Building a Webshop: The Complete 2026 Guide

Selling online in Belgium is no longer optional — it's essential. According to GlobeNewsWire, the Belgian e-commerce market is growing by 6.4% per year towards $21.85 billion. Landmark Global reports that the average Belgian online shopper spends €2,600 per year, while 88% of the population buys online regularly.

So the question is no longer whether you need a webshop, but how to have one built that actually works. In this guide we cover everything: from costs and platform choice to the success factors that make the difference.

What does building a webshop cost?

The cost of a webshop depends on the platform, the complexity and the integrations you want. Based on current market prices from sources including Digitaal Maatwerk and Lucky Cookie:

According to Conversal, most small and medium-sized businesses invest between €4,000 and €10,000 in a professional webshop. This is the segment where the balance between investment and return is strongest.

WooCommerce vs Shopify: which platform should you choose?

The two most popular platforms in Belgium are WooCommerce (on WordPress) and Shopify. According to comparisons from sources including INNONET and Red Factory, these are the most important differences:

Our recommendation: for Belgian entrepreneurs who see their webshop as a long-term investment, we usually advise WooCommerce. You have more control, better SEO capabilities and no recurring platform fees. Want to start selling online tomorrow with minimal technical knowledge? Then Shopify is a fine starting point.

Payment methods: what's essential in Belgium?

Your choice of payment methods can make or break your conversion rate. According to Purse, the Belgian payment landscape is unique:

• Bancontact — absolutely essential with a 78% market share in Belgium
• Visa and Mastercard — for international customers and larger purchases
• PayPal — popular for the sense of trust it brings on first purchases
• iDEAL — indispensable if you also sell to Dutch customers
• Klarna or pay-later — growing in popularity, increases average order value

Tip: the more payment methods you offer, the fewer customers abandon at checkout. At a minimum, make sure you have Bancontact, Visa/Mastercard and PayPal.

5 success factors for your webshop

Building a webshop is one thing — making money with it is another story. According to research from INNONET, these are the factors that make the difference:

1. Speed is everything

53% of mobile visitors leave if a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load. And with more than 58% of all online purchases in Belgium made via smartphone (source: Landmark Global), a fast, mobile-optimised store is not a luxury but a requirement.

2. Professional product photos

The difference between a 2% and 4% conversion rate, according to INNONET, often comes down purely to your product photos. Invest in professional photography with multiple angles, a zoom function and lifestyle imagery. A good product description combines specifications with emotion: don't just tell people what it is, but why they want it.

3. Building trust

Online shoppers only buy if they trust you. Make sure you have:

• Visible customer reviews and ratings
• A clear returns policy and shipping terms
• An SSL certificate (the padlock in the address bar)
• Contact details that are easy to find
• Recognised trust marks such as BeCommerce or Trusted Shops

4. A streamlined checkout

The fewer fields your customer has to fill in, the higher the chance of a successful transaction. Offer guest checkout (not everyone wants an account), show clear shipping costs before the checkout, and minimise the number of steps.

5. SEO and findability

A webshop that can't be found in Google sells nothing. From day one, invest in:

• Unique product descriptions — don't copy from your supplier
• Category pages optimised for keywords
• Technical SEO — fast load times, mobile-friendly, structured data
• Blog content — informative articles that attract visitors

Step-by-step: how to have a webshop built

1. Define your audience and product range. Who are your customers? What do you sell? How many products? This determines which platform and which features you need.
2. Choose your platform. WooCommerce for flexibility and SEO, Shopify for ease. Not sure? Read the comparison above or ask for advice.
3. Select a webshop specialist. Look for experience with your platform, a portfolio, knowledge of Belgian payment methods and support after launch.
4. Prepare your content. Product photos, descriptions, categories, company information and legal texts (terms and conditions, privacy policy, returns policy).
5. Test thoroughly before launch. Go through the entire ordering process, test on mobile, check payment methods and send test orders.
6. Launch and optimise. A webshop is never "finished". Monitor your analytics, test product pages and optimise continuously based on data.

Frequently asked questions

What does building a webshop cost?

A professional webshop costs between €4,000 and €10,000 for most SMEs. A simple Shopify store can start from €2,000, while an extensive WooCommerce store with ERP integrations costs €12,500+. Also read our article on what a website costs.

WooCommerce or Shopify: which is better?

Both are good options. Shopify is ideal if you want to start quickly without technical knowledge. WooCommerce offers more flexibility, better SEO and you own your data. The choice depends on your technical knowledge, budget and growth plans.

Which payment methods matter in Belgium?

Bancontact is essential with a 78% market share. In addition, Visa, Mastercard and PayPal are the most important options. For Dutch customers, iDEAL is indispensable.

How long does it take to build a webshop?

A simple webshop based on a template can be ready in 2-4 weeks. A custom-built webshop with integrations and bespoke design typically takes 6-12 weeks.

Conclusion

Building a webshop is an investment that pays off — provided you approach it the right way. Choose the right platform for your situation, invest in speed and product presentation, and don't forget the Belgian payment methods.

With an e-commerce market growing by 6.4% per year and €2,600 average spend per online shopper, there is enormous potential. The question is not whether you should sell online, but when you start.

Want to know what a webshop would cost for your business? Request a free consultation — we're happy to think along with you.

Sources

• GlobeNewsWire — Belgium B2C Ecommerce Report 2025
• Landmark Global — Top 10 Facts Belgian E-Commerce 2025
• Purse — Belgium E-commerce Payment Trends 2025
• Digitaal Maatwerk — Webshop Laten Maken Kosten 2026
• Lucky Cookie — Wat kost een webshop laten maken
• INNONET — WooCommerce vs Shopify 2026
• INNONET — Conversie Optimalisatie Webshop 2026