This guide covers “how much does a wordpress website cost” in plain language. WordPress itself is free, but a working website is not. You pay for a domain, hosting and, depending on your needs, a theme or builder, plugins and maintenance. Here is a clear breakdown so you can plan your budget. Figures are typical estimates and change over time.
The essential costs
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress software | Free | Open source |
| Domain name | About $10 to $20 per year | Premium names cost more |
| Hosting | A few dollars to tens of dollars per month | Shared, managed or VPS |
| SSL certificate | Usually free | Included by most hosts |
Design costs
- Free theme: $0, good for simple sites.
- Premium theme: typically a one-time or annual fee.
- Page builder: free tiers, annual licences or one-time payments. Tuli Builder is a one-time payment from $49.
- Custom design by a freelancer or agency: thousands.
Plugin costs
Most sites need only a handful: SEO, forms, security, backups, caching. Many have good free versions; premium upgrades often cost an annual fee. Keep plugins to what you truly need. See the best WordPress plugins.
Ecommerce extras
WooCommerce is free, but you will pay payment processing fees and possibly for extensions such as subscriptions, bookings or shipping integrations. See Shopify vs WooCommerce.
Ongoing costs
- Hosting and domain renewals
- Premium plugin and theme renewals
- Backups and security
- Content and marketing
Sample budgets for the first year
| Site | Rough range |
|---|---|
| Small DIY business site | $100 to $400 |
| DIY blog | $60 to $250 |
| DIY online store | $300 to $1,500 |
| Site built by a freelancer | $1,500 to $6,000 |
| Custom agency build | $8,000 and up |
Tips to keep costs down
- Check hosting renewal prices before you buy.
- Choose builders with one-time pricing to avoid yearly renewals.
- Use an AI builder to design pages from a description instead of paying for each page.
- Skip plugins that duplicate features you already have.
Ready to start? Follow the step-by-step guide, or compare all website costs.
How much does a WordPress website cost FAQ
Is WordPress cheaper than Wix or Squarespace?
Often over the long run, since there is no mandatory platform subscription, but you pay for hosting. See Wix vs WordPress.
Can I build a WordPress site for free?
The software is free, but you still need hosting and a domain. See how to make a free website.