Shopify Plus vs Custom B2B Ecommerce in London: 3-Year Cost in 2026

The verdict in three sentences

For a London distributor with around 30 M GBP in revenue, Shopify Plus starts at 2,300 USD per month (about 1,800 GBP) before B2B apps, integrations and the variable fee on volume, while a custom platform costs, as a 2026 market estimate, 60,000 to 200,000 GBP to build. Over 3 years, both options converge around 8 M GBP of online sales, because the variable cost of Shopify Plus rises with volume. Below that, Shopify Plus wins on speed; above it, or with very specific pricing rules, custom becomes cheaper and more flexible.

What each option really costs over 3 years

The headline Shopify Plus price is only part of the cost. Add B2B apps (quotes, credit, quick order), the ERP connector, the integrator and the variable fee charged above a sales threshold. With custom, the main item is the build, then hosting and maintenance.

The tipping point depends on your online volume. With 3 M GBP of web sales per year, the variable fee stays small; with 10 M GBP, it reaches 15,000 to 25,000 GBP a year and funds a good share of custom platform improvements.

Decision criteria for a B2B distributor

Beyond cost, the choice depends on business complexity. A London distributor selling to installers, councils and resellers does not have the same needs as a brand selling to boutiques.

Kolonell offers a third path for distributors who want custom at a controlled budget: a complete B2B platform falls under the "complex application" grid, 7,000,000 to 15,000,000+ FCFA (10,670 to 22,870 EUR), with maintenance from 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month. You own the code and the data.

Mini case study

Hypothetical example: Sarah, managing director of an electrical supplies distributor in London (30 M GBP revenue), targets 9 M GBP of online sales in year three. On Shopify Plus, she estimates 50,000 GBP setup, 74,000 GBP subscription over 3 years, 30,000 GBP of apps, 40,000 GBP maintenance and 32,000 GBP of cumulative variable fees, or 226,000 GBP.

With custom, she counts 140,000 GBP to build, 25,000 GBP hosting and 55,000 GBP of improvements, or 220,000 GBP. The totals are close, so the deciding factor is her 4,200 customers with negotiated net prices, which Shopify Plus would handle poorly, and full ownership of the code.

FAQ

Is Shopify Plus suitable for a B2B distributor?

Yes, if your pricing rules stay simple (fewer than 20 price lists) and online sales stay under 5 to 8 M GBP per year. Going live in 3 to 4 months is then a real advantage.

Is custom riskier?

The risk lies in scoping, not in technology. A 2 to 3 week workshop that locks pricing rules, ERP flows and user roles sharply reduces overruns, often keeping them under 10%.

Can we move from Shopify Plus to custom later?

Yes, and it is common above 10 M GBP online. Allow 50,000 to 120,000 GBP for the migration, keeping URLs and SEO intact.

What is the monthly cost of a custom platform once live?

As a ballpark, 700 to 2,200 GBP per month for hosting, monitoring and corrective maintenance. At Kolonell, maintenance runs from 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month depending on the level.

Who owns the code and the data?

With custom, the contract must include transfer of rights and full access to the code repository. On Shopify Plus, you own the data but not the platform.

Let's scope your project. Share your target online sales, your ERP and how complex your pricing is to receive a costed 3-year comparison, an indicative budget and a realistic timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.