How Much Does It Cost to Start a Blog in 2025? (Full Breakdown) 

Key takeaways:  

• Free blogging platforms like WordPress.com or Blogger let you publish instantly with zero upfront investment. 
• Self-hosted WordPress provides full control and scalability, typically costing between $50 and $200 per year. 
• Website builders like Network Solutions’ AI Website Builder bundle hosting and design tools but run closer to $80–$300 per year. 

If you’re thinking about starting a blog in 2025, you’re probably wondering: How much will it actually cost me? The short answer: Anywhere from $0 to over $300 in your first year. 

Your exact costs depend on the path you choose. However, the good news is that you can start to lean and scale as your blog grows. 

Let’s break down the real startup costs of starting a blog, including hidden fees, and smart ways to save so you can launch your blog confidently without overspending. 

Cost comparison table 

Here’s a side-by-side look at the main blogging options, including their typical costs, pros, and cons: 

Blogging path	Year 1 cost	Year 2+ cost	Pros	Cons
Self-hosted WordPress	$50–$200	$100–$250	Full control, scalable, wide community support	Requires setup and basic technical skills
Website builders	$50–$300	$250–$350	Easy setup, bundled hosting and design	Higher cost, limited flexibility
Free platforms	$0	$0	No upfront cost, instant start	No domain ownership, limited growth
Bundle options	~$75–$250	Similar renewals	Domain, hosting, SSL often included	Tied to provider’s ecosystem

These are insights we gathered from the table:  

• If you’re blogging as a hobby, free platforms are fine. 
• If you’re aiming to grow an audience or monetize, self-hosted WordPress is the most cost-effective in the long run. 
• If you want simplicity, website builders are the easiest but costlier option. 

Note: All prices above are estimates. Actual costs vary by provider, plan type, renewal rates, and ongoing promotions at time of purchase. Always check with your hosting or website builder provider for the most accurate and up-to-date cost range. 

Can you start a blog for free? 

Yes. Free blogging platforms such as WordPress.com, Blogger, Medium, and Wix’s free tier let you get started without spending a dime. 

Starting a free blog is a great idea for beginners or those testing the waters, but there are a few key points to consider before committing to a completely free platform. 

The benefits of free blogging platforms are: 

• Instant setup. You can create an account and start publishing right away. 
• No upfront costs. You don’t need to invest in hosting or domain fees before you’re sure blogging is right for you.  s. 
• Maintenance handled for you. You don’t have to manage hosting, security, and updates. 
• Free WordPress themes available. Many platforms offer free WordPress themes for easy design customization. 

But here’s the catch: 

• You don’t own your domain. Your site lives on a subdomain like “yourname.wordpress.com,” which looks unprofessional. Your blog’s address is a key part of your online identity. If your website visitors see the extension “wordpress.com,” they might not see it as a legitimate website and choose to visit a competitor’s site instead. 
• Branding limitations. Many free plans display ads on your site which are beyond your control. 
• Monetization is restricted. If you plan to make money from your blog, you’ll quickly hit the wall. 

Free platforms are fine for hobbyists, but if you want to grow your audience, build a brand, or monetize, you’ll eventually need your own domain and hosting. 

What are the real startup costs of a blog? 

The costs depend on the path you choose, but they usually fall into one of these three categories: 

1. Self-hosted WordPress 
2. Website builders 
3. Free blogging platforms 

1. Self-hosted WordPress 

Typical Year 1 cost: $50–$200  

This is the most common route for bloggers who want ownership and flexibility. WordPress itself is free, but to get a blog live you’ll need to have these essentials: 

• Domain name ($10–$15/year). For bloggers planning to look professional a domain name is important as this builds trust and recognition with your audience. If you’re not familiar, a domain name is your blog’s web address like “yourblog.com”. 
• Web hosting ($36–$120/year). When you start a blog with WordPress, you need web hosting. This is the online space where your blog’s files, images, and posts are stored. Without it, your site won’t be accessible to others. Network Solutions offers both Web hosting and WordPress hosting plans. The WordPress plan starts at $5.99 per month, renews at $10.99, and includes a domain name registration. 
• Themes ($0–$70 one-time or annual). A theme controls your blog’s design and layout. WordPress offers many free themes, but they come with limited features and basic designs. Premium themes are usually priced between $30 and $70. These provide more customization options and give your blog a professional look without the need for custom design work. 
• Plugins ($0–$100/year). Plugins extend your blog’s functionality. Common examples include SEO tools to help you rank on Google, backups to protect your content, contact forms for readers, and analytics to track visitors. Many are free but paying for one or two key plugins can save time and improve performance. 

