How Much Does Website Maintenance Cost in 2025? 

Key takeaways: 

• Website maintenance costs start around $5–25/month for a personal blog, reach $200–1,000 for small business sites, and can go far higher for eCommerce and enterprise websites. 
• Core expenses like hosting, domain renewals, secure sockets layer (SSL), content updates, and security monitoring keep your site safe, fast, and reliable. 
• Keeping a smart website maintenance budget helps you stay ahead of issues, avoid surprise bills, and keep your site ready to grow with your business. 

Website maintenance costs money. A personal blog may need only $5–25 each month, while an eCommerce site can spend thousands. Your website maintenance cost depends on factors like hosting and domain renewals, security, and updates. 

Before we go through each one in detail, here’s a quick look at the typical costs of the most common website essentials: 

Maintenance factor	Average monthly/annual cost	Notes
Domain name	$10–20/year (premium names can cost more)	Essential for all websites
Web hosting plan	$3–500+/month	Ranges from shared hosting to VPS/dedicated servers
SSL certificate	Free – $300/year (advanced SSL up to $1,500+)	Required for security and trust
CMS updates & plugins	$5–100+/month	Depends on add-ons, themes, and customizations
Maintenance services	$15–105+/month	Bundled backups, bug fixes, and updates
Security monitoring	$10–100+/month	Firewalls, malware scans, and extra protection
Content & marketing	$100–1,000+/month	Blog posts, SEO, and digital marketing updates
Technical support	$50–200/hour or $500–3,500/month	Developers and agencies for fixes
eCommerce features	$15–300+/month (+ transaction fees)	Higher costs for eCommerce websites
Regular maintenance tasks	$10–300+/month	Fixing broken contact forms, speed checks, bug fixes
.

Note: Prices may change over time. Always check with the provider for the most up-to-date and accurate costs. 

Typical total monthly costs: 

• Personal websites. $50–100 
• Small business websites. $200–1,000 
• eCommerce businesses. $500–5,000+ 

These figures are only averages. Your actual website maintenance cost depends on the type of site, the website hosting provider you choose, and the level of professional services you need. 

Why website maintenance costs matter for your site 

Investing in ongoing updates, secure sockets layer (SSL), and regular monitoring helps reduce downtime and protect against attacks. It also improves user confidence, which boosts traffic and conversions. 

Website maintenance costs are an investment in your site’s health and growth. A personal blog may only cost $5–25 per month, while an eCommerce site may need $1,500 or more to stay reliable, but skipping these expenses can lead to broken features, lost traffic, and security threats. For more detail, see our guide on ongoing website updates. 

What to consider when budgeting for website maintenance 

Each website has unique needs, but the following maintenance cost factors play the biggest role in your monthly and yearly spending. 

• Domain name cost 
• Web hosting plan cost 
• SSL certificate cost 
• Content management system (CMS) updates 
• Maintenance services and plans 
• Security monitoring 
• Content and marketing updates 
• Technical support 
• eCommerce and online store features 
• Regular maintenance tasks 

Domain name cost 

A domain name is your site’s address on the web and one of the first ongoing costs you’ll face. Standard renewals run $10–20 per year, but prices can climb to $50 or even higher for premium extensions like .io or .shop. And did you know some domains resell for staggering prices? OpenAI paid about $15 million for chat.com.  

Factors that affect domain name cost: 

• Extension (TLD). Standard .com domains are usually $10–20/year, while options like .io or .shop can cost more. 
• Privacy protection. Often adds $10–15/year, though Network Solutions’ private domain registration includes it free for the first month. 
• Premium domains. Highly sought-after names purchased at auction may cost hundreds or even thousands. 

For personal websites, a basic domain is typically the cheapest expense in overall website maintenance costs. But for a small business, the domain name is a branding asset. That’s why it’s often worth paying more for a memorable and professional URL.  

See our guide on creative domain names for ideas. 

Web hosting plan cost 

Web hosting is what keeps your site live on the Internet, and it’s one of the biggest ongoing web hosting costs for website owners. Shared hosting plans start at $3–15/month, while advanced options like VPS hosting, cloud, or dedicated servers range from $50 to $500+ per month. 

Factors that influence hosting costs: 

• Type of hosting plan. Shared hosting is the most affordable since your site operates on a server shared with other websites. It’s best for personal sites or small blogs with low traffic. VPS and dedicated hosting give you more resources, stronger performance, and greater control, but they come at a higher price. 
• Website hosting provider. Hosting providers include different features, which affects monthly pricing. Some may bundle SSL and backups, while others charge extra for them. 
• Add-ons and features. Extra security, backups, or pairing hosting with a website builder can raise your monthly bill. Some providers include these in their plans, while others treat them as upgrades. 

