Maddy Osman So, you’re thinking about building a WordPress website, but the first question that pops into your head is, “What will it cost me?” It’s a fair question and one every website owner should ask upfront.
But here’s the tricky part: the cost of a WordPress website isn’t a one-size-fits-all number. It can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on your needs. Whether you’re starting a personal blog, launching a small business site, or building a robust eCommerce empire, knowing where your money will go can make all the difference.
Be ready to take notes because this post will cover the nitty-gritty of what it really takes to create a WordPress website!
Key points
- WordPress.com offers simplicity, while WordPress.org provides full control and customization.
- With WordPress.org expect to pay for domain registration, hosting, free/premium themes, and free/premium plugins.
- Investing in powerful security measures and ongoing maintenance is necessary for smooth operation and protection from threats.
- Liquid Web’s managed hosting for WordPress ensures fast, secure, and scalable performance, handling updates, backups, and expert support.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Key differences
When it comes to building a WordPress website, the first decision you’ll face is choosing between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. While they share the WordPress name, they serve very different purposes, and understanding these differences is essential to making the right choice for your needs.
WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform. This means WordPress handles all the technical heavy lifting, including hosting, maintenance, and updates. For many beginners, this can be an appealing option because it’s straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise. However, this simplicity comes with limitations. On the lower-tier plans, you’ll face restrictions on customizations, plugins, and monetization options. While paid plans do unlock more features, these costs can add up quickly – and you still won’t have full control over your site.
On the other hand, WordPress.org (often referred to as “self-hosted WordPress”) is where the magic of customization truly begins. With this option, you’ll need to handle hosting and domain registration yourself, but you gain complete ownership of your site. You can install any theme or plugin you like, monetize your site without restrictions, and have unlimited creative control. Of course, this flexibility means you’ll need to manage updates, backups, and security yourself – unless you opt for managed hosting, which simplifies much of this.
So, if you’re a hobbyist or seeking an all-in-one, hands-off experience, WordPress.com is ideal for you. Meanwhile, if you’re really serious about building a professional or business website, WordPress.org is the way to go. It’s perfect if you want full control and scalability – and that’s what this guide will focus on.
Core WordPress expenses explained
Building a WordPress website is exciting, but it’s important to understand the core expenses that come with it. Regardless of the type of site you’re creating – a personal blog, a business site, or an ecommerce platform – there are a few unavoidable costs. Here’s a high-level breakdown of what you should budget for:
1. Domain registration
Your domain is your website’s address, like yourwebsite.com. Domain registration typically costs between $10 and $20 per year, depending on the registrar and the domain extension you choose (.com, .org, etc.). Premium or highly sought-after domains can cost significantly more, but for most, a standard domain will suffice.
2. Hosting
Hosting is where your website lives on the internet. It can range from as little as $5 per month for shared hosting to $30–$100+ per month for managed hosting for WordPress, which takes care of backups, updates, and performance optimization.
Because hosting is a cornerstone expense, choosing a reliable provider like Liquid Web ensures your WordPress site is fast, secure, and always online.
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3. Themes and plugins
Themes dictate your site’s design, while plugins add functionality. Free options are available, but premium themes can cost $50–$200 upfront, while plugins often range from free to $300+ annually, depending on the features they provide.
4. Security
Security should never be an afterthought. Costs here include secure hosting (often included with managed plans) and additional security plugins like Solid Security for added protection. Expect to budget $50–$200 annually for robust website security.
5. Maintenance
Keeping your site updated and running smoothly is essential. Maintenance can include updating plugins and themes, monitoring performance, and ensuring backups are in place. Some choose to handle this themselves, while others pay for managed hosting for WordPress or maintenance services, which can cost $50–$300 per month.
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to dive deeper into each aspect.
Domain names and managed hosting solutions
Your domain name is your online identity – it’s how visitors find you. As we mentioned in the previous section, standard domains typically cost $10 to $20 per year, depending on the registrar and the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.). If you’re looking for something more specific, such as a branded or region-specific domain (.store, .tech, .co.uk), expect to pay a premium.
