Imagine you just won a free house. It’s brand new, with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and luxury fixtures. You’re set for life. No more rent or mortgage payments ever!
But then you read the fine print. First, you learn the house hasn’t been built yet, and you need to buy a plot of land to put it on. OK, no big deal — you’re still getting a really cheap house! But then, you find out you’ll still have to pay the pricey property taxes. And the utilities for 3,000 square feet? They’re quadruple what you paid for your apartment. While you’re still happy about the free house, you realize you’ll need to revisit the ol’ budget.
WordPress is a bit like the house above. It’s free, but it can’t operate on its own. To get a fully functional website, you need a few other essentials, like property taxes a domain name, hosting plan, and theme, and those things might cost money.
As for how much it costs to build a site with WordPress? Well, that depends. There’s no one way to build a WordPress website. You can make a site completely for free — or you can spend tens of thousands of dollars. Or any amount in between. It all comes down to your preferences and budget. But no matter your budget, there is a solution out there that will meet your needs.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including the typical costs of building a website on WordPress and ways to build a site that suits your budget. Ready to get started? Let’s talk money, honey!
What Is WordPress?
WordPress is one of the most popular and versatile content management systems (CMS) in the world. It’s an open-source platform that lets you easily create and manage websites, whether you’re building a simple blog, a portfolio, an e-commerce store, or a complex business site. WordPress now powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, which is a testament to its flexibility and user-friendliness.
One of the best things about WordPress is that it’s deeply customizable, thanks to an extensive range of themes and plugins. Whether you’re a tech-savvy developer or a beginner with no coding experience, WordPress provides the tools and resources to create a professional, functional website.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
When people talk about WordPress, they often refer to two different platforms: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. While they share the same name and are both built on WordPress software, they have several important differences.
WordPress.org is self-hosted and allows you to build your website using WordPress software while managing your site on your own. WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a hosted blogging service that handles everything for you.
| WordPress.org | WordPress.com | |
| Cost | $0 plus hosting fees | $0–$45 per month plus taxes. Domain and increased storage may cost extra. |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Customization | Infinitely customizable | Limited customization |
| Plugins | Unlimited | Limited to WordPress plugins |
| Ecommerce | Unlimited control over your store | Limited configuration options |
| Customer support | WordPress offers community forums and guidelines. Your hosting provider may also offer support. | Email and chat support may be available, depending on your plan tier. |
| Website maintenance | You maintain your site and its security. | Managed by WordPress |
Choose the one that best fits your needs. If you prefer a simpler, managed approach, WordPress.com is a great option. However, for maximum flexibility and control, WordPress.org is the way to go.
What Are the Main Costs of Building a WordPress Site?
When you build a website using WordPress, you’ll likely encounter some costs. Most of these costs are optional, but that depends on your site’s needs and goals (more on that later in this article).
Domain Name: Starts at $0.99 Per Year
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet, like www.yourwebsite.com.
Domain Name
Domain names are like internet addresses, making websites easy to find without having to remember a complex string of numbers. Each domain is unique, helping distinguish one site from another.
Read More
Your domain is the first impression visitors get of your site, so choosing a good one is crucial. The good news is that domain names can be very affordable. Often, if you pay for a hosting plan, you get a custom domain for free for at least a year. If you do purchase your domain outright, it might start as low as $0.99 for the first year. However, prices vary depending on the popularity of the name and the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.).
After your initial purchase, plan for annual renewal fees. These typically range from $10 to $20, but they can vary.
Web Hosting: Starts at $2.95 Per Month
Web hosting is the service that makes your site accessible to users 24/7.
WordPress.com offers five different tiered plans. For example, for businesses on a strict budget, WordPress.com has a free plan. However, it has limited features and functionality, so you may want to invest in a WordPress hosting solution that offers more, even at a cost.
To build a website with WordPress.org, you’ll need to provide your own host, and the cost of web hosting varies depending on the type and hosting provider you choose. Some of the different types of hosting plans you can choose from include shared, VPS, dedicated, or managed WordPress hosting. Shared is the most budget-friendly option. DreamHost offers shared hosting plans that start at just $2.95 a month during the promotional period.