Choosing the right website hosting provider means finding the best balance of performance, budget, and growth. But if you’re still wondering which hosting plan is best for your site, check our guide on the types of web hosting or view our web hosting plans. 

SSL certificate cost 

An SSL certificate gives your site the “https” lock in the browser and encrypts data between visitors and your server. It’s required for any website that collects forms, logins, or payments. 

Here’s how SSL pricing typically breaks down: 

SSL type	Cost range	Best for
Free SSL	$0 (included with many hosting plans)	Personal sites or small business websites with basic security needs
Standard SSL	$5 – $60 per year	Single domains needing affordable protection
Wildcard or advanced SSL	$300+ per year (can be higher)	eCommerce sites or websites with multiple subdomains

Every small business website needs SSL. Free options save money, but stronger certificates strengthen credibility, improve security, and support better search rankings. So, treat this as a priority. 

Content management system (CMS) updates 

A content management system (CMS) like WordPress lets you update and manage your site with plain ease. But it still needs regular website maintenance to stay secure and functional. Skip the updates and you risk broken plugins, weak spots, and slower performance. 

Here’s a quick look at what the two common types of CMS setups usually cost to maintain: 

Type	Cost/Details
Basic CMS	Free options exist, but plugins or premium themes may add $5–100+/month.
Custom CMS or custom eCommerce websites	Advanced builds can cost thousands per month when managed by a developer or a website maintenance company.

You can DIY your updates to save money or hire help if you’d rather not stress. The choice depends on your budget, your site’s complexity, and how important it is to your business. 

If WordPress doesn’t meet your needs, head over to our guide on alternatives to WordPress CMS. 

Maintenance services and plans 

Many businesses choose a website maintenance service provider to handle updates, backups, and bug fixes. These services keep your site up-to-date and running smoothly, which reduces security risks and downtime. 

So, what will it cost you? Here’s a quick breakdown of common website maintenance options and their price ranges: 

Plan	Cost/Details
Basic maintenance packages	$15–$100/month. Covers routine updates like plugins, forms, content, and small fixes.
Standard maintenance costs	$100–$500/month. Adds backups, security patches, performance monitoring, and priority support. A good fit for growing business sites.
Premium or custom professional services	$500–$5,000/month. Advanced, custom services for larger or complex websites, such as design changes, branding updates, or custom development.

Working with a website maintenance provider helps you plan ahead. With a predictable plan, you stay on budget and avoid sudden repair bills. 

Here are the typical website maintenance services included: 

• Regular updates to site content, media, and navigation 
• Backups and security patches 
• Fixes for broken links and forms 
• Design or branding adjustments as needed 

Security monitoring 

While an SSL certificate protects data in transit, security monitoring, like our SiteLock, actively guards your website against threats like hacking, malware, and spam. It’s an important part of website maintenance, especially for high-traffic or eCommerce websites that handle sensitive customer data. 

Here’s a quick look at common security monitoring options and their costs: 

Type	Cost range	Details
Basic scans and firewalls	$10–30/month	Malware scans and firewall protection
Advanced monitoring	$50–100+/month	Includes DDoS protection and malware removal
Enterprise solutions	Varies (higher pricing)	Pricing depends on the website’s complexity and data needs

For a small business, this may feel like an extra cost, but it’s often far less than the price of a breach or outage. Security monitoring is also part of ongoing maintenance that keeps your site protected around the clock. 

Learn more about protecting your store with eCommerce site security. 

Content and marketing updates 

Fresh content keeps your site visible on search engines and relevant to visitors. It covers blog posts, product descriptions, SEO updates, and graphics. Without it, your site can feel outdated, which hurts rankings and user trust. 

Here’s what content and marketing updates typically cost based on your type of website: 

Type	Cost range	Details
Personal websites	$0–200/month	DIY updates may cost nothing, but outsourcing blog posts or graphics can bring monthly spending closer to $200.
eCommerce websites	$500–1,000+/month	New products, category pages, and graphics
eCommerce businesses	Varies (higher spend)	Regular blogs, videos, and search engine optimization campaigns

These services are often part of broader website maintenance fees, since content drives both visibility and conversions. The more competitive your industry is, the more you’ll need to invest to stay ahead. 

Technical support 

Even with routine maintenance, websites can break down—from contact forms not working to check out errors. That’s why you need reliable support that can help fix issues quickly and keep your site running. 

Here’s a breakdown of common technical support options and their costs: 

Type	Cost range	Details
Hourly developers or agencies	$50–200/hour	Pay-as-you-go support for fixes and troubleshooting
Retainer plans	$500–3,500/month	Ongoing support with faster response times
Hosting provider support	Varies (often extra)	Some include basic support, but advanced help usually adds to the cost

For businesses, technical support is often rolled into regular website maintenance fees, but costs can rise depending on how often fixes are needed and how complex the site is. Investing in predictable support can prevent downtime and protect revenue. 

eCommerce and online store features 

eCommerce websites often require more upkeep than standard sites. Features like payment gateways, inventory management, product databases, and compliance with security standards all add to the overall website maintenance cost. 

