how to build a website online for free
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough that takes you from idea to live site — and shows basic SEO that helps people find you.
This guide covers the easiest free platforms, how to choose a (free) domain, design essentials, and simple SEO actions that actually help your website grow.
1. Plan your site: who, what, and why
Before you open any builder, write a one-sentence purpose for the site. Be specific: "Showcase my plumbing services and collect phone enquiries" is better than "website for my business."
- Primary goal (leads, portfolio, blog)
- Top 5 pages you need (Home, Services, About, Contact, Pricing/FAQ)
- Brand assets: logo, 3-8 photos, contact details
Knowing the purpose keeps you focused and prevents mission creep — especially when using free platforms with limited storage or features.
2. Best free platforms to build online (and when to use them)
Each option has tradeoffs. Pick the one that matches your plan and technical comfort.
- Fast to build — great for small shops & portfolios
- Free sites use a Wix subdomain and show Wix ads
- Upgrade for custom domain and remove ads
- Good for blogs and content-heavy sites
- Free plan shows WordPress branding and uses a wordpress.com subdomain
- Plugins and full SEO tools require paid plans
- Zero cost, integrates with Google Workspace
- Great for internal pages, portfolios, simple brochures
- Limited design and SEO control
- Perfect for simple landing pages and single-product sites
- Free plan limits forms and custom domains
- Use if you can work with a static generator (Hugo, Jekyll) or plain HTML/CSS
- Custom domain support included
- Requires technical setup and Git knowledge
- Excellent for content-first MVPs — quick and free
- SEO and speed are limited unless paired with a wrapper or paid plan
Recommendation: If you want the absolute fastest path with zero technical setup, use a drag-and-drop builder (Wix or WordPress.com). If you plan to scale and care about SEO, consider starting with WordPress (self-hosted later) or GitHub Pages for performance.
3. Domain options: free subdomain vs custom domain
Free plans usually give you a subdomain (yourname.wixsite.com/yourpage or yoursite.wordpress.com). That's fine for testing, but a custom domain (yourbusiness.com) looks more professional and helps SEO.
Free subdomain — pros & cons
- Pros: 100% free, instant
- Cons: Less trust, poorer brand recall, sometimes blocked by ads
Cheap custom domain (recommended)
Domain cost: typically $10–20/year. If you can afford it, buy a custom domain as soon as possible. You can still host on a free platform and point your custom domain once you upgrade or if the platform allows it.
- Prefer .com.au or .com for business sites in Australia/global
- Keep it short, easy to spell, and avoid hyphens
- Use your business name or main keyword
Note: Congero includes domain registration in its all-inclusive subscription if you later decide a managed, professional option is better for your business.
4. Design & content: quick wins that look professional
Header & navigation
Keep your top navigation minimal. Use clear labels: Home, Services, About, Contact. Place your phone number or contact button in the header for immediate conversions.
Hero section (first impression)
A short headline, one-sentence supporting line, and a clear call-to-action. Add an image of your team, vehicle, or work to build trust.
Service pages
Create separate pages or sections for each service. Use clear headings and bullet lists so visitors can quickly find what you offer.
Contact & trust signals
Add contact details, opening hours, a short About section, and a few customer testimonials or photos of completed jobs.
Design tip: Use consistent fonts and 2–3 brand colors. White space makes pages easier to scan — don't cram too much text above the fold.
5. Basic SEO that actually moves the needle
SEO doesn't need to be complicated. Start with these high-impact, free actions you can do in 30–60 minutes.
Essential on-page SEO checklist
- Page title (title tag): Keep it unique and include your main keyword + location if relevant. Example: Plumbing repairs Melbourne — Same-day service
- Meta description: 120–160 characters that describe the page and include a call-to-action.
- H1 and headings: Each page should have one H1 (your main heading). Use H2/H3 for subsections.
- Image alt text: Describe the image for accessibility and a small SEO boost (e.g., plumber fixing sink, Melbourne).
- URL structure: Keep URLs short and readable: yoursite.com/services/plumbing-repairs
Technical basics
- Mobile-first: Test your site on phone — Google uses mobile-first indexing.
- Page speed: Compress images and use built-in lazy-loading where available. Aim under 3 seconds on mobile.
- SSL (HTTPS): Always use HTTPS — most free platforms provide this automatically.
- Sitemap & robots: Submit a sitemap to Google Search Console if your platform supports it.
Local SEO quick wins (for trades & local services)
- Create or claim your Google Business Profile and link to your site
- Include NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on every page (preferably in the footer)
- Collect a few Google reviews — they improve local rankings
These steps are the foundation. Over time, add content (a monthly blog or project posts) targeting common customer questions — that content drives long-term organic growth.
6. Publish, test, and promote your free site
Before you publish
- Proofread every page
- Test contact forms and phone links
- Check on mobile and desktop
Promotion plan (first 30 days)
- Share the launch on your Facebook page and Instagram
- Tell your existing customers via SMS or email
- List your business on local directories and Google Business Profile
- Ask happy customers for reviews
Track results: use Google Analytics (or the platform's built-in stats) to monitor traffic, popular pages, and conversions. Even a simple "Contact form submitted" event tells you whether the site is working.
7. When to upgrade from free to paid (and why it helps)
Free is a great place to start. Upgrade when:
- You need a custom domain and branding without platform ads
- You want better SEO tools, email, or e-commerce
- You prefer faster support and unlimited updates
Professional alternative: Congero
If you want a hands-off upgrade, Congero builds professional, mobile-optimised websites fast and handles domain, hosting, SSL, and ongoing updates for a flat monthly fee. It’s ideal for busy trades and service businesses that prefer to focus on customers, not code.
- Live in under 60 seconds via WhatsApp demo
- Unlimited updates and local SEO included
- No lock-in contracts — cancel anytime
Upgrading removes many of the limitations of free plans and is the most common path for businesses that want reliable leads and long-term SEO performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rank on Google with a free website?
Is a custom domain necessary?
Which free platform is best for service businesses?
How do I track visitors?
Ready to build your free site — or want it done for you?
Pick a platform above and follow the checklist. If you'd rather skip setup and get a professional, SEO-ready site with unlimited updates, see how Congero can get you online fast without the usual agency price.
Want help migrating from a free site to a professional one later? Congero includes domain registration, hosting, SSL, and local SEO in its managed plans — ideal for busy business owners.
