When you’re running a small business, every penny counts. That’s why it’s important to understand the true cost of maintaining a WordPress website. Although WordPress is a free content management system, there are other ongoing costs to consider, such as hosting, security, and upgrades. In this article, we’ll take a high-level look at the expenses you can expect to incur when you own a WordPress website.
Having a clear idea of the costs associated with your website will help you make informed decisions about your budget and avoid any nasty surprises down the road.
#1 Hosting
One of the first costs you’ll need to consider is hosting. WordPress websites can be hosted on either shared or managed hosting plans. Shared hosting plans are usually much cheaper, starting at around $50 per year. However, this option doesn’t offer the same level of performance or security as a managed hosting plan.
Managed WordPress hosting plans start at around $120 per year and offer a set of features, including automatic updates, daily backups, and top-notch security. If you’re running a business website, we recommend opting for a managed WordPress hosting plan to give you peace of mind that your site is in good hands.
#2 Domain Name
The next cost you’ll need to factor in is your domain name. This is the address people will type into their browser to find your website (e.g., example.com). Domain names usually cost around $15 per year and can be purchased from a variety of registrars, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. You can save on domain name costs by opting for a longer registration period (e.g., two or three years instead of one) or by taking advantage of discounts and coupons that registrars often offer.
#3 Security Plugin
One cost that is often overlooked is the cost of a security plugin. Although there are some free options available, we recommend opting for a paid security plugin to protect your website from malware and hackers. A comprehensive security plugin can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per year, depending on the features you need.
Some of the features you might want to look for in a security plugin include malware scanning, firewall protection, and spam filtering. Our favorite security plugin is Sucuri, which offers a comprehensive security solution starting at $199 per year.
#4 Premium Theme or Plugins
While there are many free themes and plugins available for WordPress, sometimes you need a premium option to get the functionality or look you want for your website. Premium themes and plugins can cost anywhere from $49 to $399 per year.
When selecting a premium theme or plugin, be sure to read reviews and compare prices to get the best deal. We recommend Elegant Themes for premium WordPress themes. They offer a wide selection of themes for all types of websites, starting at $89 per year. For plugins, we recommend CodeCanyon, which offers a huge selection of plugins starting at $19 each.
Bottom Line
While the costs of running a WordPress website can add up, the good news is that there are ways to save money. For example, many hosting providers offer discounts for paying upfront for multiple years of service. And as we mentioned earlier, you can also take advantage of coupons and discounts when registering your domain name or purchasing premium themes and plugins. By understanding the true cost of maintaining a WordPress website, you can create a budget that will help ensure your website is always up and running smoothly.
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