making a free website
A practical, up-to-date guide (2025) to create a free website fast, publish confidently, and decide when upgrading to a managed solution like Congero makes sense.
What does "making a free website" mean?
Making a free website means publishing a site online without paying platform fees up front. Options include free tiers of website builders, Git-based hosting (GitHub Pages), open-source CMS with free hosting, or even a free managed preview (like Congero's 60-second demo). Free doesn't always mean zero effort — you'll trade off features, branding, custom domain control or SEO support in many cases.
Who this guide is for
- Small businesses testing an online presence
- Side projects and hobby sites
- Anyone comparing free vs managed website options
Quick note
Free sites are great to start, but if you want reliable local SEO, custom domains, fast hosting and unlimited updates handled for you, consider a low-cost managed option. Congero provides a free demo so you can preview how a professional site performs before committing.
Best free ways to make a website (pros & cons)
Compare the most common free routes and learn which fits your needs right now.
Website Builders (Wix, Weebly, Carrd)
Drag-and-drop editors with free tiers. Fast to publish but usually show platform branding and restrict custom domains.
- Great for simple pages
- Limited SEO & monetisation on free plans
- Slow or branded subdomains
Git Hosting (GitHub Pages, Netlify)
Free for static sites and highly customisable. Requires technical skills or templates.
- Excellent performance & no branding
- Steeper learning curve
- No built-in CMS unless added
CMS Free Tiers (WordPress.com)
Quick blog or website setup with free hosting. Customisation and plugins are limited on free plans.
- Easy to start and familiar UI
- Ads and platform footer on free plans
- Limited SEO tools without upgrading
How to make a free website — 6 practical steps
Follow these steps to get online quickly and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Choose your goal
Decide whether the site is a simple brochure, booking page or blog. The goal determines platform choice and structure.
Quick tip: Local trades should prioritise contact details and service pages for local SEO.
2. Pick a free platform
Use drag-and-drop builders for speed, Git hosting for performance, or WordPress.com for blog-driven content.
If you want a quick professional preview: Try Congero's free demo to see a responsive site built for your trade in under 60 seconds.
3. Prepare your essentials
- - Business name, phone & address
- - Short service descriptions and pricing guide
- - 3–6 good photos, logo (if available)
4. Build pages
Create a clear homepage, services page for each offering, and a contact/booking page. Keep content concise and benefit-driven.
Use headings, bullet points and clear CTAs (call-to-action) like “Call now” or “Get a quote”.
5. Publish & connect a domain
Free plans often use a platform subdomain (yourname.platform.com). For credibility, upgrade to a custom domain when possible.
Congero includes domain registration in its managed plan for $49/month — useful when you’re ready to look professional.
6. Promote & track
Share the site on Google Business Profile, social media and local directories. Use analytics to measure visits and leads.
Congero provides actionable monthly analytics so you can see what works and where enquiries come from.
SEO tips to get your free website found
Even on free platforms you can follow simple SEO practices that make a big difference.
Local keywords
Include phrases like "plumber near me" or "electrician in [suburb]" naturally in page titles and headings.
Meta titles & descriptions
Write concise meta titles (~50–60 chars) and descriptions (~140–160 chars) with your key service and location.
Mobile speed
Keep images optimised and reduce large scripts. Fast mobile pages rank better — Congero sites include fast hosting and image optimisation automatically.
NAP consistency
Use the same business name, address and phone number across your website and directory listings for local SEO trust.
Alt text for images
Describe images with short, descriptive alt text — helpful for accessibility and search engines.
Collect reviews
Reviews improve local rankings. Link to your Google Business Profile and make it easy for customers to leave feedback.
When to move from a free site to a managed website
Free sites are useful for starting out. Upgrade when you need reliability, strong local SEO, or less hands-on maintenance.
- You're getting steady enquiries and need a custom domain
- You want unlimited content updates without learning a CMS
- You need fast hosting, SSL and better analytics
Why choose Congero?
Congero is an AI-powered managed service that builds a professional, mobile-responsive site in under 60 seconds (free demo). For $49/month you get domain registration, hosting, SSL, local SEO, monthly analytics and unlimited text-in updates — ideal for busy trades and service businesses.
Common issues with free websites (and fixes)
Platform branding on free plan
Many free plans display the provider's logo or ads. Fix: upgrade to a paid plan or use a platform that allows removal of branding. For an alternative, preview a no-brand managed site with Congero.
Can't connect custom domain
Free tiers often block custom domain mapping. Fix: upgrade or register your domain elsewhere and move to hosting that supports it. Congero includes domain registration and connection in its managed plan.
Poor mobile performance
Large images or heavy scripts slow mobile pages. Fix: compress images, remove unnecessary widgets, or switch to a hosted solution with image optimisation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common concerns about making a free website.
