Based in Cape Town, building online stores for businesses across South Africa
Online stores built to sell, on Shopify or WooCommerce
We build online stores that are easy to shop on a phone, take South African payments and send orders out with the couriers you already use. You choose Shopify or WooCommerce, we tell you honestly which suits you, and every price is on this page.
- From
- R6,500
- Platforms
- Shopify or WooCommerce
- Set up for
- South African payments and couriers
- Ownership
- The store is yours
Prices
Online store prices
Shopify Starter
Up to 20 products, about 2 weeks
WooCommerce Starter
Up to 20 products, no platform fee
Standard Store
Up to 200 products
Growth Store
Up to 500 products
Custom Store
Quoted after a call
Store Migration from R12,500 · Store Care R2,500 a month · Shopping Ads from R4,500 a month.
Prices are for building the store. Platform, payment and app fees are paid to those companies directly. See what Shopify really costs in South Africa.
Shopify or WooCommerce
Shopify or WooCommerce?
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | Yes, paid to Shopify | No |
| Extra fee on each sale in South Africa | Yes, because Shopify Payments isn't available here | No |
| Hosting | Included in your Shopify plan | You pay a host |
| Updates and security | Handled by Shopify | Needs regular updates, covered by Store Care |
| Easy to run day to day | Very | Easy once set up |
| Best for | Getting started fast, and stores that want everything in one place | Stores that want lower running costs, or already use WordPress |
Not sure? Tell us what you sell and how many orders you expect, and we'll tell you which costs less over a year.
What's in every store
What's in every store we build
- A design built for phones first, because that's where most people shop
- Your products loaded, with clear photos, descriptions and prices
- South African payments set up: cards, Instant EFT and the options your customers use
- Shipping rates and couriers set up, including collection points if you want them
- VAT set up correctly, if you're registered
- Order emails, invoices and the pages the law asks for: returns, shipping, privacy and your business details
- Google Analytics sales tracking and the Meta pixel, so you can see what your ads earn
- Your products sent to Google Merchant Center, ready for Shopping ads and free listings
- Training on adding products, handling orders and running sales
The store, the domain and every account are in your name.
South African details
Set up for how South Africans shop
- Payments.
We connect a South African payment provider such as Payfast, Yoco, Peach Payments or Ozow, so customers can pay by card or Instant EFT.
- Couriers and lockers.
We set up delivery rates for the couriers you use, and collection points or lockers if your customers prefer them.
- VAT.
If you're VAT registered, prices and invoices show VAT the way SARS expects.
- The legal pages.
South African law asks online stores to show certain business details, a returns policy and how you handle customer information. We add the pages; your lawyer or accountant should check them.
Getting sales after launch
A store needs visitors
A new store doesn't get sales on its own. These are the three ways we bring buyers in:
- Google Shopping ads,
showing your products with prices when people search for them. From R4,500 a month. Google Ads
- Ecommerce SEO,
so your product and category pages rank for free. From R12,840 a month. SEO
- Meta ads,
for products people buy when they see them on Instagram and Facebook. From R2,500 a month. Meta Ads
Moving platforms
Moving your store to a new platform
Moving from Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WooCommerce or an old custom site? We move your products, customers and order history, and redirect every old address so you keep your Google rankings. From R12,500.
How it works
How a store project runs
- 1
A short call.
What you sell, how you ship and how many orders you expect. You get a fixed quote and a platform recommendation.
- 2
Products and content.
You send product photos and details; we set up the structure and categories.
- 3
Design.
You see the homepage and a product page first, and we change them until you're happy.
- 4
Payments and shipping.
We set them up and run test orders from start to finish.
- 5
Launch.
We put the store live, check every step of checkout on a phone, and train you.
- 6
After launch.
Store Care, ads and SEO, if you want them.
A Shopify Starter store usually goes live in about 2 weeks, depending on how quickly we get your products.
How to choose
How to choose who builds your store
Ask anyone, us included:
- Will the store and every account be in my name?
- Which South African payment providers will you set up, and what will they cost me?
- What will I pay every month after launch, to everyone?
- Will you run test orders before launch?
- Can I see stores you've built that are live now?
Our answers: yes, we'll tell you before you sign, we'll list it for you, yes, and yes.
What we won't do
What we won't do
- Promise sales.
A well built store helps, but sales come from good products, fair prices and visitors.
- Sell you a dropshipping get rich plan.
- Hide running costs.
You'll know every monthly fee before you choose a platform.
- Launch without test orders.
Every payment and shipping option is tested first.
Questions
Online store questions
How much does an online store cost?
From R6,500 for a Shopify store with up to 20 products, and R9,500 for WooCommerce. Bigger stores are R18,500 for up to 200 products and R38,000 for up to 500. You also pay the platform and payment fees directly.
How long does it take?
About 2 weeks for a Starter store, longer for bigger stores, depending on how quickly we get your products.
Which payment providers can I use?
South African providers such as Payfast, Yoco, Peach Payments and Ozow. We'll recommend one based on your products and how your customers pay.
Why does Shopify charge me extra on every sale?
Shopify Payments isn't available in South Africa, so Shopify adds a fee to each sale made through another provider. Our Shopify pricing guide explains it in rand.
Should I sell on Takealot instead?
Many businesses do both. Takealot brings buyers but takes a share and controls the customer. Your own store lets you keep the customer and build your brand.
Can you build me a dropshipping store?
We can build the store, but we won't promise it'll make money. Dropshipping in South Africa means long delivery times from overseas suppliers, and customers notice.
Do I own the store?
Yes. The store, the domain and every account are in your name.
Do you work outside Cape Town?
Yes, with businesses across South Africa.
Send us your website. We'll show you where the enquiries are slipping away.
Free audit video within 2 working days. Most people WhatsApp us; the form is here if you'd rather write it down.