free+website+design
How any small business can build an effective website for free — step-by-step SEO, marketing and growth tactics.
You don't need a big budget to get customers online. This guide gives practical, no-cost steps, free tools and real-world examples so you can launch a high-converting site today and grow it into a revenue driver.
Quick start — build a free website in 4 steps
Follow these steps today. Each step points to free tools you can use immediately.
1. Pick a free site builder or repo
Options: Google Sites (very simple), GitHub Pages (tech-savvy), Netlify drop (static HTML), Carrd (free plan), or a free trial from builders. Choose one that matches your comfort level.
- Non-technical: Google Sites, Carrd
- Some tech: GitHub Pages + Jekyll, Netlify
- Done-for-you demo: Try free demo sites from professional services
2. Create essential pages
Minimum pages to convert: Home, Services (or Products), About, Contact. Each page should have a clear headline, a short description of who you serve, and one call-to-action (call, message, or booking).
- Home: one-line benefit, 3 services, visible phone/email
- Services: short bullets, price ranges or starting prices
- About: 3 credibility points (years, licences, reviews)
- Contact: phone, email, hours, map or service area
3. Add trust signals
Trust builds conversions. Add 3–5 customer quotes, a photo of you or your van, logos of suppliers or associations, and any licences/insurance numbers.
4. Publish + verify
Publish the free site, submit your URL to Google Search Console (free), and add Google Analytics (or use free alternatives). Test contact forms and click-to-call on mobile.
Free tools and hosting that actually work
Mix and match these tools to keep costs at zero while retaining professionalism.
Google Sites
Fast to set up, easy editing, free hosting on a google domain. Limitations: basic layouts and no custom server code.
GitHub Pages + Static Site Generators
Perfect if you can use Git. Jekyll, Hugo or Eleventy + GitHub Pages = free hosting, custom domain support, fast performance.
Netlify / Vercel (Free tier)
Deploy static sites with continuous deploy from Git. Free SSL, custom domain, fast CDN — great for small business sites.
Carrd
Excellent for one-page sites. Free plan available; upgrade if you want form handling or a custom domain (small fee).
Free Images & Icons
Unsplash, Pexels, Iconoir. Avoid stocky-looking images — show your team/van/work where possible for trust.
Forms & Email
Use free form endpoints (Formspree free tier) or Gmail for contact email forwarding. Ensure spam protection via reCAPTCHA (free).
Actionable SEO checklist (free)
Follow these checklist items to make your free site findable in local search and to earn clicks that convert.
1. Keyword-first page titles & meta descriptions
Write a clear title and meta description for each page. Example: “Plumber in Suburb — Emergency Callouts | BusinessName”. Keep titles ~50–60 chars, meta ~120–155 chars.
2. Use headings (H1, H2) and short paragraphs
Every page needs one H1 (your main title). Use H2s for service sections. Short paragraphs, bullet lists and clear CTAs improve readability and ranking.
3. Local SEO: Google Business Profile
Claim and optimise your GBP listing (free). Add photos, services, hours, and get reviews. GBP drives local visibility and maps traffic.
4. Schema & structured data (easy wins)
Add basic Organization, LocalBusiness and FAQ schema. Tools like technicalseo.com or schema.org provide examples. Many site builders support inserting this in a header block.
5. Optimize images and filenames
Compress images (tinyjpg.com), name files with keywords (plumber-truck-suburb.jpg), and include alt text describing the image and service.
6. Fast loading: aim under 3s
Use a CDN (Netlify/Vercel/GitHub Pages use one), compress images, minimize scripts. Test with Google PageSpeed Insights and implement the top suggestions.
7. Build local links & citations
Add consistent NAP (name, address, phone) across local directories like Yellow Pages, TrueLocal, local council listings, and industry associations.
Content that converts — simple copy templates
Use these short templates to populate pages quickly and with conversion in mind.
Home page headline (30–45 characters)
Template: “Fast [Service] in [Suburb] — Same-day calls”
Follow with 1–2 lines describing your main benefit, then a clear CTA: “Call now for a free quote — 0400 000 000”.
Service page layout
- Service name — one-line benefit
- How it works — 3 simple steps
- Why choose us — 3 bullets of credibility
- Price or starting price
- CTA: Call / Message / Book
Use urgency & guarantees
“Same-day availability”, “No call-out fee this week”, or a simple guarantee reduce buyer friction. Keep promises realistic and true.
Customer reviews
Add 3 short reviews on home and a page for more. Ask customers for reviews via SMS after jobs and link to Google Business Profile.
Free marketing & growth strategies
Low-cost and free tactics that work for small local businesses.
1. Local listings & citations
Add consistent details to GBP, Yellow Pages, TrueLocal, and industry directories. These build authority and often convert highly targeted traffic.
2. SMS & WhatsApp follow-ups
Collect phone numbers with permission. Send booking confirmations and simple promotions. Messaging has high open and response rates.
3. Facebook & Nextdoor local posts
Post before/after pictures, quick tips, and special offers. Use local groups and neighbourhood platforms — organic reach is powerful for local trades.
4. Email for repeat business
Use free Mailchimp tier or Gmail-based newsletters for appointment reminders and seasonal specials.
5. Referral incentives
Offer small discounts for referrals (e.g., $25 off next service). Track referers with simple coupon codes or ask “How did you hear about us?” on forms.
6. Simple paid test (small budget)
If you can spend $5–10/day, run a Facebook or Google Local Services test to validate demand and measure cost-per-lead before scaling.
Measure, iterate and scale — free analytics
Track what's working using free tools so you can double down on channels that deliver bookings.
Google Analytics / GA4
Install GA4 or use a lightweight privacy-first alternative. Track events: contact clicks, phone tap, form submissions, and key page views.
Google Search Console
Monitor search queries, index status, and coverage issues. Use the Performance report to find keywords already bringing impressions and improve those pages.
Call tracking (basic)
Use unique tracking numbers for campaigns (free options exist) or just ask callers “How did you find us?” for simple attribution.
Monthly review
Set a 30-minute monthly checklist: top pages, search queries, conversion sources, and one action to improve (faster load, better headline, or new review request).
Common mistakes to avoid
Getting started checklist (first 7 days)
- Day 1: Choose a free builder and publish a one-page site with contact info and service list.
- Day 2: Claim Google Business Profile and add photos.
- Day 3: Add page titles/meta descriptions and submit sitemap to Search Console.
- Day 4: Install Google Analytics and set up a contact event.
- Day 5: Request 3 customer reviews and add them to site.
- Day 6: Share site in local Facebook groups and post to Nextdoor.
- Day 7: Review analytics and pick one improvement to test next month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rank locally with a free website?
Do free builders allow custom domains?
What about ownership if I use a free platform?
Ready to build your free website?
Use the free tools above, follow the checklist, and optimise using the SEO and marketing tips here. If you'd like a demo of a faster route, learn how professional services can get you live and converting in under 60 seconds.
Need help or want a no-cost review of your current site? See how a professional demo can complement your free build.
