Starting a blog is an exciting and potentially profitable venture, whether you’re sharing your expertise, promoting a business, or simply expressing yourself. However, one of the most common questions new bloggers ask is, “How much does it cost to start a blog?” When comparing platforms like WordPress and Wix, there are a variety of factors to consider that impact your overall cost. Both platforms offer a way to build a blog, but they have different pricing structures, features, and requirements that can influence your decision.
In this article, we’ll break down the costs of starting a blog on WordPress versus Wix, including the hosting, domain names, themes, and other necessary components. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how much money you’ll need to invest upfront and on an ongoing basis, whether you choose WordPress or Wix for your blogging journey.
Table Of Contents
WordPress vs. Wix: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the costs, let’s take a brief look at WordPress and Wix to set the stage for our comparison.
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS), meaning it’s free to download and use. However, to make your blog live, you need to pay for hosting, a domain name, and possibly premium themes or plugins. WordPress offers flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for those who want to customize their site and grow it over time.
Wix is a website builder that allows users to create websites with drag-and-drop functionality. It has an intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to design a blog. Wix offers free and paid plans, but for a professional blog with your own domain and without Wix branding, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan.
While both platforms have their merits, the cost structures differ, and understanding these differences is crucial in making the best decision for your blog.
Domain Name
A domain name is your blog’s online address. It’s a key part of your brand and plays a role in how your audience finds and remembers you. Whether you’re using WordPress or Wix, you’ll need to register a domain name unless you opt for a free subdomain (which isn’t recommended if you’re aiming for a professional look).
WordPress Domain Costs
With WordPress, you have to buy a domain name separately through a domain registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy, or you can purchase it through your web hosting provider. The cost of a domain name typically ranges from $10 to $20 per year for a standard .com domain.
- Example: If you’re setting up a blog about home cooking, you could register a domain like deliciousdishes.com for approximately $12 per year.
Many hosting providers, such as Bluehost or SiteGround, offer free domain registration for the first year when you sign up for their hosting plan. However, keep in mind that after the first year, the cost to renew the domain will be standard.
Wix Domain Costs
Wix offers free subdomains, such as yourblog.wixsite.com, but for a professional blog, you’ll need a paid plan that includes a custom domain. The cost for a domain on Wix is typically $14.95 per year, and it comes included with most of their premium plans.
- Example: With Wix’s Combo plan, priced at $14 per month, you get a free domain for the first year, and then it costs around $14.95 per year to renew.
Hosting
Hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes it accessible online. The cost and options for hosting vary significantly between WordPress and Wix.
WordPress Hosting Costs
With WordPress, you need to purchase a hosting plan from a third-party provider. The cost of hosting can vary greatly depending on the provider and the type of plan you choose. Basic shared hosting plans typically cost $3 to $10 per month. If your blog grows, you may want to consider upgrading to VPS (Virtual Private Server) or managed WordPress hosting, which can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 per month.
- Example: If you start with Bluehost, a popular WordPress host, their basic plan is around $3.95 per month, which includes hosting and a free domain for the first year. As your site grows, you might need to upgrade to a more robust plan, which can cost $19.99 per month.
Some hosting companies also offer specialized WordPress hosting, which may cost more but provides optimized performance and better customer support.
Wix Hosting Costs
Wix includes hosting in all of its premium plans, so you won’t need to purchase separate hosting like you do with WordPress. The cost of Wix’s premium plans starts at $14 per month for the Combo plan and goes up to $39 per month for the VIP plan, which includes additional features like increased storage and priority support.
- Example: If you choose the Combo plan at $14 per month, you’re paying for both the hosting and the domain, making it a more streamlined option compared to WordPress.
While Wix handles all the technical aspects of hosting for you, the pricing can be slightly higher than traditional shared hosting with WordPress.
Themes and Design
The design of your blog is one of the first things your visitors will notice. Both WordPress and Wix offer customizable themes, but the cost and flexibility of these themes differ.
WordPress Themes Costs
WordPress offers thousands of free themes, but if you want a more professional look, you can purchase premium themes. The cost of a premium theme typically ranges from $30 to $100 for a one-time purchase.
- Example: A popular premium theme like Divi can cost you around $89 per year, or you can pay a one-time fee of $249 for lifetime access.
You can also use page builders like Elementor or WPBakery to design your blog, which might come with additional costs, typically around $49 to $99 per year for premium features.
Wix Themes Costs
Wix offers a wide range of templates that are free to use with any of their premium plans. The platform’s drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, and you can customize your chosen template without needing to know any code. There are no additional costs for themes since they are included in your Wix plan.
- Example: If you opt for the Wix Combo plan, you’ll have access to their collection of free templates without paying extra.
Additional Costs: Features and Add-Ons
As your blog evolves, you may want to add extra features like advanced SEO tools, e-commerce capabilities, or extra storage. Both WordPress and Wix offer additional tools, but the costs can vary.
WordPress Additional Costs
WordPress plugins are available for almost every feature imaginable. Many plugins are free, but some premium plugins, such as for SEO or security, may cost between $30 to $100 per year.
- Example: A popular SEO plugin like Yoast SEO offers a free version, but the premium version costs $89 per year.
If you plan to run an online store, you’ll need an e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce, which is free, but you might need to pay for additional extensions like payment gateways, shipping options, and product add-ons, which can range from $10 to $50 per extension.
Wix Additional Costs
Wix offers a number of built-in features like SEO tools and email marketing, but if you need more advanced functionality, you can purchase add-ons from their App Market. Prices for add-ons can vary, but many of the essential tools are included in their higher-tier plans.
- Example: If you need an online store, Wix offers an e-commerce plan starting at $23 per month, which includes the necessary tools for selling products.
Maintenance and Ongoing Costs
When budgeting for your blog, it’s important to consider the ongoing maintenance costs.
WordPress Ongoing Costs
Ongoing costs for WordPress include renewing your domain name (typically $10 to $20 per year) and hosting fees (around $3 to $50 per month). You may also need to invest in premium plugins or theme renewals.
Wix Ongoing Costs
Wix requires you to renew your premium plan every year. For example, the Combo plan is $14 per month, and the Business Basic plan is $23 per month. If you decide to add any extra apps or features, those costs would be additional.
Conclusion: Which Platform is More Affordable?
In conclusion, the cost of starting a blog on WordPress or Wix can vary significantly depending on your choices. If you prefer flexibility and scalability, WordPress might require a higher upfront investment due to hosting and domain costs, but it offers more customization options and the potential for growth.
On the other hand, Wix simplifies the process by bundling hosting, domain, and templates into one package, which might be a better fit for beginners looking for a simpler, all-in-one solution.
Ultimately, your decision will depend on your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals for your blog. Both platforms can get you started on the right foot, but understanding the costs involved will help you choose the best option for your situation.
More From Our Blog