As your site grows, you might need to upgrade to more robust hosting solutions at higher price points. DreamHost also offers dedicated hosting, VPS, and managed WordPress hosting plans. Learn more about the features included in each plan and pricing for hosting a website with DreamHost.
It’s important to remember that your WordPress hosting provider is your site’s partner, so review your options carefully and choose the best WordPress hosting platform for your business needs.
Content Management System: Starts at $4 Per Month
Publishing content is a huge part of the functionality of your website. And that’s one of WordPress’ biggest draws. As a content management system (CMS), it’s highly flexible and easy to use. Despite its benefits, though, it’s important to assess your needs and pre-existing skills to chose the right one.
Content Management System
A Content Management System (CMS) is a software or application that provides a user-friendly interface for you to design, create, manage, and publish content.
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While free CMS options do exist, they typically start at a few dollars a month. This is another cost that can vary widely, though, so make sure to do your research.
Before committing, make sure you understand the difference between a CMS and a website builder. A website builder has a user-friendly interface that helps even beginners create a website quickly and easily. However, while site builders can typically serve the needs of small websites, they may lack more complex functionality. If you want a unique and custom website, a more customizable CMS might be for you.
WordPress Theme: Starts at $0
Every WordPress website needs a theme (unless, of course, a developer designs a completely custom site for you from scratch, but more on that later).
Your theme is what will catch visitors’ eyes when they first land on your site. It will (hopefully) make your website stand out and give users a great first impression.
So obviously, you want the best WordPress theme possible, right? Luckily, that doesn’t mean your website theme will break the bank. You can always start with the free version of a theme and upgrade for more features later.
But premium themes can cost from $20 to $100 or more, including monthly or yearly renewal fees. The total cost will depend on the theme you choose.
Keep in mind that many themes are pretty easy to customize. So if you like the base offering of a particular theme but want a different color palette, you can probably make that change. That’s why it’s a good idea to read through a theme’s features and functionalities before you pick one. You can also read reviews for the themes you like and check for other important info, such as when the latest update was made.
Secure Sockets Layer Certificate: Starts at $8 Per Month
An SSL certificate encrypts the data exchanged between your website and its visitors and lets your visitors know that any data they share with your site, such as payment information, will go through a secure connection. This is especially important for sites that handle sensitive information, like online stores.
Many hosting providers include an SSL certificate built into the cost of web hosting. At DreamHost, we don’t mess around when it comes to website security. Many of our plans come with an SSL certificate pre-installed, and for the ones that don’t, they can be installed with a single click.
If your host doesn’t offer SSL certificates, you can purchase one separately. Prices for SSL certificates start at around $8 per month, although some options may be available for free.
Plugins: Starts at $0
Plugins extend the functionality and features of WordPress sites, allowing you to add contact forms, SEO tools, security enhancements, and more.
While there are many free plugins associated with WordPress, premium plugins offer advanced features and dedicated support. Some premium plugins charge a one-time fee, and others operate on a subscription basis with monthly or yearly fees. To develop a feature-rich WordPress website with even more custom functionality, you can even create a WordPress plugin by hiring a developer or coding it yourself if you have the skills.
E-commerce Features: Starts at $0
If you run an online store, your website will need e-commerce features. Once you’ve chosen and customized your WordPress theme and plugins, make sure you have everything you need for online sales. If you’re using WooCommerce, the most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress, getting started is easy. WooCommerce is available for free from the WordPress Plugin Directory and has many optional premium add-ons.
Your Time and Resources: Priceless
One part of the cost of a WordPress website many people don’t consider is time.
Building your website can take a while. It’s best to plan for an appropriate amount of time so you don’t feel rushed during the process. Setting yourself up for success means being realistic about your resources.
How Much Does a WordPress Website Cost to Build?
When you want to build a website, the cost will depend on the type of site you need and the different technical and design choices you make along the way. While WordPress software is free, the cost of web hosting, themes, plugins, and other necessary pieces add up over time.
