Real numbers for 2026. Platform fees, hosting, payments, shipping — everything you'll actually pay.
Depending on platform, features, and whether you DIY or get professional setup. Most Jamaica-focused stores run $50-80/month all-in.
The software that powers your store — product listings, cart, checkout, order management.
Server space where your website lives. Required for WooCommerce. Included with Shopify and Ezy Commerce.
Fees charged when customers pay. Varies by payment method and provider.
Apps or plugins to calculate shipping rates and print labels. Knutsford integration for Jamaica delivery.
Email capture popups, subscriber lists, marketing campaigns.
Your website address (yourbusiness.com). One-time annual fee.
Shopify bills in USD. Your Jamaican bank converts at their rate plus fees. You could lose $100-200/year just on exchange rates before you sell anything.
Free themes exist, but many businesses buy premium themes ($50-200 one-time). Budget for this if you want a specific look.
WooCommerce plugins often have annual renewal fees. Shopify apps charge monthly. These add up — budget $200-500/year for a typical store.
If something breaks or you need customization, developer rates in Jamaica range from $50-150 USD/hour. Even small fixes add up.
💡 The cheapest option (DIY WooCommerce) often becomes expensive when you factor in your time and eventual need for help. The most expensive option (Shopify) includes hidden fees that compound over time.
For most Jamaican small businesses selling physical products locally, here's our honest recommendation:
There are genuinely free ways to sell online:
These work for starting out, but most businesses outgrow them quickly. The manual work of DM selling eventually costs more in time than a proper store costs in money.
A functional online store for a Jamaican business costs $50-100 USD per month for the core platform and hosting. Add transaction fees based on your sales volume.
The question isn't "can I afford an online store?" — at $50/month, most businesses can. The question is "which platform fits my skills, my customers, and my time?"
Ezy Commerce: $49/mo platform + $15/mo hosting. Knutsford shipping, JMD payments, mobile dashboard. We set it up.
Get Ezy Commerce → $64/month all-in · No hidden fees · Built for Jamaica