How to use WordPress for free
Since it is open source, the code for the popular content management system, WordPress, is free to use and customize. There are also free options available for other versions, like the WordPress.com website builder — though these come with certain limitations. Continue reading to learn about the costs that might typically arise when building a WordPress website.
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Why is WordPress free in the first place?
The original WordPress code is available under an open-source license and can be downloaded free of charge from WordPress.org. Anyone can then modify and use the code as desired. The licensing model — WordPress uses GPLv2 — allows agencies, for example, to use the code for client projects and sell the finished WordPress site for a fee. If you use the code to create your own WordPress website, it is nearly free. “Nearly” because certain aspects, such as hosting, will inevitably incur costs, even though the open-source code itself is free.
How to create a free WordPress website
On the WordPress.com website, which is managed by the WordPress development team at Automattic, a variety of WordPress plans are available. With the “Free” plan, you can create a fully functional WordPress website at no cost —though with substantial limitations. For instance, you won’t be able to choose a custom domain or modify the code or design. Support is also limited, and WordPress ads will appear on your site. Using WordPress for free in this way is best suited for setting up a basic WordPress blog for personal use.
If you want to remove ads, use a custom domain or access additional features, plugins and themes, you’ll need to choose a paid plan. These start at $4 per month, with the e-commerce plan priced at $45 per month. However, to truly unlock its full potential and reap all the benefits of WordPress, we recommend using the open-source version.
The table below compares the costs of WordPress.com and WordPress.org, showing the current prices for domains, storage, themes, plugins, and other features. The prices for WordPress.com plans range from free to monthly fees, while WordPress.org offers free and paid options, with costs for hosting and additional features depending on your needs:
| WordPress.com | WordPress.org | |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | 0–$45/month | .com domains from $0.08/month |
| Storage space | Up to 3 GB free, then from $4/month | From approx. $2/month for 50 GB |
| Themes | From $8/month | Free and paid |
| Plugins | From $25/month | Free and paid |
| Ads on WordPress | From $4 per month ad-free | None |
| E-commerce | From $45/month | Free and paid |
What aspects of WordPress are free?
If you’re using the open-source code to create a website with WordPress, the following features — as well as the code itself — are available or can be used for free:
- Themes
- Plugins
- Support
- Updates
Free themes
The official WordPress Theme Directory offers over 8,000 free design templates for you to customize the look and feel of your website. Both volunteers and professional developers regularly create new themes, which undergo rigorous testing for quality and security before being released. Alongside free WordPress themes, premium templates are also available.
Free plugins
Similarly, more than 50,000 plugins are available for free in the official WordPress Plugin Directory — all of which have been checked for both quality and security. The directory continues to grow as developers and agencies share their solutions. Depending on the features and the development team, some WordPress plugins might require a fee.
Free updates
WordPress itself, as well as its themes and plugins, is updated regularly. These updates are displayed in the admin area of your WordPress site and are free to install. For paid themes and plugins, costs for updates may also be involved.
Free WordPress support
WordPress fosters a strong community: Thousands of developers around the world work on the code itself, create plugins and themes and share their knowledge in forums. You can find help on pretty much any WordPress topic through the WordPress forums or support pages — all completely free of charge.
When do costs apply with WordPress?
Now that we’ve covered ways to use WordPress for free, let’s explore the main costs that can apply with WordPress. Here we differentiate between features or services that need purchasing and time costs for implementation, such as optimizations. You can either handle these tasks yourself or hire developers or agencies. The main cost factors are:
- Hosting and domain
- Installation and setup
- Themes and plugins
- Performance and search engine optimization
- Maintenance
Hosting and domain
If you use the free WordPress code, you’ll need a web server to host it. Web hosting companies generally offer various plans that can host one or more websites, provide different sized storage space and sometimes even include additional services like a free domain or an SSL/TLS certificate. If these services are not included, you may need to purchase them. Many providers also offer discounts when combining offers. Web hosting plans are available for just a few dollars per month, and most domains cost only a few cents or dollars per month.
Installing and setting up WordPress
If you handle the installation and setup yourself, WordPress is essentially free at this point — unless you assign a monetary value to your time. Experienced users can usually complete the initial setup in about half a day, depending on how many plugins need to be integrated and the type of website you’re building. A basic WordPress blog is, of course, faster to set up than an e-commerce store. Freelancers and agencies typically charge between $500 and $1,000 for this first step.
It’s also a good idea to invest some time on topics like security and GDPR. Plugins and (text) templates are for these as well. WordPress also offers a wide range of customizable settings that you should spend several hours adjusting.
Themes and plugins
While there are thousands of free themes and plugins for WordPress, purchasing paid add-ons can be worthwhile, especially for more complex designs and functions. Many plugins are available in a freemium model: free for basic functions and paid in a premium version that offers additional features. Payment is made either upfront or through an annual subscription. Prices vary from a few dollars to several hundred, with the latter typically being the exception.
Performance and search engine optimization
Improving load times and other performance metrics requires a significant investment of either time or money, whether you handle it yourself or hire a professional. There are several free plugins available for performance optimization but setting them up can take time. Search engine optimization is another important aspect to consider. Although the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress is free, further optimizations often need to be performed manually, which adds to the time required.
Maintaining your WordPress website
If you’re not comfortable keeping WordPress, themes and plugins up to date, you can hire freelancers or professional services. Depending on the scope of the work, maintenance plans typically cost between $200 per year and around $50 per month. Ideally, the professionals will also handle routine backups and manage caches and databases.
In summary, you can expect to spend a modest amount each year on hosting and domain, plus a few hundred dollars on website maintenance (if you hire an external professional). For the initial set up and implementation, a simple WordPress site built by professionals generally starts at around $1,000 to $2,000 — with potential for higher costs depending on your needs.