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Shopify vs Custom Store: India 2026

GMV, GST, COD, RazorPay, Shiprocket, Meta Ads — a brutally honest comparison for Indian D2C and B2B brands deciding between Shopify and custom builds.

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80% of Indian D2C brands under ₹50 Cr GMV should use Shopify. Above that, custom often wins. Here's the framework.

Speed

Time to launch

Shopify: 2–4 weeks. Custom Next.js + Medusa: 12–20 weeks. If you need to test product–market fit, Shopify wins every time.

Cost

Total cost of ownership (3 years)

Shopify (incl. apps): ₹6L–₹15L. Custom: ₹15L–₹50L upfront + ₹3L/year maintenance. Custom only pays back if Shopify's constraints actively block revenue.

India

India-specific must-haves

Both support RazorPay, Cashfree, Shiprocket, Delhivery, GST invoicing, COD, and WhatsApp re-engagement. No structural advantage to custom on these.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shopify vs custom store and why does it matter in 2026?
Shopify vs custom store is now table-stakes — Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity all pull from structured, EEAT-rich content. Businesses that adopt it early capture compounding visibility before competitors.
How long does it take to see results?
Most clients see early lift in 30–60 days, with full compounding traction in 3–6 months. AI search citations often appear faster than classic SERP wins.
How much does it cost in India?
Pricing starts from ₹15,000/month for SMBs and scales for enterprises. We send transparent GST invoices and offer EMI options. Get a free quote.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes — we serve clients across India, USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia and 30+ countries. Communication via Zoom, WhatsApp, Slack and email.
Why SolutionForWeb?
20+ years since 2003, 3000+ projects delivered, AI-first stack (Lovable, Cursor, Bolt, RAG, agentic AI), Bengaluru HQ with dedicated project managers and 4-hour priority response on annual contracts.

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