WordPress costs: what does a WordPress site cost in 2026?
What are the real WordPress costs? That's a question many entrepreneurs and beginners ask themselves before starting their website. WordPress.org is completely free as software, but for a professional website you still need a budget. In this article we give you a complete and honest breakdown of everything involved in building and maintaining a WordPress website. From web hosting and a domain name to themes, plugins and maintenance, here you'll read exactly what you can expect.
WordPress is free, but your website isn't entirely
Let's start with the most important fact: WordPress itself costs nothing. You can download the software for free at wordpress.org and use it for any website you want to build. This is the big advantage of open source software. But "free" doesn't mean you have no WordPress costs at all. Your website needs a place to run (hosting), an address (domain name), and often a professional look (theme) plus extra functionality (plugins).
Compare it to a house: the blueprint is free, but the land, materials, and maintenance do cost money. The same applies to WordPress. The good news is that the costs are often much lower than with alternatives such as custom web development or expensive website builders. Let's go through the different cost items one by one.
Cost overview: all WordPress expenses at a glance
To give you a clear picture of WordPress costs, we've laid out all the cost items in an overview. Below is a table with the main expenses for a WordPress website:
| Cost item | Minimum | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web hosting | €5/month | €10-15/month | €25-50/month |
| Domain name (.nl) | €8/year | €10-15/year | €15-25/year |
| SSL certificate | Free | Free | €50-200/year |
| WordPress theme | Free | €50-80 one time | €100-200 one time |
| Plugins | Free | €50-200/year | €300-800/year |
| Maintenance | Do it yourself | €15-30/month | €50-150/month |
| First year total | €70-80 | €400-700 | €1,500-3,500 |
As you can see, WordPress costs are very flexible. You can run a basic WordPress website for less than €100 per year, but for a professional business site with premium plugins and maintenance you'll quickly pay more. The difference lies in the choices you make.
Web hosting: the biggest cost item
Web hosting is the largest recurring cost item for your WordPress website. Your hosting package determines where your website runs, how fast it loads, and how many visitors you can handle. With Theory7 WordPress hosting you get hosting packages specifically optimized for WordPress, with fast SSD storage, automatic backups, and a free SSL certificate.
The cost of WordPress hosting varies quite a bit, depending on the type of hosting and the provider:
- Shared hosting: €5-15 per month, perfect for beginners and small websites. You share the server with other websites, which keeps the cost low.
- WordPress hosting: €8-25 per month, optimized for WordPress with caching, automatic updates, and better performance.
- VPS hosting: €20-80 per month, a virtual private server with more control and resources, suitable for larger websites or online stores.
- Managed WordPress hosting: €25-150 per month, everything is taken care of for you, including updates, backups, and security. Read more in our article on managed WordPress hosting.
For most beginners and small businesses, a good WordPress hosting package for €8-15 per month is plenty. At Theory7 you also get a free SSL certificate and free daily backups, saving you extra costs. Also check out our article on choosing WordPress hosting for an extensive overview.
Domain name: your online address
A domain name is the address visitors use to find your website, like yourbusiness.nl. The WordPress costs for a domain name are relatively low, but it is an annual expense you shouldn't forget. Registering your domain name usually costs between €8 and €25 per year, depending on the extension:
- .nl domain: €8-15 per year, the most popular choice for Dutch websites
- .com domain: €10-18 per year, the international standard
- .eu domain: €8-12 per year, for a European image
- Special extensions (.shop, .tech, .online): €15-50 per year
Many hosting providers offer a free domain name for the first year with your hosting package. Just keep in mind that after the first year you'll pay the regular price. At Theory7 you always get a fair price without surprises at renewal.
WordPress theme costs
The theme determines the look of your WordPress website. There are thousands of free themes available in the WordPress theme directory, and for many simple websites these are perfectly suitable. But if you want a truly professional appearance, consider a premium theme.
The WordPress costs for themes are as follows:
- Free themes: €0, many good options like Astra, Kadence, and GeneratePress (free version). More limited customization options.
- Premium themes: €50-80 one time, popular choices are Astra Pro, Divi, and GeneratePress Premium. You get more templates, more customization, and often a year of support and updates.
- Theme with page builder: €50-100/year, tools like Elementor Pro or Beaver Builder that let you build pages visually. These are usually subscription costs.
Our tip: start with a free theme if you're just starting out. You can always upgrade to a premium theme later. Just make sure you choose a theme that loads fast and is updated regularly, that's better for your website speed and security.
