When budgeting for Shopify development costs for UK startups, request separate figures for store setup, design, integrations, launch preparation and ongoing operation, rather than approving a single unexplained total.

For a usable price, give each prospective developer the same launch brief and ask them to identify assumptions, exclusions and optional work. Use the checklist below to shape that brief. Treat it as a way to commission a quote, not as a set of market rates or a FullyCoded price list.

What should your Shopify setup quote include?

Start by describing the shop you want to launch: what you will sell, who you want to sell to and who will manage orders. Specify your intended launch countries and any deadline. Ask the developer to price the agreed first release, with later ambitions listed separately.

  • Store configuration: ask who will configure the store settings, domain, payment options and delivery rules, and which decisions or account approvals you must supply.
  • Product catalogue: state the number of products and variants you expect at launch. Ask whether the quote includes preparing, importing and checking product information, or only providing a structure for you to populate.
  • Content: list the pages you want and assign responsibility for copy, photography and other assets. Ask for any content work to be priced explicitly rather than left as an assumption.

For each task, name an owner and a completion point. For example, request a clear distinction between importing the product data you supply and writing or correcting that data. Before accepting the quote, check that your own preparation work fits the proposed timetable.

How should you budget for design and customisation?

Ask the proposal to distinguish theme selection and configuration from bespoke design and development. Request a list of the pages, templates and interactions included. Avoid signing off a vague promise of a “custom shop” without agreeing what will actually be designed and built.

  • Design scope: identify which layouts need individual attention, such as the homepage, collection pages and product pages. Ask how mobile layouts will be reviewed.
  • Purchases and approvals: ask whether the proposed approach requires a paid theme or other assets. Request separate prices, ownership details and approval before purchase.
  • Revisions: agree the number of design review rounds, who gives final approval and how additional changes will be estimated.

If the initial proposal exceeds your budget, ask for two clearly scoped options: an essential launch and a later enhancement phase. Keep the same acceptance checks for the work retained in the first phase; reduce the feature list rather than leaving completion standards unclear.

What should you ask about apps and integrations?

For each proposed connection, describe the task it should perform before discussing the implementation. If you want orders passed to another system, for example, specify the information to send, when it should arrive and who should investigate a failed transfer.

  • Ask the developer to distinguish app configuration, custom integration work and any work required from another supplier. Request separate setup and recurring figures for the proposed solution.
  • Request a testing plan covering the agreed workflow, including missing information and unsuccessful transfers. Assign responsibility for monitoring and resolving problems after launch.

For an integration that is not essential to launch, consider asking for a separately priced later phase. Before choosing a temporary manual process, decide who would carry it out and set a review point for reconsidering automation.

What ongoing costs should you ask suppliers to confirm?

Alongside the build quote, request a running-cost schedule. Ask suppliers to confirm which of the following apply to your proposed shop, the current charge, the billing period and who pays it. Do not substitute an old estimate for confirmation before committing.

  • Platform and third-party costs: request confirmation of the selected Shopify plan, any app subscriptions, domain renewal and payment-related charges.
  • Support: ask whether ongoing help is optional or required, what the arrangement includes, how to report an issue and what response commitment is offered.
  • Future development: ask how changes will be estimated and approved. Keep a separate budget allowance for improvements rather than assuming they are included in support.

How should you compare Shopify proposals?

Compare proposals against the same scope, not just their totals. Check testing, handover, staff guidance, post-launch fixes and ownership of accounts and code. Ask each supplier to label every figure as fixed, estimated, recurring or optional, and to state whether VAT is included.

FullyCoded’s Shopify work for St Eval has included theme changes, website updates, custom apps and enterprise integrations.

To prepare for a conversation with FullyCoded, write a one-page brief covering your catalogue, essential customer journey, required connections, launch date and available budget. Ask for an itemised launch proposal and a separate schedule of ongoing costs.