Websites have become the business card and digital storefront of the 21st century. Every blogger, corporation, and nonprofit has its own site. And if you\u2019re hoping to reach the masses, you need one too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s where WordPress comes in. It’s a free website builder that a large majority of businesses (and individuals) utilize. That said, \u201cfree<\/em>\u201d doesn\u2019t tell the whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what is the true cost of starting a WordPress website? In this guide, we\u2019ll break down everything you need to know about the associated costs of starting a WordPress website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes and no. The keyword here is start<\/em>. Allow us to explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress.org<\/a> is a Content Management System (CMS) that is free and open source. In other words, WordPress acts as a simple yet powerful tool for creating websites and blogs. Using the tool itself is completely free of charge. All you have to do is download the WordPress software, and you can build a professional website on your web browser or mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, in that sense, it\u2019s free to start<\/em> a WordPress website. There are no signup fees, no monthly membership costs, and no expensive courses required to understand the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, once you\u2019ve built your website, you\u2019ll probably want to share it with the world. And that\u2019s where WordPress costs can begin to add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating and maintaining a WordPress website doesn\u2019t have to be expensive, but there are inevitable WordPress costs associated with website ownership of any kind. Let\u2019s look at the expenses involved in running a WordPress site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your first website expense centers around web hosting. In order for your site to exist on the internet, it needs to be located on a server. Hosting providers rent server space to websites and often offer services to store and maintain data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of web hosting for your WordPress website in terms of a brick-and-mortar store. Designing a site through WordPress is like renovating your business and setting up in-store displays; web hosting is what makes your site accessible to the public. A website without web hosting is like a boutique without a door\u2014the storefront may look exceptional, but there\u2019s no way for customers to get in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two primary categories of web hosting: shared hosting and managed hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With shared hosting, your website lives on a server alongside multiple other sites\u2014sometimes hundreds at a time. Shared hosting plans can start at less than $5\/month. However, there are risks involved with shared servers, including security threats and reduced website speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managed hosting generally involves a dedicated server, which means your site will be hosted on its own. These plans are more costly, but they typically offer faster load times, improved security, 24\/7 customer support, and more. You\u2019ll also benefit from automatic backups and updates. WP Engine\u2019s managed hosting plans for WordPress<\/a> start at just $30\/month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another website essential is your domain name. The domain is the website address that customers type into a browser\u2019s URL bar to reach your site. For example, our domain name is casestudies26.wpengine.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To continue the brick-and-mortar metaphor, a domain name is like a sign for your store. Customers can still access a signless business if they know about it, but it\u2019s much harder to find. In the same way, a website without a domain name is accessible through its IP address (a string of numbers). IP addresses are long and unmemorable, which is why websites employ domain names as a stand-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideal domain name relates to your business or brand in some way\u2014usually the company name or a related phrase. A domain name also includes a domain extension, such as .com<\/em>, .org<\/em>, or .gov<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can purchase a domain name through a domain registrar such as WhoIs<\/a>, GoDaddy<\/a>, Domain.com<\/a>, or Namecheap<\/a>. Most domain names cost less than $20 annually, though more sought-after names can go for thousands of dollars. Some web hosting providers or CMSs like Squarespace also include a domain name with a hosting plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Web hosting and a domain name need to be factored into every WordPress website cost. From there, customization expenses are largely optional (though highly recommended). One way to personalize your WordPress website is through themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A WordPress theme is a downloadable template that influences the look and feel of your site. Your theme can dictate everything from backgrounds and colors to the overall layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re on a tight budget, you can choose from thousands of free themes. But for more features and a professional look, you may want to consider a premium theme. Paid themes cost between $20 and $1,000, with an average price of around $200\/year. You can also choose to update your WordPress theme or hire a designer to customize it later on down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can further enhance your WordPress website with plugins<\/a>. A WordPress plugin is like an installable app that adds functionality to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Countless free plugins allow for a fully customizable WordPress experience. As with themes, you can also opt for premium versions that bring another level of sophistication to your site. Paid plugins exist as monthly subscriptions or one-time purchases and range from $10 to over $500. And depending on the plugin, some plugin updates might have additional fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some examples of what plugins do, explore popular paid and free options like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress excels due to its ease of use\u2014anyone can create a functional website, regardless of technical knowledge. However, as an open-source platform, WordPress is infinitely customizable to a programmer with experience in CSS and PHP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want functionality or a design element that a theme or plugin can\u2019t deliver, you may need a web developer. Depending on the size of the job, you might spend between $125 to upwards of $5,000+. Alternatively, if your business plans to make constant changes to a custom theme, you might consider hiring an in-house web developer for website maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re thinking about WordPress security, the price depends on what levels of security you want for your WordPress website. For instance, you can use a security plugin, like WordFence, which can cost $99 annually. For a more comprehensive security service, like MalCare, the pricing starts at $8.25 a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, opting for managed hosting<\/a> with a trusted hosting provider like WP Engine will lead the charge for you. Receive 24\/7 support and frequent security updates to keep your site protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned above, web hosting is an unavoidable part of creating a website. However, if you\u2019re looking to keep your WordPress cost as low as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that with free hosting, you get what you pay for. Free hosting plans almost always use shared servers, which can be slow and vulnerable to cyberattacks. You\u2019ll also run into limitations around storage space, bandwidth, and monthly visitors. Furthermore, you won\u2019t be able to collect ad revenue, and customer support is practically nonexistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For anything more than a personal blog, we strongly recommend investing in a paid plan via a managed hosting service for WordPress, like WP Engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By now, we\u2019ve covered everything you\u2019ll need to get started with WordPress. To summarize, building and running a WordPress website requires all of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve covered the complete process of how to use WordPress<\/a> in another blog, so we\u2019ll stick to a brief overview here. Follow these steps to start your WordPress journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit an ICANN<\/a>-accredited domain registrar (such as Whois.com<\/a>) and purchase a domain name. ICANN is a not-for-profit dedicated to Internet security; you can find a list of accredited registrars here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a reputable WordPress hosting provider that suits your budget. When you sign up for a managed hosting plan with WP Engine, we make the rest of the installation process a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The method for installing WordPress varies from host to host. Our process has been designed to be as simple as possible. In short, you\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a more detailed walkthrough of this process, consult our \u201cGetting Started with WP Engine<\/a>\u201d guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you can access your WordPress site, it\u2019s time to personalize it. From the WordPress dashboard, you can search for themes and plugins to install. You can also visit the WordPress Theme directory<\/a> and Plugin Directory<\/a> to browse the available options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your website is up and running, the possibilities for creating an engaging, memorable site are endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever wondered, \u201cIs WordPress free?\u201d Running a WordPress website isn\u2019t free, but it doesn\u2019t have to cost a fortune, either. If you register an affordable domain, use a free theme, and limit yourself to essential plugins, you can build a website on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that said, if there\u2019s one requirement to invest in, it\u2019s managed web hosting. The trick is to find a hosting provider that gives you the best value for your money\u2014like WP Engine. With a range of plans designed to suit every business, you can benefit from automatic backups, 24\/7 customer support, state-of-the-art security, and so much more with managed hosting for WordPress by WP Engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs it free to start a WordPress website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What expenses come with running a WordPress site?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Web hosting costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Domain name costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Themes and web design costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WordPress plugin costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Custom development<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WordPress security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are there free hosting options for WordPress?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What do you need to build a WordPress website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to set up a WordPress site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Register a domain name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Choose a web host<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Install WordPress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step 4: Customize your site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make the most of your money with WP Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n