend proven solutions – from lightweight cloud services to full-featured ERP systems.
We also handle integration, data migration, and process automation. The goal is to ensure all systems work together and free your team from unnecessary manual tasks.
