Saturday 20 May 2023

Does WordPress Really Come Free? The Costs to Run a WordPress Website

Is WordPress free? Open source is one of the main reasons why WordPress is so popular. Anyone can use the platform for any purpose without having to pay an upfront license fee. It has allowed hundreds of thousands to create their own websites without any development skills.

Does this mean that every WordPress website is free? No. You can use it for free, but there are costs associated with getting your site online and promoting.

This post will explain if WordPress is really free. It will also tell you how to build a free WordPress site.

Let’s start.

WordPress is completely free

WordPress is an open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License. The source code of WordPress is open to the public for whatever purpose they choose. This means that you can:

There are no restrictions on how you use the software and it is free. No restrictions are placed on the use of the software. There are also no associated costs. Modify WordPress according to your needs. As open-source software you can play around with the code as much as you like. You can customize the appearance and functionality of your website, add new features, or fix any problems you find. Redistribute – You may share your modified WordPress version with others so that they can benefit from your customizations and enhancements. There is, for example, a fork called ClassicPress that does not have the Gutenberg block editor. The open-source license of WordPress makes projects like this possible. You must distribute all WordPress-based software under the GPL. You can copy the code and create something completely different. You can improve your coding skills and better understand the software by copying it.

As you can see, WordPress is a free platform. WordPress doesn’t belong to a single corporation, which is the main reason why it is free. It is instead a collaborative effort by volunteers who give their time and energies to improve it.

But, there are costs associated with running a WordPress website

WordPress is free, but if you wish to create, publish and manage a website, you will have to pay for other services. The costs can vary depending upon your needs and the services that you select. It’s impossible to create a website for free, even if it is based on WordPress. You’ll need to factor in some costs.

1. Domain Registration

You’ll need to have a domain name in order for it to be accessible on the Internet. This is the URL that users enter into their browsers to access your website. Domain registration costs typically range between $5 and $20 per year. However, premium domain extensions can cost more.

namecheap search results

2. Web Hosting

You’ll need to hire a hosting company in order for visitors to be able access your WordPress site. Hosting companies are those that rent server space for storing your website files.

wp engine managed wordpress hosting provider

Hosting comes in many forms, including shared, managed WordPress, and VPS. Prices for the plans vary greatly, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred. All depends on your needs and what you choose.

3. Themes

There are many free WordPress themes, but you may wish to purchase a premium theme for its additional functionality or design. Premium themes cost anywhere between $30 and $100. Some are even more expensive.

wordpress themes directory

4. Plug-ins

There are many options that can be used for free, and they often work well with smaller sites.

plugin directory

You may choose to upgrade to a premium version with additional features or better customer support. Prices can vary. Prices can vary from a single fee to an annual membership, which is usually between $20-200 or more depending on the plugin.

5. The Security of Your Own Home

Security plugins or services protect your website against hackers, malware and other threats. It is important to have a solution in place for this. The prices vary as well. Some solutions offer basic protection for free, whereas more comprehensive ones may require a monthly fee or an annual subscription.

firewall as protection against ddos attacks schematic

Cloudflare

6. Backups

It is important to regularly backup your website so that you can restore it quickly if anything goes wrong. Some hosting companies include backups in their plans while others charge extra. You can use plugins to control backups. Some offer free options, while others require a subscription.

updraftplus wordpress backup plugin

7. Developer/Designer fees

You may need to hire an expert designer or developer if you require custom design or development work. These services are subject to a wide range of costs depending on their complexity and the experience of the professionals you hire.

8. Maintenance and Support

For the security and performance your website, it is important to perform regular maintenance. This includes updating plugins, themes and WordPress. To help you with these tasks, you may wish to invest in either a maintenance service or support plan. This can cost anywhere from a few dollars per month to several hundred.

wpbuffs wordpress maintenance service homepage

9. SEO and Marketing Tools

Search engine optimization (SEO), or marketing, is essential to increase the visibility of your website and increase traffic. SEO plugins and tools are available in many different forms, with varying prices depending on their features.

wordpress seo plugin example

What is the average amount of talk?

If you use free plugins and themes, and you learn how to build your site yourself, then you can manage a WordPress website for $50-$100 per year. The higher the price, the more you spend on premium components, services and extensions. There’s no limit.

When you reach the stage where you have to spend considerable amounts of money on marketing and running your website, the revenue it generates usually makes the cost worth it.

How to create a WordPress site for free

Is it possible to run a site without a budget if WordPress is available for free? There are a few ways to do it, but they come with some caveats.

Install WordPress locally

Certain software programs allow you to install WordPress on your computer. These programs create an environment that allows you to run WordPress just like on a real server.

localwp local wordpress development tool homepage

This option is used primarily for testing and development purposes since your website won’t be available to the public. You would need to purchase a domain name and web hosting. It is a great way to learn more about WordPress, and how you can use it to create websites without spending any money.

These articles will help you learn more about the local installation process:

How To Use Local (By XAMPP) For WordPress DevelopmentHow to Install WordPress Locally with XAMPP on Windows And Mac

WordPress.com offers a free plan

WordPress is available in two versions. The self-hosted one, which you can download from WordPress.org to install anywhere you like and the hosted one on WordPress.com.

wordpress.com homepage

It’s more like a SaaS service, where you create an online account and the website will be created and hosted for you. You can still use WordPress but you won’t be able to access the server environment.

WordPress.com offers a free, basic plan that allows you to create a WordPress website with a subdomain (e.g., yourwebsite.wordpress.com). The plan has limited storage and customization options, but also comes with limited features. WordPress.com advertisements will be displayed on your website, and you’ll not be able install custom plugins or themes.

When you use a self hosted WordPress site (meaning that you download the WordPress software from WordPress.org, install it on a web server), you are free to do whatever you like. You will also have to pay at least for hosting and a name. It gives you more control and flexibility.

Free hosting providers

Some free web hosts allow you to install WordPress onto their servers. You can also get a domain for free. For example, some free hosting providers also offer free subdomains (e.g., yourwebsite.provider.com) as part of their service.

Keep in mind, however, that many of these free offers come with restrictions, including limited storage or bandwidth and ads may appear on your website. Their performance, reliability, and security are almost certainly inferior to those of paid options.

This is why, although it may look like a good idea on paper, this would not be suitable for serious or professional use. This is also why we don’t link to them.

What is the true cost of WordPress?

WordPress is known for being an open-source software that allows you to build websites. WordPress is a platform that offers many freedoms and is free. However, it does have costs.

This includes domain registration, web hosting, but also themes, plugins and other costs such as security, maintenance and marketing. It’s natural to spend money on a website that is so complex.

Finaly, while there are free ways to build a WordPress website, these often have limitations, making them unsuitable for professionals. It’s well worth investing in components and services that will ensure you have a secure and user-friendly site.

What is it about WordPress’s freedoms that you enjoy the most? What is the one thing you believe it’s worth investing in to have a successful WordPress site? Tell us in the comments.

Is WordPress really free? What are the costs of running a WordPress site?

The post Does WordPress Really Come Free? The Costs to Run a WordPress Website appeared first on Affiliate Marketing Buzz.



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