free website builder and domain
How to make a free site work for you — smart SEO, local visibility and migration tips for small businesses
Free builders and subdomains can launch your online presence today. This guide shows exactly how to avoid common pitfalls and get measurable traffic and enquiries—even if you only start on a free plan.
Choose the best free website builder
Free builders let you go live quickly but differ in limits. Pick one that fits your immediate goals:
Wix (Free plan)
Pros: Easy drag & drop, lots of templates. Cons: Wix branding on free plan, slower on complex pages.
WordPress.com (Free)
Pros: Content-first, good for blogs. Cons: Limited plugins and customisation on free tier.
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Pros: Fast, no ads, developer-friendly. Cons: Requires static site knowledge.
Google Sites
Pros: Extremely simple, free with Google account. Cons: Minimal design control, limited SEO features.
Weebly / Square Online
Good starter options — drag & drop with ecommerce options on paid plans.
How to choose
- Goal first: If you need bookings or leads, choose a builder with forms and phone click-to-call.
- Branding limits: Free plans often place builder branding — acceptable short-term, not long-term for trust.
- Exportability: Prefer platforms where moving is possible (e.g., WordPress content can be exported easily).
- SEO controls: Basic control over title tags, meta descriptions and heading structure is essential.
Understand free domain options
"Free domain" usually means one of these:
Free subdomain (builder.example.com)
Pros: Zero cost, instant. Cons: Branding (builder's name in the URL), less trust, limited ownership.
Free TLD offers (Freenom: .tk .ml etc.)
Pros: No-cost TLD. Cons: Poor reputation, some free TLDs are blocked by platforms or carry spam history.
Buying a cheap domain is often worth it
Domains can cost as little as $10–20/year and dramatically improve trust, click-through rates and SEO. If you can, buy a .com, .com.au (Australia), or relevant country TLD and connect it as soon as practical.
- Register your domain with a reputable registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains, or your hosting provider).
- Set up email (or forwarding) using the domain to look professional: you@yourdomain.com.
- Keep ownership control — avoid registrars that hide the WHOIS or make transfers difficult.
Essential SEO for free sites (actionable)
Even on free builders you can apply the fundamentals that help Google find and rank you.
Page titles & meta descriptions
Every page must have a unique title (60–65 chars) and meta description (120–155 chars) describing what the page does and including your main keyword.
Headings & structure
Use one H1 per page (usually the page title), then H2/H3 to structure content. Search engines read this hierarchy.
Images & alt text
Compress images, use descriptive file names and add alt text with keywords where natural.
Internal links & URLs
Keep URLs short and readable. Link between related pages to help users and search crawlers.
Content that ranks
- Answer questions: Write pages that answer real customer questions (pricing, process, FAQs).
- Use location intent: For local businesses add city and suburb names in a natural way.
- Long-form works: Service pages of 700–1,500 words that cover benefits, process, FAQs and trust signals rank better for commercial queries.
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
For trades and service businesses, local visibility drives calls and leads. Follow these steps:
Set up Google Business Profile
- Claim and verify your listing
- Use a consistent business name, address, phone (NAP)
- Add business hours, services, photos and a short description
- Enable messaging and appointment links if available
Collect reviews & citations
Reviews improve local rankings and conversions.
Local schema (structured data)
Add LocalBusiness schema when your builder allows custom code. Include NAP, opening hours, and service area to help Google understand your business.
If your free builder doesn't support schema, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete — it's the single most important local signal.
Speed, images and performance (practical tips)
Page speed is a ranking factor and affects conversions. Here's how to keep free sites fast.
Compress images
Use tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh. Aim for under 150 KB for hero images on mobile.
Use next-gen formats
WebP reduces file sizes. Some builders convert automatically; where possible upload WebP versions.
Limit third-party scripts
Avoid too many widgets, chat tools or heavy tracking until you verify speed impact.
Testing & targets
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights and target 90+ for mobile where possible.
- Test on real 3G/4G mobile networks — not just desktop.
- If your free builder scores poorly, consider a lightweight static option (GitHub Pages) or upgrade hosting.
Tracking & analytics (what to set up now)
Measure what matters. Even on free sites you can track visits and conversions.
Google Analytics / GA4
Most builders let you paste a tracking ID. Set up GA4 to see traffic sources, top pages and conversions.
Google Search Console
Verify your site to see search queries, impressions and indexing issues. Submit a sitemap if the builder supports it.
Basic goals to track
- Calls (use click-to-call links or track via call-tracking numbers)
- Contact form submissions (test them)
- Direction requests (if you have an embedded map)
- Top landing pages and bounce rates
Content & conversion tips that actually work
Strong service pages
Each main service should have its own page with:
- Clear H1 with service + location
- Short intro that answers "who you are" and "what you do"
- Process steps, pricing ranges, FAQs, and trust signals
Clear calls to action
Make it easy for visitors to contact you — visible phone, click-to-call, AND a contact page. Label CTAs like "Get a quote" or "Call now".
Trust & credibility
Add customer photos, short testimonials, awards, and an "About" section with real staff photos where possible.
Availability & response times
Include typical response times and availability to reduce friction and increase conversions.
When and how to migrate off a free plan
Use free plans to validate demand. Upgrade when branding, control or performance limit growth.
Signs it's time to upgrade
- You get consistent traffic and enquiries
- You need a custom domain and professional email
- Free plan shows the builder's branding on your pages
- Speed and SEO features are restricted on free tier
Migration checklist (step-by-step)
- Buy a domain (yourbusiness.com or country TLD).
- Choose hosting or a paid plan with the builder that supports custom domains.
- Export content if possible (WordPress export, CSV of pages).
- Set up 301 redirects from old URLs (important for SEO).
- Verify new site in Google Search Console and submit sitemap.
- Monitor traffic and impressions for drops, fix issues quickly.
Actionable 10-point checklist
- Pick a free builder that allows custom titles and meta descriptions.
- Use a clear H1 on every page — include service + location where relevant.
- Write 3–5 service pages with 700+ words each covering benefits, process and FAQs.
- Compress and name images with descriptive filenames and alt text.
- Claim and fully populate your Google Business Profile.
- Install Google Analytics (GA4) and verify Search Console.
- Ensure click-to-call links and visible contact details on every page.
- Collect at least 5 reviews and display them on your site or Google listing.
- Monitor PageSpeed and remove heavy third-party scripts if needed.
- Plan to buy a paid domain within 3–6 months if business grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a free website rank on Google?
Should I use a free subdomain long-term?
What if my free builder doesn't let me edit meta tags?
How soon should I buy a domain?
I don't have time — what's the fastest way?
Ready to stop waiting and get visible?
Start with a free builder to validate, or let a professional do it quickly. Congero offers a fast, all-inclusive option: domain, hosting, local SEO and unlimited updates for a predictable monthly fee.
Prefer to DIY? Follow the checklist above and revisit this page as you optimise.
