Real Cost of Owning a WordPress Website Per Year

Before diving into the calculations, it is important to note that the data provided below are approximate and basic. They are intended to help you determine the approximate cost of owning a website. Not all themes or plugins used need to be paid; the overall cost will depend on the developer you choose to work with. Conversely, the author has encountered sites that easily cost thousands of dollars per year to maintain just because of the number of plugins installed. Recently, many designers have mastered website building using paid page builders. This allows for quick results but may not always represent high-quality development in the long term. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider all options and discuss the long-term implications with your developer.

WordPress is one of the most popular platforms for creating websites due to its flexibility, convenience, and wide range of features. However, many users choosing WordPress do not always fully understand all the costs associated with maintaining a website on this platform. In this article, we will explore the real cost of owning a WordPress website per year, consider specific cases, and provide real calculations for different types of websites, such as a business card site and an online store.

WordPress Is Free, But Paid Components

WordPress itself is free open-source software. However, to access advanced features and designs, you often need to use paid themes and plugins. These components can incur either one-time costs or regular monthly or annual payments.

Cost of a Business Card Site on WordPress

A business card site is a simple website that contains company information, contact details, and possibly a blog. Let’s consider the costs that may arise when creating and maintaining it.

Main Costs

1. Domain and Hosting:
   • Domain: $10-$15 per year
   • Hosting: $50-$100 per year (e.g., SiteGround, Bluehost)
2. Paid Theme:
   • Cost of a premium theme: $30-$60 (one-time)
3. Plugins:
   • SEO Plugin (e.g., Yoast SEO Premium): $89 per year
   • Caching Plugin (e.g., WP Rocket): $49 per year
   • Contact Form Plugin (e.g., Gravity Forms): $59 per year
   • Security Plugin (e.g., Sucuri Security): $199.99 per year

Annual costs: $400 – $500

Cost of an Online Store on WordPress

An online store requires more complex infrastructure and a set of plugins for full functionality.

Main Costs

1. Domain and Hosting:
   • Domain: $10-$15 per year
   • Hosting: $100-$200 per year (e.g., VPS hosting or specialized hosting for WooCommerce)
2. Paid Theme:
   • Cost of a premium theme: $60-$100 (one-time)
3. Plugins:
   • WooCommerce: Free
   • Payment Gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal): Free, but may have transaction fees
   • Caching Plugin (e.g., WP Rocket): $49 per year
   • SEO Plugin (e.g., Yoast SEO Premium): $89 per year
   • Security Plugin (e.g., Sucuri Security): $199.99 per year
   • Backup Plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus Premium): $70 per year
   • Marketing Plugin (e.g., Mailchimp for WooCommerce): $99 per year

Annual costs: $600 – $800

Custom Development: Pros and Cons

Custom website development tailored to specific client requirements can be more cost-effective in the long run. It allows you to avoid regular payments for paid plugins and themes since all necessary functions will be built directly into the website.

Advantages of Custom Development:

1. No Regular Payments for Plugins and Themes: All functions and designs are integrated once, which can significantly reduce website maintenance costs.
2. Full Compliance with Requirements: The website is developed taking into account all client wishes, which allows achieving maximum efficiency.
3. Security: Less dependence on third-party plugins means a lower likelihood of vulnerabilities.

Disadvantages of Custom Development:

1. High Initial Cost: Developing a custom solution can be significantly more expensive than using ready-made themes and plugins.
2. Need for Regular Maintenance: Errors requiring developer intervention can occur during WordPress updates. This can incur additional costs.

Conclusion

Owning a WordPress website can amount to a significant annual cost, especially when using paid themes and plugins. It is important to consider these costs when planning your budget and evaluate them in the context of the long-term perspective. Custom development can be a cost-effective solution for those willing to invest in creating a unique and functional website with minimal regular costs.

Ultimately, the choice between using ready-made solutions and custom development depends on your needs, budget, and goals. Calculate the cost of owning a website in advance to avoid unexpected expenses and ensure the stable operation of your web resource.