best free website
A practical guide to the best free website builders, real limitations to watch for, and when a low-cost managed site makes more business sense.
What Does "Free Website" Actually Mean?
"Free website" usually means a site you can build without an upfront payment. But free often comes with trade-offs: platform ads, subdomains (yourname.platform.com), restricted SEO features, limited bandwidth, and few or no advanced integrations.
- No upfront cost to start building.
- Hidden limitations such as forced branding, storage caps or paywalls for essentials.
- SEO restrictions — limited meta control, no schema, slower indexability.
- Ownership & export can be restricted or difficult when you want to leave.
Popular Free Website Builders in 2025 (at a glance)
These platforms let you launch a site for free, but read the limitations — the cheapest option isn't always the best for your business.
Wix (Free Plan)
Easy drag-and-drop editor, many templates. Free plan shows Wix ads and uses a Wix subdomain.
Good for: portfolios, hobby projects.
WordPress.com (Free)
Powerful blogging tools, large plugin ecosystem only on paid plans. Free includes WordPress ads & subdomain.
Good for: bloggers and content-heavy sites that can upgrade later.
Google Sites
Super simple, integrates with Google Workspace. Very limited design and SEO features.
Good for: internal pages, simple information sites.
Carrd
Minimal one-page sites, simple pricing to upgrade. Free plan includes Carrd branding and limited forms.
Good for: landing pages, simple single-service sites.
Weebly
Simple store and site builder. Free plan shows Weebly ads and offers limited ecommerce features.
Good for: small hobby shops just starting out.
Static site generators / GitHub Pages
Truly free hosting if you can manage code. No GUI editor; requires technical skills.
Good for: developers or tinkerers who own technical setup.
Hidden Costs & Why "Free" Can Hurt Your Business
A free website may save money today but reduce credibility, leads and search visibility — which costs you more in the long run.
Upsell & Upgrade Costs
Many features you need — a custom domain, removal of platform ads, extra storage, ecommerce — are behind paid plans. You may end up spending more than a low-cost managed solution.
SEO & Discoverability
Free plans often limit meta controls, structured data (schema) and technical performance — all critical for ranking in local searches and getting leads.
Brand & Trust
A business website on a subdomain with platform ads looks less professional. For trades and services, trust and clarity of contact info are everything.
Quick checklist — What "free" often doesn't include
- Custom domain name (usually paid)
- Removal of platform branding/ads
- Full control of meta titles, descriptions and schema
- Unlimited content updates without extra fees
- Fast, optimised hosting and SSL under one managed plan
When a Free Website Makes Sense — and When to Choose Managed
Good Reasons to Start Free
- You're experimenting, not relying on the site for leads
- You need a simple internal page or event landing page
- You're technically confident (or have a developer) and can manage SEO and hosting yourself
Choose Managed (like Congero) if:
- Your website must generate enquiries and calls (trades, services)
- You want reliable local SEO, a custom domain, fast hosting and SSL included
- You prefer unlimited, no-hassle updates via text — not managing editors or plugins
Launch a Free Site in 4 Steps (if you choose that route)
A no-frills path to get online quickly — keep in mind the limitations listed earlier.
1. Choose Platform
Pick a free plan (Wix, WordPress.com, Google Sites, Carrd).
2. Add Content
Write clear service descriptions, phone number and service area (NAP consistency matters).
3. Optimise Basics
Set page title, meta description and alt text. Use location keywords for local search.
4. Publish & Test
Publish, test on mobile, and check that contact links and maps work.
SEO Tips to Make Any Free Site Work Harder
Even on free plans, some actions materially improve your chances of being found in local searches.
Local Keywords
Include suburb and service keywords in headings and the first paragraph (e.g., "Brisbane plumber — blocked drains").
NAP Consistency
Display your business Name, Address and Phone number consistently. Use a click-to-call link for mobile visitors.
Meta & Speed
Write concise meta titles/descriptions. Compress images and avoid large hero files to keep page speed fast on mobile.
When a Paid, Managed Website Beats "Best Free Website"
For trades and local services that need leads, a managed website often produces better ROI than a free site because it removes friction, improves SEO, and builds trust.
What Managed Plans Deliver
- Custom domain, SSL and fast hosting included
- Local SEO, schema and meta optimisation by default
- Unlimited content updates — send a text and we update it
- No platform ads, full ownership and exportable site files
- Monthly analytics and actionable insights
Why Congero is a Smart Choice for Small Trades
Congero builds a professional, mobile-first site in 60 seconds and manages everything for $49/month — domain, hosting, SSL, local SEO and unlimited updates via WhatsApp. No lock-in contracts and clear analytics make it a low-risk way to get more enquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about free websites and managed alternatives.