Here’s what common eCommerce features can cost to maintain: 

Feature	Cost range	Details
Basic add-ons	From $15/month	Tools like product listings or a simple cart
Payment gateways	$0.50–$1 per transaction + ~5% of each sale	Transaction fees charged by payment processors
Inventory systems and advanced tools	$50–300/month	Costs vary depending on scale and functionality
Full-featured platforms	$1,000+/month	Stores built with a website builder or custom solution including marketing and support

Since transactions directly affect revenue, regular maintenance plays a big role. Broken checkout pages or outdated inventory tools can lead to lost sales. This makes eCommerce one of the higher website maintenance costs to plan for. 

Regular maintenance tasks 

Beyond big-ticket items like hosting or security, websites also need regular maintenance tasks to stay functional. These small but frequent fixes can include updating plugins, optimizing speed, and repairing broken contact forms that frustrate users. 

Here’s what typical regular maintenance tasks can cost: 

Task Type	Cost range	Details
Minor fixes and performance checks	$10–50/month	Routine fixes like small bugs or performance checks
More complex updates	$100–300/month	Plugins, theme adjustments, and bug fixes
Full ongoing maintenance plans	$500+/month	Broader coverage depending on the website’s complexity

For many businesses, these jobs are part of the broader cost of website maintenance. While individual fixes may seem small, they add up to significant monthly costs if you want your site to remain secure and user-friendly. 

Website maintenance cost by type of site 

Different websites require different levels of care and support. A personal blog usually costs much less to maintain compared to an eCommerce website or a custom enterprise platform. The table below outlines average website maintenance costs and common website maintenance packages you can expect for each type. 

Type of website	Average monthly cost	Average annual cost	What’s included
Personal blog	$5–$25	$60–$300	Basic hosting, domain renewal, plugin updates
Small business site	$30–$200	$360–$2,400	Hosting, SSL, CMS updates, security monitoring
Medium business / SMB	$200–$1,000	$2,400–$12,000	Hosting, backups, advanced security, content updates
eCommerce website	$1,500–$5,000	$18,000–$60,000	Payment gateways, inventory systems, compliance, customer support tools
Enterprise / custom website	$2,000–$25,000+	$24,000–$300,000+	Custom development, 24/7 technical support, dedicated maintenance team

Note: Prices may change over time. Always check with the provider for the most up-to-date and accurate costs. 

Your actual site maintenance cost may be lower or higher depending on factors like hosting, security, and content updates. Blogs and personal sites usually fall on the low end, while eCommerce and enterprise sites with advanced features land on the higher end. 

How to reduce your website maintenance costs 

Keeping your site running doesn’t always mean paying top dollars. With the right strategy, you can save money and cut down on unnecessary website maintenance expenses. Here are some practical ways to lower costs without sacrificing quality: 

• Use free or low-cost plugins when available. Many tools offer reliable functionality at no charge. They help you manage updates or features without extra fees. 
• Choose a bundled hosting and maintenance plan. Some providers combine hosting, security, and support into one package. This gives you predictable website maintenance pricing. 
• Learn to handle basic updates yourself. Tasks like updating text, swapping images, or refreshing links are simple enough to manage without outside help. Doing this on your own can save money and keep your site looking current. 
• Outsource only complex tasks. For advanced fixes or custom features, hire a professional. This way you only pay for expertise when you need it. 
• Schedule updates ahead of time. Having a set maintenance plan avoids emergency fixes and prevents unexpected costs from piling up. It also keeps your site stable so you can focus on running your business. 

These approaches keep your costs in check while making sure your site stays secure, functional, and up to date. And that means more savings, less stress, and a site you can rely on. 

Manage your website maintenance cost the smart way 

So, how much does it cost to maintain a website? Personal blogs may only need $50–100/month, while small business sites often spend $200–1,000/month. For eCommerce websites, the site maintenance cost typically runs $500–5,000+ per month, and enterprise websites can reach $2,000–25,000+ per month depending on features, compliance, and support. 

At the end of the day, the cost usually comes down to whether you handle maintenance yourself or hire an expert. DIY can be more budget-friendly for personal blogs or small sites, but it takes time, effort, and technical know-how. For larger or business-focused websites, professional services are pricier but save time and help keep everything running smoothly. 

If you’d like to focus on growing your business while getting a website that’s designed to attract and convert customers, our team can help with personalized marketing and web design tailored to your goals. 

Frequently asked questions