Quick Answer: What Does a Website Really Cost?
Let's cut through the noise. The cost of starting a website in 2026 depends entirely on what you need. Here's the real breakdown:
| Website Type | First-Year Cost | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Blog / Personal Site | $34 – $100 | ~$3 – $8/mo |
| Small Business Website | $100 – $500 | ~$8 – $42/mo |
| Professional / Custom Site | $500 – $5,000 | ~$42 – $417/mo |
| E-commerce Store | $500 – $10,000+ | ~$42 – $833/mo |
| Enterprise / Custom App | $5,000 – $50,000+ | Varies |
💡 Bottom Line
Most beginners can launch a fully functional, professional-looking website for under $50 in the first year using WordPress + Hostinger. You do NOT need to spend thousands unless you need custom development or an e-commerce store.
Now let's break down each individual cost so you know exactly where your money goes — and where you can save.
Domain Name Cost
Your domain name is your website's address — like yoursite.com. It's the first thing visitors see, and it's essential for credibility and branding.
| Domain Type | Registration Cost | Renewal Cost |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $8 – $15/year | $10 – $18/year |
| .net / .org | $9 – $15/year | $12 – $18/year |
| .co / .io | $20 – $50/year | $25 – $60/year |
| Country codes (.co.uk, .de) | $5 – $15/year | $8 – $18/year |
| Premium domains | $50 – $10,000+ | Standard renewal |
💰 Money-Saving Tip
Most hosting providers include a free domain for the first year. Hostinger's Premium plan includes a free .com domain, saving you $10–$15 upfront. You can also register domains affordably through Dynadot starting at $7.99/year.
For a detailed guide on picking and buying your domain, read our complete How to Buy a Domain Name guide.
Web Hosting Cost
Web hosting is the service that makes your website accessible on the internet. Think of it as renting space on a server where your website files live. This is typically your biggest recurring expense.
| Hosting Type | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 – $12/mo | Beginners, blogs, small sites |
| Managed WordPress | $15 – $50/mo | WordPress-focused sites |
| VPS Hosting | $10 – $80/mo | Growing sites, developers |
| Cloud Hosting | $10 – $200/mo | High-traffic, scalable needs |
| Dedicated Server | $80 – $500+/mo | Enterprise, large e-commerce |
⚡ Our Recommendation
Start with shared hosting. For 95% of new websites, shared hosting is more than enough. Hostinger Premium at $2.99/month gives you 100 GB SSD, free SSL, free domain, and WordPress pre-installed. You can always upgrade later as your site grows.
Not sure which hosting type is right for you? Read our detailed comparison: Shared Hosting vs VPS vs Cloud and our How to Choose Web Hosting guide.
Website Platform / CMS Cost
Your website platform (CMS — Content Management System) is the software you use to build and manage your site. The platform you choose dramatically affects both cost and flexibility.
| Platform | Software Cost | Total First Year* |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org ✅ | Free (open-source) | $35 – $100 (hosting only) |
| Wix | $17 – $159/mo | $204 – $1,908 |
| Squarespace | $16 – $49/mo | $192 – $588 |
| Shopify (e-commerce) | $29 – $299/mo | $348 – $3,588 |
| Webflow | $14 – $39/mo | $168 – $468 |
* Total first year includes hosting for WordPress, or subscription fees for hosted platforms.
WordPress.org powers 43% of all websites and is our top recommendation because it's free, fully customizable, and the most cost-effective option long-term. Learn how to set it up in our How to Install WordPress guide.
Design & Theme Cost
Your website's theme controls how it looks. The good news? You can get a stunning, professional design without spending a fortune.
Free Themes ($0)
- • Astra — Lightweight, fast, customizable
- • Kadence — Modern, performance-focused
- • GeneratePress — Clean, developer-friendly
- • Flavor starter themes — Starter templates
Perfect for blogs, portfolios, and small businesses.
Premium Themes ($30 – $200)
- • Divi — $89/yr or $249 lifetime
- • Astra Pro — $47 – $187/yr
- • GeneratePress Premium — $59/yr
- • ThemeForest themes — $30 – $80 one-time
More design options, templates, and support.
For custom web design by a professional, expect to pay $500 – $5,000+. However, most beginners can achieve professional results using free themes with page builders like Elementor or the WordPress block editor. You can also hire a freelancer on Fiverr for custom design work starting at $50–$300.
Plugins & Extensions Cost
Plugins add features to your website — contact forms, SEO tools, security, speed optimization, and more. WordPress has over 60,000 free plugins, so you can build a feature-rich site without spending anything extra.
Essential Free Plugins (Cost: $0)
Popular Premium Plugins
| Plugin | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Elementor Pro | Page builder | $59 – $399/yr |
| Rank Math Pro | Advanced SEO | $59 – $499/yr |
| WooCommerce extensions | E-commerce features | $49 – $299/yr each |
| WPForms Pro | Advanced forms | $49 – $299/yr |
| MonsterInsights Pro | Analytics | $99 – $399/yr |
💡 Pro Tip
Start with free plugins only. You can always upgrade to premium versions later when your site is generating traffic or revenue. Most beginners never need premium plugins in the first 6–12 months.
SSL & Security Cost
An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and visitors. It's the padlock icon and "https://" in your URL. SSL is mandatory in 2026 — Google penalizes sites without it, and browsers show "Not Secure" warnings.
Bottom line: SSL is free with any good hosting provider. Unless you're running an e-commerce store processing payments, the free Let's Encrypt SSL is all you need.
