create a free website and domain
Build a live site without spending a cent — plus essential SEO and marketing steps to get found.
This guide walks you through the fastest, most reliable ways to launch a free website and claim a free domain or subdomain, then covers the SEO and conversion steps that turn visitors into customers.
Start-up cost
Typical setup time (subdomain)
Mobile-ready with modern tools
Basic setup possible for free
Choose a Platform: reliable free options
"Free" comes in different flavours — free subdomains, free hosting for static sites, or free domains with trade-offs. Pick the platform that matches your goals: quickest launch, easiest editing, or best long-term SEO.
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Best for lightweight business sites, portfolios, & landing pages. Deploy static HTML/CSS or static site generators (Jekyll, Hugo). GitHub Pages and Netlify provide free SSL and excellent speed.
- Free hosting + custom domain support
- Fast and SEO-friendly (static pages)
- Requires basic Git/CLI knowledge if not using GUI tools
WordPress.com / Wix / Webflow (free tiers)
Easiest for non-technical users. Drag-and-drop editing and templates. Free plans use a platform subdomain (example.wordpress.com).
- No-code editors, quick setup
- Built-in templates and media libraries
- Limited SEO features and branded footer on free plan
Google Sites
Super-fast to launch and free for any Google account. Great for simple informational pages but limited in SEO control and design flexibility.
- Quick for basic pages and contact info
- Free under your Google account
- Not ideal for long-term SEO or complex layouts
Static site builders + free CDN (Carrd, Neocities)
Simple one-page sites, personal sites or portfolios. Carrd has an easy editor; Neocities is very lightweight and community-driven.
- Perfect for single-page landing pages
- Minimal cost and quick to launch
- Limited built-in SEO and analytics on free tiers
Quick tip: if your priority is long-term discovery on Google, prefer platforms that let you use a custom domain and control titles/meta tags (GitHub Pages, Netlify, WordPress.com paid plans). For testing and temporary pages, subdomains are fine.
Free Domains & Subdomains: what you can (realistically) get
There are three typical ways to run a free address for your site:
Practical advice
- Start with a platform subdomain if you need speed. Move to a custom domain when you can.
- Avoid free ccTLDs for critical business sites — they can be blocked or reclaimed.
- Consider cheap domains (from $1–$12/yr during promotions) for brand credibility.
Setup: quick step-by-step (launch in under 60 minutes)
1. Pick your platform and create an account
Sign up for WordPress.com, Wix, GitHub, Netlify or Google. Follow the onboarding to create a new site — choose a template that matches your industry.
2. Choose an address
If you want zero cost, accept the platform subdomain (example.wordpress.com). If you want brandable and free for the short term, weigh Freenom or promotions for cheap domains.
3. Add key pages
Minimum pages: Home, Services (or Products), About, Contact. Keep content simple and benefit-focused. Use one clear call-to-action per page.
4. Configure basics
- Set a clear site title and tagline
- Enable HTTPS (most free hosts include SSL)
- Connect Google Search Console and Analytics (or equivalent)
5. Launch and test
Preview on mobile and desktop. Test contact options (email, phone). Run Google's Mobile-Friendly test and a PageSpeed check to catch obvious issues.
If you want to switch from a free subdomain to a custom domain later, most platforms make that straightforward — you just update DNS settings or use the platform's domain connection flow.
SEO Basics: make your free site discoverable
Free doesn't mean invisible. Follow these practical SEO steps you can do for free to improve your chance of ranking in Google.
On-page fundamentals
- Keyword-focused title: Put your primary phrase near the start of the title tag (max ~60 chars).
- Unique meta description: 120–155 chars that explain the page benefit and include a call to action.
- Heading structure: One H1 (page title), H2s for sections, and semantic HTML for accessibility.
- Image alt text: Describe images with keywords naturally (helps search and accessibility).
Technical & performance
- HTTPS: Required. Most free hosts provide SSL automatically.
- Fast images: Use compressed images (TinyPNG or Squoosh) and modern formats (WebP when possible).
- Mobile-first: Ensure text is readable and buttons easily tappable.
- Sitemap & robots: Submit a sitemap to Google Search Console.
Local SEO (if you have a local business)
- Add your business name, address and phone (NAP) in the footer and Contact page.
- Create or claim a Google Business Profile and link to your site.
- Use location keywords naturally (e.g., "Plumber in Brisbane").
Pro tip: Use Search Console to see which queries bring impressions and clicks — then update your content to better match those queries.
Design & conversion: simple rules that increase enquiries
Clear headline and value proposition
Your home page headline should answer "What do you do?" and "Who is this for?" within 3 seconds. Avoid jargon.
One primary CTA
Have one main action per page (Call, Email, Book). Use a contrasting button color and place it above the fold and again after content.
Trust signals
Add at least one testimonial, project photo or a short client list. Even a small number of reviews increases conversions dramatically.
Contact accessibility
Make your phone number clickable (tel: link) and include a visible email and short contact form (if the platform supports it). For free sites, a simple mailto: link works fine.
Free tools to help you launch & optimise
SEO & analytics
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics / GA4
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- Mobile-Friendly Test
Design & content
- Canva (free) for hero images and social assets
- Unsplash / Pexels for free photos
- TinyPNG / Squoosh for image compression
- Schema Markup Generator (free) for structured data
Keyword research
- Google Autocomplete and "People also ask"
- Keyword Surfer extension (free)
- AnswerThePublic (limited free queries)
Monitoring & backups
- UptimeRobot (free tier)
- Export copies of content to Google Docs as backups
Common mistakes to avoid
Relying on a subdomain forever
Subdomains are fine to start, but they reduce perceived credibility. Plan to upgrade to a custom domain when feasible.
Skipping metadata and headings
Neglecting title tags and meta descriptions makes it harder for Google to understand and show your pages in search results.
Poor mobile UX
If buttons and text are tiny on phones, visitors leave. Test on multiple devices and prioritize mobile layout.
Overloaded hero sections
Too many CTAs, long paragraphs, or heavy images slow page load and confuse visitors. Keep the hero clear: one headline, one CTA.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rank on Google with a free site or subdomain?
Are free ccTLDs safe to use for business sites?
What’s the minimum content I need at launch?
When should I upgrade to a paid plan or custom domain?
Ready to launch your free site?
Follow the steps above to launch today. Start with a platform subdomain and upgrade to a custom domain when you're ready — both SEO and design improvements compound over time.
Need full support later? Services that bundle hosting, domains and unlimited updates can save time and increase results — but you can get started free today.
