Wordpress is an open source content management system originally used to build blogs. The first version of Wordpress was made available in 2003 as a platform built on top of b2/cafelog. Since then it has expanded and is utilized by millions worldwide. While Wordpress the software is free there is more that goes into launching a Wordpress site that is not. For a real life example check out this article done by Codeable.

Some hidden costs of Wordpress include:

• Domain registration
• Hosting
• Premium themes
• Premium plugins
• Developer fees
• Security services

Pricing Breakdown of a Typical Wordpress Site

• Domain: $12/yr
• Hosting $10/mo-$30/mo
• Premium theme $50-$300+
• Premium plugins $15-$200+ (either one time fees, monthly or annual purchases)
• Developer to setup $30-$100/hr
• Security plugins $99-$500/yr

Pricing Breakdown of a Custom Wordpress Sites

• Custom themes $3000-$6000 +
• Custom site $6000-$15000 +
• Custom ecommerce site $6000-$20000 +
• Custom web app $1500-$60000 +

Pricing Breakdown for Hiring a Developer or Service for Setup and/or Maintenance

• Hourly $30-$100/hr
• Flat rate $500-$1000+
• Maintenance $30-50/monthly + initial hourly / flat rate fees for setup
• Small individual jobs $100+

TL:DR;

Wordpress might be free but there are a lot of hidden costs involved with launching and maintaining a site. Costs can be kept down by having a generic site but comes at the sacrifice of having a custom site built out to address unique requirements of the company.