# Bloqpage vs WordPress

> The WordPress alternative with a shop, PayFast and Paystack ready on day one, and nothing to install.

Facts about WordPress checked on 2026-11-14. Written by Bloqpage, so weigh our view accordingly.

## At a glance

| | Bloqpage | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan that can sell | Basic, R149 a month | Business, $25 a month yearly (about R410) |
| Shop setup | Built in | WooCommerce plus a payment plugin |
| Billed in | Rand | Dollars |
| Free to start | 14-day Pro trial, no card | Free plan without plugins |

## The short answer

Pick WordPress if you want thousands of plugins, full control of your code, or the option to move your site to any host later. Pick Bloqpage if you want to sell without setting anything up: WordPress.com needs the Business plan at $25 a month before it runs plugins, and then WooCommerce and a payment plugin. Bloqpage has the shop and local payments ready from R149 a month.

## Choose Bloqpage if

- You want customers to pay with Paystack, PayFast or PayPal without installing anything
- You would rather pay a fixed price in rand than a dollar price that moves with the exchange rate
- You do not want to install, update or troubleshoot plugins

## Choose WordPress if

- You need a plugin for something specific, such as memberships, courses or a complex directory
- You want to own the code and move your site to any host
- You or your developer already know WordPress well

## Why South African businesses move from WordPress

### Plugins cost time

A WordPress shop is WooCommerce plus a payment plugin, a shipping plugin and often a page builder, each with its own settings and updates. In Bloqpage those are part of the product.

### Plugins start on the Business plan

WordPress.com's Personal and Premium plans do not run plugins, so a shop starts on Business at $25 a month on yearly billing, or Commerce at $45.

### Less to look after

Bloqpage runs the hosting, the security certificate and the updates. You edit the site and run the business.

## Feature by feature

| | Bloqpage | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Prices billed in rand | Yes | No |
| Online store | Every paid plan | WooCommerce on Business and Commerce |
| PayFast and Paystack | Built in | Through WooCommerce plugins |
| Courier rates at checkout | Bob Go, built in | Bob Go plugin for WooCommerce |
| Drag-and-drop page builder | Yes | Block editor |
| Install your own plugins | No | From Business |
| Move the site to another host | No | Yes |
| Free plan | No | Yes |

## What a year costs

One year for a small shop, paying yearly, before payment provider fees (both pay those) and your domain.

Bloqpage:
- Basic, billed yearly: R1,490
- Shop, PayFast, Paystack and PayPal: included
- Plugins to buy: none

WordPress:
- Business, billed yearly: $300 (about R4,950)
- WooCommerce and the PayFast plugin: free
- Paid plugins and themes: extra, if you need them

Self-hosted WordPress can cost less per month, but then you also pay for hosting and handle updates and security yourself. Dollar prices are converted at about R16.50 to the dollar and rounded, so treat rand figures for them as a guide.

## Moving from WordPress to Bloqpage

1. Bloqpage has no WordPress import. Rebuild your main pages from a template or with Bloq AI, then copy across the posts that bring you visitors.
2. WordPress addresses often include dates or categories. Add redirects in Website settings, such as /2024/* to /blog, or one rule per important post, so links and Google rankings carry over.
3. When the new site is ready, point your domain to Bloqpage. Keep a backup export of your WordPress site in case you need an old post later.

## Questions

### Is Bloqpage easier than WordPress?

For most small businesses, yes. You build by dragging blocks and typing, and the shop and payments are already there. WordPress can do far more, but you set up and maintain more of it yourself.

### Can I use PayFast with WordPress?

Yes, through the official WooCommerce PayFast Gateway plugin. On WordPress.com that needs the Business plan or higher, since cheaper plans do not run plugins.

### Can I install plugins on Bloqpage?

No. Bloqpage has built-in apps instead, such as WhatsApp chat, bookings, sign-up pop-ups, Google Analytics and Meta Pixel. If you depend on a specific WordPress plugin, WordPress is the better choice.

### Will I lose my Google rankings if I move from WordPress?

Not if you redirect your old addresses. Add a redirect for each post that gets visitors, or a pattern for a whole folder, before you switch your domain.

## Keep reading

- [Build a business website with AI](https://bloqpage.com/blog/build-a-business-website-with-ai)
- [Get your business found on Google](https://bloqpage.com/blog/get-your-business-found-on-google)
- [Best website builders in South Africa](https://bloqpage.com/blog/best-website-builders-south-africa)

## Sources

- [WordPress.com pricing](https://wordpress.com/pricing/)
- [WooCommerce Payfast Gateway plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/woocommerce-payfast-gateway/)
- [Bob Go plugin for WooCommerce](https://wordpress.org/plugins/uafrica-shipping/)

Start a free 14-day trial: https://bloqpage.com/signup