Plugin costs: free and premium options
Plugins are extensions that add extra functionality to your WordPress website. Think of contact forms, SEO optimization, security, caching, and online store functionality. WordPress costs for plugins can vary widely:
Essential plugins that are free:
- Yoast SEO or Rank Math (SEO optimization)
- Wordfence or Sucuri (security)
- WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache (caching)
- Contact Form 7 (contact forms)
- UpdraftPlus (backups)
Popular premium plugins and their cost:
- Elementor Pro: €59-199/year (page builder)
- WooCommerce extensions: €29-129/year per extension (online store)
- Yoast SEO Premium: €99/year (advanced SEO)
- WPForms Pro: €49-299/year (forms)
- MonsterInsights Pro: €99-399/year (analytics)
Most basic websites can function perfectly well with only free plugins. Only when you need specific functionality, such as an advanced online store, membership site, or extensive forms, are premium plugins needed. If you're going to install WordPress, always start with the free versions and only upgrade when you genuinely need the extra features.
Comparing WordPress costs: WordPress vs alternatives
How do WordPress costs compare to other ways of building a website? Here's an honest comparison:
| Platform | Startup costs | Monthly | Flexibility | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | €0-200 | €5-30 | Very high | Everything: blogs, business, online stores |
| Wix | €0 | €13-38 | Limited | Simple websites |
| Squarespace | €0 | €13-43 | Average | Portfolio, design focused |
| Shopify | €0 | €36-384 | High (e-commerce) | Online stores |
| Custom development | €3,000-25,000+ | €50-500 | Maximum | Complex custom projects |
WordPress offers by far the best value for money. You get maximum flexibility at low cost. Website builders like Wix and Squarespace are admittedly easier to use, but in the long run you'll pay more and have less control over your website. Custom development is only worthwhile for very specific requirements.
Monthly vs annual WordPress costs
When calculating your WordPress costs, it's smart to distinguish between one time, monthly, and annual expenses. Here's a realistic overview for an average business website:
One time (at the start):
- Premium theme: €50-80
- Logo/design if needed: €0-500
- Setting up/building the website: your own time or €500-2,000 (outsourced)
Recurring monthly:
- WordPress hosting: €8-25
- Managed maintenance if desired: €15-50
Recurring annually:
- Domain name: €10-15
- Premium plugins (average 2-3): €100-300
- Theme updates/license: €0-80
In total, for a professional WordPress website you land at around €15-40 per month in ongoing costs. That's significantly cheaper than most website builders and a fraction of the cost of custom development.
Tips to keep WordPress costs low
Want to spend as little as possible on your WordPress website without sacrificing quality? Follow these tips to minimize your WordPress costs:
- Choose a hosting package with free extras: At Theory7 you get free SSL, daily backups, and an email address with your WordPress hosting. That quickly saves you €50-100 per year.
- Start with free themes and plugins: Only upgrade to premium versions when you genuinely need the extra features. Many free plugins are excellent.
- Pay annually instead of monthly: Most hosting providers give a discount for annual payment. You quickly save 20-30%.
- Limit the number of plugins: Every plugin is a potential cost item and security risk. Only use what you really need.
- Learn basic management yourself: Running updates, checking backups, and making small adjustments are things you can perfectly well learn to do yourself. That saves €15-50 per month in management costs.
- Use free images: Sites like Unsplash and Pexels offer beautiful free stock photos. No expensive stock photo subscription needed.
- Compare plugins before you buy: There's almost always a cheaper or free alternative. Do a bit of research before you pay.
Budget vs professional WordPress package
Finally: how does a budget WordPress setup compare to a professional package? Here's a clear overview:
Budget WordPress website (€70-150/year):
- Shared hosting (€5/month)
- Free domain name (first year) or a cheap .nl domain
- Free theme
- Only free plugins
- Doing maintenance yourself
- Suitable for: personal blogs, hobby websites, simple portfolios
Professional WordPress package (€400-1,200/year):
- WordPress hosting (€10-25/month)
- Own domain name with a professional extension
- Premium theme with page builder
- 3-5 premium plugins (SEO, security, forms, caching)
- Regular maintenance and updates
- Suitable for: business websites, online stores, marketing websites
Our advice: invest in good web hosting and a professional theme. Those are the two components that make the biggest difference in speed, security, and appearance. You can often fill in the rest just fine with free solutions.
Frequently asked questions about WordPress costs
What does WordPress cost per month?
Monthly WordPress costs start at around €5-8 for shared hosting. An average business website costs €15-40 per month for hosting, domain, and any premium plugins.
Is WordPress really free?
Yes, the WordPress software itself is 100% free. You only pay for hosting, a domain name, and any premium themes or plugins. You can run a WordPress website for less than €100 per year.
What does it cost to have a professional WordPress website built?
Having a professional WordPress website built by a freelancer or agency costs on average €1,500-5,000 for a standard business website. Complex websites with custom functionality can cost €5,000-15,000+.
How can I save on WordPress costs?
Start with free themes and plugins, choose a hosting package with free SSL and backups, pay annually, and learn basic management yourself. At Theory7 many extras are included for free.
What's cheaper: WordPress or a website builder?
