How Much Does It Cost to Build a Prestashop Ecommerce Store?

In the world of ecommerce, PrestaShop is a powerful and flexible platform favored by startups and SMEs for its open-source structure, customization options, and cost-effectiveness. Many businesses turn to custom software development companies to tailor their PrestaShop stores to specific business needs. But one of the most commonly asked questions is: What is the cost to build a PrestaShop ecommerce store? Whether you’re launching a new business or transitioning your brick-and-mortar store online, understanding the cost implications is essential.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the various factors that influence the cost to build a PrestaShop ecommerce store and provide a practical cost estimate for 2025.

Why Choose PrestaShop?

Before diving into costs, it’s important to understand why PrestaShop is a preferred choice:

• Open-source and Free: The core software is free to download and use.
  
• High Customizability: Access to thousands of modules and themes.
  
• Scalability: Suitable for small stores and larger, growing businesses.
  
• Multilingual and Multi-currency Support: Ideal for global commerce.

All of these make PrestaShop a great choice, but they also mean the cost can vary based on your specific needs and choices.

Major Cost Factors in Building a PrestaShop Store

1. Domain and Hosting

Every online store needs a domain and reliable hosting. Here’s a breakdown:

• Domain Name: $10–$20/year
  
• Shared Hosting: $5–$15/month
  
• VPS or Dedicated Hosting (Recommended for larger stores): $30–$150/month

Estimated Annual Cost: $100–$1,800

2. PrestaShop Installation and Setup

If you’re technically inclined, you can install PrestaShop yourself. However, most businesses prefer hiring a developer:

• DIY Setup: Free
  
• Professional Setup: $100–$500 (one-time)

3. Theme Design and Customization

PrestaShop offers free themes, but many store owners opt for premium themes or custom designs:

• Free Themes: $0
  
• Premium Themes: $60–$200
  
• Custom Design by Developer: $500–$2,000+

4. Module and Plugin Integration

To enhance store functionality, you’ll need add-ons:

• Basic Add-ons (SEO, Analytics, Social Login): $30–$150 each
  
• Advanced Add-ons (Multi-language, Advanced Filters, Payment Gateways): $100–$500 each

A typical store may use 5–10 modules, so:

Estimated Module Cost: $300–$2,000

5. Product Upload and Catalog Management

Depending on the size of your inventory:

• Manual Upload (DIY): Free but time-consuming
  
• Professional Product Entry: $100–$1,000 depending on number of products

6. Payment Gateway Integration

Some gateways are free to integrate, others require plugins or professional help:

• Free Options (PayPal, Stripe): $0
  
• Other Gateways (Authorize.net, Razorpay, etc.): $50–$300
  

Professional integration may cost an additional $100–$500.

7. Shipping Configuration

Configuring shipping rules, zones, and carriers may require technical expertise:

• Basic Setup: Free or $50–$100 (DIY or Freelancer)
  
• Advanced Configuration or Integration: $200–$500

8. SSL Certificate

Security is essential for ecommerce:

• Free SSL (via hosting provider): $0
  
• Premium SSL: $50–$150/year

9. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Your store will need periodic updates, backups, and bug fixes:

• Monthly Maintenance (Freelancer or Agency): $100–$500/month
  
• Annual Total: $1,200–$6,000

10. Marketing and SEO

To drive traffic and sales:

• SEO Services: $300–$1,000/month
  
• Email Marketing Tools (e.g., Mailchimp): $10–$100/month
  
• Social Media/Google Ads Campaigns: Variable based on budget

11. Custom Development

If your business requires unique features:

• Hourly Developer Rate: $25–$75/hour (India-based developers) | $100–$200/hour (US-based)
  
