The WordPress software is free. Running a business website on it is not. You can download WordPress, install it and use it commercially without paying a licence fee, but you still pay for a domain, hosting and, in most cases, some mix of premium themes, plugins, maintenance and the time it takes to build.
So “free” is true and misleading at the same time. Here is where the money actually goes.
What free really means here
WordPress is open source software released under the GNU General Public License. You can use it, change it and run it on as many sites as you like, for any purpose. Nobody sends you an invoice for the software itself.
That is free in the sense developers care about: freedom to use and modify the code. It was never a promise that your website would cost nothing.
WordPress.org versus WordPress.com
Much of the confusion comes from two nearly identical names.
WordPress.org: free software, your own hosting
This is the self hosted version most business sites run on. The software costs nothing, but it has to live somewhere, and that somewhere is a hosting account you pay for every year.
WordPress.com: a hosted service with a free tier
WordPress.com is a commercial service run by Automattic. Its free plan puts your site on a WordPress.com subdomain, with limits on design, plugins and branding. Paid plans lift those limits. For a business that wants its own domain and a professional look, the free tier is a starting point, not a destination.
The real costs of a self hosted WordPress site
Domain name
Your web address is a yearly registration. A .com.au domain also requires an Australian connection, which for most businesses means an ABN.
Hosting
Bargain shared hosting exists. A business site is better served by fast, secure hosting with backups, an SSL certificate and support that answers during Perth business hours. Whatever you choose, it is a cost for the life of the site.
Theme
Free themes are plentiful and some are excellent. Plenty of businesses still buy a premium theme or page builder licence for extra layouts and direct support, usually renewed yearly.
Plugins
The plugin directory is packed with free tools. The catch is that the free version often covers the basics, while advanced forms, SEO features, backups or security extras sit behind a paid upgrade. A handful of small yearly licences adds up quietly.
Build time
Someone has to plan the pages, write the content, design the layout and configure everything. If that someone is you, the cost is your time. If it is a developer, it is usually the biggest line in the budget.
Maintenance
WordPress core, themes and plugins update often, and some of those updates close security holes. Applying them, checking nothing broke and keeping backups is either a monthly care plan or a recurring job on your own list. Skipping it is the most expensive option of all, just later.
Where free genuinely helps you
None of this makes the free licence meaningless. It saves you real money in ways closed platforms cannot match.
You never pay a platform fee simply to keep the site switched on, as you do with most website builders. You can move to a better host whenever you like. And because thousands of free plugins and themes exist, you pay only for the extras you actually need.
There is a quieter saving too: ownership. If your developer disappears, another one can pick the site up, because the software is open and widely used. That freedom is worth more than the licence fee you never paid.
How to keep a WordPress site lean
- Choose a lightweight theme, and avoid stacking a page builder on top of a heavy one.
- Install each plugin for a clear job, and delete the ones you no longer use.
- Spend on hosting quality before premium extras.
- Budget for maintenance from day one, not after the first problem.
Our WordPress web design page explains how we scope builds for Perth businesses with exactly these trade-offs in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use WordPress for a commercial website without a licence fee?
Yes. The GPL lets you use WordPress for any purpose, including commercial sites, with no licence fee. You pay only for the services and extras around it.
Are free WordPress themes safe to use?
Themes from the official WordPress.org directory are reviewed before they are listed and are generally safe. Be wary of “free” copies of premium themes on unofficial sites, which can hide malicious code.
Do I need to pay for an SSL certificate?
Usually not separately. Most reputable hosts include a free certificate, commonly from Let’s Encrypt. Confirm it is included and renews automatically.
Is WordPress cheaper than Wix or Squarespace?
Often over the long run, because there is no platform subscription. Upfront it can cost more, since a builder lets you start without a developer. The fair comparison is total cost over three to five years.
Price it properly
Want a realistic figure rather than a “free” one? Explore our WordPress web design service, or book a discovery call and we will cost out what your site actually needs.
