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Is WordPress Free? Learn What WordPress Really Costs
WordPress is free to download and use, but creating a real website with it usually includes some costs. While the software itself is free, things like web hosting, domains, themes, and plugins might cost you money.
Let’s break it all down clearly, so you understand what you're getting into — whether you’re starting a blog, online store, or business site. We’ll also look at what WordPress is, what you can do with it, and how WordPress SEO services can help you grow.
What Is WordPress?
WordPress is a website builder that lets anyone make a website. It started as a blogging tool in 2003, but now it powers all kinds of websites — including small business sites, online stores, personal portfolios, and news sites.
It’s popular because it’s easy to use and flexible. You don’t need to know coding to create pages, change designs, or post content. WordPress also has thousands of free and paid plugins and themes that add new features to your site.
There are two main versions of WordPress:
- WordPress.org: The free, self-hosted version
- WordPress.com: A hosted platform with free and paid plans
In this blog, we’ll focus on the self-hosted version from WordPress.org, because that’s what most people use when they want full control of their websites.
Is WordPress Really Free?
Yes, the core WordPress software is 100% free. You can go to wordpress.org and download it at no cost.
But to actually use WordPress to run your website, you’ll need some other things — and most of those aren’t free.
Let’s look at the real-world costs of a WordPress website:
- Domain Name
A domain is your web address (like yourname.com).
Cost: Around $10–$15 per year. - Web Hosting
This is where your website’s files are stored so people can visit it online.
Cost: $2–$15 per month for most beginner plans. - Themes
Themes control how your site looks. WordPress has free themes, but paid themes often look better and offer more design choices.
Cost: Free to $60 (one-time payment or subscription). - Plugins
Plugins add features to your site like contact forms, sliders, or online shops. Many are free, but advanced ones cost money.
Cost: Free to $100+ per plugin (some have yearly renewals). - Professional Help (Optional)
If you want better design, performance, or visibility on Google, you may want help from a WordPress SEO agency or developer.
Cost: Varies depending on the service.
So, while WordPress is free, running a good site usually isn’t. That said, you can start small and grow as you need more.
What Can You Do With WordPress
With WordPress, you can build:
- Blogs
- Company websites
- Portfolios
- Online stores (with plugins like WooCommerce)
- Forums or membership sites
- Booking and event sites
It’s very flexible. And with help from WordPress SEO services, your site can rank higher on Google and attract more visitors.
Why SEO Matters for WordPress Sites
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is how websites show up in Google and other search engines. If you want people to find your website, you need good SEO.
WordPress SEO means making sure your WordPress site is easy for search engines to understand. That includes:
- Choosing the right keywords
- Writing helpful content
- Making sure your site loads fast
- Using mobile-friendly themes
- Fixing broken links
- Setting correct titles and descriptions
You can do some of these things on your own, but most people get better results by hiring a WordPress SEO agency or professional.
What Are WordPress SEO Services?
WordPress SEO services are professional tools and help designed to boost your WordPress site’s visibility on search engines.
These services often include:
- Website speed improvements
- SEO audits (finding out what’s wrong or missing)
- Keyword research and planning
- Content writing and editing
- Technical fixes (like sitemaps, redirects, alt text, etc.)
- Local SEO setup (for location-based businesses)
By using a WordPress SEO agency, you save time and avoid guesswork. SEO experts know what works and what doesn’t, especially with WordPress.
How SEO Raft Can Help
If you’re serious about growing your WordPress site, SEO Raft is a great partner. As a trusted WordPress SEO agency, they offer full SEO support designed for WordPress websites.
Here’s what SEO Raft offers:
- Full SEO audits
- Fast site fixes for speed and mobile use
- Detailed keyword research
- Blog writing and content support
- Link-building strategies
- Monthly reports so you can track progress
Whether you’re running a personal blog or a full online store, SEO Raft’s WordPress SEO services can help you bring in more visitors and get better results.
Final Thoughts
WordPress gives you a lot of power — for free. But to get your site online and help people find it, you’ll need to spend a little and plan carefully. From hosting and domains to design and SEO, every step matters.
If you're just starting out or struggling to grow your website, working with a WordPress SEO agency like SEO Raft can make the process easier and more effective.
They understand the unique needs of WordPress users and provide targeted WordPress SEO services to help you succeed.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the software itself is free. But you’ll pay for hosting, a domain name, and possibly themes or plugins.
It’s used to create all kinds of websites — blogs, stores, business pages, and more.
WordPress.org is self-hosted and more flexible. WordPress.com is hosted for you and has more limits unless you pay.
It’s possible with free themes and limited hosting, but not ideal. Most real websites need a small budget.
They are services that help your WordPress site show up on search engines like Google by fixing SEO problems and improving content.
A good agency can help you get more traffic and improve your site faster than trying to figure everything out on your own.
No — SEO Raft helps all kinds of sites, from personal blogs to large online businesses.
You should check at least once a week. Outdated plugins can break your site or create security risks.
