free and easy website builder
Choose a no-fuss, free website builder and make it work for search engines — step-by-step.
If you need a simple website fast and without cost, you can still win local searches and turn visitors into enquiries. This guide shows how to choose the best free/easy builder and exactly what to do to improve SEO, speed, and conversions.
Free plans available
Traffic from mobile
Build time on easy platforms
Local 'near me' visibility when optimised
How to choose a free & easy website builder (5 simple filters)
Not all "free" builders are equal. Use these filters to pick one that will let you rank in Google and convert visitors.
1. SEO capabilities
Can you edit page titles, meta descriptions, headings (H1/H2), alt text, and the URL slug? If not, skip it — SEO basics are non-negotiable.
2. Mobile-first responsiveness
The builder must produce responsive pages by default. Preview on mobile before committing.
3. Speed & lightweight output
Some builders add heavy scripts. Look for minimal theme code, lazy-loading images, and no forced third-party widgets that slow pages.
4. HTTPS & Domain options
Free builders should still allow a custom domain (or easy domain connect) and provide HTTPS. If the free plan forces a subdomain only, plan how to upgrade later.
5. Export/migrate options
If you outgrow the platform, can you export content or point your domain elsewhere? Avoid providers that trap your content behind proprietary systems.
Top free and easy website builders (what they're best for)
Wix (Free Plan)
Best if you want drag-and-drop design and templates; editing is visual and forgiving.
- Easy visual editor
- Basic SEO tools on free/paid plans
- Free plan uses Wix subdomain and shows ads
- Some templates add weight to pages
WordPress.com (Free)
Best for content-driven sites and blogs; lots of SEO plugins available on paid plans.
- Strong content tools and post structure
- Export options available
- Custom plugins require paid plan
- Free plan uses wordpress.com subdomain
Google Sites (Free)
Simple, reliable, and fast; low SEO controls but great for one-page info sites and quick launches.
- Extremely fast and stable
- Free with Google account, HTTPS enabled
- No meta tag editing on basic interface
Carrd (Free)
Super simple one-page sites and landing pages; minimal, fast and easy to connect a domain on low-cost upgrade.
- Great for single-page, high-conversion layouts
- Very lightweight output
- Free plan limits custom domain options
Strikingly & Weebly (Free options)
Easy for small businesses — quick templates, basic SEO tools, and simple editors.
- Beginner-friendly editors
- Built-in ecommerce on paid plans
- Free plans have branding and subdomains
Quick tip: Start on the free plan to test layout and messaging — plan to upgrade if you need a custom domain, remove branding, or unlock SEO controls.
SEO setup: exact steps to make a free site discoverable
Follow these actions in order — they take under 60 minutes for a single-page site and will greatly increase your visibility.
- Set a clear primary keyword — pick one phrase customers use (e.g., plumber near me, backyard landscaper). Use that keyword in the page title, H1, URL slug, and first paragraph.
- Edit page title & meta description — title 50–60 chars, include location and service (e.g., "Local Plumber in Brisbane — Emergency & Same-Day"). Meta description 120–155 chars with a call-to-action.
- Use one H1 and structured subheadings — H1 contains the main keyword, H2s for services/benefits, H3s for details. Keep headings descriptive, not stuffed.
- Write useful content (300–800 words) — explain who you are, services, areas served, and how to contact you. Use natural language and include the keyword 2–4 times.
- Add descriptive image alt text — every image should have alt text describing the image and, where natural, include the keyword once.
- Create a canonical URL & submit sitemap — on platforms that allow this, set canonical and submit sitemap to Google Search Console (you can verify with a meta tag or uploading verification via your domain provider).
- Add structured data (Schema) — use LocalBusiness schema to show your address, opening hours, phone, and services. Even a small JSON-LD snippet helps rich results.
Content strategy that converts (for free builder users)
Make your site useful and action-focused — Google rewards helpful pages.
Hero content
First 3 seconds must answer: What you do, where you operate, and how to contact you. Use a prominent phone number/button and a short 1–2 line value statement.
Services list
Create a short services section with H2 headings for each service. Each service should have a 40–120 word blurb — helps you rank for service-specific searches.
Trust signals
Add testimonials, trade accreditations, and examples of past work. Even 2–3 short testimonials improve conversions.
FAQ
Add an FAQ with common customer questions — great for featured snippets and reducing phone calls for simple queries.
Images, performance & page speed (quick wins)
Fast pages improve rankings and conversions. These are the most effective, platform-agnostic optimisations:
- Resize images — upload images sized for web (max 1600px wide for hero, 800px for content). Use JPEG/WEBP where possible.
- Compress images — aim for 100–300KB on photos; use free tools like Squoosh or TinyPNG before upload.
- Enable lazy loading — many builders do this automatically; if not, keep below-the-fold images low priority.
- Remove unused widgets — third-party chat widgets and heavy sliders slow the site. Keep it lean on free plans.
- Test performance — use PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse and follow the top 3 recommendations (typically image compression, render-blocking JS/CSS, and caching).
Local SEO & Google Business Profile (simple steps)
Free builders help you build a site, but local visibility also requires Google Business Profile and consistent citations.
Analytics & testing — measure what matters
Install basic tracking so you know what to improve.
- Install Google Analytics or GA4 — track sessions, top pages, and goal completions (calls, clicks).
- Set up Google Search Console — see which queries bring clicks and fix indexing issues.
- Add simple goals — measure button clicks or phone link clicks as conversions.
- Run A/B tests (where possible) — test headlines and CTA wording to improve clicks. If builder doesn't support A/B out of box, test manually with alternate landing pages.
Launch checklist (do these before you announce)
- Title & meta checked and saved
- Mobile preview tested on at least two devices
- Contact links tested (tel:, mailto:)
- Form or contact method verified (if using third-party forms, ensure deliverability)
- PageSpeed target met or improved (aim 50+ mobile as a baseline for free builders)
- Analytics and Search Console connected
- Google Business Profile verified
Pro launch tip: Share the site with 5 friends and ask them to open on mobile, complete a contact action and report issues — fix those before you publicise the site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on subdomains long-term — move to a custom domain as soon as you can for trust and local SEO.
- Overloading with images and widgets — simplicity wins; speed converts.
- Ignoring mobile layout — what looks good on desktop may break on phones.
- Not setting up Google Business Profile — most local searches display GMB first.
- No tracking — without analytics you can't prioritise improvements.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free website good enough for local SEO?
Can I add Google Analytics on free plans?
When should I upgrade from a free plan?
How long until my site ranks?
Keep it simple — but make it count
Free and easy website builders are a fantastic way to get online fast. If you need help turning a simple site into a lead-generating machine (SEO, local optimisation, or a custom domain), Congero builds professional, mobile-first sites and handles SEO for a flat monthly fee.
No lock-in contracts — all sites mobile-optimised and SEO-ready.