In the long run, WordPress is often cheaper than website builders like Wix or Squarespace. WordPress starts at €5/month, while website builders cost €13-43/month. What's more, WordPress gives you more flexibility and ownership.
Do I have to pay for WordPress plugins?
No, there are thousands of excellent free plugins available. Premium plugins offer extra features, but for most basic websites free plugins are more than enough. Only invest in premium plugins if you need specific functionality.
WordPress costs: hidden costs you should know about
When calculating WordPress costs, expenses that later cause surprises are regularly overlooked. The first hidden cost item is the time investment. Even with a user friendly CMS like WordPress, building, maintaining, and updating a website takes significant hours. Budget at least 2-4 hours per month for regular maintenance such as updates, checking backups, and running security scans.
Premium plugins are another often forgotten cost item. Although there are thousands of free plugins available, professional websites often need premium plugins for advanced functionality. Think of premium SEO tools, advanced form builders, caching plugins with full functionality, and professional page builders. These plugins typically cost €40-200 per year per plugin, and most websites use 3-5 premium plugins.
Don't forget the cost of security either. Recovering a hacked WordPress site quickly costs €200-500 with a specialist. By investing in preventive security such as good website security and regular automatic backups, you avoid these costs. An SSL certificate is nowadays free with most hosting providers, but don't forget you need to renew it on time.
Reducing WordPress costs: practical tips
There are several ways to reduce the cost of your WordPress website without sacrificing quality. The first and most important saving comes from choosing your hosting provider. Don't just compare the monthly price, also look at what's included. A slightly more expensive provider that offers free SSL, daily backups, and a staging environment is ultimately more cost effective than a cheap provider where you have to buy these services separately.
Use free alternatives to premium plugins wherever possible. For SEO, Yoast SEO Free is more than enough for most websites. For security, Wordfence offers an excellent free version. And for caching, WP Super Cache is a free plugin that delivers good results. Critically evaluate every premium plugin and ask yourself whether the free version or a free alternative is sufficient.
Also consider choosing a multifunctional theme instead of multiple plugins for different design elements. Modern themes like Astra, GeneratePress, and Kadence offer built in functionality for headers, footers, page layouts, and typography. This means you need fewer plugins, which not only saves money but also makes your website faster. Fewer plugins means fewer HTTP requests and more efficient website caching.
Total overview: what does a WordPress site cost per year?
To give you a realistic picture of the annual cost of a WordPress website, we've laid out all cost items for three different scenarios.
| Cost item | Hobby website | Business website | Online store (WooCommerce) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting | €60/year | €120/year | €180/year |
| Domain name | €10/year | €10/year | €10/year |
| Premium theme | €0 | €50/year | €80/year |
| Premium plugins | €0 | €150/year | €300/year |
| Maintenance (own time) | 2 hrs/mo | 4 hrs/mo | 8 hrs/mo |
| Total (excl. own time) | €70/year | €330/year | €570/year |
As you can see, a WordPress website can be surprisingly affordable. A hobby website costs less than €6 per month, while a professional business website comes in at around €28 per month. An online store is more expensive due to the extra plugins needed, but still a fraction of what you'd pay for a custom solution. Check out our article on WooCommerce costs for a detailed breakdown of online store costs.
WordPress costs: when should you invest in a professional?
There comes a point where it's financially smarter to hire a professional for your WordPress website. While you can do a lot yourself, there are situations where the WordPress costs of a specialist pay for themselves many times over. A web designer or developer builds a custom made website that precisely matches your brand identity and business goals. The costs for this range from €1,500 for a simple business website to €10,000 or more for a complex online store.
Outsourcing technical maintenance is another consideration. A maintenance contract typically costs €50-200 per month and includes updates, security monitoring, backups, and technical support. This gives you peace of mind and saves you the 2-4 hours per month you'd otherwise spend on maintenance yourself. For businesses where the website plays a critical role in revenue, this is a smart investment.
SEO optimization by a specialist delivers measurably more traffic and customers. An SEO specialist costs €500-2,000 per month, but the return on investment can be substantial if your organic traffic increases. Do a cost benefit analysis: if your website generates €5,000 per month in revenue, an investment of €500 in SEO is only 10% of that revenue. Compare this to alternatives such as free website builders, which offer less flexibility.
Conclusion: WordPress is affordable for every budget
The cost of a WordPress website is scalable and fits every budget. From a hobby website for less than €6 per month to a professional online store for €50 per month, WordPress offers an affordable solution for every situation. The key is to invest smartly in the right things, take advantage of free alternatives where possible, and only upgrade to premium solutions when your business benefits from it. With a thoughtful approach, you keep costs manageable while benefiting from the power and flexibility WordPress offers.
Sources and references
- WordPress.org - Official documentation (wordpress.org)
- WooCommerce - Official documentation (woocommerce.com)
- Wordfence - WordPress Security Report (wordfence.com)
- Sucuri - Website Security Research (sucuri.net)
