sites to make free websites
Compare the best free website builders, learn how to publish a free site step-by-step, and discover when a managed solution like Congero makes more sense for your business.
What does "free website" really mean in 2025?
A "free website" typically means a hosted site with no monthly fee. Most providers let you publish pages, choose templates, and host on a subdomain (example.provider.com). However, free plans usually have trade-offs: limited customization, ads or platform branding, restricted storage, fewer SEO features, and no email or advanced integrations.
- Zero cost to start — great for testing or hobby sites.
- No custom domain unless you upgrade.
- Platform branding or ads on pages.
- Limited integrations for e-commerce, booking or CRM.
When a free site is ideal
You want a quick proof-of-concept, a personal portfolio, a short-term event page, or you're testing layouts before committing to a paid plan.
When to avoid free plans
If you need professional branding, local SEO that produces consistent leads, or reliable support, a managed paid option like Congero is a better long-term choice.
Best sites to make free websites (2025)
Each option below offers a free plan — the best choice depends on your goals: simplicity, flexibility, or upgrade path.
Wix (free)
Drag-and-drop editor, many templates, and an App Market. Free plan includes Wix ads and a wixsite.com subdomain.
- Very easy design controls
- Wix branding on free sites
- Upgrade needed for custom domain & e‑commerce
WordPress.com (free)
Powerful CMS, great for content-heavy sites and blogs. Free plan has a wordpress.com subdomain and limited plugins.
- Best for blogging & content control
- Plugin restrictions on free plan
- Upgrade for e-commerce & custom domain
Google Sites (free)
Fast and simple, perfect for basic informational sites, intranets or event pages. No ads, but limited design features.
- No cost, no branding, integrates with Google Workspace
- Very limited styling and SEO controls
- Great for simple pages, not for growth-focused businesses
Weebly (free)
Simple drag-and-drop, good for small stores on paid plans. Free tier shows Weebly branding and uses weebly.com subdomain.
- Easy setup for small websites
- Limited commerce functionality on free plan
Carrd (free)
One-page sites done beautifully. Ideal for landing pages, link-in-bio, and personal profiles. Free plan has Carrd branding and a carrd.co URL.
- Fast, elegant one-page designs
- Not for multi-page business sites unless you upgrade
GitHub Pages / Netlify (free)
Free hosting for static sites. Excellent performance and no forced branding — tech-savvy or with a template, this is powerful and free.
- No branding, custom domain possible
- Requires technical setup or a prebuilt template
Want help launching a free site fast? Try one of the builders above — or if you run a trades or local service business and want reliable leads, consider Congero's managed $49/month service that includes domain, hosting, SEO and unlimited updates.
Free plans vs. paid managed websites
Here's a quick look at what you gain when you move from a free builder to a managed paid service.
Free Builder
- Free to start
- Subdomain & branding
- Basic templates
- Limited SEO tools
Self-managed Paid Plan
- Custom domain & no branding
- More storage & templates
- Advanced plugins & integrations
- Requires self maintenance
Congero Managed ($49/mo)
- Domain registration & hosting included
- Local SEO, schema and analytics built-in
- Unlimited updates via text messages
- No lock-in, support included
If your priority is lead generation, uptime, and professional SEO without the pain of self-management, Congero offers an affordable, done-for-you alternative with results-focused features.
How to make a free website (simple checklist)
Follow these steps to launch a basic free site in under an hour.
Pick a builder
Choose from Wix, WordPress.com, Google Sites, Carrd or GitHub Pages depending on goals.
Sign up
Create an account and select the free plan. Note subdomain and branding limitations.
Choose template
Pick a layout that matches your business — portability is easier if you plan to upgrade later.
Add content & publish
Fill in your headline, services, contact details, images, then publish. Share the URL.
Pro tip
Even on a free plan, add clear contact details, a service list, and 3–5 local keywords (service + suburb) to help local searchers find you.
SEO tips that work even on free sites
Free sites can still rank if you follow local SEO basics and publish helpful content.
1. Use clear page titles
Each page needs a unique title under ~60 characters containing your main keyword and location (e.g., "Plumber in Melbourne — Same Day Repairs").
2. Optimize meta descriptions
Write persuasive meta descriptions ~150 characters that include your call to action and location.
3. NAP consistency
Display the same Name, Address, Phone number on every page and match your Google Business Profile for local visibility.
4. Use descriptive image ALT text
Compress images for speed and include descriptive ALT text with keywords when appropriate.
5. Build a few local backlinks
List on local directories, partner websites and community pages — quality beats quantity.
6. Monitor performance
Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics (or Congero's monthly analytics if you upgrade) to track traffic and adjust priorities.
Common free-site issues & quick fixes
If you run into limitations, these fixes will help. For hands-off solutions, Congero handles these for you.
Too much platform branding
Upgrade to a paid plan or connect a custom domain to remove or reduce branding. If you need help migrating later, Congero can migrate content and set up a professional site quickly.
Slow page speed
Compress images, reduce widgets and enable any built-in performance settings provided by the platform. For premium performance and monitoring, Congero includes automated performance checks.
I need custom features
Free builders often limit plugins and integrations. If you need bookings, payments or lead tracking that converts, a managed site with integrations is the faster route.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about free website builders and when to upgrade.
Most free plans remain free forever, but they usually limit features and include provider branding. You can upgrade anytime for custom domains, improved SEO and e-commerce features.
Usually not. Most platforms require a paid plan to connect a custom domain. Some static hosts (GitHub Pages, Netlify) allow custom domains for free but need more technical setup.
Yes — free sites can rank if optimized for local keywords and provide valuable content. However, limited SEO tools and slow speeds on some free plans may make ranking harder. A managed SEO approach helps accelerate results.
Choose a platform with clear upgrade paths (Wix, WordPress.com, Carrd). Keep your content structured and images organized so migration is quick if you move to a managed provider like Congero, which offers content migration and setup assistance.
Prefer a professional website that generates leads?
Congero is Australia’s AI-powered web design agency built for trades and services. Live in 60 seconds, unlimited updates via text, local SEO included, domain & hosting covered — all for $49/month. No lock-in contracts.