Below, we’ve estimated the costs to build six different types of sites, from a totally free website to a completely custom site that could run into five digits — and everything in between. The breakdowns below should give you a good idea of the costs associated with WordPress websites, but keep in mind that these are just estimates. Your actual costs may vary quite a bit from what’s shown here.
Option 1: Free Site
- Estimated cost: $0
- Best for: Those who don’t mind limited functionality as long as it’s free
When you just need to get a site up, and you’re not picky about its functionality, there’s no price point like free. You can visit WordPress.com to build your website in minutes for no money down.
This is perfect for the person who wants a bare-bones blog. However, this option does come with some significant drawbacks:
- A unique domain name isn’t included, so your URL will end with .wordpress.com.
- Since you’re sharing free resources with all of WordPress.com’s other users, you have limited bandwidth and storage space.
- Customization is limited.
- There will be ads on your site that you can’t remove unless you upgrade to a paid account.
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch. That said, if you’re willing to go with the flow and don’t mind the limitations, a free site might be just what you’re looking for.
| Option 1: Free Site | |
| Hosting (via WordPress.com) | Free |
| Domain name | Not included |
| Basic theme | Free |
| Total | $0 per year |
Option 2: Budget Site
- Estimated cost: About $50 per year
- Best for: Those who don’t mind spending a little, but want to keep their costs as low as possible
Maybe you’re launching your first site and just want to test the water. Or your blog is just for fun, and you don’t want to invest too much money into it. In this case, it’s a good idea to focus on the basics. Here’s what you need:
With DreamHost, the cost of web hosting can be less than $4 a month when you buy shared hosting. This is one of the most affordable hosting options because your site lives on a server with a group of other customers’ websites, and everyone splits the price. That said, we still offer a 100% uptime guarantee and 24/7 support. You can get a plan for $11.95 a month — or lock in three years of hosting at a time for just $3.95 a month.
Domain Name: $0
When you host your site with DreamHost, you get a domain name included for free.
Theme: $0
Search the WordPress Theme Directory to find the right look for your site. It offers many free options that you can browse by features like color, number of columns, and customizable elements.
| Option 2: Budget Site | |
| Hosting (via DreamHost) | $47.40 per year |
| Domain name | Free |
| Basic theme | Free |
| Total | $47.40 per year |
Option 3: Mid-Range Site
- Estimated cost: $200–$250 per year
- Best for: Those who are willing to pay a little more for a few great features
Running a small business? Writing a popular blog? Seeing steadily increasing website visitors? You might consider the next step up: a mid-range site with more premium features and functionality.
DreamPress Managed Hosting: $203.40 Per Year
Hosting your site on DreamPress means you get a premium, WordPress-specific hosting solution that’s optimized to support a high-performance site with unmetered bandwidth, a pre-installed SSL certificate, on-demand backups, 24/7 support, and more.
Domain Name: $0
When you host your site with DreamHost, you get a domain name included for free.
Theme: $0–$60 (On Average)
At this tier, you can stick with a free WordPress theme or upgrade it. Premium themes with more luxe features can often still be found on a budget — think $20–$60 on average.
| Option 3: Mid-Range Site | |
| Hosting (via DreamPress) | $203.40 per year |
| Domain name | Free |
| Theme | $0-$60 |
| Total | $203.40–$263.40/year |
Option 4: Small E-commerce Site
- Estimated cost: $200–$300 per year
- Best for: Online sellers who are just getting started, but need reliable and secure e-commerce functionality
If you make a living through online sales (or aspire to, someday), your site becomes more complicated. Upgrading to a web host or version of WordPress with built-in ecommerce capabilities can help.
DreamPress WooCommerce Hosting: $203.40+ Per Year
DreamHost’s WooCommerce hosting packages are primed for online sales. They come pre-loaded with the WooCommerce plugin and the Storefront theme, so you can be up and selling in no time. Additionally, our WooCommerce hosting packages all come with a pre-installed SSL certificate so your customers can make their online purchases with confidence that their sensitive data will stay safe and secure.
Domain Name: $0
When you host your site with DreamHost, you get a domain name included for free.
