- WordPress is an extensive open-source software content management system that allows users of varying abilities to create basic websites for free.
- The cost to maintain a WordPress website varies widely depending on business type and needs.
- Utilizing a professional website designer allows for better allocation of resources and smooth error resolution.
WordPress provides endless possibilities with a 100% free, open-source content management system. If the software is free to utilize, how much does it cost to maintain a WordPress website? Learn about how WordPress can take your goals to the next level by providing an accessible and creative platform to advertise the best products and services available.
What is WordPress?
The largest website creation platform in the United States is WordPress–a free, open-source content management system (CMS) designed with usability in mind. It allows users of varying abilities to create customized websites without using specialized knowledge, such as coding. The user-friendly features of the platform allow many novices to create simple yet efficient websites for their business. When coding is needed for additional features and heightened creativity, website designers can be hired to take a WordPress website to its fullest potential.
How does WordPress stand out?
The nature of open-source software allows for continuous improvements, accountability, and universal accessibility. As the most advanced free website creation software, WordPress includes countless advanced features like website templates, customization options, premium plugins, and themes. These features have the potential to make a big difference in the success of a website by creating a colorful and interactive environment for users to enjoy.
Costs to Maintain a WordPress Website?
The cost to maintain a WordPress website varies from $100 to thousands depending on budget and needs. Each detail should be carefully considered before components are purchased to ensure that all basic functionality is covered. The cost of web hosting, domain registration and ownership, themes, ecommerce features, plugins, extensions, and more impact the cost to maintain a WordPress website.
Web Hosting
A web host is critically important because it serves as the foundation of the website’s presence on the internet and allows users to access it online. Website hosting is available within WordPress for affordable prices but does not include advanced features that some entities require such as website monitoring and third-party conflict resolution. The cost of web hosting ranges from no cost to $25 a month and can be higher for increased needs. Paid versions include a registered domain name and other advanced features such as email and live chat. There are many third party providers, such as GoDaddy or Bluehost, for website hosting offering more features. These types of companies run many different pricing structures but most start at around $20 per month.
WordPress Maintenance Services
Frequent updates and routine maintenance are needed for continued website engagement and productivity. Professional website designers are experts on the internet and how its users find information and can incorporate the best concepts for the target audience in mind. Professional expertise ensures that small bug fixes are addressed, updates are installed, and errors in code are corrected in a timely manner. Continuous maintenance and adjustments are the key to a consistently accurate website with increasing organic traffic. Avoid frustrating users by staying ahead of the problem and consistently ensuring website functionality. The cost to maintain a WordPress website with maintenance services starts at $100 monthly for the basics such as minor bug fixes and performance monitoring.
Security Services
WordPress has an ornate selection of core developers and dedicated users acting as a security team. The most common security concerns generally stem from user error rather than software failure. Experts in web design have the ability to continuously update security components and implement new measures to protect important information and the hard work put into each digital demonstration of information. Basic security plugins are available for free and include basic firewall protection, login protection, malware scanning, and security alerts. Premium security plugin services start at $100 annually whereas managed security hosting starts at $20 per month depending on what type of protection is needed.
Updates
Open-source software of substantial popularity is consistently updated with improvements, bug fixes, and new features. Updates to software, PHP, and plugins are needed to ensure that your website runs smoothly. Web designers may complete usability and accessibility testing to ensure all aspects of the website are functioning as expected with the integrated updates. Updates are often included in ongoing website maintenance but start at $100 for a one-time service.
WordPress Backup Services
A website created with WordPress is backed up during maintenance to ensure access to vital information in the event of system failure. A copy of the website will be saved within WordPress so that if data is lost, it won’t have to be recreated from scratch. Complete website backups are stored in the WordPress database and can also be stored on third-party cloud servers. Scheduled backups can be programmed into the system to ensure the most recent copy of the website is consistently backed up.
WordPress provides numerous tools to ensure the hard work put into each website is protected and ready to be restored in the event of a system failure. The cost to maintain a WordPress website with backup services is available for less than $100 annually. There are free versions available although they have limitations such as no automatic backup capabilities and less frequent updates.
