How Much Does It Cost to Make a WordPress Website?
WordPress is the most popular CMS across the internet. According to research, nearly 40% of internet users have used the tool to create their websites. That’s over 160 million websites using WordPress to this day.
In addition to being a content management system, WordPress is also a web development platform that can be used to build anything from traditional websites to eCommerce stores and blog networks.
The fact that WordPress is so widely adopted probably comes as no surprise. The tool is incredibly flexible and allows for some really innovative website designs. In this article, we will examine the costs associated with developing a simple yet effective website using WordPress.
The Software Aspect
One of the first things to consider when budgeting for a WordPress website is the software required to build and run the site. This includes things like a web host, WordPress theme, and plugins. While designing your site, you will also need to take into account the CMS’s design templates, which are created by the community. You can find a list of the most popular WordPress design templates at wp.com/templates.
In the next section, we will take a look at the various costs associated with developing a basic WordPress site. Keep in mind that the costs will vary depending on your project’s size. A basic starting point for developing a new WordPress website would be around $500 to $1500, with larger projects costing more. If your time is worth anything, you can multiply the price of this software by 2 to 3.
Web Hosting
To have a WordPress website, you will first need to choose a web host. A web host is simply a service that provides storage space and a secure connection to the internet for your website. The most popular web hosts for WordPress are Bluehost, which we reviewed previously, and HostGator. Other well-known web hosts for WordPress include Google Cloud, AWS, and DreamHost. Just remember that all web hosts come with a standard package of features, so you won’t be paying for much more than you need. For the best overall experience, we recommend Bluehost.
Websites usually need high traffic before they can make money online, so it’s essential that you pick a web host with a good growth potential. The fact that 40% of internet users use WordPress means that there’s plenty of room for growth.
It’s also important to consider the cost of renewing your web host’s account. The prices vary from $2 to $15 per month, so it’s essential that you choose a plan that fits your needs. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the better, as long as you don’t mind taking a bit of a hit on traffic.
Design
When it comes to creating a WordPress website, you will need to decide on a design. As we mentioned, WordPress is a very versatile tool, and it’s easy to use to create any kind of website you can think of. It doesn’t require any kind of design background to do so. For the best overall experience, we recommend using one of the many free themes available for WordPress.
Most developers and designers will tell you that the key to creating an effective website is in the typography. When it comes to budgeting for a WordPress design, keep in mind that everything is relative. The cost of a decent-quality WordPress theme will vary from a few dollars to a several hundred. Keep in mind that the pricing of a WordPress theme can increase as you include more features. Some cheap but effective themes are completely free, but you will have to find and install them yourself. Design is mostly about picking a theme that suits your needs and the looks you are going for. As a general rule of thumb, the cheaper the better as long as you don’t mind spending a little more time to make your site look unique and custom-made.
Development
Once you have chosen a web host and designed your site, it’s time to move onto development. This includes taking care of all the backend stuff that isn’t showing up on the surface, such as installing plugins and creating pages with content. Development costs will depend on your project’s size, but will range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Keep in mind that the more features you want, the more you will have to pay.
WordPress is a very popular tool among developers, due to the fact that it’s very flexible and allows a lot of innovation. It’s very easy to create a fully-functional WordPress website with just a few hours of work. If you’re looking for a free WordPress resource, you can find a ton of plugins and other tools that can help you with the development process. Don’t forget about the vast network of developers and designers that are available on the web, if you’re stuck at any point during the process.
Once you have your WordPress website up and running, it’s time to move onto the fun part: monetization. In our next article, we will discuss how to make money online from a WordPress website.