A WordPress website costs from €700 to €12,000+ in total for the first year, depending on its complexity and your requirements. Specifically: €700–1,700 for a basic site, €3,500–7,000 for a professional one, and €12,000+ for premium custom solutions.
The total cost of a WordPress website breaks down into 6 main elements: domain name (€10–15/year), hosting (€60–800/year), theme (free to €200), plugins (€0–600/year), design & development (€300–8,000) and maintenance (€30–250/month). 70%+ of the first year’s cost goes on design/development, while the annual running costs stay low.
In this detailed guide you will find: a full cost breakdown by category, a comparison of WordPress vs Wix vs custom, example prices for 5 types of website, the factors that affect the cost, and how to reduce your overall budget.
⚡ Short answer: how much does a WordPress website cost?
- Basic site (1-5 pages): €700–1,700 first year
- Professional (5-15 pages): €3,500–7,000 first year
- Premium custom: €12,000+ first year
- Annual running costs: €200–1,500/year (hosting + domain + plugins + maintenance)
- WordPress itself: Free (open source)
Cost comparison: WordPress vs Wix vs Shopify vs custom
| Platform | Initial cost | Monthly maintenance | 3-year total | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress + WooCommerce | €700–4,000 | €30–250 | ~€2,500–10,000 | All kinds of sites, maximum flexibility |
| Wix | €0–500 | €15–45 | ~€700–2,000 | Very small / personal sites |
| Shopify | €0–800 | €30–300 | ~€1,500–12,000 | E-commerce, dropshipping |
| Squarespace | €0–500 | €20–65 | ~€900–2,500 | Portfolios, creatives |
| Custom Development | €5,000–25,000 | €200–1,500 | ~€12,000–60,000 | Enterprise, special requirements |
Why WordPress pays off: Of all the platforms, WordPress offers the best balance of cost, flexibility and scalability. You fully own your site (no lock-in), get excellent SEO and have 60,000+ plugins for every need.
WordPress is a website-building platform based on open-source technology. It was originally created as a tool for building and managing blogs, but over time it has grown into a full content management system (CMS). WordPress is used by professionals, bloggers and small businesses to build and maintain their websites. With its simple, user-friendly interface, WordPress lets users publish and update content on a website quickly and easily. There are also tens of thousands of themes and plugins that help users tailor their website to their needs.
Flexibility and adaptability
Flexibility and adaptability are key when it comes to WordPress. WordPress is a platform that lets users adapt their website to their needs and match its look to their tastes. WordPress offers flexible customisation options, such as creating custom themes, adding plugins and changing the website layout. This way, users can create a unique experience for their visitors. WordPress also makes it easy to update and adjust content, so users can keep adapting their sites.
Want to learn more about WordPress?
See our full guide to the advantages of WordPress and the process of building a WordPress website. Read the full guide →
How much does a WordPress website cost in Greece?
| Cost item | Basic | Professional | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Name (.gr / .com) | €10–15/year | €10–15/year | €10–15/year |
| Hosting | €60–150/year | €200–500/year | €600–2,000/year |
| Theme | Free | €50–100 | €200+ (custom) |
| Premium Plugins | €0–100/year | €200–500/year | €500–1,500/year |
| Design & Development | €300–800 | €1,000–3,500 | €5,000+ |
| SSL | Free | €50–100/year | €150–300/year |
| Maintenance | €30–60/month | €80–200/month | €250+/month |
| First year | ~€700–1,700 | ~€3,500–7,000 | ~€12,000+ |
For a detailed guide to the process of building a WordPress website, read our complete guide to building a WordPress website →
So if WordPress is free, where does the cost come from?
WordPress is one of the most popular tools for building and managing websites, and it is free. It is open-source software, which means anyone can use and modify it freely. Most people, though, wonder where the cost comes from if WordPress is free. In reality, there are several ways to spend money on using WordPress, depending on your needs and requirements.
The most basic is buying a domain name and hosting. When installing WordPress, you need to choose a domain name to represent your website and buy hosting space to store your website’s files. You can buy a domain name from a domain registrar such as myip (a Greek provider) and choose a hosting provider for your website, again for example myip.gr
Once you have bought the domain name and hosting, you need to connect the domain name to the hosting. This is done by updating the domain name’s DNS records to point to your host’s nameservers.
Once you have connected the domain name to the hosting, you can install WordPress on your hosting space. This can be done with a one-click installation from your hosting control panel. Then you, or a professional, are ready to start building your website.
When do I pay for hosting and the domain name?
Hosting and the domain name are paid for annually. You need to pay the amount every year when your subscription renews.