Domain Names
Domain names don’t heavily impact the cost to maintain a WordPress website as they typically cost less than $30 annually. WhoisGuard protection costs around $15 annually and protects private information about the domain owner from being accessed publicly. This small increase in cost to maintain a WordPress website is worth it because it provides privacy and protection to the domain owner.
Themes
WordPress offers numerous free themes to further minimize the cost to maintain a WordPress website although they don’t all include the features necessary to conduct business. Without coding expertise, there is very little customization possible for premade themes. There are paid themes available on WordPress, with the most expensive costing around $200. With endless theme possibilities, thousands can be spent on the development of a website’s design. The cost to maintain a WordPress website can be controlled by choosing an affordable or elaborate theme depending on the desired effect and allocated budget.
Content Creation
WordPress boasts endless ideas for creative content customized to fit any needs. There are templates for numerous types of websites as well as an incorporated blog section to make blogging easier than ever. Web design professionals have the knowledge to upload new content such as blog posts and gallery photos with ease while incorporating appropriate SEO principles. Errors stemming from new content are minimized when integrated by a seasoned professional and consistently monitored for fluency.
The cost to maintain a WordPress website with content creation services varies depending on the nature and frequency of the content as well as who is actually generating the content. If you create the content yourself, there is no charge but if you use an agency to create content, there will be costs. For example, a blog post may cost between $30 and $100 whereas specialized content such as technical SEO-optimized articles may cost $500 per post.
Ecommerce Features
Ecommerce features allow a website to act as an online store where goods and services can be purchased electronically. The cost to maintain a WordPress website with ecommerce features adds at least $450 to the total cost. These capabilities allow for a source of business income through online shopping while simultaneously increasing exposure to the products offered.
Plugins and Extensions
A plugin is a small section of code that adds useful features and functionality to websites. There are plugins that work behind the scenes, such as SEO plugins which work to continuously optimize the content, and security plugins offering firewall protection and login security. Other plugins allow users to interact uniquely with the website such as event calendars, subscription signups, and restricted content protected with a passcode.
Some plugins are paid with an annual subscription whereas others can be purchased with a one-time fee. Many paid plugins offer basic versions for free such as Yoast SEO and Wordfence Security. One time payments for individual plugins range from $20 to $500 depending on the complexity of the function it provides. Annual subscriptions are usually between $10 and $500 depending on what service it provides.
Total Estimated Cost To Maintain A WordPress Website
The cost to maintain a WordPress website depends on the extent of content published and frequency of updates. The low-end cost to maintain a WordPress website is between $100 and $400 annually. The high-end cost to maintain a WordPress website is between $5,000 and $15,000–depending on a number of factors. The type of website as well as traffic volume impact how much funding is needed for operation. Support, maintenance, and customization are additional costs to consider.
Why Choose a Professional Website Designer
The cost to maintain a website can be minimized by utilizing a professional website designer or website design agency. Website designers are familiar with the current website climate, design practices, and search engine optimization. Professional design makes a noticeable difference by utilizing catchy taglines and increasing website visibility. A professional website designer can stay on top of the many required maintenance tasks mentioned above, generally for less than piecing it all out to individual people.
There’s an old saying that “cheap comes out expensive in the end”. With a professional website designer comes the expertise to make top-notch choices in design and budget allocation while seamlessly creating an ideal user interface. Fewer resources will be used on the wrong add-ons and a more appealing and productive website will result by letting an expert take the lead.
Choose Boiling Point Media to Maintain Your Website
The friendly and experienced team at Boiling Point Media has the expertise needed to create successful outcomes for any business goals. We are passionate about all things marketing. That’s why we are proud to offer WordPress website development and website design services. Explore who we are and what we do for a glance at the many talented specialists that make the magic happen at Boiling Point Media. Let us guide you through the process of website development while maintaining accuracy and relevance as it stimulates your success.
Contact Boiling Point
Contact Boiling Point Media today to learn more about how we can design and manage your WordPress website to meet your business goals.
Phone
info@boilingpointmedia.com
Address
7801 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73116