E-Commerce Website Development Cost in the Philippines: A Clear Guide for MSMEs
Introduction
When preparing to build an online store, many Filipino MSMEs ask: “What is the typical cost for e-commerce website development in the Philippines?” Understanding the range and the factors that affect cost helps you budget wisely and choose the right solution. In the context of digital transformation, a platform like Bentamo Hub – an all-in-one business suite developed by BNTM Technologies Inc. in Cagayan de Oro – can significantly reduce overall operational costs by integrating e-commerce with inventory, finance, payments, CRM and more.
Typical Cost Ranges in the Philippines
Based on current market data, here are typical cost brackets for e-commerce website development in the Philippines:
- For a basic online store (small number of products, standard design, minimal customization): around ₱50,000 to ₱100,000. praferosawebworks.com+2SwiftDevs+2
- For a professional/medium-size e-commerce site (200+ products, payment gateway integration, more design focus): ₱100,000 to ₱200,000. praferosawebworks.com+1
- For a custom or enterprise-level e-commerce platform (many products, complex integrations, custom backend): ₱200,000 to ₱500,000+. praferosawebworks.com+1
- Ongoing monthly or annual costs (hosting, maintenance, security, updates) also add up — tens of thousands of pesos per year. praferosawebworks.com+1
What Drives These Costs?
There are several key factors that affect how much an e-commerce website will cost:
- Number of products & SKUs – more items = more catalogue work, filters, inventory logic.
- Payment gateway & checkout complexity – local e-wallets, COD, bank transfers add custom work.
- Design & user experience – custom UI/UX, mobile optimization, animations cost more.
- Integrations – linking with inventory systems, POS, CRM, analytics drives up cost.
- Hosting & security – e-commerce needs SSL, backups, higher performance hosting.
- Maintenance & support – keeping your store secure and updated is an ongoing expense.
- Developer/agency vs freelancer – agencies charge more but often give more support.
How Bentamo Hub Can Help Reduce Costs
By using a platform like Bentamo Hub, Filipino MSMEs may reduce their total cost of ownership and simplify development because:
- It provides a ready-built E-Commerce Module integrated with inventory, payments, finance and CRM.
- Less need for multiple separate tools or expensive custom integrations.
- You pay only for modules you use (modular structure) which lowers upfront cost.
- Because operations (sales, inventory, finance) are unified, you avoid duplication of work and errors — which lowers hidden costs.
- Local support and Philippine business context built in (payment methods, local logistics) mean fewer customisations and lower risk.
Practical Estimate Example
Suppose a small clothing brand in Metro Manila wants an online store with ~100 products, mobile-friendly design, e-wallet payment, and inventory tracking. Here’s how costs might break down:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Website setup & basic design | ₱70,000 |
| Payment gateway & checkout integration | ₱15,000 |
| Product upload (100 items) | ₱10,000 |
| Hosting, security, SSL (first year) | ₱6,000 |
| Training & support | ₱5,000 |
| Total First Year Estimated | ~₱106,000 |
After the first year, ongoing costs for hosting/maintenance might be ₱3,000–₱8,000/year depending on traffic. This matches local typical ranges. SwiftDevs+1
Using Bentamo Hub might reduce some of these costs because the modules for inventory, payments, and finance are already built in — reducing customisation.
Tips to Control Development Costs
- Start modest: launch with core functionality, and add features later.
- Use templates or proven themes rather than full custom design.
- Ensure product data (photos, descriptions) is ready — this avoids dragging out project time.
- Choose a platform with built-in integrations (payments, inventory) rather than building all from scratch.
- Budget not just for development, but for ongoing costs (maintenance, hosting, updates).
- Clarify scope early: number of products, payment methods, shipping logic, mobile vs desktop.
FAQs
Q1: How much should I expect for a simple e-commerce site in the Philippines?
For a small store with a limited number of products and standard functionality, you might spend around ₱50,000–₱100,000.
Q2: What makes e-commerce development much more expensive?
Custom features (marketplace logic, large product catalogues), multiple payment/gateway integrations, mobile apps, and high traffic optimisation push costs into the ₱200,000+ range.
Q3: Are there cheaper options than full custom development?
Yes — using ready platforms, templates, or modular business suites like Bentamo Hub helps lower upfront costs and accelerate launch.
Q4: What ongoing costs should I budget after launch?
You’ll still have domain, hosting, SSL, maintenance, content updates, and possibly platform licensing costs — expect at least several thousand pesos per year.
Q5: Is building my own e-commerce site worth it, compared to selling on a marketplace?
Yes, if you want brand control, repeat business, direct customer relationships, and integration with finance/inventory systems. The upfront cost is higher, but long-term value is stronger.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the e-commerce website development cost in the Philippines helps you make informed decisions — especially as an MSME with limited resources. The right platform, scope clarity, and workflow integration matter more than chasing low cost alone. With a unified system like Bentamo Hub, Filipino entrepreneurs can build an online store that’s not just affordable, but operationally efficient and scalable.
Ready to estimate your project? Explore how Bentamo Hub can help streamline not just your store build, but your entire business operations — visit their contact page to get started.