RUN A BUSINESS WITH WORDPRESS

WordPress can do far more than just serve webpages—if you would like to sell goods or services online, then install the free version of the WooCommerce plugin ( https:// woocommerce.com), which has all the functionality you need to add an online shop to your site. Pair it with a free Woocommerce-friendly theme such as Boutique, Storefront, or Deli, and you can be up and running in a short period for no outlay.

You can also use WordPress to manage an online booking system.

If you’re not charging for bookings, consider Easy Appointments ( http:// bit.ly/MPCwordpressappts). Bookly ( http://bit.ly/MPCbookly) also has a free tier that you can use, but you’ll need to pay for a Pro license ($89, onetime cost) to accept paid bookings, install Bookly add-ons, and work with unlimited services and staff members. A cheaper alternative that’s worth considering is the Booked plugin ($49, https://getbooked.io).

If you’d like to build a membersonly website in WordPress involving some form of subscription-based paywall, then try S2Member ( https:// s2member.com), which offers a free tier that supports PayPal as a payment provider. The Pro version adds more features and payment-provider support for a one-time fee of $89 that covers a single site.

One final tip: If you’re planning to run business services, make sure you choose a premium hosting package—these plugins are extremely demanding, and cheaper hosting plans will struggle to cope.