كيف تحسب تكاليف متجرك من البداية بدون مفاجآت

Sahl Wednesday,02 Jul 2025

Building an online store isn't just about design and programming; there are many costs that need to be accounted for from the outset. Especially in the highly competitive Saudi market, you don't want to start your project and later discover that you didn't account for all the costs, or face surprises that stop you in the middle.
That's why we're here to provide you with a clear map that calculates all the basic costs of your store, from the first idea to the first sale.
1. Initial Setup Costs
• Store Programming and Design:
If you're starting with a professional company (like Sahl), they'll likely have a ready-made package with fixed prices. However, if you require a custom design or customized features, you should know that the price will increase depending on the details.
• Domain and Hosting Purchase:
The domain is annual, and hosting can be monthly or annual. Prices vary depending on quality, but don't underestimate them, as poor hosting can impact the speed of your store.
• SSL Certificate:
Essential for customer trust, and some companies offer it for free, while others charge an additional fee.
2. Monthly Operating Costs
• Technical support or maintenance costs:
Do you rely on your own resources? Or do you have a company that handles the changes for you? This makes a big difference in your monthly expenses.
• Marketing and advertising costs:
One of the most important items! You must allocate a budget for advertising on Snapchat, Instagram, or Google. If you don't, you'll struggle to attract customers.
• Additional tools and services:
Such as messaging systems, accounting software, or linking the store to platforms like Zid, Salla, or ERPs.
3. Storage and shipping costs (if you have physical products)
• Do you store them yourself or do you work with fulfillment companies?
• Shipping costs inside and outside the Kingdom.
• Product packaging and return costs.
4. Payment gateways and commissions
• Each payment gateway has a commission on each transaction (starting at approximately 2% and increasing depending on the service provider).
• Make sure to calculate the percentage of each order, especially if your profit margins are small.
5. Accounting and Management System Costs
• If you plan to organize everything from the beginning, you need a system that helps you track sales and expenses.
• Some systems are free, while others have a monthly fee.
6. Training or Team Building Costs
• Are you self-employed? Or do you have employees? Even if one person helps you, you need to calculate their salary or commission.
• You may need simple training in marketing or order management. Keep this in mind.
Success in e-commerce doesn't come from luck; it comes from smart planning. To prevent your store from faltering after a few months, sit down today and calculate all costs in detail. Create a monthly schedule and have a reserve for emergencies.
If you want to build an online store with cost-effective and professionally calculated costs from the start, contact the Sahal team, and let us help you get your project off the ground!