"WordPress is free." You've heard it a thousand times and, technically, it's true: the software costs nothing. The catch is everything else. Hosting, the theme, the plugins, updates, security, backups... and the hours you (or someone you pay) put into keeping that machine standing. For a local business in Marbella, the question isn't whether WordPress is cheap, but whether it suits you and what it really costs to do it properly. Here's the breakdown, no fluff.
What WordPress is and when it makes sense
WordPress is a content management system (CMS): a program you use to create and edit your website's pages without touching code, from an admin panel. It started as a blogging tool and today runs all kinds of websites through its themes (the design) and plugins (the extra features).
For a local business in Marbella it makes sense when you want control and you'll create content: if you publish articles, change prices or services often, or plan to build a blog or an online store that grows with you. It's flexible and doesn't lock you into one provider.
And it may not suit you if you only need a simple, static "business card" site. In that case, a full WordPress adds maintenance, and maintenance adds cost: sometimes a lighter option does the same job with fewer headaches. Before deciding, see what a website costs in general in our guide to how much a website costs in Marbella.
WordPress vs custom-built vs a Wix-style template
There's no "best" option in the abstract; there's a best one for your case. This table helps you see it at a glance:
| What we compare | WordPress | Custom-built | Wix/Squarespace-style template |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Medium (theme + setup) | Higher (built from scratch) | Low (monthly fee) |
| Control | High: the site is yours | Total, built to measure | Limited by the platform |
| Speed | Depends on theme and plugins | Usually very light | Fine, hard to fine-tune |
| Maintenance | Requires updates | Less, but paid separately | Handled by the platform |
| Scalability | Very high with plugins | High, by extending to measure | Low if you want to grow a lot |
What you need to do it properly
A WordPress really works when you look after these five pieces. If one fails, you feel it in speed, security or in everything getting out of hand:
Decent hosting
It's the ground your site lives on. Cheap and overcrowded means slowness and outages: pick one that loads fast and offers real support.
A fast theme
A light, well-built theme does more for your speed than any later trick. "All-in-one" themes are usually the heaviest.
Minimum plugins
Only what's needed: caching, SEO, security, backups and forms. Every extra plugin is weight, and one more door to maintain.
Security
Strong passwords, two-factor and a security plugin to ward off attacks. An out-of-date WordPress is an easy target.
Backups
Automatic copies stored off the server. It's the parachute that saves you if something breaks after an update.
Someone to maintain it
Updating, checking and fixing when something fails. Without consistency, a WordPress degrades over time.
The real cost of a WordPress website
Beyond the design, running a WordPress site involves recurring costs. These are the ones you're not always told about:
- Hosting. A monthly or yearly fee depending on your traffic and the resources you need.
- Domain. Your address on the internet, with its annual renewal.
- Theme and plugins. Many have a free version, but the paid ones (with support and updates) usually charge an annual licence.
- Maintenance. Updates, backups and security: you pay with money or with your time.
And if you'd rather someone else did it, at Solaris web design comes with fixed, published prices:
1 page
€180 + VAT
- Single-page website
- Mobile-friendly design
- Great to get started
Up to 5 pages
€350 + VAT
- Full website (no store)
- Home, services, contact...
- Structure built for SEO
Online store
€450 + VAT
- Website with an online store
- Products and payments
- Ready to sell
Hosting, domain and paid software are contracted separately and in your name. That way you pay for the design once and only pay for maintenance if you want to delegate it.
Common WordPress mistakes
Almost every problem we see on local business sites comes from the same three places:
- Too many plugins. Each one adds weight and risk. Stockpiling "just in case" slows the site and makes every update more fragile.
- A heavy theme. A theme loaded with effects and page builders makes the site slow to load. It can affect the experience and how Google treats you.
- Not updating. WordPress, themes and plugins release security patches often. Leaving it unupdated is the quickest route to a hacked or broken site.
The good news: none of these mistakes is a destiny. With decent hosting, a light theme, few plugins and a maintenance routine, a WordPress can be as fast and solid as any other website.
Why Solaris
We build websites for local businesses in Marbella and on the Costa del Sol, and we work differently:
- Fixed, published prices. €180, €350 or €450 + VAT depending on what you need, with no surprises on the invoice.
- A website built for what matters. Light, clear and structured so people find you, not to pile on bells and whistles. You can see it in our web design in Marbella.
- We explain maintenance. You know what needs updating, what it's for and what it costs to keep it up to date.
- No strings. The site is in your name: hosting, domain and access are yours from day one.
Think of it this way: a website that works for you can help you so that a single new client a month more than covers its cost. Everything after that is return.