Ecommerce website cost in Malaysia: Shopify, WooCommerce or custom

What do Malaysian providers publicly charge?

Published examples vary widely because the scope varies. Jumix Design states that a small ecommerce site can cost around RM8,000 including a year of support, with medium-sized businesses reaching around RM13,000. Larger catalogues, custom features and integrations can cost considerably more. These are one provider's published figures, not Macoin's prices.

The same article lists running costs worth budgeting for: domain registration around RM120 a year, self-hosted hosting from about RM200 a year, and payment processing of roughly 1.5 to 3 percent plus RM1 to RM2 per transaction. Plugins range from about RM100 to over RM1,000. Ask every supplier to separate one-off build costs from these recurring items.

Macoin is flexible on budget. Tell us your range, product count and launch date, and we will suggest whether a hosted platform, WooCommerce or a custom build fits. Quotations are given through WhatsApp at +60 18-263 7350 after we understand the catalogue and order flow.

Shopify, WooCommerce or a custom store?

Shopify is quickest to launch and handles hosting and security, in exchange for monthly plan fees and app subscriptions. WooCommerce runs on WordPress with more control but needs hosting, updates and plugin maintenance. A custom store suits complex pricing, B2B accounts, subscriptions or tight integration with inventory and accounting systems.

Shopify's Malaysia pricing page lists plans in US dollars, from Basic at USD 25 a month (USD 19 billed annually) to Advanced at USD 399, with third-party payment provider fees between 2 percent and 0.6 percent on those plans. Paid themes and apps add to the monthly figure. Check the current page before budgeting, as plans change.

WooCommerce has no platform subscription, but the business pays for hosting, premium plugins, security updates and someone to apply them. A custom store has the highest initial cost and the most flexibility. It makes sense when the platform's limits would force staff into manual workarounds, for example re-keying orders into another system. Ask each supplier which of your requirements the platform cannot meet without custom work.

• Hosted platformFast launch, predictable monthly fee, limited by apps and themes.
• WooCommerceFlexible and self-hosted, needs active maintenance.
• Custom buildFits unusual workflows and integrations, highest initial investment.

Which payment gateways work in Malaysia?

Malaysian shoppers expect FPX online banking alongside cards and e-wallets. Local gateways such as Billplz and iPay88 support FPX, and Stripe is available to businesses registered in Malaysia. Choose by the payment methods your customers use, settlement times, fees and how well the gateway integrates with your chosen platform.

Ask for the gateway's fee schedule and settlement terms directly from the provider, because they depend on your business type and volume. Confirm how refunds, failed payments and duplicate notifications are handled. These details decide whether finance staff can reconcile orders without manual checking.

Delivery is the other integration to plan. Decide whether shipping rates are flat, weight-based or pulled from a courier, and whether orders need to reach an accounting or inventory system. Each connection affects the build effort and should appear as a separate line in the quotation.

Should you sell on Shopee and Lazada instead?

Marketplaces bring existing traffic but charge commissions and control the customer relationship. Your own store costs more to set up and needs marketing, but you keep customer data, brand presentation and margins. Many Malaysian businesses run both, which raises the need for synchronised stock across channels.

If you sell on several channels, budget for stock synchronisation early. Overselling the same item on Shopee, Lazada and your website creates refunds and poor reviews. A connected inventory record, either through an existing tool or a custom integration, keeps quantities consistent.

Macoin builds websites, web applications and integrations for Malaysian businesses. If your store needs custom ordering rules, a B2B portal or a link to your back office, see our web application and website services, then WhatsApp us your catalogue size and channels for a quotation.