For highly competitive industries or memorable keywords, “premium” domains might be priced anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That said, a thoughtful domain choice at a standard price is usually more than sufficient.
You can check popular registrars like Namecheap and GoDaddy for competitive pricing.
For hosting, the type you choose depends on your site’s size, traffic, and technical requirements:
- Shared hosting (entry-level): Cost-effective but limited in performance. Best for personal blogs or very small sites. Starts at around $5–$15/month.
- WordPress VPS hosting (mid-level): Offers more resources and customization than shared hosting, which is ideal for growing business websites. Costs range from $20–$80/month.
- Managed WordPress hosting (top-tier): Optimized specifically for WordPress, it handles updates, backups, and security so you can focus on your content. Prices typically range from $30–$100/month, depending on the provider and features.
If you’re serious about performance, Liquid Web’s managed WordPress hosting is an investment worth considering. It caters to a wide range of users, from solo bloggers to enterprise-level businesses, ensuring lightning-fast load times. Not to mention, the pans are flexible and grow with your website as your needs evolve.
Essential themes and plugins
Your theme determines everything from your homepage layout to the fonts and colors you use. There are two main types of themes to consider:
- Free themes: Perfect for those on a tight budget or just starting out, free themes can be found in the WordPress repository. While there are some excellent free options, they often lack advanced customization features and professional support.
- Premium themes: For more design flexibility and functionality, premium themes are the way to go. These typically cost $50–$150 upfront, with some offering optional annual support subscriptions. Premium themes are ideal for users who want a polished, professional site without needing custom development.
For site owners seeking a powerful, flexible, and beginner-friendly option, the Kadence theme is a standout choice.
Kadence offers:
- Drag-and-drop customization to easily create stunning designs without coding.
- Speed and performance because it’s lightweight.
- Built-in tools for headers, footers, and global design controls.
- Smooth integration with popular plugins like WooCommerce, making it ideal for eCommerce sites.
Liquid Web’s own website is built on Kadence, showcasing its ability to deliver enterprise-level performance and design. By using Kadence’s powerful features, Liquid Web has created a fast, scalable, and visually stunning website, all within a streamlined development process. You can learn more about how this was achieved in this webinar: Building an enterprise site in 45 days using WordPress and Kadence AI.
Meanwhile, plugins are essential for tailoring your site to your unique needs. The plugins you choose will depend on your website type, but here are some common categories and their associated costs:
- SEO plugins like Yoast SEO (free with premium plans starting at $99/year) can help you optimize your site for search engines.
- Security plugins like Solid Security (free with advanced plans available for a premium price) can help you protect your site.
- Performance plugins like WP Rocket (starting at $59/year) allow you to speed up your site with caching and optimization features.
- Ecommerce plugins like WooCommerce (free) should be your go-to for building a powerful online store. Add-ons for payments, shipping, and subscriptions may add additional fees.
- Form plugins like WPForms or Gravity Forms (starting at $39/year) are useful for creating contact forms, surveys, and more.
- Backup plugins like UpdraftPlus (free with premium plans starting at $70/year) help you ensure your data is safe and never gets lost.
⭐ Note: While many free plugins are sufficient for basic needs, premium plugins often include advanced features, better performance, and professional support. For example, a free plugin may work for a simple contact form, but a premium plugin could offer integrations with email marketing tools and advanced analytics.
Security, maintenance, and support
Since your hosting is your first line of defense, opt for managed WordPress hosting solutions, like those offered by Liquid Web, with built-in security features designed to protect your site. These include:
- SSL certificates to encrypt data between your site and its visitors.
- Firewalls to defend against malicious attacks.
- Backups to ensure you can restore your site quickly if needed.
Additionally, WordPress requires regular updates to stay secure and perform optimally. These include updates to the core software, plugins, and themes. Ignoring maintenance can leave your site vulnerable to hacks or performance issues.
You can handle maintenance yourself (free but requires time and technical know-how) or opt for professional services that also offer support. Access to expert support can make all the difference. With managed WordPress hosting from Liquid Web, you get 24/7 expert assistance to troubleshoot problems and keep your site running smoothly.
