build your own free website
A clear, step-by-step handbook for launching a free site and growing it with effective SEO and sustainable traffic strategies — no sales fluff.
This guide walks you from goal and platform choice to publishing, basic technical SEO, analytics and low-cost growth tactics that work in 2025. Build a useful site, get indexed, and start getting visitors without spending on hosting or design.
1. Start with a simple plan
Before you click "create", decide what success looks like. A clear goal focuses your content and speeds up SEO results.
Decide your primary goal
- Get local enquiries (phone / contact form)
- Showcase portfolio or services
- Sell a small number of items (simple checkout)
- Collect emails for a newsletter
Pick 3 target pages
Start lean — home, one service/product page, and contact/about. Add a blog later to grow search traffic.
- Home (primary conversion)
- Service/Product page (keyword focus)
- Contact (phone, email, map)
2. Choose a free platform (pros & cons)
Free platforms let you launch quickly without hosting fees. Each has trade-offs — choose based on control, SEO features and whether you need a custom domain later.
Google Sites
Very easy, fast. Good for simple info pages. Limited SEO control and no plugins.
WordPress.com (free)
Flexible, blog-friendly. Free plan has WordPress subdomain and ads. Upgrade if you want plugins.
Wix / Weebly (free tiers)
Drag-and-drop, easy visuals. Free subdomain and platform branding; limited SEO options on free tiers.
Blogger
Simple blogging platform with Blogger subdomain; can connect custom domain later.
Carrd
Great for single-page sites and contact landing pages. Limitations on complex content.
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Free hosting for static sites. Requires basic Git/CLI or drag-drop with site generators. Excellent for speed and SEO if you can use them.
3. Plan content and keywords (SEO first)
Good SEO starts with clear user-focused content. You don't need fancy tools to find useful keywords — use search suggestions, local terms and competitor pages.
Simple keyword research (fast method)
- Write 5 seed phrases: what customers type (e.g., "emergency plumber", "mobile mechanic near me").
- Use Google Autocomplete: Start typing each seed phrase and note suggestions.
- Check "People also ask" on Google results for related questions you can answer.
- Pick one primary keyword per page, and 3–6 secondary phrases (longer, more specific).
Content checklist for each page
- Unique title tag (70 characters max) with primary keyword
- Strong H1 that matches the page topic
- At least 300 words on service pages; 700+ recommended for competitive topics
- Answer common questions (use H2/H3 for structure)
- Include contact details near top on local pages
Meta description template (120–155 chars): Short benefit + call to action + location — e.g., "Fast emergency plumbing in Richmond. 24/7 service — call for a free quote."
4. Build the pages — practical steps
Follow this checklist as you create each page. Most free builders let you edit meta tags, headings and alt text — use those fields.
Header & navigation
- Simple nav with Home, Services, About, Contact
- Put phone number in header for mobile taps
- Use text links (not images) for best SEO
Home page essentials
- H1 with your main offer (e.g., "Local Electrician in Suburb")
- Primary CTA above the fold (call or contact link)
- Brief services list with links to service pages
Service/Product pages
- One primary keyword per page
- Use bullet lists for benefits and features
- Add a small FAQ at the bottom to cover search queries
Contact page
- Phone (clickable), email, short contact form or email link
- Address and embedded map if you trade from a premises
- Business hours
5. On‑page SEO — the essentials that actually move the needle
- Title tag: Put primary keyword near the start. Keep it natural.
- Meta description: Short summary, include a CTA. Not a ranking factor but improves clicks.
- H1: One H1 per page that matches intent.
- URL structure: /service-name (keep it short and keyword-rich)
- Internal linking: Link related pages with descriptive anchor text.
- Image SEO: Compress images, use descriptive filenames and alt text.
- Schema (where possible): Add LocalBusiness or Article schema for richer results.
Example — Service page
Title tag: Emergency Plumber Richmond — 24/7 Blocked Drains
H1: Emergency Plumber in Richmond
URL: /emergency-plumber-richmond
Meta description: "Fast 24/7 emergency plumbing in Richmond. Same-day service — call now for a free quote."
6. Technical SEO & speed (keep it fast)
Speed and crawlability matter. Even free sites can be fast if you keep things lightweight.
Page speed checklist
- Optimize images (WebP or compressed JPG, width matched to display)
- Remove unnecessary widgets that load third-party scripts
- Prefer text over large images for headings
- Use a fast template or lightweight static host where possible
Crawlability & indexation
- Ensure search engines are allowed (noindex should be off)
- Add a sitemap.xml if platform supports it
- Check robots.txt for disallowed paths
- Use descriptive anchor text for internal links
7. Publish and verify — make sure Google finds you
Follow these steps after you publish to get indexed, verified and tracked.
- Make the site public: Disable any "private" or "noindex" settings.
- Get a custom domain (optional): Free subdomains are fine to start, but a short custom domain helps trust and rankings long-term.
- Set up Google Search Console: Add your site property (subdomain or domain) and submit your sitemap if available.
- Set up Google Analytics / GA4: Add tracking code so you can measure traffic and conversions.
- Request indexing: In Search Console, use "URL Inspection" to request indexing for important pages after publishing.
- Check mobile results: Use Mobile-Friendly Test and preview your pages on real phones.
8. Grow traffic — low-cost, high-impact strategies
Once published, focus on a few reliable tactics you can maintain consistently.
Local SEO & citations
- Create/claim Google Business Profile and keep NAP consistent
- List on key directories (TrueLocal, Yellow Pages, Yelp) — match name/address/phone exactly
- Collect reviews and respond professionally
Content & blogging
- Publish helpful answers to common customer questions
- Use how-to guides, local pages and case studies
- Promote posts on social platforms and community groups
Link building (ethical)
- Ask suppliers/customers for a link or testimonial
- List your business on partner pages
- Create shareable resources (checklists, templates)
Social & community
- Post new pages to Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn with clear CTAs
- Participate in local forums and answer questions with a link back to a relevant page
- Use small targeted ads later if needed — start with organic first
Free tools to help (no surprises)
- Google Search Console — indexing & search performance
- Google Analytics (GA4) — traffic & conversions
- Google PageSpeed Insights / Lighthouse — speed checks
- Ubersuggest / AnswerThePublic (free features) — keyword ideas
- Canva — quick image editing for web-sized graphics
- tinyjpg.com or Squoosh.app — compress images
Quick launch checklist
- 3 live pages (Home, Service, Contact)
- Title tags and meta descriptions set
- Mobile-friendly and fast (test score >50+)
- Sitemap submitted to Search Console
- Google Business Profile created (for local businesses)
- Analytics tracking installed
Frequently asked questions
Can a free website rank on Google like a paid site?
Do I need a custom domain?
How long until I see search traffic?
What if my platform won’t let me add analytics?
Final advice: keep it simple and iterate
A readable, helpful site that answers real questions will outperform a flashy but empty one. Start small, track what converts, and improve the pages that drive enquiries. Consistency beats perfection.
Ready to build?
Pick a platform, publish a simple 3-page site today, then focus on one growth channel for the next 90 days (local listings or a small blog project).
