create a free website for small business
Step-by-step setup, practical SEO, and low-cost marketing to get customers — fast.
You don't need a big budget to get online. This guide walks you through building a free website right now, optimising it for local search, and using simple marketing tactics to grow visits and enquiries.
Upfront cost (free options)
Local searches happen on mobile
Time to launch (typical)
Core goal: get one new lead per week
Choose the best free platform for your small business
There are multiple free options. Pick one based on how much control you want, whether you need local search features, and how much time you can spend.
Google Business Profile Website
Fastest and best for local businesses. Built from your Google Business Profile — simple one-page site that appears in local results.
- Free, immediate, mobile-friendly
- Strong local visibility
- Limited design and pages
WordPress.com (Free)
Good for blogs and simple brochure sites. Easy to upgrade later to paid plans for a custom domain and extra features.
- Flexible content, many themes
- Good SEO basics
- Shows WordPress branding, no plugins on free
Wix / Carrd / Weebly (Free tiers)
Drag-and-drop builders that let you create a multi-section site quickly. Free plans include platform branding and limited SEO options.
- Easy visual editing
- Templates for service businesses
- Branding, limited analytics on free plans
Quick recommendation
If you're a local trades or service business: start with Google Business Profile Website for speed and local visibility. If you need more pages or blog content, use WordPress.com or a free Wix/Carrd site — both are easy to upgrade later.
Quick setup checklist — get online now
Essentials (first 30 minutes)
- Create or claim your Google Business Profile
- Choose a free platform and sign up
- Add a clear business name, phone, and service area
- Upload 3–5 photos: storefront, team, before/after work
- Write a 2–3 sentence business description focused on what you do
Important next steps (1–3 hours)
- Pick one primary service and write a dedicated page for it
- Add contact info in header/footer and click-to-call on mobile
- Set page titles and meta descriptions for main pages
- Install Google Analytics + Search Console (or use built-in analytics)
- Test on mobile and fix any layout issues
Minimal page set for local businesses
- Home — short headline, main service, phone, call-to-action
- Services — list of services with short descriptions
- About — who you are, years of experience, trades licence if relevant
- Contact — phone, email, address/service area, map
- Gallery or Jobs — 6–12 photos of your work (before & after)
On-page SEO essentials you can do for free
SEO isn't magic — it's a set of practical steps you can take to help search engines understand your site and match it to relevant searches.
Keyword basics (10-minute exercise)
- Write down 5 phrases customers would use to find you (e.g., "emergency plumber sydney", "garden maintenance near me").
- Use Google Autocomplete: type each phrase and note related suggestions.
- Pick 1 primary phrase per page (Home, Service A, Service B).
Title tags & meta descriptions
Each page needs a unique title tag (50–60 chars) and meta description (120–155 chars) with your main keyword and location.
Example meta: Need a reliable emergency plumber in Sydney? Fast response, upfront pricing. Call 0400 000 000.
Headings and content
Use one H1 per page (clear, includes primary keyword). Use H2/H3 for sections. Keep paragraphs short (2–3 sentences).
Use descriptive file names and alt text (e.g., plumber-drain-clear.jpg — alt="drain clearing by plumber in Sydney").
Compress images, avoid heavy sliders. Free tools: TinyPNG, Squoosh.
Ensure tap targets are big and click-to-call is enabled.
Local SEO — show up for "near me" searches
Local search drives customers to trades and services. These steps are high-impact and free.
Google Business Profile (GBP) — optimiser checklist
- Confirm business name, phone, and address (or service area)
- Add business hours, services, and attributes
- Upload 10+ photos and a cover image
- Ask satisfied customers for Google reviews and reply to them
- Publish short posts (offers, updates) weekly
Local citations
List your business on Yellow Pages, TrueLocal, Yelp, Hotfrog and local council directories. Keep NAP (name, address, phone) consistent.
Reviews
Reviews are a major ranking signal locally. Ask customers after a job — send a short SMS with a review link.
Content plan that gets traffic (no budget required)
Content helps you rank and converts visitors into customers. You don't need a blog full of essays — focus on useful pages and a simple blog cadence.
3-page content plan (first 30 days)
- Service page: Target one profitable service with clear pricing and FAQs.
- How-it-works page: Explain process, typical timeframes, and what customers should expect.
- Job gallery / case studies: 6–12 photos with short captions and locations — great for trust and keywords.
Short blog posts (optional)
Write 300–500 word posts answering common customer questions. Example topics:
- How to prevent blocked drains
- What to look for in a licensed electrician
- Costs to replace a hot water system in [suburb]
Use location in content
Mention suburbs or service areas naturally in headings and captions — but avoid keyword stuffing.
Free marketing strategies to grow traffic and leads
These tactics require time and consistency — no advertising spend required.
Optimize GBP weekly
Post offers, update photos, reply to reviews. Small regular updates boost local rankings.
Social proof & referrals
Share job photos to Facebook/Instagram with local hashtags and ask customers to refer friends.
Email follow-up
Collect emails (opt-in) and send simple before/after stories and offers once per month.
Build low-cost backlinks
- Submit to local directories and trade association listings.
- Sponsor a local event and ask for a link on the event page.
- Write a short how-to guest post for a local community blog.
Free promotion checklist
- Create a pinned post on Facebook with contact info and link to your site.
- Share a job gallery link in local community groups (respect group rules).
- Ask for Google and Facebook reviews from satisfied customers.
- Use WhatsApp or SMS to send booking confirmations and a review link.
Track performance — free tools that matter
Tracking helps you know what’s working so you can focus on tactics that bring enquiries.
Essential free tools
- Google Analytics (GA4) — visitor behaviour
- Google Search Console — search performance and indexing
- Google Business Profile insights — calls, direction requests
Track the metrics that matter
When to upgrade from a free site (and why it can pay)
Free sites are great to start. Consider upgrading when you need: a custom domain, better SEO control, faster loading, more pages, or professional design that converts.
Signs to upgrade
- You can't remove platform branding
- Site performance or analytics are limited
- You need guaranteed weekly updates but lack time
How Congero helps
Congero builds professional, mobile-first sites and handles unlimited updates, local SEO, hosting, domain registration, and analytics for a flat monthly fee. If the free route is taking too much time or not converting, a managed subscription often pays for itself through more leads.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to get a free site live?
Will a free website rank on Google?
Do I need to blog to rank?
How many photos do I need?
Ready to get a website that works?
Start with a free website if you want to learn — but if you want a professional, high-performing site without the time drain, Congero can build and optimise your site quickly.
Pro tip: If you want the convenience of unlimited text-in updates, local SEO and analytics with zero lock-in, Congero offers an all-in subscription that many small businesses find saves time and increases leads.
Need help beyond the free route? Congero specialises in building mobile-first, SEO-optimised websites for small businesses with unlimited updates and local SEO included — launched fast, managed for a flat monthly fee. Try a free demo via WhatsApp and see your site in 60 seconds.
Guide last updated December 2025. Best practices evolve — check back for updates or request help through our demo.
