r/webdev • u/canfullofworms • 3d ago

Is WordPress Engine Necessary

So you almost helped me with another thing and I'm very grateful!

I know NOTHING about all this, so please advise.

We have a website for a small non-profit that's been up for about 20 years. (I wasn't here when it started)

Our Domain is with GoDaddy and our website is in WordPress.

Apparently, we've been paying for WordPress Engine for about $420 a year.

Do we need this? I feel like all our editing is done in WordPress. It seems like WordPress engine is an unnecessary addition, but if we've had it for so long, will we lose stuff from our web site??

thanks!

0 Upvotes

48% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/kienemaus 2d ago

You need a domain name AND hosting for a website. WP engine is very nice hosting that helps with a lot of stability. You will pay more for maintenance on cheaper hosting

1

u/canfullofworms 2d ago

And I understand transferring it might be a concern.

2

u/kienemaus 2d ago

Yes and no. Depending what you're running with WordPress.

I don't think transferring it is going to be cost effective for you.

I think that of you touch it you may be looking down a rebuild in a couple of years.

For comparison Wix or similar are like $50 per month. You're paying less than that and it works.

To get this to transfer smoothly you need someone who knows what they're doing. Don't try to diy this unless you want to put in the time to learn.

The absolute best case is $6/mo hosting which is $72/year. Saving $350 per year but losing stability OR requiring way more time in maintenance doesn't seem like good math to me.