The verdict in three sentences
Two Singapore ecommerce quotes at 20,000 SGD can differ by a factor of two over three years, because payment fees, platform apps and maintenance are often left out of the headline figure. The most expensive trap is code and account ownership: if the agency owns the store account or the custom code, switching providers means starting over. Ask every bidder for a 36 month total cost with GST shown separately.
Seven traps and the quote line that gives them away
| Trap | Typical quote line | Clause to demand |
|---|---|---|
| Payments listed as included | Payment gateway setup: included | Named gateway, PayNow and card rates in writing |
| Platform fees omitted | Shopify setup with no monthly line | Plan, monthly fee and paid apps listed for 36 months |
| Agency owned accounts | Store hosted under agency account | Store, domain and analytics in the client's name from day one |
| GST ambiguity | 18,000 SGD with no tax line | Price before and after 9 % GST, agency GST registration number |
| Capped products | Upload of 50 products | Bulk CSV import, or unit price beyond |
| Capped revisions | 2 rounds of changes | Rounds per phase and day rate beyond |
| Vague support | 3 months support | Response time, scope and monthly fee after warranty |
What payment fees really cost
Card processing in Singapore typically sits around 2.5 to 3.5 % per transaction in 2026 orders of magnitude, while PayNow routes are usually cheaper. The mix matters.
| Monthly online revenue | All card at 3.2 % | 50 % PayNow at 1 % | Yearly difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 SGD | 640 SGD | 420 SGD | 2,640 SGD |
| 50,000 SGD | 1,600 SGD | 1,050 SGD | 6,600 SGD |
| 100,000 SGD | 3,200 SGD | 2,100 SGD | 13,200 SGD |
| 200,000 SGD | 6,400 SGD | 4,200 SGD | 26,400 SGD |
Comparing two quotes over 36 months
| Item | Quote A all inclusive | Quote B itemised |
|---|---|---|
| Build | 15,000 SGD | 22,000 SGD |
| Platform and apps | Not stated, about 250 SGD a month, 9,000 SGD | Listed, 180 SGD a month, 6,480 SGD |
| Maintenance | 900 SGD a month after 3 months, 29,700 SGD | 500 SGD a month, 18,000 SGD |
| Extra products | 20 SGD x 250 = 5,000 SGD | Bulk import included |
| Account ownership | Agency | Client |
| Total 36 months before GST | 58,700 SGD | 46,480 SGD |
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Wei Ling, managing director of a Singapore kitchen appliance retailer, compares quotes at 15,000 and 22,000 SGD for 300 products. She targets 80,000 SGD in monthly online sales. Quote A pushes a gateway at 3.2 % on everything and charges per product: over three years, fees included, she pays about 150,900 SGD. Quote B steers half the volume to PayNow at 1 % and costs about 107,000 SGD. The 44,000 SGD gap is six times the difference in build price.
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FAQ
Should quotes include GST?
They should show the price before and after 9 % GST, plus the agency's GST registration number if it charges GST.
Which payment methods are essential in Singapore?
Cards, PayNow and at least one wallet. Ask for test transactions on all three before launch.
Is it fine if the agency owns the Shopify account?
No. Transferring ownership later can take weeks and some apps must be reinstalled. Insist the store is in your company's name.
What delivery time is reasonable?
Count 6 to 10 weeks for 100 to 500 products with payments, delivery rules and GST configured.
Let's scope your project. Send us the quotes you received and your catalogue and we will review them line by line against a 36 month total cost. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.