You probably have the perfect idea for a business. All you need is a website! That’s…that’s it? Right, just a website? Not so fast. Start doing any research and there are plenty of things that could add a pretty penny to the cost of building your business’s website. So how much does building a website using WordPress actually cost? Simply put: it depends.
Since there are so many different things that go into building your website, there are plenty of things you could splurge on here and save on there. It all depends on how you choose to build it. Let’s get into these specific areas and see how much each individual aspect of your site could cost.
Your Domain Name
A domain name is one of those expenses that you can’t really avoid. You will pay a fee when you renew your domain each year. When looking for where to buy, make sure you choose a reputable company with transparent pricing. If you’re also looking to incorporate custom email addresses, Google Domains can also include a G Suite for your company or organization.
Cost: $10-15/year
Your Hosting
Like a domain name, hosting is an essential for setting up your site. It will also probably be the largest monthly cost, so it’s important to ensure you’re choosing the right host.
Hosting is a tricky thing to price out. While plenty of hosts offer $2/ or $3/month hosting plans, the old adage ‘You get what you pay for’ especially counts toward hosting. You could host your own site, trust it to a shared host, or you could go with a managed WordPress host like Pressable. Along with your hosting subscription, you’ll get plenty of added value with 24/7 WordPress hosting support, and Jetpack Security.
Cost: $2 for basic hosting, prices vary for premium managed hosting
Your Design
One big draw of WordPress is the included themes that give even the least tech-savvy among us the ability to create stunning websites. If you are starting a personal blog or just need somewhere to throw up your résumé and portfolio, a free theme might be a good option. There are tons of professionally designed free templates included with your WP account, or you can opt for a premium WP template, which usually averages around $50.
If you need more plugins and customized functionality, you guessed it: you’ll need a custom theme. Your custom theme will incorporate your choice plugins and functionality in the perfect way for your business. This theme can come from a freelance web developer if you don’t have someone in-house. Rates for custom themes can vary, so it’s a good idea to get a few different quotes. A standard custom theme should be in the range of $3-5,000, but depending on your needs, this price can get up past $15K.
Cost: $0 to DIY, up to 15k for a custom design
Plugins
Depending on the primary function of your site, which plugins you need will vary. Usually, you’ll want a security plugin at the least, but plugins can also help you optimize your SEO or examine Google Analytics. There are plugins for live-chatting with site visitors, building forms for payment collection or email subscription, and incorporating your social media.
WordPress lists 54,000 plugins, and some of them are even free. The more complex plugins will come with a subscription fee that could climb up to $300/year for the bigger business plans.
One piece of advice when it comes to plugins: You can have too many WordPress plugins. While it can be tempting to download all the latest and greatest, too many plugins can interfere with your site’s speed and functionality.
Cost: $0-1k/month
Overall, this means your website could cost as little as $100/year, or as much as $30k. It really depends on what functionality you want, what kind of support you want, and what kind of strategic partner you’d like to have available to help as your business grows.
One way to save some dough is to look into the added perks you can get through your host. With a hosting plan from Pressable, you get instant access to JetPack Premium, a plugin that would normally cost you an additional $100/year. As a managed WordPress host, Pressable will also do a lot of the things you might think you need a plugin for, like backups and caching. This can save you a lot of money, and a lot of stress from dealing with multiple subscriptions. Learn more about all the WordPress hosting features you’ll get with Pressable.
Amanda Tsourakis
With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, Amanda's experience demonstrates her sales expertise. Her commitment to building, training, and guiding high-performing teams has been instrumental in driving Pressable's success. Amanda's extensive background in sales and marketing, coupled with her sharp business acumen, has made her an invaluable asset to the tech community. Her ability to identify and foster talent, combined with her passion for developing winning sales strategies, has propelled her to the forefront of the industry. When she's not expertly navigating the tech sales landscape, she loves spending quality time with her family, loves travel and adventure, lounging pool/beach-side, playing tennis, working out, and meeting people/making friends all along the way!
