When I tell people I build WordPress websites, the first question is always: “How much does it cost?“
The answer? It depends. (I know, not helpful yet.)
After building 300+ WordPress sites over 7 years, I’ve learned that pricing varies wildly – from $50 DIY themes to $50,000 enterprise builds.
But most small business owners aren’t looking for either extreme. You want a professional website that works, looks good, and doesn’t break the bank.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what WordPress websites cost in 2026, what affects the price, and how to get the best value without overpaying.
(Spoiler: You probably need to spend between $500-$2,500 for a quality small business site.)
The WordPress Cost Breakdown
What You're Actually Paying For
- Domain name: $10-20/year
- Hosting: $5-30/month ($60-360/year)
- Theme: $0-60 (one-time)
- Plugins: $0-200/year
- Development/design: $500-5,000 (one-time)
- Maintenance: $50-200/month (optional)
Total first year cost
| Cost Component | DIY | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain | $15 | $15 | $15 |
| Hosting | $60/yr | Included | Included |
| Theme | Free | $60 | Custom |
| Design | Your time | $500-2000 | $3K-10K |
| Development | Your time | Included | Included |
| Total | $75+time | $800-2,500 | $3K-15K |
What Affects WordPress Website Cost?
Number of Pages
- 1-5 pages: $500-1,000
- 6-10 pages: $1,000-2,000
- 11-20 pages: $2,000-4,000
- 20+ pages: $4,000+
Custom Design vs. Template
- Pre-made theme customization: +$300-800
- Custom design from scratch: +$1,500-5,000
Functionality Required
Content Creation
- You provide text/images: $0
- Freelancer writes content: +$200-1,000
- Professional photography: +$500-2,000
Real Pricing Examples
Example 1:Local Service Business (Plumber, Lawyer, Consultant)
What they need:
- 5 pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, Blog)
- Professional design
- Contact forms
- Mobile-responsive
- Basic SEO
Realistic cost: $800-1,500
What I charge: $150-280 depending on customization
Example 2: E-commerce Store (Small Online Shop)
What they need:
- 10 pages
- WooCommerce setup
- 20-50 products
- Payment gateway
- Shipping setup
Realistic cost: $1,500-3,000
What I charge: $280-500 (depending on product complexity)
Example 3: Portfolio/Creative Website
What they need:
- 6-8 pages
- Gallery/portfolio section
- Custom animations
- Unique design
Realistic cost: $1,000-2,500
What I charge: $200-350