free website designers
A practical, no-nonsense guide to what “free website designers” really mean — the trade-offs, hidden costs, and smarter alternatives that deliver results fast.
What "free website designers" actually offer
People use the phrase “free website designer” to mean different things: a free DIY builder, a freelancer offering a free template in exchange for exposure, or an agency offering a free starter site with paid maintenance. This section explains the common models and what they include — and what they usually don’t.
DIY Website Builders
Free templates from Wix, WordPress.com, etc. Fast—but limited branding and SEO.
- Free starter templates
- Could show provider ads
- Limited SEO/analytics
Freelancers & Exchange Deals
Designers who build free sites for portfolio or barter. Quality varies.
- Potentially custom design
- No guaranteed maintenance
- Limited SEO focus
Agency Promotions
Free basic site to win a client, then upsell paid services.
- Professional polish initially
- Ongoing costs often required
- Possible lock-in or migration costs
Pros & cons of using a free website designer
If cost is the only factor, “free” can be tempting. But you’ll trade money for time, control, or performance in many cases. Here’s a clear breakdown.
Potential Benefits
- Zero upfront cost
- Useful for very simple one-page sites or MVPs
- Good for experimenting with ideas
- Can produce a portfolio-quality site if you find a great freelancer
Common Drawbacks
- Hidden costs: domain, hosting, SSL, or migration fees
- No guaranteed ongoing updates — you may be left unsupported
- Generic templates, slow page speed, poor SEO
- Possible vendor lock-in or difficulty exporting the site
Quick advice
If you want a purely temporary site to test demand, a free solution might be fine. If you want steady leads, local search visibility, and low ongoing effort, plan for a managed solution that includes hosting, SEO, backups and easy updates.
When it makes sense to use a free website designer — and how to do it safely
Follow these five practical steps to reduce risk when you choose a free or low-cost designer.
Research & Vet
Check portfolio, reviews, and live sites — not just mockups.
Agree Ownership
Get clear terms: who owns domain, hosting, and content after launch.
Limit Scope
Start with a one-page MVP to test demand — avoid large builds for “free.”
Plan Migration
Ask for exportable files or admin access to avoid lock-in later.
Budget Ongoing
Expect hosting, SSL, backups and SEO to cost something — plan for $10–$100+/month depending on needs.
Congero builds mobile-responsive, SEO-ready sites in under 60 seconds for a flat $49/month — domain, hosting, unlimited updates and analytics included.
Why Congero beats "free" for growing trades & service businesses
If you want a website that generates leads, ranks locally and doesn’t require constant firefighting, Congero gives predictable value for one low monthly fee.
Live in 60 seconds
Start with a free demo and get a fully built, mobile-responsive website via WhatsApp or the web — in under a minute.
Unlimited updates
Text any change and our AI updates your site within minutes at no extra cost — truly unlimited edits for a flat monthly price.
Local SEO & analytics
Built-in local SEO, schema markup, and monthly analytics help you get found and measure what matters.
All-inclusive $49/month — no lock-in
Domain, hosting, SSL, performance monitoring and support — everything a trades or service business needs to be credible online for less than $2/day.
START FREE DEMOCost & risk comparison — free designers vs Congero
A realistic view of what you pay for and what you get.
Free Designer (Typical)
Upfront cost: $0
- Hosting often extra
- No guaranteed SEO
- Limited support
Congero
Flat monthly: $49
- Domain + hosting + SSL included
- Unlimited text-in updates
- Local SEO and analytics
If things go wrong
Free options can become costly to fix
- Migration fees
- SEO recovery time
- Unexpected professional costs
Most small business owners find predictable monthly pricing with included maintenance and SEO delivers better long-term ROI than a “free” but fragile website.
Frequently asked questions about free website designers
Short, practical answers to the questions we hear most from tradies and service businesses.
Often not. Many free offers exclude domain, hosting, SSL, or maintenance. You may also trade ownership or pay for migration later.
Yes — sometimes. But quality varies widely. Vet portfolios, check live examples, and get clear terms about ownership and support before you proceed.
Congero’s AI-driven approach builds a mobile-responsive, SEO-optimised website in under 60 seconds and includes domain, hosting and unlimited updates for $49/month — a predictable, low-risk option.
Insist on admin access, a written agreement about ownership, and a plan for exports or backups. Budget for hosting and SSL even if the build is free.
Free demo • No credit card required • Live preview in 60 seconds
Real results, not just promises
Small businesses using Congero report measurable increases in enquiries and local visibility within weeks. The difference is predictable upkeep, focused local SEO, and instant edits via text.
- 60-second site preview
- Unlimited updates by text
- Monthly analytics and growth insights
Skip the uncertainty — get a professional site now
Start with a free demo — see your website in under 60 seconds and decide. No credit card, no obligation.
START FREE DEMO