Shopify is the default answer to "how do I open an online store" in many countries. In Armenia the answer depends on who your customers are and how they pay.
The questions that decide it
- Where are your customers? In Armenia, abroad, or both?
- How do they pay? Local cards and Idram, international cards, cash on delivery?
- How do you deliver? Own couriers across Yerevan districts, a local service, international shipping?
- How big is the catalog and how often does it change?
- Who will maintain it after launch?
Side by side
| Platform (like Shopify) | Custom store | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | From $4,000 at Kinto |
| Monthly cost | Subscription plus paid apps | Hosting, optional support |
| Local payment methods | Depends on available providers | Integrated with your local provider |
| Yerevan delivery zones | Via apps or settings | Built to your rules |
| Telegram order notifications | Via apps | Built in |
| International shipping and currencies | Strong | Possible, more work |
| Ownership of code | Platform | You |
When a platform makes sense
- You sell mostly abroad and need international payments and shipping.
- You want to test an idea quickly with minimal upfront cost.
- Your catalog and processes fit the platform's standard flow.
When a custom store makes sense
- Most customers are in Armenia and expect familiar payment methods.
- Delivery works by district with your own rules.
- You want orders in Telegram and your own simple admin.
- You plan to grow and do not want monthly fees to rise with every feature.
An online store at Kinto includes catalog, cart, checkout, payment integration with a local provider, delivery rules and Telegram notifications. It launches in about 22 days.
The hidden cost of "cheap"
Platform subscriptions look small, but stores often add paid apps for reviews, translations, delivery zones and filters. Over a few years that adds up. A custom store has a one-time development price fixed in the contract and optional support afterwards.
Languages
Selling in Armenia often means Armenian, Russian and English. Both options can be multilingual; the important part is real translations and separate URLs for search engines. The multilingual add-on at Kinto is $600.
A middle path
Start with a catalog that takes orders through Telegram ($1,800), learn what sells, then build the full store. Or start on a platform and move to a custom store when monthly costs and limits start to bite. Either way, keep your product data clean so it can move.
Next step
Tell us what you sell, to whom and how you deliver via the request form or on Telegram at @kinto_am. We will give an honest recommendation, even if it is "use a platform for now". We reply within 15 minutes between 10:00 and 20:00. See all prices.
Updated: 2026-10-12