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WordPress Personal pricing optionWordPress Premium pricing optionWordPress business pricing optionWordPress ecommerce pricing optionGetting startedAdditional resources

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WordPress → Pricing

WordPress pricing guide: Find the perfect plan for your site

WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites around the world.

WordPress for beginners is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that can be used to create websites and blogs. WordPress is released under the GPLv2 (or later) license, which means that it is free to use, modify, and distribute.

Once you have your site set up, you may be wondering what your WordPress pricing options are for adding content and plugins. In this article, we will take a look at the different pricing options available for WordPress users. We will also discuss the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision about which is right for you.

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WordPress.org plans

How much does WordPress cost?

While WordPress is free, there are other costs like fully managed WordPress hosting and domain names that you will need to account for. The cost of WordPress web hosting varies depending on the host you choose and the features you need, but you can expect to pay around $5-$10 per month for shared hosting.

Every WordPress site does come with a free subdomain, but you’ll want to choose something that’s professional and matches your business name. Domain names typically cost around $10-$15 per year, but prices may vary depending on the domain registrar you choose.

Note that with the free version of WordPress that you won’t be able to use a custom domain name or any plugins to modify your website. For this reason, it’s highly recommended to buy a premium WordPress version for any professional online store.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

Before you get into pricing, it’s worth knowing the key difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org – because they take very different paths to helping you build a website:

WordPress.org

This is the original, open-source, self-hosted version.

– You’ll need to arrange your own hosting.
– It gives you full control and flexibility.
– You can install any plugin or theme you like.
– You’re free to monetize and customize as much as you want.

WordPress.com

This is a commercial platform that runs on WordPress software.

– Hosting is included in your plan.
– Features depend on the tier you choose.
– Some customizations are limited on lower-priced plans.
– Technical stuff like updates and security is taken care of for you.

A helpful way to think about it: WordPress.org is like owning a home – you get total freedom, but you’re responsible for the upkeep. WordPress.com is more like renting – fewer things to worry about, but also more rules. The right choice comes down to your budget, tech confidence, and what kind of site you’re trying to build.

What are the different WordPress.com pricing options?

There are four main WordPress.com pricing plans for all kinds of users, from small businesses to online stores. Let’s explore each option to help you determine which is right for your website.

WordPress Personal pricing option

The WordPress Personal pricing option is great for small businesses and personal websites. For $4/month, you’ll get a free domain name for one year, as well as access to premium WordPress themes and plugins.

The biggest downside of the WordPress Personal plan is that it doesn’t include the ability to install plugins. Also, if you need a custom email address for your website, you’ll need to upgrade to the cost for WordPress site.

WordPress.com Premium pricing option

The WordPress Premium pricing option is great for freelancers and personal websites that need a custom email address. For $8/month, you’ll get a free domain name for one year, as well as access to premium WordPress themes.

The main difference between this and the personal plan is that you can install premium themes and collect payments. If you want to create a more dynamic website, you’re better off switching to another WordPress price plan.

WordPress.com business pricing option

This plan, for $25/month, is one of WordPress’ best packages for small businesses. Subscribers receive full access to plugins, themes, and advanced SEO tools.

Does WordPress take a percentage of my sales?

If you decide to use WordPress to build an online store, you’ll have to download the ecommerce plugin, WooCommerce. When using WooCommerce, WordPress will take a commission from your sales.

This percentage is somewhere between 2-3%. For example, if you sell a $100 order on WordPress, they will take a $2 or $3 fee. Ultimately, this fee is based on a wide variety of factors, such as the order size, product type, and country of origin.

While a $2 or $3 fee may not seem like much, they can add up once you increase your online store’s sales volume.

If you’re ramping up sales for your store, it may be wise to compare WooCommerce with other ecommerce options to see if you’re getting the best deal as you continue to grow.

WordPress ecommerce pricing option

WordPress’ ecommerce plan is the most expensive at $45/month, and it includes use of the official WordPress eCommerce plugin, WooCommerce. Though, it comes loaded with the most standard and advanced features.

Users can take advantage of top-of-the-line features for fixing their online store’s issues, such as:

Unlimited email support
Live chat support

If you want to build a dynamic store, you can also:

Accept payments in 60+ countries
Utilize integrations with leading shipping carriers
Leverage premium design options to captivate shoppers

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Total costs breakdown

To weigh up WordPress.com plans vs a self-hosted WordPress.org setup, you’ll need to look beyond surface pricing and understand the full cost picture to make the right call:

WordPress.com – All-In Pricing Breakdown

Personal ($4/month): Covers your domain, basic hosting, and limited design control
Premium ($8/month): Unlocks premium themes and lets you accept payments
Business ($25/month): Gives access to plugins, SEO tools, and detailed analytics
eCommerce ($45/month): Full online store functionality via WooCommerce

WordPress.org – Self-Hosted Setup Costs

Domain: $10–15/year
Hosting: Ranges from $5 to $100+/month depending on provider and features
Themes: Free to ~$100 (one-time) for premium designs
Plugins: Anywhere from $0 to $300/year, based on your requirements
Security: Can be free, or up to $200/year for advanced protection
Maintenance: Either DIY (your time), or $50–200/month for a managed service

Choosing WordPress.org gives you more flexibility, control, and customization – ideal if you’re technically confident or growing a business that needs scalability. It does demand more involvement, but when paired with a solid host like Liquid Web, it can offer stronger long-term value.

WordPress costs by website type

The cost of building a WordPress site can vary quite a bit depending on what you need it to do. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand what kind of investment to expect for different types of websites:

Blog websites: $5–15/month

Ideal for writers and content creators. This setup typically includes:
– Basic hosting and a domain name.
– A simple theme (either free or affordable premium).
– Essential plugins for SEO and site security.

Small business websites: $10–50/month

Designed for service-based or local businesses that need a more polished presence. Expect:
– Customizable, professional themes.
– Key business plugins (like contact forms or booking systems).
– Local SEO tools and basic customer engagement features.

E-commerce websites: $30–100/month

Built for selling online using WooCommerce or a similar platform. This often includes:
– Payment gateway integrations (with transaction fees).
– Enhanced security for customer transactions.
– Product management tools.
– Plugins for shipping and tax calculations.

Custom business websites: $100–500/month

Tailored for businesses with specific technical needs. These setups usually require:
– Developer-led customizations.
– Advanced plugins or integrations.
– Premium support.
– High-performance hosting and app integrations.

Online learning platforms: $50–200/month

Perfect for course creators or coaching businesses. Typical features include:
– Plugins for managing memberships and courses.
– Tools to protect content and track student progress.
– Video hosting and community/forum integrations.

With WordPress on a reliable hosting platform, you’ve got the freedom to start simple and expand your site over time—adding exactly what you need, when you need it, as your business evolves.

Getting started

One of the most important aspects of launching a WordPress site is choosing the right hosting provider.

Your hosting provider will determine many factors about your website, including its speed, uptime, security, and more. If you’re running a WordPress website, it’s especially important to choose a WordPress-specific hosting provider.

While there are many different types of WordPress hosting providers out there, one of the best choices you can make is to choose a fully managed WordPress host.
A fully managed WordPress host is a provider that takes care of all the technical aspects of running your WordPress website for you.

Liquid Web offers WordPress hosting for every need and skill level. If managed hosting sounds like a weight off your shoulders, our WordPress experts can take care of the technical server work for you.

But if you’re confident — or you want learn — self-managed WordPress VPS options are available too. Either way, you’re getting the very best server performance, so your WordPress site stays fast, available, and secure.