free website maker
How to use a free website maker to build a fast, findable site that drives real leads
Free website makers are great for getting online fast — but most users stop short of doing the SEO, speed and marketing work that turns visitors into customers. This guide gives step-by-step, practical actions you can do today.
Average mobile traffic share
How fast you can be live with a free maker
PageSpeed target (desktop)
Upfront software cost (starter)
Choose the Best Free Website Maker for Your Goals
Not all free website makers are created equal. Pick one that matches your business needs and doesn't block the essentials you need for SEO and marketing.
Best for Beginners
Simple drag-and-drop editors with templates and hosting bundled.
- Easy templates
- Mobile previews
- Limited SEO controls on free plans
Best for Flexibility
Platforms that let you upgrade to custom domains and meta controls without migrating.
- Custom domain options
- Basic SEO tags
- Integrations (analytics, forms)
Best for Local Business
Quick lead pages that support maps, click-to-call, and simple forms.
- Mobile-first templates
- GMB link and map embeds
- May require paid plan for removal of branding
Quick selection checklist
- Does the free plan allow meta title and meta description editing?
- Can you connect a custom domain without migrating?
- Is mobile preview available and editable?
- Do you have analytics or easy Google Analytics setup?
- Are form submissions delivered to your email or CRM?
Speedy setup — get live in 60–240 minutes
Use this rapid checklist to launch a working site and prioritise the most important elements first.
- Pick a template optimized for your industry: choose a simple, mobile-first layout with a clear header, services section, and a prominent call-to-action.
- Set core pages: Home, Services (or What We Do), About, Contact. Each page should have a unique purpose.
- Contact methods up front: Add phone, click-to-call button, and a visible contact link — mobile users need this first.
- Basic branding: Upload your logo, choose 1–2 brand colours and 1 font to keep pages cohesive.
- Publish and test on mobile: open the published site on a phone; confirm text is readable and CTAs are tappable.
Immediate tasks to do after publishing
- Set meta title & description for the homepage
- Connect Google Analytics and Search Console
- Submit sitemap to Search Console
- Verify mobile usability in Search Console
Quick SEO checklist for free website makers
These on-page and content actions deliver the biggest ROI when using constrained builders.
- Write a unique title tag for each page (50–60 chars) with the main keyword near the front.
- Write a compelling meta description (120–155 chars) that includes a call-to-action.
- Ensure headings (H1, H2) include target keywords naturally.
- Each page should serve one purpose — avoid cramming too many services onto a single page.
- Use short paragraphs, bullet lists and clear CTAs to improve readability.
- Add 300–800 words of helpful content to service pages — quality beats keyword stuffing.
- Use clean, readable URLs (example.com/plumber-drains).
- Link between related pages (service → FAQ → contact) to guide users and search bots.
- Use descriptive anchor text (not "click here").
Images & alt text
Compress images and add descriptive alt attributes — include the service and location where relevant.
- Target file size: under 200KB for hero images (use WebP if supported).
- Alt text example: "plumber fixing kitchen sink Sydney".
Mobile & UX
Make actions clear and clickable; avoid pop-ups that block mobile screens.
- CTA buttons should be large enough to tap — 44px by 44px minimum target area.
- Put phone and contact actions near the top on mobile view.
Technical SEO & performance fixes (do these even on free plans)
Some free makers limit technical controls — focus on what you can control and plan upgrades when necessary.
SSL / HTTPS
If the free plan doesn't provide HTTPS, prioritise upgrading. Browsers flag non-HTTPS sites and Google prefers secure sites.
PageSpeed
- Enable any built-in image optimisation or lazy-load options.
- Limit hero video backgrounds — they slow mobile loads significantly.
- Use lightweight templates; heavy animation or widget packs can add seconds to load time.
Sitemap & robots
If your maker generates a sitemap.xml automatically, submit it to Google Search Console. If not, create a simple sitemap and upload if the platform allows.
Canonical tags & duplicates
Avoid duplicate pages (e.g., same content under multiple URLs). If your maker doesn't allow canonical tags, manage content so each page remains unique.
Content & keyword tactics that work with free builders
Use local, intent-driven keywords and helpful content to rank without heavy SEO tools.
Find the right keywords
- Start with your service + location (e.g., "emergency plumber Melbourne").
- Use Google Autocomplete and "People also ask" to capture real questions customers ask.
- Target 3–5 primary keywords for top-level pages and 1–2 long-tail phrases per service page.
Write for intent
- Service pages: focus on "buy" intent — pricing, service area, how you work, guarantees.
- Blog/FAQ: target informational queries that bring visitors in (how-to, common problems).
- Use structured lists and examples — scanners read bullets, not long paragraphs.
Microcopy & trust signals
- Add a short warranty or guarantee statement on service pages.
- Show 3–5 recent reviews or testimonials on the homepage and a full reviews page if possible.
- Use clear pricing or starting prices where applicable — it increases trust and click-throughs.
Promotion: turn visits into leads
A live site is only the start. These promotion channels give the best returns for small budgets.
Local listings
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile — name, address, hours, photos.
- Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is identical across listings and your website footer.
- List on relevant directories (TrueLocal, Yellow Pages, industry-specific sites).
Social & content
- Share service pages and short before/after photos on Facebook and Instagram.
- Use short videos (Reels/TikTok) showing quick fixes — link back to relevant service pages.
- Repurpose blog answers to FAQs into social posts with a link to the full page.
Paid ads (small tests)
- Start with a small Google Smart Campaign or Facebook boost for your service area.
- Send paid traffic to a tightly-focused landing page (single service + contact CTA).
- Measure cost-per-lead and scale only if profitable.
Email & follow-up
Collect email addresses with a simple newsletter or booking follow-up. Send service reminders, seasonal offers or tips. Even a small list (100 people) can drive repeat business.
Convert visitors into customers — practical tweaks
Conversion lift is usually faster and cheaper than chasing more traffic. Do these first.
Click-to-call & chat
- Make the phone number a tappable link and place it in the header and footer.
- Consider a simple chat widget (some free makers include lightweight chat tools).
Social proof & urgency
- Show 3 recent reviews on the homepage and date them where possible.
- Use limited-time offers or "next available" slots to create urgency.
Simple A/B tests to run
- Test two headline variants on the homepage for 2 weeks and compare contact clicks.
- Test "Get a quote" vs "Call now" button text to see which performs better on mobile.
- Try a short testimonial vs an image in the hero and measure conversion.
Maintain, measure and improve
Set a simple monthly routine that keeps your free website performing and ranking.
Weekly
- Check forms and click-to-call links
- Respond to reviews and update availability
Monthly
- Review analytics: top pages, traffic sources, bounce rates
- Publish one useful blog or FAQ item targeting a long-tail keyword
Quarterly
- Run a PageSpeed test and address slow elements
- Audit citations and NAP consistency
Measure the metrics that matter
- Leads per month (calls, form submissions)
- Top landing pages and their conversion rates
- Organic sessions and impressions in Search Console
- Cost-per-lead for any paid campaigns
Common mistakes with free website makers (and how to avoid them)
Replace all lorem ipsum and example images immediately — search engines can’t rank placeholder content.
Even a basic title and meta description affects click-through from search results.
If people can’t find your phone number in 5 seconds on mobile, they’ll leave.
A beautiful desktop site that’s slow or broken on mobile loses the majority of customers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rank with a free website maker?
What’s the single biggest improvement I can make quickly?
Should I pay to remove the maker's branding?
When should I move off a free maker?
Want help that goes beyond templates?
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