Selling through Instagram and WhatsApp works until it doesn't: orders lost between chats, customers asking at midnight and sales going cold because you replied late. An online store fixes that — but what does it really cost in Colombia in 2026? Here are the unvarnished numbers.
The real price ranges
- Platforms like Shopify: from $25–$40 USD per month, plus sales commissions and a generic template. Fast to start, limited for standing out.
- Professionally custom-built store: between $1,000 and $4,000 USD depending on catalog and integrations. It's yours, no platform commissions, with your own design.
- Enterprise e-commerce (ERP, e-invoicing, multi-warehouse): from $4,000 USD.
- Recurring costs either way: hosting and domain (from $70 USD/year) and the payment gateway fee (2.5%–3.5% per transaction).
What nobody tells you before you get quotes
- The payment gateway matters more than the design: without local payment methods you lose half your buyers.
- 70%+ of your sales will come from mobile: demand to see the store on a phone before approving the design.
- No good photos, no sales: budget for product photography.
- The store needs traffic: reserve budget for SEO or ads, or you'll have a beautiful, empty store.
- Always ask who owns the domain, hosting and code: they must be registered under your name.
Platform or custom build? Our honest recommendation
If you're validating a product with fewer than 30 SKUs, start on a platform. If you already sell consistently, a custom build pays for itself: no monthly platform commissions, the speed Google rewards, and total freedom to grow (subscriptions, wholesale, accounting integrations). At Citria we build stores with React and Next.js connected to Wompi, Mercado Pago, PayU or Stripe. Write to info@citria.company and get your quote within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an online store take?
A standard store takes 4–6 weeks including payments, shipping and training. Large catalogs or special integrations can take longer.
What fees do payment gateways charge in Colombia?
Between 2.5% and 3.5% per transaction plus a small fixed fee, depending on the gateway. There's no legal way around it; it's the cost of accepting online payments.
Ready to grow your business?
At Citria we build websites and custom software with SEO included, from Popayán for Colombia, Latin America and Europe.
info@citria.company →