how to create a website for free
Step-by-step practical guide to launching a working website at zero cost — platform comparisons, SEO tips, launch checklist and when to consider a managed paid option.
What "free" really includes — and what it doesn't
There are genuinely free ways to get a working website online, but they usually trade off features: limited storage, platform subdomains (yourname.platform.com), basic templates, advertising on your site, or restrictions on ecommerce and custom code. This guide shows which free options suit different needs and how to launch a usable, SEO-friendly site without spending a dollar.
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Free hosting & subdomains: Platforms like Wix, WordPress.com or Google Sites host for free but use their branding and a subdomain.
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Free builders: Drag-and-drop editors, templates and basic SEO tools are often available on free plans.
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Limitations: Ads, limited bandwidth, restricted files, no custom plugins, and poor email integrations are common.
When free is a great choice
If you need a simple web presence (a one-page portfolio, a personal blog, or a temporary landing page), free options can be perfect. They let you validate ideas and appear in search without upfront costs.
When to avoid free plans
- You want a custom domain or professional email
- You need reliable SEO, speed and no platform ads
- Your business depends on lead generation or bookings
Top free website platforms — pros, cons and best use cases
Short, practical comparisons so you can pick the best free tool for your project.
WordPress.com
Best for blogs and content-heavy sites. Free plan includes WordPress subdomain, basic themes and community support.
- Strong editor and publishing tools
- Ads and limited customisation on free plan
Wix Free
Drag-and-drop builder with many templates. Free sites show Wix branding and use a Wix subdomain.
- Fast visual design, templates for many industries
- Platform ads and no custom code on free plan
Google Sites
Simple, reliable and ad-free for basic pages. Excellent if you use Google Workspace.
- Fast setup, no surprises or ads
- Limited templates and SEO features
Carrd
Great for single-page landing pages and portfolios. Free plan supports basic building blocks and responsive layouts.
- Extremely simple and fast
- No multi-page sites on free plan
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Developers and technical users can host static sites for free with a custom build pipeline and free SSL.
- No platform branding and excellent performance
- Requires familiarity with Git and static site generators
Blogger
Google's classic blogging platform — simple, reliable, and free with a blogspot.com subdomain.
- Easy to publish posts and manage comments
- Limited modern design options
How to create a free website — 6 practical steps
Follow these actions to go from idea to live site using only free tools.
1. Pick your platform & goals
Decide if you need a single landing page, a blog, or a multi-page site. Choose the free platform that matches — Carrd for a single page, WordPress.com for blogging, GitHub Pages for developers.
2. Plan your content
Write a short headline, a 1–2 sentence description of what you offer, 3 key services or features, contact details and a clear call-to-action (call, message, booking link).
3. Choose a template & add images
Select a clean template and replace stock images with at least one real photo of your work or team. Use the image placeholder in this guide to plan imagery: 
4. Optimise for local search
Add your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and service areas. Add keywords like "your-service near me" and ensure meta title and description include your suburb or city.
5. Test & publish
Preview on mobile and desktop, confirm contact buttons work, and publish. Share the live URL on social media and with existing customers to generate initial traffic.
6. Track performance
Use free analytics (Google Analytics / Google Search Console) to see visits and keywords. Monitor leads and improve copy and images based on performance.
Free demo • No credit card required
Free site SEO & launch checklist
A quick checklist to make your free website discoverable and credible in search results.
- Page title: 50–60 characters including primary keyword and location.
- Meta description: Clear 120–155 character summary with call-to-action.
- H1 headings: One clear H1 per page matching your main keyword.
- Images: Compressed, descriptive alt text, and unique photos if possible.
- Local signals: NAP consistency, Google Business Profile, and service area mentions.
- Speed: Avoid heavy widgets; choose lightweight templates.
- Mobile-first: Test on mobile; 50–70% of traffic is mobile for many businesses.
- Analytics: Install Search Console and Analytics for tracking and indexing.
- Contact CTA: Make it easy to call, message or book.
Quick tip
Even free sites benefit from local schema and structured data. If your platform doesn't add it automatically, add basic JSON-LD for business info via any custom HTML block if available.
When a free site stops being enough — a better managed option
Free sites are great for getting started. But when you need reliable lead generation, local SEO dominance, faster edits, or a custom domain and email, a managed service can save time and grow revenue.
Why businesses upgrade
- Consistent local SEO that actually drives "near me" leads
- Unlimited content updates without technical hassle
- Domain registration, hosting and SSL bundled for a predictable cost
Congero provides an all-in-one managed website for $49/month with instant AI-driven builds, unlimited text-in updates, domain & hosting, and monthly analytics — ideal when free templates and subdomains limit your growth.
Quick comparison
| Free builder | Zero cost |
| Limitations | Subdomain, ads, limited SEO |
| Managed (Congero) | $49/month |
| Includes | Domain, hosting, AI SEO, unlimited updates |
Common free-site problems and quick fixes
If your free site isn't performing, check these usual issues first.
Slow page speed
Avoid heavy widgets (chat widgets, large galleries). Use compressed images (JPEG/WEBP under 200 KB) and a lightweight template.
Not showing in local search
Confirm your NAP is consistent across your site and Google Business Profile. Add your city/suburb to page titles and meta descriptions.
Platform ads or branding
This is common on free plans. The only fix is upgrading to a paid plan or using a platform that doesn't add branding (e.g., GitHub Pages for developers or Google Sites for simple pages).
Frequently asked questions about free websites
Straight answers to the most common concerns.
Some platforms allow custom domains on paid tiers only. GitHub Pages and Netlify let you connect a custom domain at no hosting cost, but you still need to buy or transfer the domain separately (domains are not usually free long-term).
No. Google ranks sites by usefulness and relevance, not by whether they are free or paid. Focus on original, helpful content and sound SEO practices.
Export or copy your content, register a domain, and choose a managed host or website provider. Managed services (like Congero) can rebuild your site quickly, migrate content, and provide ongoing SEO and updates for a predictable monthly fee.
Hosting can be free, but there may be costs for a custom domain, premium templates, paid plugins or transaction fees. Consider those when choosing your long-term plan.
