WordPress.com Allows Free Users to Monetize Their Websites
WordPress.com, the popular website creation platform, has announced a major change in its pricing structure. Users on the Free plan are now able to use monetization features without upgrading to a paid plan. This means that users can now earn money on their websites by collecting donations, creating a newsletter, or selling items or subscriptions, without having to pay for a higher-tier plan.
Previously, users who wanted to monetize their websites had to be on one of the paid plans. However, WordPress.com has now made these features available to all users on all tiers. The fee structure varies based on the user’s plan, with transaction fees being the highest for Free users at 10%. However, this gives creators the opportunity to see if they can make money without it costing anything upfront.
WordPress.com’s offering is targeted at creators who just want to get started making money online. The company is inching closer to being a one-stop shop for websites, especially as it makes a play for former Google Domains customers who are looking for somewhere to host domains after theirs were sold to Squarespace.
Monetization Features Available on All Tiers
WordPress.com’s monetization features include collecting donations, creating a newsletter, and selling items or subscriptions. These features are now available to all users on all tiers. The fee structure varies based on the user’s plan, with transaction fees being the highest for Free users at 10%. However, this gives creators the opportunity to see if they can make money without it costing anything upfront.
The following table shows the payment fees for each WordPress.com plan:
Plan Payment Fees
WordPress.com Commerce 0%
WordPress.com Business 2%
WordPress.com Premium 4%
WordPress.com Personal 8%
WordPress.com Free 10%
It’s important to note that creating a full-featured online store is still restricted to Business and Commerce plans. Using Pay with PayPal to accept credit and debit card payments via PayPal is also only available via an upgraded plan.
WordPress.com’s pricing page has not yet been updated to reflect monetization features as being free. The Personal plan still lists paid subscribers and premium content gating as an upgrade. It’s possible the team hasn’t edited that page yet or this may be another pricing experiment.
Benefits of Monetizing Your Website
There are many benefits to monetizing your website, including:
1. Earning money: Monetizing your website can help you earn money from your content. This can be through donations, subscriptions, or selling products.
2. Building a community: Monetizing your website can help you build a community around your content. This can be through a newsletter or a membership program.
3. Increasing engagement: Monetizing your website can increase engagement with your audience. This can be through exclusive content or rewards for subscribers.
4. Growing your brand: Monetizing your website can help you grow your brand by increasing visibility and credibility.
Conclusion
WordPress.com’s decision to allow Free users to monetize their websites is a positive change that will benefit creators who want to earn money online. While transaction fees are higher for Free users, this gives them the opportunity to see if they can make money without it costing anything upfront. WordPress.com’s offering is targeted at creators who just want to get started making money online, and the company is inching closer to being a one-stop shop for websites.
