The Short Answer

Start on Shopify if you have a straightforward product catalogue and want to launch in days. Build custom if you need specific functionality, want to avoid monthly fees at scale, or your business model does not fit Shopify templates.

Shopify: The Case For

• Launch in 1–2 weeks — templates, payment gateways, and hosting are built in
• No developer needed — manageable by a non-technical person
• Built-in eCommerce tools — inventory, orders, shipping, abandoned cart emails all included
• Starts at $29/month — low upfront cost

Shopify: The Case Against

• Monthly fees forever — $29–$299/month plus 2% transaction fees adds up fast
• Limited customisation — if your business model does not fit Shopify templates, you fight the platform
• You do not own it — Shopify can change terms, prices, or shut your store down
• SEO limitations — URL structures and page speed are harder to fully optimise

Custom Website: The Case For

• Full ownership — your code, your server, your rules
• No monthly platform fees — hosting in Pakistan costs PKR 3,000–10,000/year
• Built exactly for your workflow — custom order flows, integrations, business logic
• Better long-term SEO control — full control over URL structure, page speed, and schema

Custom Website: The Case Against

• Higher upfront cost (PKR 200,000–600,000 for a quality eCommerce build)
• Needs a developer for updates and maintenance
• Takes 4–8 weeks to build vs 1–2 weeks for Shopify

Pakistan-Specific Consideration

Shopify payments do not support Pakistani bank accounts natively — you need a third-party payment gateway like HBL, EasyPaisa, or Stripe via a workaround. Custom builds can integrate any local payment method directly. iT Company builds both Shopify stores and custom eCommerce websites for businesses in Pakistan and worldwide. Tell us your requirements and we will recommend the right approach. Related: learn more about custom website development or read our guide on eCommerce website development in Pakistan.