• Typical Custom Feature Cost: $500–$5,000

Total Estimated Cost to Build a PrestaShop Ecommerce Store 

Component	Low-End Estimate	High-End Estimate
Domain & Hosting	$100	$1,800
Installation & Setup	$100	$500
Theme & Design	$60	$2,000
Modules & Plugins	$300	$2,000
Product Upload	$0	$1,000
Payment Integration	$0	$800
Shipping Config	$50	$500
SSL Certificate	$0	$150
Maintenance	$1,200	$6,000
Marketing & SEO	$1,200	$12,000+
Custom Development	$500	$5,000+
Total Estimate	$3,510	$31,750+

Tips to Reduce PrestaShop Store Development Costs

Reducing the overall cost of building your PrestaShop store is possible with smart planning. Here are some actionable tips:

1. Start Small: Launch with core features like product listings, shopping cart, and payment gateway. Add advanced features like loyalty programs or multi-language support after your store gains traction.
   
2. Use Free Modules: Take advantage of the extensive library of free modules available on the PrestaShop Addons marketplace. This helps in minimizing early expenses.
   
3. Hire Offshore Developers: Hiring from regions like South Asia or Eastern Europe can significantly reduce development costs while still delivering quality results.
   
4. Bundle Services: Look for agencies, like ProtonBits, that offer bundled packages for design, development, and maintenance. These bundles often cost less than sourcing each service individually.
   
5. Avoid Over-customization Early On: Custom development can be expensive. Stick to default functionalities initially, then gather user feedback to guide future improvements.
   
6. Start Small: Launch with core features and scale up gradually.
   
7. Use Free Modules: There are many reliable free options in the PrestaShop marketplace.
   
8. Hire Offshore Developers: Countries like India offer experienced developers at a lower cost.
   
9. Bundle Services: Agencies like ProtonBits offer end-to-end packages which can reduce overall cost.
   
10. Avoid Over-customization Early On: Focus on what’s essential for launch and refine later.

Why Choose ProtonBits to Build Your PrestaShop Store?

At ProtonBits, we specialize in custom ecommerce development using PrestaShop. We understand the nuances of the platform and deliver robust, secure, and scalable solutions tailored to your business needs. Businesses looking to hire software developers can rely on our experienced team to bring their PrestaShop ecommerce vision to life with precision and efficiency.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees or surprise charges—just honest, up-front pricing.
  
• Expert Developers: Our team has hands-on experience with hundreds of PrestaShop implementations.
  
• Scalable Solutions: Whether you need a basic store or a multi-vendor marketplace, we build scalable platforms that grow with your business.
  
• Reliable Support: Post-launch support, maintenance, and performance monitoring to ensure your store always runs smoothly.

We offer multiple hiring models to fit your project scope:

• Fixed Price Projects – Ideal for well-defined requirements
  
• Hourly Development – Flexible for ongoing tasks
  
• Dedicated Resource Hiring – Best for long-term engagements and full control

Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, ProtonBits is your trusted partner in ecommerce success.

At ProtonBits, we specialize in custom ecommerce development with PrestaShop. Our team of expert developers, designers, and digital strategists deliver:

• Transparent pricing and flexible hiring models
  
• Proven expertise in PrestaShop development
  
• Scalable solutions tailored to your business
  
• Post-launch support and maintenance

We offer flexible engagement models:

• Fixed Price Projects
  
• Hourly Development
  
• Dedicated Resource Hiring

Partner with us to launch a high-performing PrestaShop ecommerce store—on time and within budget.

Conclusion

Building a PrestaShop ecommerce store in 2025 offers a flexible and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes. While the overall cost can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, smart planning and the right development partner can help you stay within budget without compromising on quality.

From domain and hosting to themes, modules, and custom features, every decision affects the final cost. PrestaShop’s open-source nature allows you to scale at your own pace, making it an ideal platform for both startups and established businesses.

At ProtonBits, we combine technical expertise with transparent pricing to deliver high-performance PrestaShop solutions. Whether you need a basic store setup or complex custom development, our team is here to help—at just $25/hour.

Let’s build something great together. Contact ProtonBits today for a free consultation and bring your ecommerce vision to life.