E-commerce Website Cost in Dubai 2026? A Comprehensive Pricing Guide

How much does an e-commerce website cost in Dubai?

If you’re thinking about launching an online store in Dubai, the first question that comes to mind is: how much does an e-commerce website cost in Dubai? The answer depends on several factors, but we can give you a realistic range based on what we deliver at Katbi Digital Solutions.

In general, building an e-commerce store in Dubai costs between 5,000 and 60,000+ AED for the initial setup, with ongoing costs that depend on the platform and services you choose.

Pricing tiers explained 🟢

🟢 Basic Shopify store

5,000 – 15,000 AED setup + monthly subscription starting at $29 (≈110 AED)

• Ideal for small stores with a limited product range
• Setup includes theme installation, basic product upload, payment gateway connection
• Drawbacks: monthly subscription fee, limits on deep customization

🟢 WooCommerce / WordPress store

8,000 – 25,000 AED setup (hosting and domain renewal are separate)

• More flexible than Shopify but requires higher technical maintenance
• Setup includes WordPress + WooCommerce installation, a semi‑custom theme, tax and shipping configuration
• Drawbacks: needs regular updates and security monitoring; may require a developer for ongoing support

🟢 Custom Next.js store

20,000 – 60,000+ AED setup (depends on features)

• Fully custom solution for high performance and complete design freedom
• Setup includes custom UX/UI design, bespoke payment gateway integration, admin dashboard for products
• Drawbacks: higher upfront cost, needs a development team for updates and maintenance

Payment gateways in the UAE 💳

Your choice of payment gateway affects both setup and transaction costs:

• Telr: setup fee around 1,000 AED, processing fee 2.4% + 1 AED per transaction
• PayTabs: no setup fee on basic plans, fee 2.65% + 0.50 AED per transaction
• Stripe: available in UAE via local partners, fee 2.9% + 0.30 AED per transaction
• Network International: one of the region’s largest providers, fees negotiated by volume
• Tap: popular with startups, fee 2.5% + 0.30 AED per transaction, minimal setup

What increases the cost? ⬆️

• Number of products: each additional 100 products can add 500–1,500 AED depending on complexity
• Multilingual support (AR/EN): adds 2,000–5,000 AED for translation and layout adjustments
• Inventory sync with ERP or POS: starts at 3,000 AED for a basic integration
• Shipping carrier integrations (Aramex, NAS, etc.): 1,000–3,000 AED per carrier
• Custom checkout flow (installments, gift cards, loyalty): starts at 4,000 AED

What can reduce the cost? ⬇️

• Using ready‑made themes with light tweaks (e.g., Shopify Dawn or WooCommerce Astra)
• Starting with a single payment method (e.g., cash on delivery or card only)
• Choosing gateways with no setup fee (some PayTabs plans)
• Opting for shared hosting initially, with plans to scale up later

Recurring expenses 🔁

Remember to budget for ongoing costs:

• Hosting: 50–200 AED/month for WooCommerce/Next.js (Shopify includes hosting in its subscription)
• Platform subscriptions: Shopify Basic 29$, Shopify Advanced 79$, Shopify Plus 299$ (approx. 110, 300, 1,150 AED)
• Transaction fees: as outlined per gateway (percentage + fixed fee)
• Maintenance & updates: 10–20% of development cost per year for custom solutions
• SSL certificates: usually free with most platforms, but EV SSL can cost 500–1,000 AED/year
• Digital marketing budget: separate from development, but essential for driving traffic

How Katbi can help you? 🟢

At Katbi Digital Solutions (Dubai‑licensed #1098696), we offer:

• Free consultation to recommend the best platform for your budget and product type
• End‑to‑end design and development of e‑stores that comply with UAE consumer protection laws
• Training for your team on managing products, orders, and content
• Post‑launch support to keep your store’s performance and security
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, plus a clear contract outlining every milestone and cost

📱 Free WhatsApp Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an e-commerce website cost in Dubai?

As outlined above, the initial build ranges from 5,000 to 60,000+ AED depending on the platform and features, with recurring costs starting around 200 AED/month for basic hosting.

Shopify or WooCommerce: which is better for my store in Dubai?

Shopify is easier to launch and requires less technical maintenance, making it ideal for beginners who want to focus on selling. WooCommerce gives you full control and lower upfront cost but demands regular updates, security patches, and possibly a developer for ongoing tweaks. Choose Shopify for simplicity; choose WooCommerce (or a custom solution) if you need deep customization or plan to scale with complex integrations.

What are the transaction fees for payment gateways in the UAE?

Typical rates range from 2.4% to 2.9% of each transaction plus a fixed fee between 0.30 and 1.50 AED. Some providers charge a one‑time setup fee (e.g., Telr ~1,000 AED), while others like PayTabs may waive it on entry‑level plans.

How long does it take to design an e-commerce store?

Timelines vary by complexity:

• Basic Shopify store: 2–4 weeks
• Mid‑range WooCommerce store: 4–6 weeks
• Custom Next.js store: 8–14 weeks or more, depending on features like multi‑language support, ERP integration, or custom checkout.

Related internal links

• Read our general guide on website design costs in Dubai 2026
• Learn about our web & e‑commerce development services