free website builders online
How to pick a free website builder, optimise it for search, and grow traffic — step-by-step tips you can use today.
Free website builders are an excellent place to start: zero cost, instant setup, and simple editing. This guide shows exactly which free builders make sense, how to avoid common traps, and the SEO and growth steps that turn a free site into a real lead generator.
Which Free Website Builders Are Worth Using in 2025?
Not all "free" builders are created equal. Below are reliable options you can use to launch quickly, with notes on SEO and limitations.
WordPress.com (Free)
Good for: blogging, content-first sites. Pros: strong blogging tools, basic SEO, export options. Limitations: WordPress branding, limited plugins on free plan, subdomain (yoursite.wordpress.com).
Wix (Free)
Good for: visual businesses (cafes, creatives). Pros: drag-and-drop simplicity, templates, built-in SEO guides. Limitations: Wix ads on free sites, subdomain, limited max page count.
Google Sites (Free)
Good for: simple team pages, internal info. Pros: extremely simple, fast, Google hosted. Limitations: poor SEO controls, limited design flexibility, no custom domain on free Workspace accounts.
Weebly (Free)
Good for: small shops and simple brochures. Pros: e-commerce starter, easy editor. Limitations: Weebly branding, limited SEO depth on free tier.
Carrd (Free)
Good for: simple one-page sites, landing pages. Pros: ultra-fast, cheap pro upgrades, clean output. Limitations: single-page focus on free plan.
GitHub Pages (Free)
Good for: tech-savvy users, static sites. Pros: free custom domains, fast, version control. Limitations: requires Git knowledge or static-site generator.
How to Choose the Right Free Builder (Decision Points)
Pick a builder that matches your goals, not just your mood. Use this checklist to decide in under 10 minutes.
1. Purpose & scale
Is this a temporary page, a portfolio, or the start of a business? If you plan to scale (blog, SEO, e-commerce), favour platforms that let you export or upgrade easily (WordPress.com, GitHub Pages, Wix with paid plan).
2. SEO control
You need editable page titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and an XML sitemap. If the free plan hides those, consider starting with a platform that offers SEO basics even on free tiers.
3. Domain & branding
Free sites often force a subdomain (yoursite.provider.com) and show provider ads. Decide if that’s acceptable while you test, and plan to buy a custom domain before investing in SEO or paid ads.
4. Export & ownership
Check whether you can export content or move the site. Platforms like WordPress and GitHub Pages are easier to migrate; others lock you in.
5. Speed & mobile
Fast mobile pages matter for SEO. If a builder adds heavy scripts and ads on free plans, consider alternatives or optimise images and avoid animations.
6. Upgrade path
Know the cost and benefits of the first paid tier: remove ads, add custom domain, increase SEO features, enable e-commerce. This helps plan when to invest.
SEO Basics: Make Your Free Site Findable
Even a free site can rank with the right fundamentals. Do these eight things first.
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1. Set a focused page title and meta description
Keep title 50–60 chars. Meta description 120–160 chars. Include your main service + location if local (eg. "Plumber in Brisbane — Fast Same-Day Service").
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2. Use a single H1 per page
H1 = page title. Use H2/H3 for subsections. Headings help search engines and readers scan content.
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3. Add alt text to every image
Describe the image and include a keyword when natural. Alt text improves accessibility and image search traffic.
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4. Check your URL structure
Use short, descriptive URLs: /services/leak-repairs not /page?id=123.
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5. Create an XML sitemap & submit to Google
Many builders auto-generate a sitemap. If they don’t, upgrade or use Google Search Console’s URL inspection to submit key pages.
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6. Add structured data (where possible)
LocalBusiness schema, opening hours, and service schema help Google show rich results. Some free builders let you paste small JSON-LD snippets.
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7. Prioritise mobile speed
Compress images, avoid background video, and keep third-party scripts to a minimum. Aim for under 3s mobile load.
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8. Track performance with analytics
Install Google Analytics or a simple tracker. At minimum, track pageviews and contact form conversions.
- Page title + meta description added
- Single H1 on homepage & service pages
- Alt text on all images
- Readable URLs
- Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console
- Analytics tracking in place
Content & Growth Tactics That Work for Free Sites
Traffic and leads come from consistent content, local signals, and smart conversion points. These tactics are low-cost, high-impact.
Local SEO first
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile
- Use NAP (name, address, phone) exactly the same on your site
- Add local pages for suburbs or service areas
Content that attracts links
- Write short, useful guides that answer real customer questions
- Create service pages for each offering (unique H1, 300–800 words)
- Offer free templates, checklists, or calculators to earn shares
Simple conversion optimisations
- Prominent phone number or click-to-call on mobile
- One clear CTA per page (e.g., Request a Quote)
- Use social proof: 3–5 short testimonials above the fold
Low-cost growth channels
- Local listings and industry directories (free or low-cost)
- Facebook/Instagram posts linking to blog pages or offers
- Simple email capture (offer a checklist) and monthly updates
- Week 1: Launch site, add core pages, claim Google Business Profile, submit sitemap.
- Week 2: Publish 1 helpful blog/FAQ, promote via social, add 3 citations (local directories).
- Week 3: Add testimonials, set up analytics + goal tracking, optimise top pages for keywords.
- Week 4: Run a small local ad test or boost a post; measure leads and double down on top performer.
When to Move Off the Free Plan (Upgrade Triggers)
Free is great for testing, but there are clear signs you should upgrade:
- You're getting consistent traffic — buy a domain and remove ads to improve conversions.
- You need SEO features like custom meta, redirects, or plugins.
- You want email capture with no limits or e-commerce functionality.
- Your brand needs a professional look (remove provider branding and use your domain).
- Security & performance require better hosting or SSL options than the free tier provides.
Migration & Ownership: Keep Your Options Open
One big risk with free builders is lock-in. Follow these steps to keep control of your content and domain.
Before you build
- Check export options (HTML, XML, post export)
- Confirm you can add analytics and verify ownership
- Reserve your brand domain now (even if parked)
If you need to move
- Export content where possible; copy-paste is fine for small sites
- Keep the same URL structure if you can, or add 301 redirects
- Notify Google using Search Console (change of address tool if domain moves)
Quick Start Checklist (Do this in an hour)
- Choose the right free builder from our list
- Pick a simple template optimized for mobile
- Add a clear H1 and one-paragraph service description
- Add phone and contact method above the fold
- Upload 2–4 compressed images with alt text
- Set page title + meta description
- Install Google Analytics & submit sitemap to Search Console
- Claim Google Business Profile (if local)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a free website rank on Google?
Is it safe to start free and upgrade later?
What are the biggest risks with free builders?
Which free builder is best for small local businesses?
Ready to Launch Your Free Site — and Turn It Into Growth?
Start with a free builder to validate your idea. When you want faster results, SEO help, or unlimited updates, Congero can build a professional, mobile-first site in under 24 hours and handle all SEO and ongoing updates for a predictable monthly fee.
All sites include domain setup, hosting, SSL and basic local SEO when you decide to upgrade — no lock-in contracts.