This setup is ideal if you want to build a blog as a side hustle, professional portfolio, or business, since you fully own and control the site. 

2. Website builders 

Typical Year 1 cost: $200–$300 

If you don’t want to deal with technical setup, website builders’ bundle everything into one subscription. This makes them simple to start with, though you trade some flexibility. 

• Domain name (included for the first year, then $10–$20/year). Most builders give you a free domain in year one. After that, it renews annually. But always check renewal pricing as it’s often higher than buying separately. 
• Hosting (included in plan). Hosting is built into your subscription, so you don’t need to manage servers or settings. The trade-off is that you don’t control the hosting environment, which makes it harder to move your site elsewhere later. 
• Templates ($0, included in plan). Builders come with pre-made templates for your site’s design. They’re beginner-friendly, but customization is limited compared to WordPress themes. 
• Built-in tools ($0, included in plan). Features like drag-and-drop editing, SSL certificates for security, and customer support are bundled. Network Solutions include eCommerce or marketing tools on higher plan levels. 

This is best for beginners who want quick setup and simplicity, though expect higher ongoing costs over time compared to self-hosted WordPress. 

3. Free blogging platforms 

Typical Year 1 cost: $0 

Platforms such as WordPress.com, Blogger, or Medium let you start blogging with no upfront cost. They’re simple for casual use but come with restrictions and you don’t have to manage some of the following: 

• Domain name (free subdomain only). Instead of yourblog.com, you’ll be given a subdomain (e.g., yourblog.wordpress.com). This works for personal use but doesn’t look professional if you plan to grow. 
• Hosting (free but controlled by platform). Your blog is stored on the platform’s servers, so you don’t worry about setup. However, you don’t own the hosting. If the platform changes its policies, your blog is affected. 
• Templates (basic, limited). Free platforms provide a small set of themes or layouts. They’re fine for personal blogging, but you’ll hit design limits quickly if you want a unique brand look. 
• Features and monetization (restricted). Ads may appear on your blog that you can’t remove. Monetization (like running ads, affiliates, or sponsorships) is often blocked unless you upgrade to a paid plan. 

This is best for hobbyists or beginners testing the waters, but not suited for long-term growth or serious monetization. 

How much does it cost to run a blog in Year 2 and beyond? 

Typical Year 2 costs $100–$350. This depends on your platform and growth. WordPress with budget hosting might stay closer to $100/year, while builders or premium hosting can cost two to three times more. 

The first year of blogging is usually the cheapest. Many services offer introductory discounts, free domains, or bundled features to get you started. But in year two, real costs kick in. Here’s what typically changes: 

• Domain renewals ($10–$20/year). Domains are cheap in year one (sometimes free with hosting or builder plans), but they renew annually. Don’t forget to budget for this, since your domain is non-negotiable if you want to keep your blog running. 
• Hosting renewals ($80–$250/year). Hosting companies often double or triple their rates after the first year. For example, an intro plan at $3/month may renew at $8–$12/month. The same applies to website builders, they may increase from a promotional rate to the full annual subscription. 
• SSL certificates (free to $50/year). SSL (the “padlock” symbol in your browser) is essential for security and SEO. Many hosts include it, but if yours doesn’t, expect to pay extra. 
• Professional email ($30–$50/year). Having an email like [email protected] adds credibility if you’re reaching out to readers, sponsors, or partners. It’s not always included with hosting, so you may need to add it separately. 
• Storage and bandwidth upgrades ($20–$100/year).  As your blog grows, more posts, more images, more visitors, you may need more storage or a better hosting plan. 

