WordPress plugins are a great way to add new features and functionality to your WordPress website. However, developing a custom plugin can be costly and time-consuming. The cost of developing complex plugins can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the plugin, the features and functionality that the plugin needs to include, the experience and expertise of the developer, and the time it takes to develop the plugin.
WordPress plugin development costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. Consider using a pre-made plugin if you’re looking for a more affordable option. However, if you need a plugin with specific features or functionality, you may need to have a custom plugin developed.
When choosing a WordPress plugin developer, it’s essential to consider the factors listed above to ensure that you find a developer who is a good fit for your needs.
After reading this article, you should be able to estimate the WordPress plugin development cost for your small business website.
What is a custom WordPress plugin development?
A Custom WordPress Plugin is a tool that extends the functionality of a WordPress website by adding specific features. It is created using the PHP language and integrates seamlessly with WordPress. Custom WordPress plugins are unique tools with features explicitly designed according to the user’s needs. These premium plugins allow for a high degree of website customisation, offering the required functionality for specific tasks.
There are over 55,000 WordPress plugins available in the WordPress plugin repository, including official WordPress extensions and third-party plugins. However, suppose there isn’t a plugin that meets a user’s specific requirements. In that case, they can build or commission a custom WordPress plugin that uniquely extends the website’s functionality.
Before building a custom WordPress plugin from scratch, checking if an existing plugin can get the job done is recommended. It can save a lot of time, money, and effort to customise an existing plugin that has similar functionality requirements to what is needed. If an existing plugin is unsuitable, it is best to engage a WordPress developer for a custom plugin solution. This approach allows WordPress users to allocate an appropriate budget for their WordPress plugin development costs without resorting to long-term hires.
Plugin Complexity | Price Range | Example |
|---|---|---|
Simple plugin with a few features | £250 - £500 | Facebook Feed |
More full-featured plugin with some advanced development | £1000 - £2000 | Multi step contact forms |
Complex enterprise-level project | £2000 - £1000 | Ticketmaster booking system |
Factors that Affect WordPress Plugin Development Cost
Complexity
When it comes to developing a WordPress plugin, several factors determine its cost. The most crucial of these factors is complexity. A plugin that displays related posts on your footer is much simpler than a plugin that creates a cost calculator. Developing the former may take around 20 hours, while the latter could take up to 200 hours.
Another factor to consider is the scope of your project. This gives you an idea of your plugin’s different features and how many billable hours it will require for development. If you have a smaller budget, you may need to exclude certain nice-to-have features from your project’s initial phase. Having a detailed project scope helps you avoid additional tasks and cost overheads that may arise after the project has started.
To get an accurate estimate of your WordPress plugin development cost, it’s best to work with an experienced web developer who can provide you with a quote. Remember, your requirements may evolve throughout the project, but having a ballpark figure will help you plan and budget accordingly.
The Billing Rate of Your Developer or Agency
When developing a custom WordPress plugin, one of the most important factors to consider is your developer’s or agency’s billing rate. To calculate the plugin development cost, you need to multiply the number of billable hours by your developer’s billing rate. However, the billing rate can vary widely, from £17.50 per hour to £200 per hour or more, depending on the WordPress plugin developers experience and whether you hire a freelancer or an agency. Freelancers usually charge between £17.50 and £50 per hour, while agency billing rates range from £30 to £250 per hour.
To get the most out of your investment, it’s essential to work in phases and choose an experienced team that can help you avoid inaccurate estimates, unforeseen glitches, missed deadlines, and infinite loops of going back and forth cost you money. Additionally, it’s best to prevent fixed-cost projects, as they may not be suitable for full-fledged custom plugin development deals. Instead, choose an agency specialising in WordPress plugin development services that follows the best WordPress coding standards and has previous proven experience in plugin development.
Time frame and additional request
When you’re working on a project, there are two crucial things you need to consider: the time frame and the possibility of changes. If you have a tight deadline, you may have to pay more to get your WordPress plugin developed quickly. On the other hand, if you’re not in a rush, you can negotiate a lower price.
If you decide to change your project halfway through, you should expect to pay extra. Minor changes may be acceptable. Still, if you want to add major features or make significant alterations, you will likely have to pay change-order fees. It’s essential to communicate with your developer and be clear about your expectations from the beginning to avoid any surprises later on.
In summary, if you need your WordPress plugin developed quickly, it will likely cost more. And you want to have additional features or make significant changes to your project. In that case, you should expect to pay additional fees. Open communication with your developer ensures you get the plugin you want within your budget and timeframe.
Maintenance and support of your custom WordPress plugin
When you develop a WordPress plugin, there are two things that you need to keep in mind: maintenance and support and further use of the plugin. Maintenance cost depends on the complexity of the plugin, technical requirements, software upgrades, and more. It is essential to discuss with your developer the cost of developing and maintaining your plugin. Similarly, the plugin’s cost depends on how you plan to use it. Suppose you want to use the plugin outside your WordPress site, sell it or share it with everyone using it. In that case, you should discuss the plan with your developer before doing so.
After launching the plugin, you need to maintain it. The maintenance process differs depending on whether the plugin was developed for your website or selling purposes. In the former case, you must ensure that the plugin is compatible with your website’s current WordPress version, theme, and other plugins.
Suppose you are developing it for selling purposes. In that case, you must ensure it is compatible with the ecosystem’s latest WordPress versions and other significant plugins. It is an ongoing expense that cannot be overlooked. You can have your in-house team work on it or outsource it to a WordPress plugin development company to help you with improvements and fixes, manage launches, and gain technical support. The cost of plugin development varies from £500 to £10,000+, depending on the complexity and scope of the plugin.
Tips for Reducing WordPress Plugin Development Cost
When developing a WordPress plugin, it’s essential to remember that costs can quickly add up. To reduce the cost of development, there are several things you can do. Firstly, be clear about the features you want in the plugin and describe them in as much detail as possible. This will help you avoid misunderstandings with the developer and reduce the revisions needed.
It’s also important to discuss every aspect of the project with the developer to get an accurate quote. Secondly, consider customising an existing plugin to meet your needs instead of building one from scratch. This can significantly reduce the cost of development. Thirdly, focus only on the essential features to avoid unnecessary expenses. Lastly, research a development firm and communicate appropriately with the developer throughout the development process.
Get a custom quote for your custom WordPress plugin
WordPress plugin development can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, adding new features and functionality to your WordPress website can be a great way. When choosing a WordPress plugin developer, it is vital to consider the factors listed above to ensure that you find a developer who is a good fit for your needs. Customise your existing WordPress plugin or create a new one by requesting a custom quote today.
