If you are considering starting a blog and want to know how much it will cost,
you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide a detailed
explanation of all the necessary requirements and expenses involved in
launching and running a blog.
It can feel overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner. But don't worry,
we will break it down into the simplest form possible for you to understand.
Starting a blog can cost differently based on your individual requirements and
objectives. Typically, you can launch a blog for as low as $50 to $100 per
year, covering basic hosting and domain name expenses.
Some free blogging platforms also exist that allow you to begin blogging
without any fees.
Nonetheless, if you intend to incorporate more sophisticated features or
engage a web designer or developer to build a custom website, the cost can
increase substantially.
In the end, the amount you spend will depend on the desired level of
functionality and design for your blog, and any ongoing charges for hosting,
software, and maintenance.
Let me explain these three ways to start a blog in a clearer light.
Free platforms to start blogging without fees
There are many free blogging platforms available that don't require any
payment, which means that you can start a blog without paying anything. Some
of these platforms provide free hosting and a free subdomain, such as
Blogger, WordPress, Wix, and more. Additionally, there are platforms that offer a
one or two-month free trial of hosting and a domain. Here are some examples
of such platforms:
- WordPress.com
- Blogger
- Wix
- Medium
- Squarespace (offers a free trial)
- Strikingly (offers a free plan)
- LiveJournal
- Tumblr
- Weebly
- Ghost
Keep in mind that certain free platforms may have restrictions on
customization and monetization features, therefore it's important to conduct
research and select the platform that aligns with your specific requirements
and objectives. If you decide to utilize a free platform, ensure that you
carefully choose one that is appropriate for your needs.
Blogging Using Content Management Systems (CMS).
CMS is a type of software application that enables users to create, manage,
and publish digital content, typically for websites or blogs, without
requiring specialized technical expertise.
With a CMS, users can easily create and format content, add multimedia, and
arrange it in an intuitive manner. Popular CMS platforms include WordPress,
Joomla, Drupal, and Squarespace.
If you plan to launch your blog using a Content Management System (CMS), you
will only need to purchase a hosting plan and a domain name, which will cost
you less than a custom-built blog. Typically, this can range from $46 to $140
per year.
Hosting and Domain Name Price: The cost of purchasing hosting and
a domain name varies depending on the provider's pricing, which, in turn,
depends on the type of blog you want to create.
The approximate price of hosting and domain can fluctuate depending on the
hosting provider and the domain registrar you select. Typically, basic shared
hosting plans can cost between $3 to $10 per month, which translates to $36 to
$120 per year.
Domain registration can cost between $10 to $20 per year for standard domain
extensions like .com or .net. Consequently, the approximate cost of hosting
and domain combined for one year could range from $46 to $140.
However, this can differ based on various factors such as hosting provider,
domain registrar, and any additional features you may choose.
We have provided a list of hosting and domain providers below for your
reference. Be sure to check them out.
Cost of customizing and settings up a CMS blog: Ideally, you can
use the free tools provided by your CMS provider to set up and customize the
look of your blog.
However, if you require additional assistance, you may need to hire a
freelancer. Generally, freelance developers and designers charge either an
hourly rate or a flat fee for their services. Hourly rates can range from $25
to $150 or more, depending on the freelancer's experience and expertise. Flat
fees can vary widely depending on the scope of the project and may start at
$500 and can go up to several thousand dollars or more for complex and
comprehensive projects.
It's important to keep in mind that the cost for a freelancer to customize and
set up a blog can vary depending on the specific requirements and complexity
of the project.
Evaluating the Cost
Total cost to start a blog using CMS like WordPress = hosting plus
domain( $46 to $140) + customizing and settings up a blog( $100 - $500) =
$390 - $400. As I earlier mentioned, this price varies depending on the type
of blog or website you want to build. It can be less or more. Make sure you
calculate your expenses yourself.
Custom Website or Blog
A custom website or blog is developed from scratch by a web designer or
developer, unlike Content Management Systems (CMS) that provide pre-built
templates. It is specifically designed and developed to meet the unique needs
and requirements of the owner or organization. While it offers greater
flexibility and customization options, it tends to be more costly compared to
using CMS.
Cost of Custom Website or Blog
The cost of building a custom blog website varies greatly and depends on
several factors, such as the complexity of the design, the functionality
required, and the location and experience of the developer. For instance,
developers in the US typically charge an average of $2,000 to $5,000 for
building an eCommerce blog and $2,000 to $3,000 for a news blog. In India, the
cost of building a custom eCommerce blog ranges from $1,000 to $1,835.
However, it's important to note that the cost of building a custom blog
website can vary widely and you should calculate your expenses based on the
type of website you need.
The average cost
The breakdown of costs for building and maintaining a website is as follows:
- Domain name: $15/year
- Hosting: $140
- Developer fees: $2,500
- Maintenance: $1,500/month
Total: $4,155
Please note that these costs are estimates and can vary based on factors
such as the type and complexity of the website, the location and experience
of the developer, and the specific hosting and maintenance plans chosen.
Some Hosting Provider's Prices
| Shared Hosting - Online beginners - Great for just getting started with a website or blog. | Small businesses - e-commerce specialist, or web developer | Dedicated - Large businesses - High-traffic sites that require ultimate speed and performance |
|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | ||
| $2- $3/mo | $5 - $18/mo | $16 - $29/mo |
| Bluehost | ||
| $3 - $14/mo | $30 -$70/mo | $90 - $140/mo/mo |
| HostGator | ||
| $2 - $8/mo | $24 - $60/mo | $90 - $140/mo |
| GoDaddy | ||
| $3 - $16/mo | $4 - $70/mo | $110 - $195/mo |
Top Domain Name Prices
| .com | .org | .net |
|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | ||
| $5.98/yr | $8.98/yr | $11.98/yr |
| Bluehost | ||
| $12.99/yr | $9.99/yr | $14.99/yr |
| HostGator | ||
| $12.95/yr | $12.95/yr | $12.95/yr |
| GoDaddy | ||
| $0.99 - $12.99/yr | - | $12.99/y |
If you need help, kindly reach out to us. We will be glad to help you. Thanks for reading and see you at the next one.
Tags:
Blogging