How to Start a WordPress Freelancer Business
WordPress powers a huge share of the web. Learn how to turn WordPress development, customization, and maintenance into a $55K+ yearly freelance business serving businesses around the world.
Why This Works
Everything you need to turn your skills into a sustainable income stream
Massive, Established Market
Millions of sites run on WordPress and need ongoing help: new builds, redesigns, performance improvements, security, and migrations.
Sticky, Recurring Client Relationships
Once you become the “WordPress person” for a client, they often come back for updates, new features, and maintenance — turning one-off projects into long-term revenue.
Flexible Hourly and Project Rates
You can charge hourly for troubleshooting and small tweaks, and charge fixed project rates for full builds or major upgrades, giving you pricing flexibility as you grow.
Everything You Need to Know
Quick overview of the essentials—enough to get you started, with full guides available in your dashboard
What Is WordPress Freelancing?
WordPress freelancing involves building, customizing, and maintaining WordPress websites for businesses using the popular CMS platform.
Demand & Market Proof
WordPress powers 43% of websites. Constant demand for customization, updates, and new WordPress sites globally.
Types That Sell Best
- WordPress development
- Theme customization
- Plugin development
- WordPress maintenance
- Consulting
Pricing Examples
- Basic work: $50-75/hour
- Custom development: $75-120/hour
- Expert services: $120-200+/hour
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WordPress Freelancer Pricing and Income Ranges
WordPress freelancers earn through a mix of hourly work, fixed-price projects, and maintenance retainers. Here are realistic ranges at different stages:
$50-75/hour or $2,000-4,000/project
Smaller brochure sites, theme setup/customization, and basic plugin configuration for local businesses or simple blogs. Great stage for building skills and testimonials.
$75-120/hour or $4,000-10,000/project
Custom themes, WooCommerce stores, membership sites, or more complex integrations. Work with growing businesses that need performance, SEO, and reliability.
$120-200+/hour or $10,000-30,000+/project
Enterprise-grade WordPress, advanced custom plugins, architecture consulting, or large migrations. Often paired with retainers and long-term support contracts.
How It Works
Follow these steps to get started and see results quickly
Build Solid WordPress Fundamentals
Start with the core of WordPress: how themes, plugins, hooks, and the database work together. You do not need to be a full-stack engineer to start — but understanding the foundations will make every project smoother.
Define Your WordPress Service Stack and Specialization
Rather than offering “everything WordPress,” choose a set of services and niches where you want to become known: e-commerce, membership sites, local business sites, or performance optimization.
Create a Portfolio and Presence in WordPress Ecosystems
Clients want proof you can handle their site. Show real examples, and also be visible where WordPress users and agencies hang out.
Combine Projects with Maintenance and Support Retainers
Do not stop at launch. Offer structured maintenance and support so clients stay with you and you build a baseline of recurring revenue.
WordPress Services
Different WordPress services for different needs:
WordPress Development
Build custom WordPress sites from scratch, custom themes, or complex functionality tailored to client needs.
Examples:
- Custom themes
- Plugin development
- Complex functionality
WordPress Customization
Customize existing WordPress sites: theme modifications, plugin configuration, and functionality additions.
Examples:
- Theme customization
- Plugin setup
- Functionality additions
WordPress Maintenance
Ongoing WordPress support: updates, security, backups, and site optimization for stable monthly revenue.
Examples:
- Updates & security
- Backups
- Site optimization
WordPress Consulting
WordPress strategy consulting: platform selection, plugin recommendations, and site architecture advice.
Examples:
- Platform strategy
- Plugin selection
- Architecture consulting
What You Get
Everything you need to succeed in your journey
Huge, Ongoing Market for One Platform
Because so many sites use WordPress, specializing in it alone can keep you fully booked without needing to learn every latest framework.
Mix of Quick Fixes and Larger Projects
You can fill your schedule with a combination of small troubleshooting jobs, medium projects, and bigger builds — giving you flexibility and resilience.
Remote, Asynchronous-Friendly Work
Most WordPress work can be handled via tickets and async communication, making it ideal if you want flexible hours or to work with clients across time zones.
Transferable Skills to Other Web Stacks
Understanding themes, templates, performance, and UX in WordPress prepares you to branch into other ecosystems later if you choose.
Clear Path to Higher Rates Over Time
As you narrow your niche and build proof of results, you can move from generalist “WordPress person” to specialist (e.g., WooCommerce performance expert) with much higher rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Monetization Guides
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Start Your WordPress Freelancer Business
Build a $55K+ yearly business specializing in WordPress development, customization, and maintenance for clients who rely on the world’s most popular CMS.
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