A professional website is often the first thing a new customer sees of your business. Here I walk through how I build a WordPress website from the first requirements to launch, and what to watch out for along the way.
In short
- WordPress is used by 40.2% of all websites (W3Techs, 3 October 2026).
- Start with the goal. What should the site get people to do?
- The domain must be in your name, and the hosting must be reliable.
- My prices start at DKK 12,000 excl. VAT for a 5-page Starter website.
- A site is not finished at launch. It needs updates and backups.
Why choose WordPress?
WordPress is used by 40.2% of all websites and by 58.6% of the sites where W3Techs can identify the content management system (W3Techs). The software is free and released under the GPL licence, so you own your site and can move it (WordPress.org). New to WordPress? Start with my WordPress beginner's guide.
1. Flexibility
WordPress can be adapted to almost any need, from a simple site to an online store.
2. You can edit it yourself
You update text, images and new pages yourself in the editor.
3. A good base for SEO
With an SEO plugin you control titles, descriptions and the sitemap.
4. Room to grow
The site can be extended with new features without starting over.
How to get a WordPress website
1. Define your needs and goals
- What should the website get people to do?
- Who is your audience?
- Which features do you need?
For help with the structure, see my guide to website structure.
2. Choose domain and hosting
Good hosting is the foundation for a fast and secure website. I prefer hosting on LiteSpeed servers, because the LiteSpeed Cache plugin can only use its LiteSpeed-specific features there (WordPress.org).
3. Design and build
- Structure and navigation
- Colours and typography
- Images and graphics
- Responsive design for mobile (see responsive design)
If you want a strong visual identity, a web designer can help align the design with your brand.
4. Content
- Clear copy that answers the customer's questions
- Real photos of you, your people and your work
- Contact details that are easy to find
- A clear next step on every page
5. SEO
- Titles and descriptions for each page
- Speed
- Internal links between pages
- Structured data
6. Test and launch
Before launch, everything is tested on phone, tablet and desktop and in the most common browsers.
Pitfalls to avoid
| Pitfall | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Non-responsive design | Poor mobile experience | Test on real devices |
| Large images | Slow site | Compress, and use WebP or AVIF |
| Missing updates | Security holes | A fixed routine or a service plan |
| No backup | Everything can be lost | Automatic backups that are tested |
| Domain in the agency's name | You cannot move freely | Register the domain in your name |
WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
There are two kinds of "WordPress", and the difference matters.
WordPress.com
- A hosted subscription service
- A free plan and paid plans from Personal at USD 9 per month billed annually
- Plugins can be installed on every paid plan
- Hosting, updates and security are included
WordPress.org
- The free software you install yourself
- You choose the hosting provider and can move whenever you want
- Full access to files and database
- What I build on for businesses
Prices and plugin access are from WordPress.com, read 3 October 2026. I have written a full article on WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
Plugins I use for businesses
| Plugin | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SEOPress | Search engine optimisation |
| Bit Form | Contact forms |
| LiteSpeed Cache | Caching and speed |
| WPvivid | Automatic backups |
| Perfmatters | Removes unnecessary scripts |
Online stores get WooCommerce with the extensions the shop needs. For security, I have a separate review of the best WordPress security plugins.
Maintenance
A website is not finished after launch. WordPress, themes and plugins need updates, backups need to be taken and tested, and someone has to notice if the site goes down.
What does a professional WordPress website cost?
My fixed prices are on the page about business websites. All excl. VAT:
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | DKK 12,000 |
| Complete solution | From DKK 20,000 |
Hosting and domain are not included. See also my prices and the full overview of what a website costs.
Frequently asked questions
What does a professional WordPress website cost?
With me, a 5-page Starter website costs DKK 12,000, and larger solutions I build as a complete solution from DKK 20,000. All prices are excl. VAT and fixed. Hosting and domain come on top.
How long does it take to build a WordPress website?
It mostly depends on the scope and how quickly the copy is ready. I can deliver a landing page in a day. A larger site takes longer, and you get a timeline with the quote.
Can I update my WordPress website myself?
Yes. You can edit text, images and new pages yourself in WordPress. I show you how at handover, and I can help with larger changes.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is the free software you install yourself with any hosting provider. WordPress.com is a hosted subscription service where you can install plugins on every paid plan, starting with the Personal plan at USD 9 per month billed annually.
What does WordPress maintenance cost?
If you do it yourself, it costs your time. If you want one person to be responsible for updates, backups and monitoring, my maintenance plan starts at DKK 2,500 per month excl. VAT.
Sources
All sources read 3 October 2026.
- W3Techs: Usage statistics and market share of WordPress: w3techs.com
- WordPress.org: License: wordpress.org
- WordPress.org: LiteSpeed Cache: wordpress.org
- WordPress.com: Pricing: wordpress.com
- My own prices: mahoje.dk/en/priser
