free website builder custom domain
Use free builders and your own domain the right way — setup, DNS, SSL and SEO explained step-by-step.
You don't need expensive web agencies to get a professional site. This guide shows small businesses how to use free website builders (and their free plans) with a custom domain, while following SEO best practices so customers can actually find you online.
Quick 10‑Minute Setup: Free builder + custom domain
If you just want the shortest route to a live site: pick a free website builder, buy a domain, point the domain, enable SSL, add basic SEO tags — launch. Below is the checklist you can follow right now.
10-minute checklist
- Sign up for a free plan on your chosen builder (Wix, Weebly, Jimdo, Carrd, Google Sites, etc.).
- Buy a custom domain from a registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains, CrazyDomains AU, etc.).
- In the builder, find "Connect domain" or "Custom domain" and copy any DNS records they give you.
- In your registrar, add the provided DNS records (A record or CNAME). Save and wait for propagation (minutes to 24 hours).
- Enable the builder's free SSL option (usually automatic once DNS is correct).
- Add a page title, meta description, and your business phone on the homepage. Publish.
How long will it take?
DNS changes often propagate within minutes but can take up to 24 hours. SSL issuance usually follows automatically after DNS resolves.
Cost summary
$0 for many builders' base plans, plus ~AU$12–20/year for a domain. Optional paid builder plans add features like custom email or removal of branding.
Choosing a Free Website Builder (what to compare)
Not all free builders are equal. Here are the quick filters that matter for small businesses.
Custom Domain Support
Can you connect your own domain on the free plan or only paid plans? Prefer builders that allow at least domain connection without heavy restrictions.
SEO Controls
Look for editable page titles, meta descriptions, headings (H1–H3), alt text for images, and sitemap generation.
Speed & Mobile
Builders that prioritise lightweight templates and lazy-loading images will perform better on mobile and help SEO.
Popular free builders — quick notes
| Builder | Custom domain? | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Wix | Yes (paid plans) | Feature-rich, templates |
| Weebly | Yes (paid plans) | Simple stores & small biz |
| Carrd | Yes (very cheap plans) | Single-page sites, landing pages |
| Google Sites | No (mostly subdomains) | Internal or simple info pages |
| GitHub Pages | Yes (requires DNS) | Developers & documentation |
Note: Many builders reserve custom domain connection for paid plans. If you need the domain, check the plan details before you build.
How to Connect Your Custom Domain (step-by-step)
Connecting a domain is DNS work — it sounds scarier than it is. Here are the exact steps you'll follow at your registrar and in the builder.
Common methods builders use
- A record: Points your domain (example.com) to an IP address provided by the builder.
- CNAME record: Points a subdomain (www.example.com) to the builder's domain name (example.builder.com).
- Nameserver change: Builder asks you to replace your registrar's nameservers with theirs (less common for free plans).
Step 1 — Add domain at builder
In your website dashboard look for "Connect domain" and enter your domain (example.com). The builder will show the DNS records you need.
Step 2 — Update DNS at registrar
Log into your domain registrar, open DNS management for the domain, and add/edit the A/CNAME/TTL values as given by the builder. Save changes.
Step 3 — Wait & verify
Use dnschecker.org to verify propagation. Once DNS resolves, the builder often issues SSL and the site will be reachable on your domain.
SSL, WWW and Canonical Redirects
Small SEO wins come from correct redirects and HTTPS. Here's what to check after you connect the domain.
- Enable HTTPS: Most builders auto-provision a free SSL via Let's Encrypt. Confirm the padlock appears in the browser.
- Canonical / redirect: Decide whether your primary URL is example.com or www.example.com. Configure the builder to 301-redirect the other to the primary to avoid duplicate content.
- Remove sample pages: Delete any placeholder pages the builder creates (example: "Coming Soon") to avoid thin-content pages indexing.
