One of the first questions I get from people who are considering a monthly webmaster plan is some version of: “What’s this going to cost me?” It’s a fair question, and I’d rather answer it plainly than dance around it.

Here’s the honest breakdown.

What WordPress maintenance actually involves

Before we talk numbers, it helps to know what you’re paying for. A proper WordPress maintenance plan isn’t just clicking “update all” once in a while. It includes:

• Core, plugin, and theme updates (done carefully, not recklessly)
• 24/7 uptime monitoring so you know before your clients do if something goes down
• Security scanning and hardening
• Regular off-site backups
• Speed and performance checks
• Content updates — new pages, text changes, image swaps, form edits
• Someone to call when something breaks

That last one matters more than people think. Having a webmaster means you’re never staring at a broken page wondering who to call.

What maintenance typically costs in Canada

Pricing varies a lot depending on who you hire and what’s included. Here’s a rough picture of what the market looks like:

Freelance webmaster (like me)

Monthly retainer plans from a solo freelance webmaster typically run $150–$800 CAD/month, depending on how many hours are included and what the plan covers. The advantage is you’re working directly with the person doing the work — no account managers, no handoffs.

At CJamesRun Design, my WordPress care plans start at $210/month for 3 hours and go up to $720/month for 12 hours. Annual commitment required — that’s what lets me offer consistent, priority service without spreading myself too thin.

WordPress agencies

Agency retainers usually start around $500/month and can go well past $2,000/month for larger sites. You’re paying for a team, which means more overhead — and often less direct communication.

Managed WordPress hosting (not the same thing)

Services like WP Engine or Kinsta offer managed hosting, which handles the server side really well. But it’s not a replacement for a webmaster. Someone still needs to do your content updates, fix plugin conflicts, and handle the things that aren’t server-related. Managed hosting + a webmaster is a solid combination.

DIY

Technically free, but it costs you time — and if something goes wrong, it can cost you a lot more. Most business owners I talk to underestimate how much time they spend (or avoid spending) on their website. If it’s pulling you away from actual client work, the math usually favours hiring someone.

What affects the price

A few things will push the cost up or down:

• How active your site is. A site that gets updated regularly — new posts, seasonal promotions, staff changes — needs more hours than a five-page brochure site.
• The complexity of your setup. WooCommerce stores, custom plugins, and third-party integrations take more time to maintain properly.
• Your platform. WordPress is the most efficient to maintain. Joomla, custom-built sites, and older CMSs often take more time for the same tasks.
• Who you hire. An experienced specialist is faster. A junior developer billing fewer dollars per hour can end up costing more if they take twice as long.

Is it worth it?

For most Canadian small businesses with a WordPress site, yes. A neglected site is a liability — outdated plugins are one of the most common entry points for hackers, and a slow or broken site costs you leads every day it’s underperforming.

The question isn’t really whether maintenance is worth it. It’s whether you want to do it yourself or have someone handle it so you don’t have to think about it.

If you’re trying to figure out which plan makes sense for your site, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to take a look and give you a straight answer.