Are you using WordPress but need to know if the premium service is worth it? If yes, this guide is for you.
First, let me explain by saying that WordPress is divided into two parts, WordPress.org, which is also its open-source platform. The other is WordPress.com which is less complex and has its own web hosting.
WordPress.com is the focus of this article. And for that, you may need to upgrade to the pro version to enjoy more features and flexibility.
Here’s an in-depth review of whether WordPress.com is worth paying for.
Keep reading to learn more.
What is WordPress?
WordPress doubles as a content management system (CMS) and a website builder.
In fact, it dominates among other (CMS) brands with up to 65.3% market share as seen on W3Techs.com. With WordPress, you can build everything from portfolio websites to eCommerce stores, blogs, and more.
Again, it’s important to clarify that WordPress.org and WordPress.com are different even though they are both CMS.
One, – WordPress.org – offers free, open-source software you can install and personalize on any hosting service.
The other – WordPress.com – is pre-hosted and free. But requires you to purchase a plan to enjoy its full package.
Is WordPress worth paying for?
Yes, It is.
WordPress has four plans suitable for users with various intentions and business sizes.
Personal plan
The personal plan is suitable for personal use like a portfolio website or personal blog.
With this plan, you get a free Domain for one year, hosting, removal of WordPress.com Ads, and unlimited email support.
This plan costs $4/mo billed annually.
Premium plan
The premium plan is a great plan for freelancers because it has just the right amount of tools to support ‘solopreneurs’ and small start-ups. It offers;
- Free Domain for One Year
- Earn ad revenue
- Premium themes
- Upload videos
- Google analytics integration
- Best-in-class hosting
- Remove WordPress.com Ads
- Collect payments
- Unlimited Email Support
- Live Chat Support
This plan costs $8/mo billed annually.
Business plan
This plan is suitable for business owners and offers great value for a good price. It was designed to accommodate the needs of larger businesses.
This plan gives users access to;
- Free Domain for One Year
- Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools
- Jetpack Backup: automated backups & one-click restores
- SFTP, SSH, WP-CLI, and Database access
- Earn ad revenue
- Premium themes
- Upload videos
- Google analytics integration
- Install plugins and extend functionality for your site with access to more than 50,000 WordPress plugins
- Collect payments
- Best-in-class hosting
- Remove WordPress.com Ads
- Unlimited Email Support
- Live Chat Support
This plan costs $25/mo billed annually.
eCommerce plan
This plan was designed to support eCommerce business owners with all the tools required to help their businesses grow.
With this plan, you have access to;
- Free Domain for One Year
- Premium design options for online stores
- Accept payments in 60+ countries
- Integrations with Top Shipping Carriers
- Collect payments
- Unlimited Email Support
- Live Chat Support
- Best-in-class hosting
- Remove WordPress.com Ads
- Earn ad revenue
- Premium themes
- Upload videos
- Google analytics integration
- Install plugins and extend functionality for your site with access to more than 50,000 WordPress plugins
- Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools
- Jetpack Backup: automated backups & one-click restores
- SFTP, SSH, WP-CLI, and Database access
This plan costs $45/mo billed annually.
Is WordPress Pro worth it?
Yes, it is. In April 2022, WordPress revealed a new pricing plan called “WordPress Pro“, priced at $15/mo.
The intention was to get rid of the multi-tier pricing approach, choosing to offer a free Pro plan – nothing in between.
According to WordPress, the Pro plan will help you power your website with:
- Access to the full range of premium themes created by WordPress.com.
- Ability to upload any theme, even the ones not created by WordPress.com.
- Install WordPress plugins.
- eCommerce: Sell products with payment features and the WooCommerce plugin.
- Automated backups.
- 50 GB storage.
- A free domain name for one year.
- Upload video and audio files.
- Unlimited website administrators
- Use third-party code.
- Remove all WordPress.com advertising.
- Earn money from ads.
- Built-in social media tools.
- Advanced SEO tools.
- SFTP and database access.
- Premium support from WordPress.com
It certainly is worth it, because it offers all the tools necessary whether you operate a personal blog, a business website, or an eCommerce website.
It is all-inclusive and quite affordable at $15/mo.
FAQs
Is WordPress free or paid?
It is both. WordPress.com offers freemium and premium packages for hosting and creating websites. However, the premium version helps you unlock more features.
Is WordPress premium worth it?
Yes, it is.
Depending on your chosen pricing plan, it offers the perfect blend of affordable and value-packed features.
Is WordPress free with GoDaddy?
Yes, it is. If you’re using the GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting account, you don’t have to pay again to use WordPress. This is because GoDaddy will already have installed it for you.
Is WordPress free for blogging?
Yes, but it’s limited. WordPress.com has a free plan that you can start blogging with.
However, it does not come with a custom domain name. And it has limited features that you can unlock by purchasing a higher plan.
Conclusion
WordPress is worth paying for. Some of the perks that come with the premium package include a free domain for a year, email and live chat support, and advanced SEO reporting.
You have the answer if you’re considering whether to subscribe to the premium plan.
So go ahead and unlock the extra benefits that come with using WordPress.com.
Thanks for reading.
Read more content on WordPress and other website builders, here on WebsiteBuilder101.