Check these URLs
Visit:
- https://example.com → should load with padlock
- https://www.example.com → should redirect to your primary URL (301)
- http://example.com → should redirect to https://example.com
SEO Basics: Make the Free Builder Work for Search
A free builder can rank well if you follow on-page and technical SEO fundamentals. Here are the practical steps.
1. Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Each page should have a unique title (50–60 chars) and meta description (120–160 chars) that include your main keyword and location if applicable.
2. Heading Structure (H1, H2)
Use one clear H1 per page (usually the page title), followed by H2/H3 subheadings for sections. Headings help Google understand page structure.
3. URLs & Clean Permalinks
Use short, keyword-rich URLs: example.com/services/plumbing-repairs rather than example.com/page?id=123.
4. Alt Text & Image Optimisation
Give descriptive alt text to all images and serve appropriately sized images (compress and use webp where supported) to improve speed and accessibility.
5. Internal Linking
Link related pages together (e.g., services → case studies) using descriptive anchor text. This helps crawlers and keeps users exploring your site.
6. Sitemap & Robots
Ensure your builder generates a sitemap.xml and that your robots.txt doesn't block important pages. Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console.
Local SEO: Small Business Essentials
For most small businesses, local search drives the majority of enquiries. These steps are high-impact and easy to implement.
- Google Business Profile: Claim and fully fill out your GBP (hours, categories, photos, services). Keep NAP (name, address, phone) identical across web and directories.
- Reviews: Ask happy customers for reviews and reply promptly — reviews influence rankings and conversions.
- Click-to-call: Make phone numbers clickable on mobile and display them prominently on every page.
- Embed map: Add an embedded Google Map on your Contact page to reinforce location signals.
Schema for Local Business
If your builder supports adding extra metadata, include LocalBusiness schema with your NAP, openingHours, and geo coordinates. This helps search engines display rich results.
Content & Images: What Converts Visitors
A website’s job is to convert visitors into customers. These content rules keep things clear and effective.
Lead-focused homepage
- Headline: Who you are + primary service + location.
- One clear CTA: Call now, Request a quote, or Book online.
- Trust signals: Phone number, testimonials, certifications, photos of real work.
Images that help SEO
- Use real photos of your work; stock photos are fine temporarily but convert less well.
- Compress images and add descriptive file names (plumbing-repair-gold-coast.jpg).
- Fill alt text with useful descriptions (not keyword stuffing).
Analytics & Launch Checklist
Before announcing your site, make sure tracking and basic SEO hygiene are in place.
- Install analytics: Add Google Analytics 4 (or another analytics) to track visitors and goals.
- Google Search Console: Verify your domain and submit sitemap.xml.
- Announce: Share on your social profiles, add link to email signature, and ask customers to leave reviews.
- Test: Test forms, phone links, map embed, and PageSpeed Insights (target 70+ on mobile minimum; 90+ ideal).
Simple launch checklist
- Domain connected and SSL active
- Canonical redirects configured
- Titles, descriptions, headings added
- Analytics & Search Console verified
- Contact & NAP visible on all pages
- Test on mobile, tablet, desktop
When to Upgrade or Get Professional Help
Free builders are great for simple sites. Consider upgrading or hiring help if any of the following apply:
- You need e-commerce with many SKUs or advanced payments.
- You require custom integrations (bookings, API connections).
- You want faster launch and ongoing unlimited edits via simple messaging — this is where Congero excels.
Fast alternative: Congero
Congero builds professional, mobile-first websites for trades and small businesses quickly—with local SEO, hosting, SSL, and unlimited updates included for a predictable monthly fee. Start with a free demo and get a live site fast if you prefer not to wrestle with DNS or ongoing SEO tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free builder and still rank on Google?
Will changing DNS break my email?
How long until I see traffic?
Want a faster, fully-managed setup?
If DNS, SEO or ongoing updates sound like too much, Congero builds and optimises your site for you — mobile-first, local SEO-ready, with unlimited updates for a predictable monthly fee.
Congero offers domain, hosting, SSL and local SEO in one predictable plan — no lock-in contracts.