Professional Email Cost
A professional email address (like you@yoursite.com) builds trust and credibility. Here are your options:
| Email Service | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting-included email | Free (with hosting) | Basic, limited storage |
| Google Workspace | $6 – $18/user/mo | Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar |
| Microsoft 365 | $6 – $22/user/mo | Outlook, OneDrive, Office apps |
| Zoho Mail | Free – $4/user/mo | Good free tier, professional |
For beginners, the free email included with hosting is perfectly fine. Upgrade to Google Workspace when you need professional collaboration tools.
Developer / Freelancer Cost
If you can't (or don't want to) build your site yourself, you can hire a professional. Here's what to expect:
| Service | Fiverr | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress setup | $20 – $100 | $200 – $500 |
| Custom theme design | $100 – $500 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Logo design | $10 – $100 | $300 – $2,000 |
| Full website build | $200 – $1,500 | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| E-commerce store | $300 – $2,000 | $3,000 – $25,000 |
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you find skilled freelancers at a fraction of agency prices. You can also design your own graphics using Canva for free.
Ongoing Maintenance Cost (Year 2+)
Your website isn't a one-time expense. Here's what to budget for ongoing maintenance each year:
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Hosting renewal | $36 – $360/yr |
| Domain renewal | $10 – $18/yr |
| Premium plugin renewals | $0 – $500/yr |
| Theme updates | $0 – $100/yr |
| Backup service | $0 – $100/yr |
| CDN (Cloudflare) | $0 (free plan) – $240/yr |
| Total Annual Maintenance | $50 – $1,300/yr |
⚠️ Renewal Price Warning
Many hosting providers offer low introductory prices ($2.99/mo) that increase at renewal ($7.99–$13.99/mo). Always check the renewal price before signing up. Longer initial terms (36–48 months) lock in the lower price for longer.
3 Real Budget Scenarios
Here are three realistic scenarios showing exactly what you'd spend to launch a website in 2026:
🟢 Budget Build — $35/year
Perfect for personal blogs, portfolios, and hobby sites.
- • Hostinger Premium hosting: $2.99/mo × 12 = $35.88
- • Domain name: $0 (free with hosting)
- • WordPress: $0 (free)
- • Astra free theme: $0
- • Free plugins (SEO, security, forms): $0
- • SSL certificate: $0 (free with hosting)
Total First Year: ~$36
🔵 Professional Build — $200–$500/year
For small businesses, freelancers, and serious bloggers.
- • Hostinger Business hosting: $3.99/mo × 12 = $47.88
- • Domain name: $0 (free with hosting)
- • WordPress: $0
- • Premium theme (Astra Pro): $47
- • Elementor Pro: $59
- • Rank Math Pro: $59
- • Logo design (Fiverr): $30
- • Professional email (Zoho): $0 (free tier)
Total First Year: ~$243
🟣 Premium Build — $2,000–$5,000+/year
For established businesses, e-commerce stores, and custom projects.
- • VPS or Cloud hosting: $20–$80/mo = $240–$960
- • Premium domain: $50–$500
- • Custom design (freelancer): $500–$2,000
- • Premium plugins bundle: $200–$500
- • Google Workspace: $72/yr
- • CDN + Security (Cloudflare Pro): $240/yr
- • Professional copywriting: $500–$2,000
Total First Year: ~$2,000–$5,000+
Hidden Costs Most People Forget
Beyond the obvious expenses, watch out for these commonly overlooked costs:
How to Save Money on Your Website
Here are proven strategies to minimize costs without sacrificing quality:
1. Choose Longer Billing Cycles
Hosting is cheapest when you pay for 36–48 months upfront. Hostinger's $2.99/mo rate requires a 48-month commitment — but it saves you hundreds compared to monthly billing.
2. Use Free Themes & Plugins First
Free WordPress themes like Astra and Kadence are genuinely excellent. Only upgrade to premium when you hit specific limitations.
3. Bundle Your Domain with Hosting
Most hosting plans include a free domain for the first year. Take advantage of this instead of buying separately.
4. Use Free SSL (Let's Encrypt)
Never pay for SSL unless you need EV (Extended Validation) for e-commerce. Free SSL provides the same encryption.
5. DIY with Page Builders
Instead of hiring a designer, use the free Elementor or WordPress block editor. Hundreds of free templates available.
6. Watch for Sales & Coupons
Hosting providers run major sales during Black Friday, New Year, and special events. Check our Deals page for current promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a website in 2026?
A basic website costs $34–$100 per year using WordPress with shared hosting. This includes a domain name, hosting, free theme, and free plugins. Professional sites cost $200–$5,000+ depending on custom design and premium tools.
Can I build a website for free?
Yes, platforms like WordPress.com, Wix, and Google Sites offer free plans. However, free websites have major limitations: no custom domain, platform ads, limited storage. For a professional presence, budget at least $35–$100/year.
What's the cheapest way to build a website?
WordPress.org + Hostinger shared hosting ($2.99/mo with free domain and SSL). Use a free theme like Astra and free plugins. Total first-year cost: approximately $35–$50.
How much does a domain name cost?
A .com domain costs $8–$15/year. Many hosting plans include a free domain for the first year. Premium or short domains can cost $50–$10,000+ depending on demand.
Do I need to pay for website maintenance?
Yes. Budget $50–$500/year for hosting renewal, domain renewal, plugin updates, and backups. The exact amount depends on how many premium tools you use.
Is WordPress cheaper than Wix or Squarespace?
Yes. WordPress hosting starts at $2.99/mo vs Wix at $17/mo and Squarespace at $16/mo. WordPress gives you full ownership and unlimited customization, making it cheaper long-term.
Conclusion: How Much Should YOU Spend?
The cost of starting a website in 2026 ranges from $35/year for a basic site to $5,000+ for a custom professional build. The great news? You don't need to spend thousands to have a professional online presence.
Here's our recommendation based on your situation:
🚀 Ready to Start Your Website?
Follow our step-by-step guides to launch your website today: