In a previous article, I briefly explained the steps involved in ordering a custom WordPress plugin.
In that post, I mentioned that the process begins with understanding your own needs or the needs of your users/audience. After going through various stages, you eventually make the payment and receive the final custom plugin developed and designed to suit your requirements.
Today, we’ll take a detailed look at the most frequently asked questions, important considerations, and key points related to ordering custom WordPress plugins, including their costs and pricing details. Whether you're new to WordPress or already managing a website, this guide can help you make informed decisions.
1. Custom Plugins vs. Ready-Made and Free Plugins
We’re all familiar with free plugins—those you can download, install, and use at no cost from the official WordPress directory or similar websites. These are ideal for beginners or small-scale websites where basic functionality is sufficient.
There are also paid ready-made plugins that you can purchase for a relatively low price and use right away.
However, with these plugins, customization is typically limited or impossible. You’ll have to adjust your needs to match the functionality offered by the plugin, or you’ll need to search extensively to find a plugin that comes close to what you’re looking for.
If neither free nor paid ready-made plugins meet your needs, then it’s time to speak with a WordPress developer to create a custom plugin for you 😎
A custom plugin will be developed specifically for your requirements, and you’ll have the flexibility to decide whether to keep it private or make it publicly available.
This solution is particularly valuable for businesses or websites that require unique features or enhanced integration with other tools and systems.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Plugin?
The cost of creating a custom WordPress plugin depends on several factors. What exactly do you need? What’s the problem? And what are your expectations for the new plugin? These aspects will determine the price.
The cost of a custom plugin can start at a few million tomans, but for more advanced plugins, the cost can be significantly higher. Projects requiring advanced technical features or unique user interfaces will naturally involve greater investment 🧐
In a related article, I’ve discussed six main factors that affect the cost of making a custom WordPress plugin:
- Technical complexity of the project
- Ongoing support requirements
- Compatibility with other systems or plugins
- Frontend design details
- Security considerations
- Licensing
These factors can have a significant impact on the final price of your custom plugin. By clearly defining your needs upfront, you can avoid unnecessary costs and ensure a smoother development process.
3. Ordering a Custom WordPress Plugin at the Best Price
If you’re looking for the best approach and price, get ready to put in some effort!
First, carefully evaluate your needs—both your own and those of your website visitors or audience. Then, explore free and ready-made (paid) plugins to see if any of them meet your needs at minimal cost or even for free.
With enough searching, you might find a ready-made plugin that comes close to what you’re looking for and satisfies your requirements to some extent. Sometimes, combining multiple plugins can also cover your needs without the need for custom development.
If you realize that no plugin fits your needs, then you’ll need to work with a web developer, preferably one experienced in WordPress, to order a custom plugin 🤨
To find a reliable developer, consider using freelance platforms, or check personal websites and portfolios of developers or companies to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to bring your idea to life. Don’t hesitate to ask for testimonials or examples of previous projects to assess their expertise.
4. Why Are Custom Plugins Not Free?
While the WordPress core is free, it often doesn’t meet the diverse needs of various projects.
It’s true that the WordPress core can be a solid foundation for establishing your business online, but it won’t always be enough. Sooner or later, you’ll need to add plugins to your WordPress website to address your unique needs and the demands of your audience.
As websites and businesses grow, they often reach a point where ready-made plugins are no longer sufficient to meet their requirements.
If, after searching, you find that there’s no plugin available to execute your specific ideas or meet your audience’s needs, then you’ll require a plugin that’s designed precisely for you—nothing more and nothing less. This is where a WordPress developer steps in 🤩
Developing a plugin tailored to your exact specifications requires time, focus, effort, and expertise from an experienced developer. Naturally, accessing this level of skill and dedication comes at a cost. However, this investment ensures that the plugin functions seamlessly with your website and delivers the exact results you need.
5. Is the Cost of a Custom Plugin a One-Time Payment?
Not always. If your project requires ongoing developer involvement, you’ll likely need to pay for support on an annual basis.
When is support necessary?
This depends on your needs and should be discussed with your developer or programming consultant. Support is typically more important for large and complex projects 🤓
For instance:
- If you plan to regularly add features to your plugin, you’ll need ongoing assistance from your developer.
- If you require continuous SEO or security updates for your plugin, your developer will need to stay involved to make sure it’s always updated and secure.
Additionally, if you’re using the plugin across multiple websites or integrating it with third-party services, regular support becomes even more essential to ensure compatibility and smooth operation.
Interested in a Custom WordPress Plugin?
I have experience designing and developing several custom WordPress plugins, some of which have been published on WordPress’s official website. I’m actively working on developing and publishing more custom plugins.
You can view my latest published plugins on this page of the WordPress website 🌷
If you’re interested in having your own custom plugin created or published on the official WordPress site, feel free to contact me for consultation and a price estimate. Let’s bring your ideas to life! 😍
Jafar Naghizadeh
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