If you’ve searched “WordPress website cost” or “how much does a website cost to build” and ended up more confused than when you started, you’re not alone.
One blog claims you can build a site for $100.
Another talks about $50,000 like it’s the entry fee.
Neither is especially helpful when you’re running a real business, working with a limited budget, and trying to make a decision you won’t regret later.
The issue usually isn’t bad advice. It’s that the phrase “WordPress website” covers a huge range of projects, from a simple personal site to a complex business website that handles marketing, leads, or online sales.
WordPress Isn’t One Thing, and That’s the Real Issue
A consultant who just needs a basic site with contact forms is solving a very different problem than an online store managing inventory, payments, and customer data.
Same platform. Different project.
That’s why WordPress design pricing feels all over the place. A simple five-page site and a fully custom ecommerce build can both run on WordPress, but their build time, security needs, and total cost live in different worlds.
“WordPress Is Free” Is Technically True (and Still Misleading)
Yes, WordPress itself is free software.
But running a real website is closer to owning a business asset than installing an app. You still need hosting, a domain name, security, and ongoing maintenance. Skip those, and the site becomes slow, unreliable, or unsafe.
Here’s what most businesses actually pay each year:
- Hosting: $35–$150 per year for basic plans, or $25–$50 per month for managed WordPress hosting
- Domain name: Typically $10–$20 per year for standard domain names
- Themes: Free themes exist, but most business sites use premium themes costing $50–$300 per year. A custom theme often starts around $1,500
- Plugins and security: Around $100–$300 per year for SEO, backups, security, and performance optimization
These ongoing website costs are what turn a “free” site into something a business can actually rely on.
WordPress Website Design Pricing in 2026 (Clear Cost Ranges)
Below is a realistic cost range based on how WordPress sites are commonly built today.
Basic DIY website
Freelancer-built website
Custom business website
Ecommerce or online store
Cost
$100–$500 per year
$1,500–$5,000
$5,000–$15,000
$10,000–$50,000+
Best for
Personal sites, side projects, early ideas
Small business owners who need a professional look
Service-based businesses focused on leads and marketing
Stores, memberships, revenue-driven projects
Reality
Lowest price, highest time investment
Solid design, limited long-term planning
Better structure, stronger design, clearer ROI
Advanced features increase build time and price
- Basic DIY website
- Cost: $100–$500 per year
- Best for: Personal sites, side projects, early ideas
- Reality: Lowest price, highest time investment
- Freelancer-built website
- Cost: $1,500–$5,000
- Best for: Small business owners who need a professional look
- Reality: Solid design, limited long-term planning
- Custom business website
- Cost: $5,000–$15,000
- Best for: Service-based businesses focused on leads and marketing
- Reality: Better structure, stronger design, clearer ROI
- Ecommerce or online store
- Cost: $10,000–$50,000+
- Best for: Stores, memberships, revenue-driven projects
- Reality: Advanced features increase build time and price
As a site takes on more responsibility for revenue, trust, and performance, the website development cost increases with it.
What’s Changing in 2026
A few trends are reshaping web design and web development this year.
AI tools are helping reduce build time for simple sites. Meanwhile, expectations around security, accessibility, and search engine performance continue to rise. Managed hosting plans are becoming more common because they save time and reduce risk, even if the first-year cost is slightly higher.
It’s easier than ever to launch quickly. Meanwhile, the gap between “it exists” and “it performs” is getting wider.
Where Business Owners Usually Get Stuck
This is where hesitation shows up.
A contractor sees a five-figure price and pauses. A startup goes cheap, launches fast, then realizes the site isn’t helping marketing or conversions.
In both cases, the issue usually isn’t price. It’s clarity.
Without a clear plan, it’s hard to tell whether a website is affordable, overpriced, or simply mismatched.
The Better Question to Ask Before Setting a Budget
Instead of asking, “What does a website cost?” try asking:
- What role does this site play in the business?
- Does it need to generate leads or sell products?
- How much time can I realistically spend managing it? Or do you even want to?
- What does success look like in the first year?
- What are your expectations?
Once those answers are clear, choosing the right price range becomes much easier.
FAQs: WordPress Site Costs in 2026
How much does a WordPress website cost in 2026?
The total website cost ranges from $100 per year for a basic DIY site to $50,000+ for a custom site. Design, features, hosting, and security all affect the final price.
Is WordPress really free?
The software is free, but running a website is not. You still pay for hosting, a domain name, plugins, security, and maintenance. Most small business sites spend $15–$50 per month ongoing.
What is the average cost of hosting a WordPress site?
Most businesses spend $25–$50 per month on managed WordPress hosting. Basic plans are cheaper but require more hands-on management.
How much does a domain name cost?
A standard domain name usually costs $10–$20 per year. Premium domain names can cost more.
Is WordPress affordable for a small business?
Yes. When scoped correctly, WordPress remains one of the most flexible and affordable platforms for a small business website.
Are premium themes worth it?
Often, yes. Premium themes usually offer better updates, support, and customization than free themes, which helps reduce issues over time.
What ongoing costs should I expect after the first year?
Expect recurring costs for hosting, domain renewal, plugin licenses, security, and maintenance. These make up the total cost of owning a website.
What’s the biggest pricing mistake people make?
Optimizing for the cheapest build instead of the long-term job the site needs to do for the business.
Final Takeaway
So, what’s the real WordPress website cost in 2026?
They range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. The right price depends on what the website is supposed to do.
A well-planned website may not be the cheapest option upfront, but it’s often the most cost-effective over time. If the site is meant to support growth, leads, or sales, building it with that goal in mind usually pays off.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably realized there’s no single, tidy answer to “How much does a WordPress website cost in 2026?” And honestly, that’s not a bad thing.
What matters more than the price tag is if the website actually does its job. A site that looks great on launch day but doesn’t bring in leads, load quickly, or adapt as your business grows ends up costing more in the long run.
At BoldPeak LLC, I focus on building custom WordPress websites for service-based businesses, startups, and growing brands that need more than just a nice design. The goal is simple:
- Generate consistent leads and real inquiries
- Load fast, rank well in search, and stay secure
- Scale without needing a full rebuild every year
If you’re trying to figure out what makes sense for your budget, your timeline, and your growth stage, starting with clarity helps.
Start with a free project scope review. We will meet, go over your expectations, your website short and long-term goals, so that I can give you an honest take on cost, tradeoffs, and a realistic plan based on what your business actually needs, not a one-size-fits-all package.