Professional development vs. DIY: Real cost comparison
Another “hidden cost” to consider is whether to hire a professional or go the DIY route when building a WordPress website. Both options have their pros and cons, but the choice largely depends on your budget, time, and technical expertise.
For those on a tight budget or who enjoy hands-on work, DIY website development can be a rewarding experience. However, it requires a time investment and a willingness to learn. Expect to spend hours researching, troubleshooting, and learning. This might be ideal for small personal blogs, hobby sites, or anyone who enjoys hands-on learning.
DIY WordPress website development
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Lower upfront cost. | Time-consuming, especially for beginners. |
| Full control over the process. | Steep learning curve for advanced features. |
| Gain valuable technical knowledge. | Risk of mistakes that could affect performance or security. |
On the other hand, if you want a polished and high-performing website without the hassle, hiring a professional developer or agency is the way to go. They bring expertise and can deliver a site tailored to your exact needs.
If you’re going to hire freelance developers, expect to pay $500–$5,000+ depending on complexity. There are also web design agencies that can cost you $5,000–$30,000+ for custom sites, plus ongoing maintenance services for $50–$300/month for updates, backups, and performance checks.
This approach suits businesses, eCommerce sites, and anyone who needs advanced features or doesn’t have time to DIY.
Professional WordPress website development
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| High-quality, custom design and functionality. | Higher upfront cost. |
| Saves time and effort. | Limited control during the build process. |
| Access to professional expertise and support. | Dependence on external developers for changes. |
Website costs by business type and size
Don’t worry if you found the amount of information in the previous sections overwhelming! There are a lot of factors that go into building a new WordPress website, and the costs can vary significantly depending on your business type or size.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve outlined the cost of building a WordPress website for businesses of different types and sizes:
| Business type/size | Personal blogs and hobby sites | Small business websites | eCommerce websites | Medium to large businesses |
| Domain name | $10–$20/year. | $10–$20/year. | $10–$20/year. | $10–$50/year. |
| Hosting | $5–$15/month for shared hosting or $30/month for managed hosting. | $15–$50/month for managed WordPress hosting. | $30–$100/month for managed hosting with scalability. | $50–$200/month for VPS or managed WordPress hosting. |
| Themes | Free or premium options for $50–$100. | $50–$150 for premium themes like Kadence. | $100–$200 for premium eCommerce-ready themes. | $200–$500 for custom-designed themes. |
| Plugins | Free or minimal costs for basic functionality. | $50–$200/year for SEO, forms, and performance tools. | $200–$1,000/year for WooCommerce add-ons, payment integrations, and analytics tools. | $300–$1,500/year for advanced tools like CRM integrations, analytics, and marketing automation.$5,000–$30,000+ for custom design and functionality. |
| Security and maintenance | $0–$100/year. | $100–$300/year. | $300–$600/year for advanced protection and performance monitoring. | $500–$1,000/year. |
| Total range | $100–$500/year. | $500–$2,000/year. | $1,000–$10,000+/year. | $6,000–$50,000+ upfront, with ongoing annual costs of $1,500–$5,000+ |
| Typical features | Simple design.Basic SEO tools.Content-focused plugins, like WPForms for contact forms. | Professional design and branding.Lead capture forms and integration with email marketing tools.Secure hosting and backup solutions. | WooCommerce for product and order management.Payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal.Performance optimization for high traffic. | Custom design tailored to branding and user experience.Integration with third-party tools (CRM, email marketing, etc.).Advanced performance monitoring and technical support. |
Launch your WordPress site with confidence
Building a WordPress website doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. As you’ve seen in this guide, the cost of creating your site depends on factors like its purpose, size, and the level of customization you need. From a basic personal blog to a complex ecommerce platform, there’s a solution for every budget.
And, no matter the type of site you’re building, one thing remains constant: the need for fast, reliable hosting. Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting plans provide everything you need to get started, from performance-optimized servers to expert support.
Launch your WordPress site with confidence with Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting today and take the first step toward building the website you’ve always envisioned!