What is the initial cost of hosting and a domain name?
The initial cost of hosting and a domain name varies depending on the service provider. You can contact your provider for detailed information about the cost.
What do hosting and a domain name include?
Hosting covers storing your website and making it accessible to the world. The domain name is your website’s URL. It also lets you have your own email address, such as example@example.com.
Can I move my website to another hosting provider?
Yes, you can move your website to another hosting provider. This is usually done by transferring the website’s files and database. Contact your new hosting provider for more information about the transfer process.
How long does a domain name last?
How long a domain name lasts depends on the service provider. A domain name is usually registered for one year. After that period you need to renew the domain name to keep it registered. You can renew your domain name, and during the renewal period you pay the relevant amount to keep it registered for another year.
What happens if I don’t renew my domain name?
If you do not renew your domain name, it will become available for someone else to register. You may lose your registration and someone else may take it.
Installing a free theme vs a paid theme
The theme you install on your website is an important factor in your users’ experience. You can choose between a free theme and a paid one. Free themes provide a basic set of features and design, while paid themes offer extra advanced features and customisation options. A free theme is a good choice for new users or for anyone on a limited budget. They are easy to install and customise and give visitors a reasonably good experience. Paid themes, on the other hand, offer more specialised and advanced design and features.
What do plugins cost?
WordPress plugins offer a wide range of functions and tools that can strengthen your website and adapt its content to your needs. However, there is also the question of cost. The cost of plugins can vary depending on the features they provide and their quality. Some plugins are free and you can use them without spending anything, while others have to be bought or require a subscription plan. It is important to assess your business’s needs and decide whether the cost of a plugin is a necessary investment for your website. A fairly important factor when assessing the cost of plugins is whether they are kept up to date and have good support.
How much does a mid-budget website cost?
When a professional or small business owner decides to create a mid-budget website, several factors affect the cost. The first decision is the choice of platform. WordPress is a popular choice because it is easy to use and offers a wide range of features.
The next factor is the work of the developer and the web designer. The developer will build the website’s technical infrastructure, while the web designer will give it its look and feel. What these professionals cost will vary according to their experience and skills. An experienced, larger team will increase the cost but will help your website or online store (eshop) succeed.
Real examples of WordPress costs by type of site
| Type of website | Pages | Total cost (first year) | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing Page (1 page) | 1 | €500–1,000 | 3–7 days |
| Personal Blog | 5–10 | €700–1,500 | 1–2 weeks |
| Corporate website | 5–10 | €1,500–3,500 | 2–4 weeks |
| WooCommerce Eshop (up to 100 products) | 10–20 | €2,000–5,000 | 3–6 weeks |
| Custom Business Site | 10–30 | €4,000–10,000 | 2–4 months |
| Membership / LMS | 20+ | €5,000–15,000 | 3–6 months |
| Marketplace / B2B Platform | 30+ | €10,000–40,000+ | 4–8 months |
Prices based on real Webmate projects in the Greek market (2026). The cost includes design, development, content setup and 1 month of free maintenance.
Other factors that affect the cost of a website
Apart from designing and developing a website, there are other factors that affect its cost. One of these is website maintenance. If your website needs frequent updates, new content or changes to its structure, you should plan for support and maintenance from a professional. This means an extra charge, which may be monthly or per job, depending on the amount of work.
The need to keep your website secure and protected from hackers and malware can also add to the cost. To keep your website secure you need good hosting, as well as daily backups of your business’s online store or WordPress website.
Indicative website development costs
| Cost | Basic | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Name (.gr / .com) | €14–20/year | €14–20/year |
| Hosting WordPress | €50–250/year (shared) | €200–800/year (managed/VPS) |
| Premium Theme | €0 (free) – €60 (one-time) | €60–200 (one-time or annual licence) |
| Premium Plugins | €0–100/year | €200–600/year |
| Maintenance & Updates | €30–60/month | €80–250/month |
| SEO & Content | €0–150/month (DIY) | €250–800/month |
5 tips to reduce the cost of a WordPress website
- Start with a ready-made premium theme (Astra Pro, Kadence) instead of a custom design: saves €1,000–3,000
- Use free plugins instead of premium ones where possible: WPForms (free), Yoast SEO Free, MonsterInsights Lite: saves €200–500/year
- Pay for hosting annually instead of monthly: saves 15–30%
- Provide the content yourself (texts, photos) instead of outsourcing content writing: saves €300–1,500
- Phased development: start with an MVP (5 pages) and expand as revenue grows: saves 50%+ in the first phase
Want an exact cost breakdown for your project?
Send us your requirements and you will receive a free detailed quote within 24 hours.