Premium Theme: $20–$80 (On Average)
When it comes to running an e-commerce website, it might be worth upgrading your theme. Not only will your store look more professional, but it’s also likely to function better and be easier to customize. Many premium e-commerce themes come with pre-installed plugins that are useful for online stores and are ready to accept digital payments.
| Option 4: Small Ecommerce Site | |
| Hosting (via DreamPress) | $203.40+ per year |
| Domain name | Free |
| Premium theme | $20–$80 |
| Total | $223.40–$283.40 per year |
Option 5: Scalable Small Business Site
- Estimated cost: $300–$400 per year
- Best for: Those who need all the bells and whistles for a streamlined online store
So your site is taking off, gaining more and more traffic and driving your business’ growth? Congratulations! Now’s the time to look to the future and prepare with an all-in-one solution — a site that can keep growing with you.
DreamPress Plus Hosting: $299.40 Per Year
With even more features and none of the technical slog, DreamPress Plus takes care of all the upkeep so you can focus on your business. Plus, it’s built to scale, so you don’t ever need to worry about your site overloading. You’ll also get free access to Jetpack Professional, the gold standard for WordPress backups and security.
Domain Name: $0
When you host your site with DreamHost, you get a domain name included for free.
Premium Theme: $20–$80 (On Average)
For a more unique look and additional features, choose from a variety of premium themes at marketplaces like StudioPress and Pixel Union. Not a technical guru? Many premium themes come with easy-to-use site-building tools for additional, beginner-friendly customization options.
| Option 5: Scalable Small Business Site | |
| Hosting (via DreamPress Plus) | $299.40 per year |
| Domain name | Free |
| Premium theme | $20–$80 |
| Total | $319.40-$379.40 per year |
Option 6: Custom WordPress Website
- Estimated cost: $800 per year plus development costs
- Best for: Those who want the best WordPress site money can buy
Want the website of your dreams? If you pay for it, you can build it. Just know that the cost to build a WordPress site completely from scratch is the least predictable. The main cost comes from hiring a web designer or developer to code your site. Depending on the complexity and features you want, this can cost thousands of dollars.
Of course, the benefit is getting to customize everything, from the look and feel of your website down to every last feature. Here’s what you need if you decide to go this route:
DreamPress Pro Hosting: $863.40 Per Year
If your site has high-capacity needs and top-of-the-line performance requirements, we created DreamPress Pro just for you. Get unmetered bandwidth, the ability to handle over a million monthly visitors, unlimited email, unlimited CDN, expanded storage and memory, and more.
Plus, you get access to DreamCare with your Pro plan. This is an elite force of highly skilled, in-house experts to monitor your site, troubleshoot problems, and offer solutions when you need them.
Domain Name: $11.95+ Each
When you host your site with DreamHost, you get one domain name included for free.
But for a custom website, you may also want additional domain names that redirect to your site. For example, you could have both cupcakesbyhannah.com and cupcakes-by-hannah.net direct visitors to the same place to ensure the maximum number of potential customers find you online.
Web Designer/Developer: $1,000–$10,000
Forget a packaged theme. For a custom site, a professional designer will build your ideal online presence from the ground up. Note that designers’ fees vary widely, depending on their experience level and your local market. In general, plan to spend a minimum of $100 an hour. If you need help finding a qualified designer, our professional design service can help bring your vision to life.
| Option 6: Custom WordPress Website | |
| Hosting (via DreamPress Pro) | $863.40 per year |
| Domain names | $11.95+ each |
| Web designer/developer | $1,000–$10,000 |
| Total | $875.35+ per year (not including initial designer/developer costs) |
The True Cost of Building a Website With WordPress
Pricing out a website build from start to finish comes with a lot of questions:
What type of WordPress website do you need?
Should you use a free or paid plan?
Basic or premium theme?
Do you need plugins?
What about a web designer?
How much will it all cost?
One thing is for sure, though: WordPress is worth using for your business website. And no matter what approach you take when building it, DreamHost can help.
Let us handle the technical parts so you can focus on what you do best: running your business. We offer plans to suit a diverse range of needs at affordable prices. Check them out today!
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