Before you launch, it helps to know exactly what you're getting into financially. Here's an honest breakdown of the costs involved in starting an online store in South Africa.
Platform costs
Shopify is the most popular choice for SA merchants. Plans range from R310/month (Basic) to R5,500/month (Advanced). The Advanced plan is required if you want real-time carrier-calculated shipping rates.
WooCommerce is technically free, but you'll pay for hosting (R150-R600/month), a domain, SSL, premium plugins, and ongoing maintenance.
Domain name
A .co.za domain costs around R150-R200 per year through registrars like Afrihost or Domains.co.za.
Payment gateway fees
Most South African payment gateways charge a transaction fee:
These fees come off every sale, so factor them into your pricing.
Shipping apps
If you want accurate South African shipping zones at checkout, you'll need a carrier app. SmartShip ZA costs $16/month (R300) and includes a 7-day free trial.
Photography and branding
This is where costs vary most. DIY product photography can cost R0 if you have a decent phone and good lighting. Professional product photography in SA typically runs R500-R2,000 per product depending on the photographer.
Total estimated monthly costs
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify plan | R310 | R5,500 |
| Domain (.co.za/year) | R100 | R100 |
| Payment fees (on R10k sales) | R370 | R520 |
| Shipping app | - | R300 |
| Total | R780 | R6,420 |
The wide range reflects whether you need Advanced (for carrier shipping) or can start on Basic. Most merchants start small and upgrade when volume justifies it.