Practical Guide 2025
free web site design
How small businesses can use free website tools + essential SEO and marketing tactics to get found and convert customers
This guide walks you through realistic free options, step-by-step SEO basics, and low-cost marketing strategies so a small business can build a practical website that drives enquiries — without technical headaches.
$0
Platform cost (free tiers)
~2 hrs
To launch a simple site (first draft)
100%
Make it mobile-friendly (must)
Free tools
GSC, Analytics, PageSpeed
Which free platform is right for you?
Free website options are great for testing an idea, getting online fast, or creating a simple brochure site. Pick based on ease, control, and future needs.
Wix (Free)
Drag & drop, templates
- Quick visual building
- Free plan with Wix branding
- Limited URL control and SEO features
WordPress.com (Free)
Blog-first, flexible later
- Great for blogging & content
- Many SEO plugins on paid plans
- Free plan limited with ads and subdomain
Google Sites / Carrd / Notion
Fast single-page sites
- Very fast to launch
- Simple content-first approach
- No advanced SEO features
How to choose now
- Need a brochure site fast: Google Sites or Carrd — launch in under 1–2 hours.
- Plan to blog and grow content: WordPress.com free then upgrade when you need plugins.
- Want visual control without code: Wix free is fine for a simple site — but expect platform branding.
- Keep the future in mind: If you might upgrade to a full CMS later, choose a platform with easy export or domain transfer.
SEO basics for free web sites (practical, non-technical)
SEO is how people find you on search engines. Even with a free site you can do the basics that move the needle—no SEO degree required.
On-page essentials
- Page title (title tag): One clear title per page. Include your main service + location if local (e.g., "Emergency Plumber Sydney — 24/7"). Keep under ~60 characters.
- Meta description: 120–160 characters describing what the page offers and a call-to-action. This doesn't directly boost rank but improves click-throughs.
- Headings: Use H1 for the page title, H2 for major sections. Structure content for readers and search bots.
- URL structure: Keep URLs short and readable: /plumbing-services or /about-us. Avoid long query strings.
- Alt text on images: Describe images briefly — useful for accessibility and image search.
Technical & experience basics
- Mobile friendly: Choose a responsive template and test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
- Speed: Compress images and avoid heavy widgets. Test with PageSpeed Insights — aim for good mobile score.
- SSL (HTTPS): Many free platforms include it; ensure it is active. Browsers show a padlock — users trust that.
- Sitemap & indexing: Use Google Search Console to submit your sitemap (if platform allows) and check indexing status.
- Schema basics: Add simple business schema (name, address, phone) when platform supports custom HTML or metadata — improves rich results.
Quick implementation plan (30–90 minutes):
- Write a clear H1 that includes your main service.
- Set the page title and meta description for your homepage.
- Compress and add alt text to 3 hero images.
- Install Google Search Console and request indexing of your homepage.
Content & pages that convert
A free site succeeds when visitors quickly understand what you do and can take the next step. Here’s a pared-down structure that works for most small businesses.
Essential pages (start with these)
- Home: One-line value prop, services summary, phone number & CTA (call, message).
- Services / What we do: Separate short pages or sections for each service with benefits and pricing ranges.
- About / Trust: Short owner story, photos, licences/insurances, testimonials.
- Contact: Phone, email, simple map, opening hours. Make phone click-to-call on mobile.
- FAQ or Pricing: Answers to common objections — saves calls and improves conversions.
Conversion-focused content tips
- Clear CTA above the fold: Phone or booking link within the first screen on mobile.
- Social proof: 2–4 customer quotes, star rating if available.
- Local signals: Mention suburbs served and include a simple address (even if you’re mobile-only).
- Short service descriptions: Keep each service section scannable — headings + 2–3 bullet points.
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
For most small service businesses, local search drives the best leads. Claiming and optimising your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the highest return task you can do for free.
GBP quick setup (30–60 mins)
- Claim your profile at google.com/business and verify by postcard or phone.
- Use your exact business name, address format, and phone number (NAP) — keep consistent across directories.
- Add service areas and business categories (primary + 2–3 secondary).
- Upload 6–12 photos: team, vehicle, completed jobs, logo.
- Write a 150–300 character business description including services and suburbs.
- Collect and respond to reviews — aim for 4+ stars and reply professionally to every review.
