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Shopify True Cost Calculator

Platform fees + marketing costs vs marketplace with built-in traffic

Shopify's Hidden Cost: Customer Acquisition

Shopify is a platform, not a marketplace. You get zero built-in traffic. Every customer must come from your own marketing spend (ads, SEO, social media, influencers).

Industry benchmark: Customer acquisition costs (CAC) typically run 5-15% of GMV. Without a marketing budget, your Shopify store gets zero sales.

Configure Your Shopify Store

Orders: 10,000

Third-party adds 2% extra fee

0% (no traffic)5% (low)10% (typical)15% (competitive)20% (aggressive)

Reality check: Without marketing spend, your Shopify store gets ZERO customers. Industry benchmark: 5-15% of GMV for ads, SEO, content, and influencer marketing.

Cost Breakdown

Shopify

Platform Fees (Advertised Cost):

Subscription (Basic):$468
Payment Fees (2.9% + $0.30/order):$17,500
Platform Total:$17,968

3.6% of GMV

+ Marketing Costs (10% of GMV):

$50,000

Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram, SEO, Content Marketing, Influencers

True Total Cost:

$67,968

13.6% of $500,000 GMV

Market Express

Membership (2-year rate):$24,000
Commission (10% above $125K):$37,500
Total:$61,500

12.3% of $500,000 GMV

Includes:

  • ✓ Built-in marketplace traffic
  • ✓ Order fulfillment (picking, packing, shipping)
  • ✓ Warehousing (3 EURO1 pallets included)
  • ✓ Payment processing
  • ✓ Customer service
  • ✓ Returns handling
  • ✓ Multi-vendor shipments
  • ✓ No marketing budget required

Savings vs Shopify (Platform Fees Only)

$43,532

Higher cost - 242% premium

* But Shopify provides zero customers without marketing spend

Savings vs Shopify (True Total with Marketing)

$6,468

Lower cost - 10% savings

Market Express includes marketplace traffic + fulfillment

Why Market Express Beats Shopify

Shopify Reality:

  • ✗Zero built-in traffic - you must drive 100% of customers
  • ✗Massive marketing costs - 5-15% of GMV is typical
  • ✗Self-fulfillment - you handle picking, packing, shipping
  • ✗Payment fees stack - platform + payment processor
  • ✗No warehousing - separate logistics provider required

Market Express:

  • ✓Built-in marketplace traffic - customers already shopping
  • ✓Zero marketing required - we bring the buyers
  • ✓Full fulfillment included - we handle everything
  • ✓Simple 2-fee model - membership + commission
  • ✓Warehousing included - 3 EURO1 pallets in membership

Ready to Skip the Marketing Spend?

Get marketplace traffic, fulfillment, and warehousing in one simple package.

Schedule a Consultation