Shopify Store Launch Budget Planner
Add up what it really costs to launch a Shopify store and how much cash you need to get through the first months.
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Book a free callThese tools give estimates for planning, based on the numbers you enter. Fees, taxes and results vary by store, plan and country. This is not financial or tax advice.
What does the Store Launch Budget Planner do?
Starting a Shopify store costs more than the monthly plan. You also pay for a domain, branding, product samples, apps and a budget to test ads. This planner adds your one-time and monthly costs and shows the total cash you need to launch and keep the store running for the number of months you choose before it makes a profit.
1. How to use this store launch budget planner?
- 1Replace the example numbers with your own quotes and plans. Enter 0 for anything you will not pay for.
- 2Choose how many months you want to be able to cover before the store earns a profit.
- 3Read your total launch cash and your monthly running cost, then decide what to cut or delay.
What each input means
- Shopify plan
- per month
- Apps and tools
- per month
- Domain name
- per year, paid upfront
- Premium theme (if any)
- one time
- Logo and branding
- one time
- Product samples
- one time
- Store setup or development help
- one time
- Ad testing budget
- one time
- Months to cover before profit
- months
2. How is the store launch budget planner calculated?
- One-time costs = domain + theme + branding + samples + setup help + ad testing budget
- Monthly running costs = Shopify plan + apps and tools
- Total cash needed = one-time costs + (monthly running costs × months to cover)
With a $39 plan, $30 of apps, a $15 domain, $50 of branding, $60 of samples and a $300 ad test budget, one-time costs are $425 and monthly running costs are $69. Covering 3 months takes $425 + (3 × $69) = $632.
3. Who should use this tool?
- Anyone planning to start a Shopify store who wants a realistic startup number.
- First-time dropshippers deciding how much to set aside for testing products.
- Founders writing a simple budget before they talk to a developer or agency.
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Check dropshipping profitStore Launch Budget Planner: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store?
It ranges widely. A simple store can start for a few hundred dollars, while a branded store with custom design, photography and a proper ad budget costs much more. The largest cost for most new stores is not the Shopify plan, it is testing products and ads.
Do I need a big ad budget to start?
You need enough to test properly. The Ad Test Budget Planner helps you work out how much to spend before deciding a product does not work.
Are Shopify plan prices the same everywhere?
No. Plans, billing cycles and taxes vary, so use the price you see on your own Shopify checkout page.
What costs are missing?
This tool does not include taxes, inventory for bulk orders, staff or agency retainers. Add those under the closest field or plan for them separately.
Services that move these numbers
Full Store Setup
A complete, on-brand Shopify store, configured properly from day one, so it is ready to take its first order.
Learn more →Dropshipping Store Setup
A ready-to-sell dropshipping store, built around your niche, with suppliers, products and checkout connected before you spend a dollar on ads.
Learn more →One Product Store
A focused single-product Shopify store built around one hero offer and a clean path to checkout.
Learn more →Want an expert to look at your real numbers?
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