How Much Is WordPress?

WordPress is the most popular CMS platform, powering over 40 percent of all websites. It’s safe to assume then that it’s a good option for building a website. But how much will it cost?

While the software itself is free, launching a WordPress site costs money. You’ll need to purchase web hosting, a domain name, and an SSL certificate. Plus, WordPress pricing increases if you use premium themes and plugins.

In this post, we’ll provide a breakdown of how much WordPress costs. Let’s get started!

How Much Does WordPress Cost?

The WordPress software is free and open-source, making it a popular choice among website owners, agencies, and developers.

It’s beginner-friendly since you can build websites without coding knowledge. Plus, there are tons of ways to customize the platform using themes and plugins.

Before we explain how much WordPress costs, you need to understand the two different versions:

• WordPress.orgis the self-hosted version. You’ll download the software for free and install it on a hosting server of your choice. You’ll get more control over your WordPress website, but you’re responsible for security, maintenance, domains, etc.
• WordPress.com is the hosted version (by Automattic). It can be more convenient for beginners since the web host takes care of maintenance tasks. You can use it for free with a subdomain, but most people purchase a subscription to use a custom domain. WordPress.com is less customizable and less flexible (e.g. it regulates monetization methods).

Complete beginners or those with simple website needs (e.g. starting a small blog) might prefer WordPress.com. However, lots of website owners (especially those running businesses) opt for WordPress.org since the level of control and customization is unmatched.

While it comes with a steeper learning curve, there are plenty of free resources (forums, documentation, blogs) to help you use WordPress.org. You can also outsource these tasks if required (hosting providers, maintenance services, freelancers, etc).

A WordPress Pricing Guide: 5 Costs to Consider

You can download the self-hosted version of WordPress for free (WordPress.org). That said, there are various costs of running a WordPress website.

1. Web Hosting: From $2.50/Month

A web hosting provider stores your website files and makes your content publicly accessible. Unless you want to set up a staging website, you will need to purchase a plan.

The cost of web hosting differs according to the amount of resources you’ll need (e.g. storage space, RAM, memory). So, a small blog will spend less on hosting than a large ecommerce site.

Another factor that impacts the cost of web hosting is the type of service you purchase. Shared hosting is the cheapest option since you rent a portionof a server with other website owners, but it’s not the most reliable hosting option.

Meanwhile, VPS or dedicated hosting gives you access to dedicated resources, tighter security, and more control.

You can also get web hosting that’s optimized specifically for the WordPress platform. For example, NameHero offers a range of WordPress hosting plans:

This option offers a streamlined setup since WordPress comes pre-installed. Better yet, managed WordPress hosting services take care of essential maintenance tasks like updates, backups, and optimization.

Another great perk is that WordPress hosting provides great value for money. For example, NameHero offers free domains, SSL certificates, and business email accounts with certain plans.

Note that the initial WordPress hosting cost is much cheaper since web hosts leverage low introductory rates to get signups. So pay attention to the renewal costs, since that’s what you’ll be paying after the first term.

2. A Domain Name: From $1/Year

A domain name is the web address where people find your content. Ideally, you’ll purchase a domain that matches your brand name.

The cost of a domain name varies. Keyword-rich domains may be more expensive because they’re in high demand.

The domain extension or top-level domain (TLD) can drive up the price too. For example, .com domains are generally more sought after than alternative extensions because they’re globally recognized.

You can register a domain name with a reputable domain registrar like NameHero:

You can even use the free domain search tool to see if your desired domain is available first. If it is, you’re able to purchase the domain name for up to ten years (before you’ll need to renew it).

Generally, you can expect domains to cost $10-$20/year, but you can find cheap domains that cost just $1-$2/year. You can also get free domains with certain web hosting plans.

3. An SSL Certificate: Free or From $5/Year

While WordPress is considered a secure platform, it isn’t immune to threats like malware and DDoS attacks. Therefore, you should take precautions to secure your website.

One of the main security measures you’ll need is a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate. This loads your site over the secure HTTPS protocol (rather than HTTP).

It also forms an encrypted connection between browsers and servers. This ensures privacy and data protection during the transfer of sensitive information like credit card details.

As we’ve discussed, many hosting providers like NameHero provide a free SSL certificate with their hosting plans. However, you can also get free domain validation (DV) from sites like Let’s Encrypt.

You also have the option to purchase an SSL certificate through domain registrars. For basic protection, this costs $5-$30/year. If you need to secure multiple domains and subdomains, expect to pay around $50-$100/year.

4. A Website Builder: From $9.95/Month

If you’re looking to keep costs low, you can use a free WordPress theme and customize it in the Site Editor.

However, popular free themes are used by many other websites and have limited customization options.

If you want to build a truly unique website, you’ll usually have to hire professional web designers. You can find freelancers on sites like Fiverr, but this can cost $200-$5000, depending on your needs.

That’s a lot of money to pay, especially for small businesses. An affordable alternative is to use a website builder like HeroBuilder:

You can get started with HeroBuilder for free. After four days, you’ll be prompted to upgrade to a premium plan, starting at $9.95/month. This includes web hosting, email accounts, and more.

The best part about HeroBuilder is that it uses AI technology to accelerate the time it takes to build a WordPress site. It’s also one of the only website builders that lets you access the WordPress CMS platform.

The entire setup process is tailored to your specific brand. Based on your responses, HeroBuilder generates a personalized collection of templates:

It also adds default web pages like a blog page, contact page, homepage, and more.

That said, you can add extra pages if required (e.g. a FAQ section, portfolio, testimonials). HeroBuilder also auto-installs relevant plugins (e.g. if you require ecommerce functionality, you’ll get WooCommerce).

Once you choose a layout, it opens in the WordPress editor where you can make tons of customizations. You can remove, reorder, and add new items to your pages. You’re also free to apply your own brand fonts and color scheme.

5. Premium Themes and Plugins (Optional)

Every WordPress website consists of the core software, plugins, and themes. Themes define the look of your website while plugins extend the functionality of the platform.

Now, it’s possible to run your site exclusively using free plugins and themes available in the WordPress repository. Even premium WordPress plugins tend to offer a limited free version.

For example, WPForms is the most popular form plugin with premium plans starting at $49.50/year:

However, there’s a free version available that lets you create contact forms.

Depending on your website needs, you may prefer to purchase premium plugins and themes from third-party providers. Themes typically cost $20-$90/year while premium plugins cost around $5-$300/year.

You could also hire a web developer or designer to make custom WordPress themes and plugins. However, this can cost thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

So, how much does a WordPress site cost? The WordPress software is free, but it costs money to get your website online.

You could build a basic WordPress site for just $50/year with a hosting provider like NameHero that bundles domains, SSL, and hosting together. Realistically, it’s closer to $100-$200/year if you use a website builder to achieve a professional website.

That said, WordPress costs more if you have complex needs or high resource requirements. WordPress pricing also gets more expensive if you use web designers or developers.

Do you have any questions about WordPress website pricing? Let us know in the comments below!