free web sites
Everything you need to know about truly free web sites — hidden costs, SEO impact, and how to get a professional, reliable site without surprises.
Many small business owners search for "free web sites" expecting zero cost and instant results. That’s true in one narrow sense — you can publish a site without paying money upfront — but the trade-offs are significant. This guide explains what "free" actually includes, what it usually excludes, and the practical long-term cost for trades and local services in Australia.
What "Free Web Sites" Actually Mean
A free website typically gives you hosting, a builder interface and templates at no cost — but often with restrictions. Understanding these limits helps you decide whether "free" is right for your business.
Common Free Website Features
- Template-based designs and drag-and-drop builders
- Free subdomain (yourname.platform.com)
- Limited storage and bandwidth
- Ads or platform branding on your pages
Key point
"Free" often comes at the cost of brand control, professional email, search visibility and removal of ads — all important for service businesses that rely on trust and local search.
Free Web Sites — Pros & Cons for Small Businesses
A balanced look at what you gain and what you give up when choosing a free website.
Pros
- Zero upfront cost
- Fast to launch for hobby projects
- Simple editors for basic edits
Cons
- Limited branding (platform ads or logo)
- Poor SEO performance and subdomain penalties
- No professional email or domain control
- Hidden costs to remove limits, add analytics, or enable eCommerce
- Exporting your site is often difficult or impossible
How Free Web Sites Affect Your Search Rankings
Free hosting and builders can harm local visibility and make it harder for customers to find your business online.
Local SEO
Free sites on subdomains often get lower local ranking priority than domain-owned sites. For trades, ranking in "near me" searches is vital.
Page Speed
Shared free hosting and heavy platform scripts slow pages. Slow speed reduces conversions and search visibility.
Link Authority
Platforms control outbound links and indexing rules. Building authority and backlinks to a subdomain is harder than to your own domain.
Smart tip
If you want to test an idea, a free site is ok. But for long-term local lead generation — especially for trades like plumbing, electrical or landscaping — investing in a proper domain and hosted site pays back quickly in leads and bookings.
Free Site vs Managed Site — Real Example
A Melbourne plumber tested a free builder and then moved to a managed Congero site. Results after 90 days:
Free Site
Subdomain, platform ads, slow loading.
- 5% increase in leads
- No professional email
Congero ($49/m)
Own domain, local SEO, unlimited updates.
- 37% increase in leads
- Ranked in 3 local "near me" searches
Why the Gap?
Domain authority, schema, speed and removal of platform branding drove trust and clicks.
Free Site Alternatives & What We Recommend
If cost is the key concern, here are practical paths for small businesses.
1. Trial Free, Then Migrate
Use a free site to prototype, then migrate to your own domain when ready. Exporting content can be manual — plan for time to rebuild.
2. Budget Paid Plan
Paid starter plans (often $5–$15/month) remove ads and provide a custom domain — better for branding but still limited in support and updates.
3. Managed Website ($49/month)
Congero offers domain, hosting, local SEO, unlimited updates and analytics for one flat fee — ideal for trades and local services who need leads, not tinkering.
How Congero Solves the Problems of Free Web Sites
We designed our service specifically for busy trades and service businesses that can’t afford downtime, lost leads or technical headaches.
No Hidden Costs
For $49/month you get domain (or bring your own), hosting, SSL, unlimited text-in updates, and monthly analytics. No surprise bills to remove branding or unlock SEO features.
Built for Local Leads
Automatic local SEO, schema markup and on-page optimisation to help you show up in "near me" searches — something free subdomain sites rarely handle well.
Unlimited Updates via Text
Need to update a price, add a special or upload a photo? Text us and we’ll publish changes in minutes — perfect for tradespeople on the go.
No Lock-In
Cancel anytime and export your content. You keep control of your website and data — unlike many free platforms that make exporting difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Web Sites
Answers to the most common questions to help you choose the right path.
