The quote looks reasonable. Until it doesn't.
Most custom Shopify integration projects start with a quote of $15,000–$50,000. That number feels manageable for a growing merchant. But it rarely ends there.
The hidden costs nobody budgets for
1. Scope changes during build (+30–50% of original quote)
Initial requirements are never complete. Once the build starts, edge cases emerge. Scope changes are normal — but they cost money, and they push timelines.
2. Testing and QA (often unpaid, often by your team)
Somebody has to verify that the integration is actually working correctly. If the agency doesn't include QA in their quote, that work falls on your operations team. That's time your people aren't spending on the business.
3. Shopify API version upgrades ($2,000–$15,000/year)
Shopify deprecates old API versions on a regular schedule. Custom integrations built against an old API version will break. Paying a developer to upgrade and re-test after each deprecation is an ongoing cost that most initial quotes don't mention.
4. ERP version upgrades (variable)
If your ERP vendor releases a major version update, your integration may need to be rebuilt. This can be as expensive as the original build.
5. Bug fixes and incidents (unpredictable)
Integrations break. When they do, you need a developer available to fix them — often urgently, since a broken order sync can shut down your operations. Emergency developer time is expensive.
The total cost over 3 years
|---|---|---|---|
Three-year total: ~$58,000. For a problem a $299/month connector also solves.
The alternative
Purpose-built connectors handle maintenance, API upgrades, and bug fixes as part of the subscription. No unexpected invoices.
See our pricing → | Start a free trial →