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How Much Businesses Pay for Owning & Managing WordPress Websites

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch or to improve an existing website. It’s open-source software released under the GPL.

WordPress started as a blogging platform but has evolved into a full-fledged CMS. It is now used by millions of people worldwide, including many large organizations, such as The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times. popular because it is easy to use and has many features and plugins that enable you to do almost anything you want with your website.

And while WordPress is a free platform, it doesn’t mean that there are no costs associated with owning and running it. Depending on how you use WordPress, the costs can be significant. Here’s a look at some of the main factors that will affect how much you pay to own and manage a WordPress website.

Web Hosting Plan

If you’re thinking about starting a WordPress website, or you already have one and are looking for a better hosting plan, you need to understand the different types of hosting plans and what each one offers. That way, you can choose the right plan for your budget. There are four basic types of web hosting plans: shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting. Each one has its own set of features and price range.

For instance, some hosting plans are better for small websites while others are better for large, enterprise-level websites. So if you are only planning on having a small website with a few pages and posts, you don’t need to spend as much on hosting as you would if you were planning on having a large website with hundreds or thousands of pages.

Also, if you plan on growing your website over time, you’ll need a hosting plan that can accommodate that growth. Some hosting plans limit the number of visitors you can have to your website per month. On the other hand, if you go for a fully managed AWS WordPress hosting plan, you’ll get unlimited visitors and traffic. Even though the price of AWS WordPress hosting plans is higher than other hosting plans, it’s worth it if you want a website that can scale with your business. And what business doesn’t want that?

Domain Name Registration

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people will type into their browsers to find your site. For example, our domain name is wpbeginner.com.Domain names typically cost around $15 per year, but the price can vary depending on the extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.) and the registrar you use.

If you’re just starting, it’s usually a good idea to go with a .com domain name. And if you can, try to get a short, easy-to-remember domain name. Once you have your domain name, you’ll need to find a web hosting provider and set up your website. The prices for domain names and web hosting are usually charged monthly or yearly, so be sure to factor that into your budget.

SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that encrypts data between your website and visitors’ web browsers. It’s important to have an SSL certificate if you want to create a secure website. Most WordPress hosting companies offer free SSL certificates when you sign up for their hosting plans. However, if you’re using a self-hosted WordPress site, you’ll need to purchase an SSL certificate separately. They typically cost around $70 per year.

Additionally,  if you want to use WordPress eCommerce plugins to sell products or services on your website, then you’ll need an SSL certificate because it’s required by most payment processors. For example, PayPal requires all sellers to have an SSL certificate installed on their website before they can start using their service.

Premium WordPress Themes and Plugins

One of the great things about WordPress is that there are thousands of free themes and plugins available. However, if you want access to more features and options, you might need to purchase a premium theme or plugin. Prices for these can range from $20 to $200 or more.

And while some premium themes and plugins offer a one-time purchase price, others require you to pay an annual subscription fee. So, if you’re planning on using any premium themes or plugins, be sure to factor that into your budget.

WordPress Maintenance and Security Services

If you want to make sure your WordPress site is secure and running smoothly, you might need to invest in some maintenance and security services. For example, a WordPress security service can help you scan your website for malware and viruses, as well as keep your site backed up in case something goes wrong.

Additionally, a WordPress maintenance service can help you keep your site updated with the latest version of WordPress, as well as perform regular tasks like checking for broken links and optimizing your website’s performance. You can find  WordPress security and maintenance services for as little as $5 per month. But, of course, prices will vary depending on the features and services you need.

Advertising

If you want to make money from your WordPress site, then you might need to invest in some advertising. For example, if you want to use Google AdSense to display ads on your website, then you’ll need to create a Google account and sign up for the program. There are also other advertising programs available, such as  Amazon Associates and Media.net.

The cost of advertising will vary depending on the program you choose and the amount of traffic your website receives. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per month. And if you are looking to generate a lot of revenue from advertising, then you’ll need to have a pretty large website with a lot of traffic.

WordPress Development Services

If you want to customize your WordPress site or build a completely new WordPress site from scratch, and you are not confident in your development skills, then you’ll need to hire a WordPress developer. WordPress developers typically charge by the hour, with rates ranging from as little as $50 per hour to $150 or more.

Of course, the final cost will depend on the scope of your project and the developer’s experience. But, if you’re looking to have a professional custom WordPress site built, then you should expect to spend several thousand dollars at a minimum. Keep in mind that even though this may seem like a lot of money, a custom WordPress site can be a great investment that will pay off in the long run.

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These are just some of the potential costs you might incur when creating a WordPress website. While it’s possible to create a WordPress site for free, if you want to add more features and functionality to your website, then you might need to invest in some premium themes, plugins, and services. And if you want to hire someone to build a custom WordPress site for you, then you should expect to spend several thousand dollars.

Ultimately, the cost of creating a WordPress website will depend on your specific needs and goals. So, before you get started, be sure to sit down and figure out exactly what you want from your website, and then create a budget accordingly.

Written by Eric

37-year-old who enjoys ferret racing, binge-watching boxed sets and praying. He is exciting and entertaining, but can also be very boring and a bit grumpy.