"WordPress is free, so why does a WordPress website cost money?" We hear this a lot, and it's a reasonable thing to wonder. The software is free. Everything around it isn't. Once you see the pieces, the quotes you're getting will start to make sense.

The pieces that make up the cost

Domain. A .com or .in typically costs a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees a year. Register it in your own name, always.

Hosting. This is where your site lives, and it matters more than most people realise. Cheap shared hosting is tempting, but it's often the reason a WordPress site is slow or goes down. You don't need an expensive server for a small business site, but you do need reliable, reasonably quick hosting with backups.

Theme. Free themes are fine for simple sites. Premium themes cost a one-time or yearly fee and give you more layouts. Lighter themes load faster than the big "do everything" ones.

Plugins. Forms, SEO, caching, security, backups. Lots are free, and premium versions usually carry yearly licences. Keep the list short. Every plugin is something to update and a possible weak spot.

Design and development. Planning, designing and building the site. This is the biggest variable, and it depends on how many pages you need, how custom the design is and what the site has to do.

Content. Copy, photos and graphics. If you supply them, the cost comes down. If the agency creates them, budget for it.

Maintenance. WordPress, themes and plugins need regular updates, plus backups and security checks. This is the cost people forget, and forgetting it is how sites get hacked.

What we charge

For a real-world reference, our Basic WordPress Website is Rs 35,000. That covers theme setup and customisation, a homepage and key pages, a contact form, social links, a WhatsApp or call button, mobile-friendly design and basic speed and SEO setup. It's the right fit for most consultants, service providers and startups.

Our Advanced WordPress Website is Rs 70,000. You get deeper customisation, a premium homepage, multiple service pages, lead forms, an optional blog, Maps and social integration, plus on-page SEO and performance work.

Domain, hosting, premium themes and paid plugins are separate.

What pushes the price up

More pages and more unique layouts, obviously. Custom features like bookings, memberships, directories or calculators. Selling products through WooCommerce (at which point it's worth reading Shopify vs WordPress first). Multiple languages. Connecting to a CRM or ERP. And content writing or photography, if you need it.

What a few different businesses might spend

A freelancer or consultant usually needs five to seven pages, a contact form, a WhatsApp button and basic SEO. A basic package plus hosting and a domain covers it.

A clinic, school, hotel or manufacturer tends to need several service pages, enquiry forms, a map, a blog and proper on-page SEO. That's an advanced package, ideally with maintenance.

A content-led business that wants to grow through Google needs a solid blog structure and ongoing content. That's an advanced build plus a monthly SEO retainer.

Yearly costs to keep in mind

Domain renewal. Hosting renewal (check the renewal price, not just the first-year discount). Premium theme and plugin licences. Maintenance and security, which our WordPress Yearly Maintenance plan takes care of. And SEO and content, if organic traffic matters to your business.

How to compare quotes fairly

Ask for a page-by-page scope in writing. Confirm who owns the domain, hosting and admin logins. Ask which plugins will be installed and which need paid licences. Ask what speed and SEO work is included at launch. And check what support you get once the site is live. If two quotes still look wildly different after that, you'll at least know why.

Quick answers

Why not use a free website builder? For a very simple site, you can. WordPress gives you ownership, flexibility and better SEO control as you grow.

How long does it take? Usually two to four weeks for a small business site, depending mostly on how ready your content is.

Do I really need maintenance? Yes. Outdated plugins are one of the most common ways WordPress sites get hacked. Our maintenance guide explains what's involved.

Want a quote for your own site? Browse our website packages or tell us what you need.