£12-£25 per month sounds cheap. But over three years, that's £432-£1,400 - and you own the software but not the hosting. Here's how our packages compare.
3-year cost comparison
| Option | 3-year total | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Kickstart | £2,115 | Yes |
| Support Scheme | £773-£1,643 | Yes |
| Straight-up Build | £1,799 | Yes |
| WordPress | £432-£1,400 | Yes |
Straight-up Build includes 6 months free hosting; hosting is optional thereafter. The figure above includes hosting at £10/month for the remaining months for comparison. Kickstart and Support Scheme include hosting during the term - see package details.
WordPress pricing: Free software; hosting £8-£25/month for UK business tier.
The real minimum
The advertised price is often for a tier you cannot realistically use.
- £8/month hosting is often oversold, slow, and poorly supported.
- Need £12-15+ for decent shared hosting. Security, updates, and performance are your responsibility.
Our packages include design and build from day one. No tier upgrades, no hidden limits. Hosting and domain are separate unless stated in the package.
Best for
WordPress: Flexibility, DIY maintenance, content-heavy sites. You own the software.
Bespoke: Quality, ownership, accessibility and performance built in, long-term value. Over 3 years the cost is often similar or less.
When WordPress is not ideal
Guaranteed performance. Accessibility. Avoiding security and maintenance headaches.
Common pain points
- Hosting quality varies; cheap often means slow
- Security and updates are your responsibility
- Themes and plugins break accessibility
Year 4 and beyond
With our packages for standard websites and Stripe payment sites, you own the site. Year 4 onwards, ongoing costs are hosting and domain renewal (separate) - typically around £10/month for hosting. (Shopify is different - a hosted service you never own.) With WordPress, you keep paying the full subscription. Forever.
Already on WordPress?
Content can be moved. See when to leave your site builder and website rescue for the migration path. When to leave your site builder helps you decide if it's time. Website rescue: when to fix vs rebuild covers the fix vs rebuild decision. Website rescue is for sites that need stabilising or rebuilding.
FAQs
How much does WordPress cost over 3 years?
£288-£1,400 depending on hosting and setup. You own the software but not the hosting.
Can I migrate from WordPress to bespoke?
Yes. Content can be moved. See the migration section on this page.
Related reading
- Custom build vs template: what you really get
- Themes vs bespoke: where accessibility breaks first
- When to leave your site builder
- Website rescue: when to fix vs rebuild
- Budgeting for website projects
Next steps
Try the cost calculator for a quick estimate, or get in touch to discuss packages. See the full website costs comparison for all platforms.