How much does a “free” WordPress website cost to your small business?
The true cost of a “free” WordPress website often includes security, maintenance, and hosting fees.
Without proper oversight, small businesses can lose time, money, and opportunities.
Alternative platforms may offer better support, less hassle, and better long-term value.
When you’re just starting out or running a small business, the idea of a “free” WordPress website can seem like the perfect solution. You get a website up and running quickly without any upfront costs—what’s not to love? However, like most things that sound too good to be true, there are hidden costs to consider. From unexpected hosting fees to security vulnerabilities and time-draining maintenance, that “free” WordPress site may end up costing you more than you think.
Let’s deeply dive into what a “free” WordPress site costs and whether it’s the best option for your small business.
The Hidden Costs Behind “Free”
WordPress itself is free to download and use, which attracts millions of users worldwide. However, running a professional website that reflects the quality of your business requires more than just installing WordPress.
Here are some of the costs that many small business owners don’t realize they’ll encounter, and these add up
1. Security Vulnerabilities – The Hidden Danger
WordPress is the most popular website platform in the world, and with that popularity comes a significant downside—it’s also a top target for hackers. WordPress sites are often vulnerable because they rely on various third-party plugins and themes, which may not always be secure or up-to-date. Without investing in premium security plugins, firewalls, and ongoing monitoring, your website could be at serious risk.
What could this cost?
Premium security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 per year, not including the cost of malware removal services, should something go wrong. And don’t forget—time spent addressing security breaches can take you away from running your business.
2. Maintenance & Updates – The Constant Upkeep
WordPress requires regular updates to the core software, themes, and plugins. While updating might seem simple, the process can break your site if a plugin is incompatible with a new WordPress version. Worse, outdated themes and plugins can create vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
The Cost of Neglecting Maintenance
If you’re not a developer, you might have to hire one just to ensure your updates run smoothly. This can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the complexity of the site. Ignoring updates can result in performance issues, security breaches, and higher long-term repair costs.
3. Custom Development – When Free Isn’t Enough
While WordPress offers a lot of flexibility, small businesses often find that the basic setup doesn’t meet their needs. To get features like custom forms, advanced booking systems, or integrations with CRM tools, you’ll need custom development, which can get pricey.
The Cost of Custom Features
Hiring a developer to add custom features to your site can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the work. Even seemingly small changes can add up quickly when you’re relying on custom development.
4. Hosting Fees – No Free Lunch
Although WordPress itself is free, you’ll need somewhere to host your website. Free hosting plans often come with limitations such as slow load times, limited storage, or even forced ads on your site. To avoid these pitfalls, you’ll likely need a reliable hosting plan with sufficient bandwidth and speed.
What to Expect from Hosting Costs
For a decent hosting plan with good performance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 annually, depending on your provider and the level of support you require. Managed WordPress hosting (which offers automated updates and security) can cost even more, often upwards of $1,000 per year.
5. Backup & Recovery – Don’t Risk It
Imagine this scenario: Your website goes down, and you lose everything—content, customer data, orders. Without a backup and recovery plan, this could be disastrous for your business. While there are free backup plugins available, the reliability of those free tools isn’t always guaranteed.
How Much Is Peace of Mind Worth?
Premium backup services like VaultPress or BackupBuddy can range from $100 to $300 per year. While this might seem like an extra cost, the peace of mind knowing your site is backed up and secure is invaluable.
6. SEO and Performance Optimization – Necessary, but Not Free
Even if you manage to get your WordPress site up and running, how will people find it? SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for driving traffic to your website. However, many WordPress sites are not optimized out of the box, and achieving good SEO requires specialized tools and plugins.
What Will This Cost You?
Premium SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath offer free versions, but to unlock the full potential of these tools, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which can cost between $89 to $199 per year. Additionally, you may need to hire an SEO expert to fine-tune your site, which can run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the level of service.
I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. Since you got your “free” WordPress, you’ve been working for your website. You’re not alone—we’ve all jumped on that wagon at some point. But after a while, when you add up the hidden expenses—security, hosting, backups, maintenance, and customization—it becomes clear that “free” isn’t so free after all.
That’s where I come in. My mission is to help small businesses grow by providing solutions that actually work for your needs—without the headaches and unexpected costs. If you’re ready to get a website that truly supports your business goals, let’s connect. I’d love to chat about how we can create an online presence that’s built for success.
Click the link, and let’s chat about how we can make your website work for you, not against you. Together, we’ll find the right solution to help your business stand out and grow.
