free website creator
Build a professional small-business website using free tools — and make it actually get found on Google.
This step-by-step guide walks you through choosing the right free platform, creating the pages that convert, and applying simple on‑page SEO and marketing strategies so your business starts getting local traffic and enquiries.
Choose the Right Free Platform (pros & cons)
Not all "free" solutions are equal. Pick a platform that matches your technical comfort and growth plans.
WordPress.com (Free plan)
Great for blogs & simple business sites. Easy to use, limited plugins on free plan.
- Pros: Quick setup, themes, built-in SEO basics
- Cons: WordPress.com subdomain, limited customisation
- Upgrade later to connect custom domain.
Google Sites
Fast and very simple — ideal for contact/portfolio pages but limited SEO control.
- Pros: Free, easy, integrates with Drive and Maps
- Cons: Poor SEO controls, no plugins
GitHub Pages / Netlify (static)
Best if you or someone on your team can code — powerful, free hosting for static sites.
- Pros: Fast, free SSL, controlled URLs
- Cons: Technical setup, not ideal for non-technical owners
Carrd / Wix Free / Weebly
Drag-and-drop builders let you build quickly but often include platform branding and a subdomain.
- Pros: No code, attractive templates
- Cons: Ads or branding on free plan, limited SEO features
Recommendation
Start with WordPress.com or a drag-and-drop builder if you want the fastest route. If you plan to scale and want total control, consider GitHub Pages/Netlify with a static site generator or move to a professional subscription (see below).
Site Structure & Content That Converts
A clear structure helps users and search engines. Build these essential pages first.
Homepage
Headline that states who you are + primary call to action (call, book, quote). Include a short 1‑line value proposition and 3 key services.
Services / Products
Create a page per core service with short descriptions, pricing ranges, and FAQ. Each service page = SEO opportunity for specific keywords.
About / Trust
Include team photos, qualifications, insurance, and a short story. Trust signals increase conversion.
Contact
Phone (click-to-call), email, hours, a simple contact form (or email link), and a map embed. Use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone).
Content templates (quick wins)
- Service page template: short intro, symptoms, process, price range, CTA
- Blog idea: Top 5 common problems you fix (local keyword in title)
- FAQ: Short answers to common objections
On‑Page SEO Essentials — do these first
These steps are the highest-impact SEO moves you can do on a free site.
Keyword basics
Start with 3–5 focused keyword phrases per page. Use Google Trends and the free Keyword Planner (Google Ads) to find search intent and volume.
- Primary keyword in page title and H1
- Include keyword in first 100 words
- Use variations in H2/H3 and alt text
Meta title & description (examples)
Homepage: Title: Local Plumber — Same‑Day Repairs | Your Town
Meta description: Fast, trusted plumbing repairs in Your Town. Call 0400 000 000 — no callout fee for same‑day jobs.
Keep titles ~50–60 chars and meta descriptions ~140–160 chars.
Headings & content
Use one H1 per page, descriptive H2s, and short paragraphs (3–4 lines). Use bullet lists to make content scannable.
Images & accessibility
Compress images (tinyjpg.com), use descriptive filenames and alt text containing the keyword + location when appropriate.
Schema & Sitemaps (SEO boosts)
Where possible, add structured data (LocalBusiness / Service) and submit a sitemap.xml to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. Many free platforms create sitemaps automatically — check and submit.
Technical SEO & Page Speed
Even on free platforms, technical performance matters for ranking and conversions.
SSL / HTTPS
Always use HTTPS. Most free platforms provide SSL automatically.
Mobile-first
Test on your phone. If buttons or CTAs are hard to tap, change layout or theme.
Speed tips
- Use compressed images
- Limit third‑party scripts (tracking widgets)
- Use platform CDN (usually automatic)
Testing & tools (all free)
- Google PageSpeed Insights — performance recommendations
- GTmetrix (free tier) — waterfall and asset sizes
- Mobile-Friendly Test — quick mobile check
Local SEO Checklist — get found nearby
Local searches drive the most high-intent leads for trades and services. Do these first.
Google Business Profile
- Claim & verify your profile
- Use a consistent business name, address, phone (NAP)
- Add business hours, services, photos and regular posts
- Ask customers for reviews and reply promptly
Citations & Directories
List your business in local directories (TrueLocal, Yellow Pages, industry directories). Ensure NAP consistency to avoid confusion.
Local landing pages
If you serve multiple suburbs, create simple location pages (one per area) targeting "service + suburb" keywords — keep content unique and valuable.
Free Marketing Strategies That Drive Leads
SEO takes time. Use these low-cost channels to get traffic and enquiries fast.
Email Marketing
Use Mailchimp or Sendinblue free tiers to capture emails and send occasional specials or job updates.
Social Profiles
Set up Facebook and Instagram business pages. Post before/after photos, short how-to videos, and customer stories.
Local Groups & Marketplaces
Join local Facebook groups, community boards, and Gumtree / Marketplace to advertise specials — follow group rules.
Small paid boosts (high ROI)
You can stretch $5–15/day on targeted Google Ads or Facebook lead ads for immediate demand. Start small, measure, and scale what converts.
- Target search ads for high-intent queries like "emergency plumber near me"
- Use call-only campaigns for direct phone leads
Measure & Improve — free tools to track results
Tracking helps you know what works. Set up these free analytics and monitoring tools.
Google Analytics 4
Track users, pages, conversions, and phone-clicks. For simple lead tracking, create a conversion for your contact form submissions or phone clicks.
Google Search Console
See which keywords bring impressions, which pages rank, and which pages have indexing issues. Submit sitemap.xml here.
Call Tracking
Use a simple UTM-tagged landing page and track clicks. Free call forwarding services exist but consider a paid tracking number if scaling ad spend.
A/B & Iteration
Test headlines, CTAs, and photos. Improve pages based on what yields more calls or contact form submissions.
Launch Checklist — 15-minute final pass
- Title & meta description set for every page
- Phone number clickable on mobile
- Images compressed + alt text
- Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console
- Google Business Profile claimed & verified
- GA4 and Search Console connected
- Test contact form / email delivery
- Mobile test: read and click every CTA
Congero builds pro, mobile‑first websites in 60 seconds via WhatsApp and includes domain, hosting, SSL, local SEO, unlimited updates and analytics for $49/month (no lock-in). Use #demo to try a free demo.
Quick SEO Snippets You Can Copy
Your Town Electrician — 24/7 Emergency Electrician
Trusted local electrician in Your Town. Same‑day repairs, licensed & insured. Call 0400 000 000 for fast service.
Hot Water System Repair — Your Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rank with a free website?
Do I need a paid domain?
How long until I see results?
When should I switch to a paid or professional service?
Ready to launch faster — free or pro?
Follow this guide to launch a functional free site today. If you prefer a tried-and-tested professional route that includes local SEO, unlimited updates and analytics, Congero builds a working site via WhatsApp in under 60 seconds for a flat monthly fee.
Congero: AI-powered websites, domain + hosting included, unlimited updates — $49/month. No lock-in, 60s demo via WhatsApp. Use #demo to request your demo.