Note: All prices above are estimates. Actual costs vary by provider, plan type, and renewal rates. Always check with your hosting or website builder provider for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing. 

What extra costs do most beginners forget? 

Estimated add-on costs: $50–$500/year 

These vary widely depending on what you invest in. You can start with free tools, then add paid ones once you see steady growth or revenue. 

Beyond the basics, there are hidden or overlooked costs that catch many first-time bloggers by surprise. None of these are mandatory to launch a blog, but they often become important as you grow: 

• Professional email ($1.99–$5/month). Using a blog-branded email like [email protected] looks far more credible than a free Gmail or Yahoo address. It’s especially useful if you plan to pitch sponsors, apply for affiliate programs, or network with other bloggers. 
• SSL certificate ($50–$380/year). SSL secures your site (the padlock in the browser bar). It’s essential for reader trust and for ranking on Google. Many hosts now include SSL for free, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to budget for it. 
• Domain privacy ($10–$20/year). When you register a domain, your personal details (name, email, address) go into a public database. Domain privacy hides that information, protecting you from spam or unwanted contacts. 
• Design tools ($10–$15/month). Tools like Canva Pro or stock photo subscriptions help you create visuals, graphics, or blog images. Free tools exist, but upgrading often saves time and gives you access to higher-quality resources. 
• Productivity and marketing tools ($10–$50/month). As you scale, you may use tools like email marketing services, social media schedulers, or SEO tool. These aren’t necessary at launch but become valuable when you’re serious about traffic growth. 

What’s the cheapest way to start a blog in 2025 

If you want to start a blog without overspending, the key is to cover the essentials (domain, hosting, basic design) while skipping extras you don’t need yet. Here’s the most cost-effective setup: 

1. Go with self-hosted WordPress + budget hosting. 
2. Start with free themes. 
3. Use free plug-ins first. 
4. Skip unnecessary tools. 
5. Lock in multi-year plans. 
6. Focus on content over extras. 

Let’s dive into details. 

Go with self-hosted WordPress + budget hosting 

Shared hosting plans are the most affordable way to get your blog online, often under $5/month. Pair that with a domain ($10–$15/year), and you’re running your blog for under $75 in year one. Network Solutions offers bundled hosting + domain plans that include a free domain for the first year, with WordPress hosting starting at $5.99/month (renews at $10.99). Locking in multi-year plans can help you save more overtime.  

Start with free themes 

WordPress has thousands of free themes that work perfectly for new blogs. You can always upgrade later if you want a premium design. 

Use free plugins first 

SEO, security, and performance plugins all have free versions that cover the basics. Paid upgrades are nice to have but not necessary at launch. Don’t feel pressured to buy every plugin, tool, or subscription right away. Upgrade only when you know it will save time or directly support growth. 

Skip unnecessary tools 

Fancy SEO software, email schedulers, or paid stock photos can wait. Free options like Canva, Unsplash, and Mailchimp (starter plan) are good enough early on. 

Lock in multi-year plans 

Many hosting providers offer deep discounts for the first term. Choosing a 2–3-year plan upfront can save you hundreds compared to renewing annually at higher rates. 

Focus on content over extras 

A clean, functional site with consistent posts will do more for your growth than a fancy theme or expensive plugin. Readers care about value, not bells and whistles. 

Start your blog today with Network Solutions 

So, how much does it cost to start a blog in 2025? The answer depends on your goals: 

• $0 if you just want to experiment on free platforms. 
• $50–$200 if you go with self-hosted WordPress, the most popular option for bloggers who want to grow. 
• $200–$300+ if you choose a website builder for convenience and bundled features. 

The bigger picture? Year 2 costs matter most. Domains renew annually, hosting prices often increase, and add-ons like SSL, email, or design tools can add up. That’s why planning ahead and starting lean is the smartest approach. 

At the end of the day, a blog is an investment. For less than the cost of a daily coffee, you can create an online space that builds your brand, shares your ideas, and even earns income. 

Ready to take the first step? Start your blog today with a bundled plan from Network Solutions with domain, hosting, marketing and website builder in one place. 

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