best website builder for small business free
Free tiers are great for testing — here’s what they really give you, and when upgrading (or choosing a managed subscription) makes sense.
If you're a local tradie, cafe owner, or solo professional, free plans can launch a web presence fast. But limitations — subdomains, platform ads, weak SEO — often make free a temporary solution. Below you'll find a clear, practical guide to the most common free website builders and realistic advice on next steps.
Top free website builders for small businesses (real-world take)
Below are popular platforms you'll see recommended — each has a free tier, but the practical differences matter when you're trying to get customers.
Wix (free tier)
Easy editor and lots of templates. The free plan includes a Wix subdomain, Wix ads, and limited storage. Good for quick brochures or testing concepts.
- Simple drag-and-drop
- Many templates
- Platform ads on free
- Subdomain only
- Need custom domain
- Remove ads / add e-commerce
WordPress.com (free)
WordPress.com’s free plan gives you a wordpress.com subdomain, basic themes, and Jetpack-powered stats. Good for blogs, but plugin access and advanced SEO are restricted on free plans.
- Great content tools
- Large ecosystem
- No custom plugins on free
- Subdomain and brand visible
- Need SEO plugins or WooCommerce
- Want full theme control
Google Sites (free)
Very simple, reliable, and free with a Google account. No third-party ads, but very limited design options, zero e-commerce, and minimal SEO features.
- No platform ads
- Simple to use
- Very limited design
- No SEO controls
- Need branding or advanced SEO
- Want professional look
Carrd (free)
Fantastic for one-page sites, very lightweight and fast. Free plan is generous for single pages but lacks custom domain and advanced blocks for forms/payments unless upgraded.
- Fast single pages
- Minimal learning curve
- No custom domain on free
- Limited multi-page support
- Need forms or payments
Webflow (starter)
Generates production-ready code and gives designers pixel control. Free plan lets you design, but hosting and CMS features require paid plans — plus there's a learning curve.
- Pixel-perfect design
- Clean exportable code
- Steep learning curve
- Hosting locked to paid plans
- Need CMS or hosting
Short take
Free tiers are useful to test ideas, try editors, or build a very small online presence. But almost every small business reaches a point where a paid plan (custom domain, no ads, better SEO, and support) is worth the investment.
Side-by-side: what free plans actually include
| Platform | Free tier limits | Branding & Domain | Support | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | 500MB storage, 500MB bandwidth, limited apps | Wix ads, wixsite.com subdomain | Community + help docs | Quick brochure site |
| WordPress.com | 3GB storage, basic themes | wordpress.com subdomain, WordPress branding | Docs & community | Content-heavy sites / blogs |
| Google Sites | Unlimited edits, minimal features | No platform ads, but limited branding control | Google support docs | Internal pages, simple info pages |
| Carrd | One-page limits, basic widgets | carrd.co subdomain | Email support on paid plans | One-page promos & portfolios |
| Webflow (Starter) | Design-only free, hosting limited | webflow.io subdomain | Community + docs | Design-focused projects |
| Professional subscription (example) | All-in-one: hosting, domain, unlimited updates | Custom domain, no platform ads | Dedicated support, quick updates | Busy small businesses who want results fast |
When a free plan becomes a bottleneck for your business
Free builders are excellent starting points. But if any of the following matter to your business, a paid plan or managed subscription will usually deliver better results:
- Brand trust: Customers expect a proper domain (yourbusiness.com), not a platform subdomain.
- Local search: Free plans often limit on-page SEO and structured data — crucial for “near me” searches.
- Conversion tools: Online booking, payments, or advanced forms usually require paid add-ons.
- Support & updates: Unlimited, fast updates are valuable if you run specials, change prices, or need urgent fixes.
- Predictable cost: A single monthly fee that includes hosting, domain, SSL, and updates avoids surprise expenses.
What a low-cost managed subscription adds (real business value)
If you're weighing free DIY vs. a paid or managed option, here are practical differences that impact leads and time saved. This is intentionally non-technical — just what small businesses see in results.
Speed & Ease
Managed subscriptions often deliver a working site fast (hours, not weeks) and let you request changes without learning the editor.
Local SEO
Better on-page SEO, schema, and Google Business setup mean more visibility in local searches — where most small businesses get customers.
Support & Updates
Unlimited updates and responsive support reduce downtime and let you run promos or adjust pricing quickly — a practical revenue benefit.
For example, some services (including Congero) combine instant AI-driven site builds, hosting, domain management, and unlimited text-in updates for a single monthly fee. That shifts the cost from “your time + DIY headaches” to a predictable, business-focused monthly operating expense — often a smart tradeoff for owners who value time and conversions.
Which path should you pick?
Free builders — choose if:
- You need a one-off info page or a simple portfolio
- You’re testing a business idea and want zero cost
- You don't mind a platform subdomain or small ads
Paid / managed — choose if:
- You need a custom domain and professional branding
- You want ongoing updates, local SEO, and analytics included
- You value predictable costs and fewer technical headaches
Frequently asked questions
Are free websites bad for SEO?
Can I switch from a free plan to a paid provider later?
How much should a small business budget for a reliable website?
When is a custom build worth it?
Final advice for small businesses
Start with a free builder if you need to test quickly. Plan to move to a paid or managed service once you want a custom domain, better local SEO, and support. For many small businesses, the time saved and extra leads from a well-optimised, supported site make the monthly fee worthwhile.
No hard sell here — just practical choices. If you want a fast, supported option that handles hosting, domain, local SEO and unlimited updates, a managed subscription is a sensible next step.
