free website domain and builder
How to choose a free domain and free site builder, set up a professional page, and get the SEO basics right — step by step.
If you're starting a side-hustle, local trade, or just testing an idea, free domains and builders let you launch quickly. Follow this guide to avoid common pitfalls and make your site actually work.
How to choose the right free domain
Free domains come in different forms. Choosing the right one depends on your goals: testing an idea, running a local listing, or building a brand.
Types of free domains
- Subdomain from a builder — e.g. mysite.wixsite.com/yourname or yourname.wordpress.com. Instant, no-cost, best for testing or proof-of-concept.
- Free TLD providers — services like Freenom offer .tk .ml .ga .cf .gq. Low cost but risks: limited control, reputation issues, and possible reclaiming.
- Promotional free domain (1 year) — some hosts include a free .com/.com.au for the first year with paid hosting; not truly free long-term.
Pros & cons — quick view
Pros
- Zero upfront cost
- Fast to launch
- Good for experiments and MVPs
Cons
- Less professional (subdomains look unbranded)
- SEO and trust can suffer
- Limited control or porting problems
Which to pick — practical rules
- Testing an idea? Use a builder subdomain — fastest path to validity.
- Local service or business? Invest in a real domain (example.com or yourname.com.au) as soon as possible — trust and SEO matter.
- Branding matters? Don't use free TLDs from unknown registrars — they can look spammy.
- Plan to scale? Pick a domain you can transfer — avoid ones tied permanently to a platform unless you accept migration work later.
How to pick a free website builder
Builders differ in flexibility, SEO features, and branding. Use these criteria to decide which free builder to start with.
Ease of use
Drag-and-drop or simple editor — pick what gets you live fastest. If you need custom layouts, choose a builder with a flexible editor.
SEO features
Can you edit page titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and URLs? If not, reconsider — basic SEO must be accessible.
Branding & ads
Free plans often show builder branding or ads. That reduces trust for customers — weigh this for client-facing sites.
Recommended builders (2025)
Many builders update often. These types are common choices for free plans:
- WordPress.com — strong blogging and SEO tools; free subdomain; some flexibility with paid plans.
- Wix — very easy editor, lots of templates; free plan includes Wix branding.
- Squarespace (trial) — great design but not fully free long-term; often used for portfolio and creative sites.
- Google Sites — fast and reliable for simple informational pages; limited SEO controls.
- Bookmark / Carrd / Tilda — great for single-page MVPs or landing pages; lightweight and fast.
Tip: start on the builder that gets you to your first live page fastest. You can migrate later once validated.
Quick 6-step setup: from zero to live (60–90 minutes)
Follow these steps in order. Each step has a quick checklist to keep you focused.
Pick your domain option
Choose builder subdomain to test or register a real domain if you want trust and long-term control.
- Decide: test (subdomain) or brand (own domain)
- If buying, use a reputable registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.)
Create the site on the builder
Use a simple template and replace placeholder copy. Keep the homepage focused on one main conversion goal.
- Choose a clean template
- Set a clear headline, 1–2 subheadings, and a primary CTA
Add your contact & trust signals
Make it easy for people to reach you — phone, email, address, and business hours.
- Visible phone number and CTA above the fold
- Short testimonials or proof (3 items)
Do the SEO basics before launch
These are the high-impact, low-effort items that help Google find you.
- Give each page a unique title and meta description
- Use one H1 per page; keep it descriptive
- Set readable URLs/slugs (example.com/services/plumbing)
- Add alt text to images describing the image and keyword if natural
Connect analytics & search tools
Measure performance from day one — Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Search Console are free and essential.
- Install GA4 tracking code or use builder connector
- Verify site in Google Search Console and submit sitemap
Publish, test on mobile, and iterate
Open the site on multiple devices, test contact forms, and ask 3 people for feedback.
- Test on iPhone and Android
- Submit contact form and confirm delivery
- Check PageSpeed Insights and fix largest issues
SEO basics that actually move the needle
You don't need expert-level SEO to get visible. Focus on these practical, high-impact steps.
On-page essentials
- Title tag: 50–60 characters, include main keyword and location if local (eg. Plumber Sydney — Fast Repairs).
- Meta description: 120–155 chars, clear benefit + CTA.
- H1 & headings: One H1 per page; use H2/H3 for sections and keywords naturally.
- URL slugs: short, hyphen-separated, no stop words.
- Images: compress, use descriptive alt text, and add captions if helpful.
Technical & local SEO
- HTTPS: Use SSL — builders often include it even on free plans but check.
- Mobile-first: Ensure layout, fonts, and buttons are finger-friendly.
- Sitemap & robots: submit sitemap.xml via Search Console; ensure robots.txt not blocking indexing.
- Local citations: consistent NAP (name, address, phone) across site and directories; create a Google Business Profile.
- Structured data: add LocalBusiness schema if you’re a local service — many builders allow custom code injection.
Link & content basics
- Internal links: link related pages (services → case studies → contact) to pass value and help navigation.
- Backlinks: get 3–5 relevant directory or partner links early (local chamber, supplier, trade body).
- Content focus: each page should solve a specific customer question — avoid thin, duplicated pages.
Monitor & iterate
- Set up goals: in GA4 track contact form submissions, clicks-to-call, or direction clicks.
- Use Search Console: track queries and fix pages with low impressions but high clicks potential.
- Monthly tweak: update one page per month with new content or improved CTAs to see consistent gains.
Content & UX tips for better conversions
Traffic is useful only if it converts. Use simple UX and persuasive content to turn visitors into leads.
Homepage formula (simple)
Headline — Subheadline — 3 key benefits — Social proof — Primary CTA
Service pages
Create one page per service focused on the customer's problem, outcome, common questions, and price indications.
- Use short paragraphs and bullet lists
- Include local keywords (service + suburb)
- Add an FAQ to target long-tail queries
Images & trust
Use real photos where possible. If you use stock, choose authentic scenes and add captions.
When to upgrade from a free setup
Free is great for testing. Upgrade when the site becomes a core part of your business.
Signs you should upgrade
- Your site is generating consistent leads (so you can justify cost)
- Branding matters (customers ask why you use a free subdomain)
- You need custom email (you@yourdomain.com) or integrations
- Performance or SEO limitations of the free plan are holding you back
Upgrade path checklist
- Purchase a domain and connect it properly (A record or CNAME)
- Switch to a paid builder plan if it removes branding and enables SEO features
- Set up professional email and analytics
- Consider a managed service if you want unlimited updates and ongoing SEO — Congero, for example, provides managed sites with local SEO and unlimited updates for a flat monthly fee.
Launch checklist — one-page summary
- Domain chosen (or builder subdomain)
- Homepage headline, subheadline, and primary CTA
- Contact info visible and clickable on mobile
- Titles, meta descriptions, and H1s set
- Images compressed and alt text added
- GA4 installed and Search Console verified
- Site tested on mobile and desktop
- Primary CTA tested (forms, click-to-call)
Frequently asked questions
Is a free subdomain bad for SEO?
Are free TLDs (like .tk) safe to use?
Can I move from a free builder later?
What if I want someone to handle updates and SEO?
Ready to launch your site?
Start free, test fast, and upgrade when you’re confident. If you'd rather have someone build, optimise and update your site for you, managed options bundle everything into one predictable monthly price.
Pro tip: If you plan to use the website for business or bookings, invest in a custom domain when you see traction — it pays for itself by increasing trust and conversions.
