Step‑by‑Step: Building an Event Calendar with The Events Calendar Plugin

Updated 2026-07-18 · Hosting Reviews

Choosing the Right Hosting for a Nonprofit Event Calendar

When you’re ready to build an event calendar with The Events Calendar plugin, the first decision is where to host your site. For nonprofits and charities, you want a solution that’s inexpensive, reliable, and easy to manage. Hostinger’s shared hosting plans start at about $3–$5 per month, while their cloud and VPS options range from $8–$15 per month. Shared plans are usually enough for most clubs and community groups, giving you fast servers, free SSL certificates, and a one‑click WordPress install.

Domain, Platform, and the Plugin Stack

Register a short, memorable domain—most registrars offer it for $10–$15 a year. Hostinger lets you add a domain to any plan for free. Once you have a domain, install WordPress (the most flexible CMS for events) and add The Events Calendar plugin, which is free for basic features and costs around $99 per year for the premium version if you need advanced ticketing or recurring events.

Step‑by‑Step: From Sign‑up to Live Event Calendar

1. Sign up with Hostinger. Choose a shared plan; it includes a free domain and SSL.
2. Set up WordPress. In the Hostinger control panel, click the WordPress icon and follow the wizard.
3. Install The Events Calendar. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New and search for “The Events Calendar.” Click Install then Activate.
4. Configure basic settings. Under Events > Settings, set your event location, time zone, and calendar layout.
5. Create your first event. Go to Events > Add New, fill in title, date, location, and description. Add a featured image for visual appeal.
6. Build a donation page. Install a simple plugin like GiveWP or WPForms to add a “Donate” button. Link it from your main menu and the event pages.
7. Set up volunteer sign‑ups. Use a form plugin to collect volunteer info and display the form on a dedicated “Volunteer” page.
8. Optimize for speed. Enable the Hostinger caching tool, use a lightweight theme, and keep plugins to a minimum.
9. Secure your site. Hostinger’s free SSL covers all pages; enable two‑factor authentication in WordPress.
10. Publish! Once you’re happy with the layout and content, click Publish and your calendar is live.

Cost Overview and Value for Nonprofits

• Domain: $10–$15 per year (free with Hostinger for the first year).
• Shared hosting: $3–$5/month (renewal typically higher).
• The Events Calendar free version: $0; premium: ~$99/year.
• Donation plugin: $0–$30/year depending on features.
• Theme: free or $30–$60 for a premium design.

With these elements, a full nonprofit event site can cost less than $200 for the first year, and you’ll have a scalable platform that can grow as your organization expands.

Security and Maintenance Basics

Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated. Use a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri for added protection. Hostinger’s managed backups run daily, so you can restore a previous version if anything goes wrong.

FAQ

What is the best hosting plan for a small nonprofit?

A shared hosting plan from Hostinger is usually sufficient. It offers fast servers, free SSL, and one‑click WordPress installs at a low price.

Can I use a different event plugin?

Yes, but The Events Calendar is the most popular and well‑supported. Alternatives like EventOn or Tickera are available if you need specific features.

How do I add a donation button to event pages?

Install a donation plugin, create a “Donate” button, and insert it into the event description or a sidebar widget on the event page.