how can you create your own website for free
A clear, practical how-to for building, SEO-optimising and growing your site without spending a cent.
This guide walks you through simple free tools, a 7-step build process, basic SEO that Google loves, and low-cost growth tactics to turn visitors into customers.
Why create a free website?
A free website is perfect for testing ideas, getting online fast, or supporting a small local business with minimal budget. You can go from zero to published in an hour — and later upgrade to a paid plan once the site starts to bring value.
When free makes sense
- Launching a simple brochure site (services, contact, about)
- Testing a product, side-hustle or event
- Learning web basics before investing
Pick the right free website tool
Use a tool that fits your comfort level. Here are reliable free options in 2025 and what they're good for.
Wix (Free plan)
Easy drag-and-drop — best for absolute beginners. Free plan shows Wix branding and a subdomain.
WordPress.com (Free)
Flexible content and blogging power. Free plan uses wordpress.com subdomain and has limitations on plugins.
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Free static hosting for tech-savvy users — use a static site generator like Jekyll or Hugo. Great for fast pages and no ads.
Other easy picks
- Google Sites — simplest, no hosting required
- Carrd — one-page sites, free tier with Carrd branding
- Notion page + Super/ Fruition — quick public pages
How to choose
- If you want drag-and-drop — choose Wix or Squarespace trial.
- If you plan to blog — WordPress.com is best.
- If you want ad-free and control — use GitHub Pages or Netlify with a static site generator.
7 Simple Steps to Build a Free Website
Follow these practical steps. You can finish a basic site in 60–180 minutes.
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Decide on purpose & pages
Typical pages: Home, Services/Products, About, Contact, and a Blog or FAQ if needed.
Keep it small to start — 4–6 pages is ideal for a new free site.
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Pick a template and brand colors
Choose a modern template and set 1–2 primary colours, one accent, clear fonts and a logo (can be text-based). Consistency builds trust.
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Write concise, benefit-focused copy
On each page: headline, 2–3 sentences explaining what you do, 3 key benefits, and a clear call-to-action (CTA) like Call, Book or Email.
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Add images and proof
Use 3–6 good photos: hero image, service images, and a team or work photo. Add 2-3 short testimonials to build credibility.
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Set up contact options
Include phone number, email and a working contact form. Link a Google Maps pin if you have a physical location.
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Configure basic SEO
Add unique page titles, meta descriptions, headings (H1, H2), and alt text for images. More in the SEO basics section below.
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Publish and test on mobile
Preview on a phone, check load time, test contact forms, and ensure buttons are tappable. Fix any broken links before sharing.
SEO Basics — Make Google Find You
You don't need to be an expert. Set these fundamentals and your free site will start showing up for relevant searches.
1. Choose simple keywords
Think like your customer. What would they type?
Pick 1 primary keyword per page (e.g., "plumber in Sydney"). Use it in the page title, H1 and early in the first paragraph.
2. Page titles & meta descriptions
These show in search results — make them clear and action-focused.
Title length: ~50–60 characters. Meta description: ~120–155 characters highlighting the benefit and CTA (call now / free quote).
3. Headings and structure
Use one H1 per page, then H2/H3 for sections. Search engines prefer well-structured content, and users scan headings.
4. Image alt text
Describe the image in plain words (include keyword if relevant).
Example: alt="electrician installing LED downlights in kitchen — Emergency electrician Melbourne".
5. Mobile speed & performance
Use compressed images, avoid heavy widgets, and prefer fast templates. Aim for under 3 seconds load on mobile.
6. Local SEO (if you serve a region)
Put your service area in titles and pages (e.g., "Carpet Cleaning in Adelaide"). Create or claim your Google Business Profile and link to your site.
7. Submit sitemap & monitor
If your platform provides a sitemap, submit it to Google Search Console. Use free analytics (Google Analytics / GA4) to track visitors and keywords.
Content and Images That Convert
Great content turns visitors into customers. Make yours clear, trust-building, and action-focused.
Write for humans
- Use plain language and short paragraphs
- Show benefits, not just features
- Use strong CTAs: Call now, Book online, Get a quote
Image tips
- Use high-quality photos (phone cameras are fine)
- Crop to show faces or results, not empty space
- Compress images (WebP or optimized JPG) to keep pages fast
Quick trust builders
Add at least 2 customer testimonials, a short About paragraph with real names/photos, and contact details that match your Google Business Profile.
Free Domain & Hosting Options — What to expect
Truly free options are available, but know the trade-offs.
Free subdomain on builder platforms
Examples: yoursite.wixsite.com, yoursite.wordpress.com
Pros: zero cost, quick. Cons: platform branding, less professional, harder for SEO and trust.
Free custom domain for first year (occasionally)
Some promotions include a free domain for a year when upgrading — not common on free plans but available with low-cost monthly plans.
Free hosting for static sites
GitHub Pages and Netlify offer free hosting for static sites with your own domain. You need basic git or a deploy flow (or use a simple drag-and-drop static site builder).
Recommendation
Start with a free subdomain to validate your idea. When you're ready to look professional, buy a custom domain (~$10–20/year) and point it to your site — this improves trust and SEO dramatically.
Grow Your Online Presence — free and low-cost tactics
After publishing, follow these steps to attract visitors and convert them into leads.
1. Claim your Google Business Profile
Add hours, photos, service areas and a link to your site. This is essential for local searches.
2. List in directories
Free directories like Yelp, TrueLocal and industry-specific listings build citations and help local SEO.
3. Use social media to share pages
Share your service pages and blog posts on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn depending on your audience. Add a link to your site in profiles.
4. Collect reviews
Ask satisfied customers for Google or Facebook reviews — they boost trust and local rankings.
5. Add a simple blog
Answer common customer questions. Each helpful post is another page that can rank and bring traffic.
6. Track & improve
Install free analytics and Search Console. Look at which pages get traffic and expand topics that work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much text on the homepage: Keep headlines short and benefits clear.
- Ignoring mobile users: Test on phones and fix tap targets.
- Missing contact information: If customers can't contact you quickly, you lose them.
- Expecting overnight traffic: SEO takes weeks; start with local listings and share on social immediately.
Get Started — Your 60–180 Minute Plan
A practical timeline to get a basic free site live today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really have a professional-looking site for free?
Will a free site hurt my SEO?
When should I upgrade from a free plan?
What if I need updates later?
Ready to go live for free?
Follow the steps above and you can have a professional, mobile-friendly site published today. If you prefer a done-for-you option with built-in local SEO and unlimited updates, see Congero's managed plans.
Note: Free plans are perfect for getting started. For ongoing results and time savings, many small businesses upgrade to a low-cost managed subscription.
