WordPress powers more than 40 percent of websites on the internet, making it one of the first choices among individuals wanting to build a web presence. The platform's capabilities are the result of the lucrative features offered by this content management system. This platform is highly suited for different business needs, from small to medium-sized businesses. 

One question that everyone has pondered is the cost of developing a WordPress site. Even though the core software is free, a WordPress website has a cost to develop. The total expenses depend on your budget, project goals, and what you want to achieve from the development. 

However, various factors play an influential role in fluctuating the actual cost of website development. You must be extremely careful while developing a WordPress website because a small mistake can result in a major hiccup. The best way is to consult or hire a custom WordPress development services provider and get to know the might be cost related to your business needs.

Estimating the Cost of a Customized Website on WordPress

WordPress became one of the primary platforms for creating a website. When stepping into the development boat or thinking of developing a site on WordPress, it is wise to estimate how much you need to spend. Well, the development cost depends on various factors, from design complexity to features needed. Here is a detailed estimate of the development cost of a customized website on this platform:

1. Domain and Hosting 

First, evaluate all the costs for a business to start its journey. WordPress is an open-source platform with no license fees to install it. However, the cost depends on hidden factors, like domain (your website’s name) and hosting (your website’s home). Domain costs around $10 to $30/ year. Web hosting plans are different depending on different requirements.  It is advisable to choose the hosting-type that suits your business needs.  

2. Design Complexity 

The next thing is the design and its complexity. If your requirements are basic and you want to build a basic website with templates, minimum pages, and less customization required, the development cost can be low. On average, it can cost around $500 to $3,0000. However, the cost will significantly rise if your needs are more complex. Custom WordPress sites are more expensive than theme-based ones, costing around $5,000 to $35,000 or more. 

3. Required Functionality

The more functionality you add to your WordPress website, the more cost you incur. For instance, your business needs are basic and require a website with basic functions that can be developed for around a few hundred dollars.  However, building an eCommerce website requires more time, investment, and expertise.

It is suggested that you hire a WordPress web development company for your project. They will help you include all the eCommerce-specific features, like streamlining checkout, adding an easy-to-use shopping cart, inventory management, and more. This requires significant investment, and you might pay around $3,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on your project. 

Verdict on the Cost of WordPress Website Development

The cost of developing a customized website on WordPress depends on several factors, the most dominant one being the project's requirements. A simple website with few pages and built with pre-made themes does not require extensive resources and effort. The development cost is around $400 to $800 or more. A website with advanced features and a custom-made theme requires more time, effort, and resources, and the development cost will be around $10,000 to $60,000 or more.

However, some costs are ongoing and will continue as long as your website will. These include domain, hosting, security, and maintenance costs. 

Conclusion 

WordPress development follows cost, even though the platform is free to operate. You need to consider all the important factors that play a pivotal role in raising the cost, including design complexity, required functionality, and core costs. Carefully consider your business and project requirements while developing a WordPress site because a wrong decision can negatively impact the cost and your business’ presence. If you face difficulty in the process, you can hire a dedicated WordPress developer to help you along the way. The hired expert will help you decide by effectively considering your requirements. Before hiring, thoroughly research the developers' expertise. Decisions taken wisely can help you spend less and improve your web presence.