A WordPress agency provides customization and website development services for the world's most popular open-source content management system (CMS) WordPress. Key services of these specialists include bespoke WordPress theme, features, and WordPress plugin development, website setup, platform migration, UI/UX implementations, performance optimization, and security implementations.  

They also conduct technical tuning pertaining to database management, API integration, site migration, and maintenance. 

Depending on the complexity, WordPress agencies charge from $500 to $30,000 per project. Namely, simple WordPress sites range from $500 to $5,000, while fully custom-built sites with advanced features may cost between $5,000 and $30,000.  

The prices are overall determined based on the design, functionality, SEO, and developer expertise. Each phase also entails different prices: 

• Planning and discovery: $1,000 to $5,000 
• Design: $3,000 to $10,000 
• Development: $5,000 to $20,000 
• Testing and launch: $2,000 to $5,000 

On average, a custom WordPress website requires 6 to 12 weeks for complete development. Conversely, simple blogs with out-of-box WordPress theme, basic customization, only essential plugins, and basic content setup can be done in a week.  

In the same low complexity tier also fall basic business websites, minimalistic blogs, and simple portfolio sites built with themes and minimal customization, which can be done in 1 to 3 weeks. 

Brochure websites with 5-10 pages, contact forms, and basic SEO setup usually take a week or two. WordPress developers also often work on business sites with standard features like contact forms, galleries, standard features, and basic eCommerce functionality, which typically fall within the 2 to 3-week range. 

Maintenance packages usually cover WordPress core updates, plugin updates, security backups, and sometimes content updates or technical support hours. Full-service plans extend to uptime monitoring and malware scanning to protect the site against downtime and external threats.  

Some WordPress developers also offer performance optimization and database cleanup to maintain optimal loading speeds and a pleasant user experience. 

When putting up a security setup for a new client, WordPress agencies primarily start with strengthening the core and securing the server. To further secure the parameters, they limit access and monitor the site to mitigate common risks like brute force attacks, SQL injections, and malware attacks.  

The most effective website security measures that top WordPress developers undertake include: 

• Update management: Regularly patching WordPress core, functionalities, themes, and plugins to the latest versions 
• Secure hosting: Using managed WordPress hosting with server-level security, such as isolated server environments (jailing) and proactive DDoS protection. 
• SSL/HTTPS everywhere: Forcing HTTPS to encrypt data in transit. 
• Off-site, automated backups: Implementing daily, automated backups that are stored in an independent location for prompt recovery if the server is compromised. 
• Removing unused assets: Deleting, rather than just deactivating, unused plugins and themes to reduce the attack surface.