What Does It Really Cost to Start an Online Store in Ireland? (2026)

E-COMMERCE PRICING

The real cost of an online store in Ireland

Almost every platform leads with "start for free", and almost none spell out what you'll actually pay: a domain, a cut of every payment, hosting, and often a price jump beyond the minimum.

The five real cost categories, explained

An .ie domain typically costs €10-15 a year. Payment processing takes 2.5-3% of every sale. Hosting is sometimes bundled, sometimes billed separately.

Most platforms lock real functionality behind a paid tier, and check whether terms, privacy policy and GDPR cookie consent come included or get sold as an add-on.

A realistic first-year budget in Ireland

€0

for a basic store on a free plan

€10-15

a year for an .ie domain

~2.5-3%

typical payment processing fee per sale

€15-49

a month for a paid plan with real growth features

How to avoid overpaying

Check the free plan's real product limit

Some cap at 5-10 products.

Check that legal pages are included

Should be auto-generated.

Confirm hosting is genuinely included

Avoids hidden extra costs.

Price the plan you'll need in three months

Compare the tier with a real payment account.

Common questions

Can I really start an online store for €0?

Yes, with a working free plan.

Do I have to pay extra for legal pages?

Not if auto-generated.

Is an .ie domain worth the yearly cost?

Yes for a long-term business.

What's the most commonly missed hidden cost?

Legal pages and payment methods locked behind a pricier tier.

Start a real online store free — see the real pricing before you commit.

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