best free website builders 2025 wix vs wordpress vs google sites vs github pages
Quick, practical comparison of four popular builders for small business sites — covering cost, ease, SEO, flexibility and real-world trade-offs so you can pick the right path in 2025.
Head-to-head: Wix, WordPress, Google Sites, GitHub Pages
| Platform | Cost | Best for | SEO & Marketing | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | $0–$20+/mo | Non-technical owners who want drag‑and‑drop | Built-in SEO tools + apps; decent starter UX | Medium — templates + apps, but platform-locked |
| WordPress (self-hosted) | $0–$10 hosting → plugins paid | Businesses needing control and extensibility | Best-in-class SEO capability with plugins & structure | Very high — full control, themes & plugins |
| Google Sites | Free (with Google account) | Simple brochure or internal pages | Limited SEO features; basic indexing only | Low — intentionally simple |
| GitHub Pages | Free (static sites) | Developers or static brochure sites with Git workflow | Good if you manage metadata manually; needs setup | High for developers; low for non-devs |
Quick takeaway: Wix is fast for non-technical owners, WordPress gives maximum control and SEO potential, Google Sites works for the simplest pages, and GitHub Pages suits developers comfortable with static site workflows.
Wix — drag & drop simplicity
- Visual editor and lots of templates
- Built-in SEO wizard and apps marketplace
- Limited portability — moving away can be work
- Advanced customisation can be restricted or require paid apps
WordPress — power & extensibility
- Unlimited themes, plugins, and SEO tools
- Full ownership of code and data
- Requires hosting, maintenance and security care
- Steeper learning curve or developer cost
Google Sites — ultra-simple & free
- Free and fast to set up with a Google account
- Minimal SEO features and limited design control
- Not suitable for growing businesses that need custom tracking or marketing
GitHub Pages — free static hosting for devs
- Free, fast static hosting with custom domains
- Perfect for JAMstack sites and version control
- Not beginner-friendly — requires Git, build tools
- SEO tasks and analytics need manual setup
Which builder should your small business pick?
Choose Wix if…
- — You want a fast, no-code setup with attractive templates
- — You prefer managing content via a visual editor and apps
- — You don’t mind platform lock-in for quicker time-to-live
Choose WordPress if…
- — You want maximum SEO, integrations and future growth
- — You can handle (or pay for) hosting and maintenance
- — Ownership, portability and custom features matter
Choose Google Sites if…
- — You need an immediate, free, ultra-simple page
- — No marketing features or analytics are needed yet
Choose GitHub Pages if…
- — You have development skills and prefer git deployment
- — You want a low-cost static site and can wire SEO/analytics yourself
Design that converts
Templates or platforms are one thing — conversion-focused layout, clear calls-to-action and trust signals are another. Templates often need design polish to turn visitors into leads.
SEO tuned for local search
Built-in SEO tools help, but real results come from correct meta, schema, fast pages and local optimisation — elements many free builds don’t fully handle out of the box.
Ads that drive the right traffic
Even the best site needs visitors. Targeted ads (search and social) amplify early results while organic SEO grows — a combined plan reduces time-to-first-lead.
Why an integrated approach often beats “free” alone
Choosing a free or low-cost builder saves money up front, but most small businesses measure success by enquiries and jobs booked. A site plus SEO plus targeted ads — coordinated so pages, keywords and ads match your services — produces measurable results faster than standalone builders.
If you prefer doing the site yourself on Wix or Google Sites, consider pairing it with a specialist to configure analytics, schema and local SEO. If you choose WordPress or GitHub Pages, plan for ongoing maintenance and tracking to keep search performance strong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a “free” builder good enough for SEO?
Can I switch platforms later?
What’s the fastest route to first enquiries?
Not sure which builder is right?
If your goal is steady enquiries, pick the platform that fits your workflow — and pair it with proper SEO and ads. That combination turns a website from a brochure into a business tool.
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