How Much Does It Cost to Build a BigCommerce eCommerce Store?

As businesses rapidly shift toward digital commerce, selecting the right platform for launching an online store has become a crucial decision. Among the available options, BigCommerce stands out as a robust, cloud-based SaaS platform offering flexibility, scalability, and comprehensive eCommerce tools. But one of the most frequently asked questions by entrepreneurs and enterprises alike is: How much does it cost to build a BigCommerce eCommerce store?

This article explores the various factors that influence the cost of building a BigCommerce store, including design, development, integrations, and maintenance. We’ll also provide estimates to help you budget accurately and plan efficiently.

Why Choose BigCommerce?

Before discussing pricing, it’s important to understand why BigCommerce has become a go-to solution for many businesses. Unlike open-source platforms such as WooCommerce or Magento, BigCommerce is a fully hosted solution. It allows business owners to focus on growth and operations rather than infrastructure management.

BigCommerce offers:

• Robust product and inventory management
  
• Mobile-optimized templates
  
• SEO and marketing tools
  
• Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram)
  
• Secure payment gateways
  
• Built-in support for international sales
  

Because BigCommerce is a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform, the cost of hosting, updates, and security is bundled into a monthly subscription, reducing technical overhead and ongoing maintenance costs.

Core Cost Components of Building a BigCommerce Store

The cost to build a BigCommerce store can range widely—from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands—depending on your business needs. Here’s a breakdown of the primary cost components:

1. BigCommerce Subscription Plans

BigCommerce offers four core pricing plans:

• Standard Plan – $39/month
  
• Plus Plan – $105/month
  
• Pro Plan – $399/month
  
• Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing
  

For startups and small businesses, the Standard or Plus plan is often sufficient. Larger companies or those requiring more advanced features may opt for the Pro or Enterprise plans.

2. Domain Name and Hosting

Though BigCommerce provides hosting, you’ll still need a custom domain name, which typically costs around $10 to $20 per year. Many businesses also invest in premium domain names, which can run much higher.

3. Design and Theme Customization

BigCommerce offers both free and paid themes. Premium themes range from $150 to $300.

If you want a fully custom design, hiring a designer or development team becomes necessary. This cost can range from $1,000 to $5,000+, depending on the complexity of the layout, user experience requirements, and branding needs.

Working with a SaaS Development Company

While it’s possible to use off-the-shelf themes and do-it-yourself tools, many businesses seek professional help for custom features, seamless UX, and scalable architecture. Partnering with a saas development company can make a significant difference in both the short-term execution and long-term growth of your BigCommerce store.

A SaaS development expert will understand how to build scalable eCommerce functionalities, integrate third-party tools, and optimize your store for performance and conversions—all while adhering to best security practices.

Custom Development Costs

Here’s where the cost can vary the most. The features you want will directly influence your budget. Typical custom development may include:

• Product configurators
  
• Custom checkout processes
  
• Subscription billing
  
• Loyalty programs
  
• Multi-currency setup
  
• Advanced filtering and search features
  

At ProtonBits, our standard hourly rate for development is $25/hour, offering scalable, cost-efficient eCommerce solutions that align with your business needs.

A basic build may take 80–120 hours (costing around $2,000 to $3,000), while a mid-sized project may require 150–300 hours ($3,750 to $7,500). Enterprise-level builds with complex functionality and integrations could range from $10,000 to $25,000 or more.

App Integrations and Extensions

BigCommerce supports a wide range of integrations for payments, shipping, marketing, CRM, and analytics. Some apps are free, but premium apps can range from $10/month to $100+/month depending on the functionality.

If you’re planning to offer flexible financing options like Buy Now Pay Later App integration, the cost will include both the app fee and the development hours required for integration and testing. This feature is increasingly popular among eCommerce brands looking to boost conversions and average order values.

Payment Application Development

Customizing your payment experience is often essential for ensuring a smooth checkout process. If you require features such as installment payments, country-specific payment methods, or secure wallet integrations, you’ll need Payment Application Development services.

This cost can range from $1,500 to $5,000+ depending on whether you’re integrating existing services or building custom applications from scratch.

BigCommerce does support multiple gateways out-of-the-box, but custom payment experiences will require back-end development and UI optimization.

Mobile Optimization and Responsive Design

With over 60% of eCommerce traffic now coming from mobile devices, ensuring your BigCommerce store is mobile-friendly is no longer optional. Most themes are mobile-optimized, but enhancements like:

• Custom mobile menus
  
• Touch-friendly UI components
  
• Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)
  
• Progressive Web App (PWA) implementation
  

…can raise the development cost by $1,000 to $3,000 depending on scope.

Fintech Software Development and Security

If you’re in a highly regulated industry or dealing with large transaction volumes, Fintech Software Development may become a priority. Integrating secure, PCI-DSS compliant systems, fraud detection tools, or even blockchain-based solutions can enhance trust and operational integrity.

These features often involve high-security standards and complex integrations, resulting in additional development costs ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on your exact needs.

Ongoing Maintenance and Support

After your store is live, ongoing costs include:

• Platform subscription
  
• App subscriptions
  
• SEO and performance audits
  
• Bug fixes and security updates
  
• Content updates
  
• Technical support
  

A monthly maintenance retainer can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500/month, depending on the level of support and frequency of updates required.

Cost Summary

Final Thoughts

Building a successful BigCommerce store is an investment, but one that offers impressive returns when executed strategically. While you can start small and scale gradually, having a clear understanding of development costs ensures that you don’t run into unexpected expenses down the road.

By working with a reliable partner—whether a design firm, marketing agency, or saas development company—you’ll be better positioned to develop an eCommerce presence that performs, scales, and drives results.

If you’re planning to add advanced payment features, consider integrating a Buy Now Pay Later App or working with a team experienced in Payment Application Development. Additionally, businesses dealing with high-volume transactions or complex financial data will benefit from incorporating robust Fintech Software Development practices.

With the right development partner and a clear vision, your BigCommerce store can become a powerful revenue-driving engine for your brand.