free web builder sites
The practical guide to the best free website builders in 2025 — what they include, where they fall short for small businesses, and how to decide when to switch to a professional managed site.
At a glance — are free web builders right for your business?
Free web builders are perfect for hobby projects, portfolios or testing ideas. For trades and service businesses that need reliable local SEO, a professional look, and unrestricted control, a managed option (like Congero) often delivers better long-term results.
Quick Launch
Get online in minutes with templates and drag-and-drop editors.
Low Cost
Free plans avoid hosting fees — but often trade functionality for zero price.
Key Limitations
Ads, subdomains, limited SEO, and restricted edits are common drawbacks.
Best Free Web Builder Sites (2025)
We tested the most popular free builders and summarised what matters to small businesses.
Wix (Free)
Flexible templates and an intuitive editor. Free plan includes Wix ads and a wixsite.com subdomain.
- Large template library
- Displays Wix branding on free plans
- Basic SEO tools on paid plans
WordPress.com (Free)
Excellent for blogs and content-driven sites. Free plan includes ads and a wordpress.com subdomain.
- Robust content tools
- Limited plugin access on free plans
- Good SEO when upgraded
Google Sites (Free)
Fast, simple and entirely free with a Google account. Best for internal pages or tiny brochure sites.
- Simple editor, instant publishing
- Very limited SEO controls
- No advanced integrations
Carrd (Free)
Perfect for single-page sites and landing pages. Clean, minimal and fast.
- Beautiful micro-site templates
- Limited features on free tier
- Great for simple promos
GitHub Pages (Free)
Host static sites for free with a custom domain possible. Best when you or a developer handle code.
- No ads, control over hosting
- Requires developer knowledge
- Excellent for portfolios and docs
Are free builders suitable for your business?
Short answer: maybe — if you’re testing ideas or building a simple brochure page. But for trades, plumbers, electricians and service businesses that rely on local leads, free plans often fall short.
When a free builder is enough
- You need a one-page portfolio or hobby site
- You’re testing a concept before investing
- You have coding skill and want full control (GitHub Pages)
When to upgrade from free
- Your site displays ads or forces a subdomain
- You need local SEO that drives phone calls
- You want reliable hosting, analytics and unlimited edits
Tip from Congero
If your website needs to actively generate jobs and calls, a managed solution with local SEO, fast hosting and unlimited updates is usually more profitable than a “free” site that limits growth.
How to make a free site rank (practical SEO tips)
Free builders can rank — but you must be deliberate. Follow these steps to maximise visibility.
On-page basics
- Use clear H1, H2 headings with keywords and location
- Write unique meta titles and descriptions
- Optimize image ALT text and file names
Local SEO
- Consistent NAP (name, address, phone) across site and directories
- Embed Google Business Profile and encourage reviews
- Add structured data where possible
Performance & analytics
- Keep images small and pages lightweight
- Install analytics (if builder allows) to measure traffic
- Monitor mobile speed and fix slow elements
When should you move off a free builder?
Consider upgrading when your site needs more professionalism, reliability, and conversions.
- You're losing leads: Calls or forms don't convert the way you expect.
- Brand credibility matters: Customers expect a professional domain and no third-party ads.
- Local search performance is poor: You need targeted local SEO to show up in "near me" searches.
- You need integrations: Bookings, payments, or custom analytics that free builders can't provide.
A better option for busy trades
Congero builds mobile-first, SEO-optimised websites instantly and manages hosting, domain, unlimited updates and analytics for $49/month — no lock-in. You get a site that looks professional and actually generates leads.
Try Congero DemoMigrate from a free site in 4 simple steps
1. Export Content
Save your page text, images and contact details.
2. Map SEO
Bring over meta titles, descriptions and header structure.
3. Set Redirects
Preserve rankings by redirecting old URLs to the new site.
4. Go Live & Monitor
Publish, connect your domain and watch analytics for improvements.
Frequently asked questions about free web builders
Are free web builders safe to use for my business?
Yes for small, low-risk projects. But note that free plans may limit security features, custom domain support and backups. For customer-facing service businesses, consider paid or managed hosting with SSL and regular monitoring.
Will a free site rank on Google?
It can, but free plans often restrict meta controls, page speed and domain authority. Focus on local SEO basics and content quality — and upgrade when growth depends on search visibility.
Can I use my own domain on free plans?
Usually not. Most builders require a paid plan to attach a custom domain. If brand trust is important, invest in a paid plan or a managed service that includes domain handling.
What’s the easiest way to upgrade later?
Keep a copy of your content and image assets, and choose a platform with export or migration help. Managed services like Congero specialise in migrating free sites into professionally-hosted, SEO-optimised sites with minimal downtime.
Example: A free site vs a Congero site
Quick comparison of typical differences that matter to local businesses.
Typical Free Builder
- No custom domain (subdomain only)
- Ads or branding on pages
- Limited local SEO features
- Manual updates or limited editor
Congero Managed Site ($49/month)
- Custom domain, SSL and fast hosting
- Built-in local SEO and schema
- Unlimited text-in updates via WhatsApp
- Monthly analytics and no lock-in
Ready to move beyond the limitations of a free site?
Try Congero's 60-second demo, get a professional, mobile-first site with local SEO, unlimited updates and hosting included for $49/month. No lock-in.
TRY THE 60-SECOND DEMO