Local citations & directories
- List your business on major directories: Yellow Pages, TrueLocal, Hotfrog, and local council or industry sites.
- Ensure your NAP is identical on each listing; errors dilute ranking signals.
- Use a consistent primary phone number and email on the website and profiles.
Tip: If you move or change phone numbers, update GBP and all listings immediately — old info confuses customers and search engines.
Free marketing strategies that actually work
Building a free site is only half the job. Promote it using low-cost or free channels that drive visits and enquiries.
Organic search
- Publish 1 helpful local article per month (case studies, job before/after) — local keywords in title.
- Answer common customer questions on your FAQ page — those can appear as search snippets.
Social & community
- Create or update Facebook/Meta Business Page and Instagram profile — link to your site.
- Post job photos, short tips, and local updates. Use stories and reels for quick engagement.
- Join local Facebook groups and Nextdoor — share helpful advice (not spam).
Email & CRM
- Start a simple email list with Mailchimp or ConvertKit free tiers. Capture emails with a simple "Get updates" CTA.
- Send monthly tips, special offers, or completed job highlights — keep it useful, not salesy.
Low-cost paid ideas (optional)
If you have a small budget, test these with $5–10/day for 1 week and measure results:
- Boost a high-performing Facebook post promoting a local offer or recent job photos.
- Google Local Services Ads (where available) for direct lead generation.
- Targeted search ads on Google for “service + suburb” with tight geotargeting.
Analytics & testing with free tools
Measure what matters: visits, where they come from, and whether they contact you. Use free tools to improve over time.
Essential free tools
- Google Search Console: See which queries show your site, fix indexing issues, and submit sitemaps.
- GA4 (Google Analytics): Track visitors, source channels, and conversions (set up a simple event for contact clicks).
- PageSpeed Insights / Lighthouse: Test speed and get actionable fixes.
- Bing Webmaster Tools: Useful additional indexing and keyword data.
Quick tests to run
- Track how many visitors click the phone number or contact link each day.
- Compare traffic sources: local search vs social vs direct.
- Run an A/B test on homepage headline or CTA copy (even manually: change one week and compare).
Start small: install Search Console and GA4 first, then review data weekly for initial improvements.
Maintenance, updates & when to upgrade
Even free sites need care. Make a lightweight plan so the site stays current and safe.
Weekly
- Check contact form works
- Respond to new reviews/messages
Monthly
- Publish one new piece of local content or job photos
- Review analytics and update meta descriptions if CTR low
Quarterly
- Re-check speed, compress large images
- Update business hours, seasonal offers
Consider upgrading to a paid plan or managed service when:
- You need more advanced SEO tools or custom code
- Time spent on updates is taking you away from customers
- Conversion or traffic growth stalls for 3+ months despite effort
Quick-start checklist (do this in your first 48 hours)
- Pick a free platform and publish a 3–page site (Home, Services, Contact).
- Set H1, page title, and meta description for the homepage.
- Install Google Search Console and request indexing.
- Claim and complete your Google Business Profile listing.
- Add click-to-call phone number and a clear CTA above the fold.
- Upload 3 good-quality images with alt text and compress them for speed.
- Share the new site on your Facebook/Instagram business pages and in local groups.
Follow this plan and you’ll have a properly indexed, discoverable web presence without spending money on design. The next step is consistent content and review management.
Frequently asked questions
Can a free site rank on Google?
Yes. Google ranks sites based on relevance, content quality, mobile experience, and speed — not price. Many free sites rank well if optimised properly.
Should I add prices to my site?
If you can provide clear price ranges, include them. Transparency builds trust and qualifies leads. If pricing varies a lot, provide starting prices or example job costs.
When should I upgrade from a free plan?
Upgrade when branding/ads from the free plan harm trust, you need a custom domain (or better URL control), or you require features such as booking systems, advanced SEO plugins, or faster hosting.
Prefer not to DIY? Fast, managed websites for small businesses
Free options are powerful for getting started. If you want a fully-managed site, local SEO setup and unlimited updates without any technical work, Congero builds professional websites in minutes and handles ongoing SEO and analytics for a single monthly fee.
Pro tip: Start free to validate demand, then consider a managed plan when you need consistent lead growth and time savings.
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