the best free website
How to choose a free website platform and get real SEO & marketing results — step by step
Free websites are a powerful way to start online fast. This guide compares the top free platforms, explains SEO and marketing trade-offs, and gives a clear checklist to attract local customers — even if you start on a free plan.
Upfront cost (start free)
Importance of mobile for leads
Essential SEO actions to prioritise
How quickly you can be discoverable (basic)
Best Free Website Platforms (2025) — Quick Comparison
Each of these platforms offers a zero-dollar entry point. Pick the one that matches your goals.
| Platform | Free Plan Pros | SEO / Marketing Strengths | Major Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sites | Ultra-simple, great for basic info pages, no ads | Fast to index (Google), easy to embed Maps & Forms | Very limited SEO controls, no custom domain on free |
| WordPress.com (Free) | Blogging-focused, large plugin ecosystem (paid), easy CMS | Good content structure, permalink control, decent indexing | Ads on free plan, limited plugins and SEO settings |
| Wix (Free) | Drag-and-drop, polished templates, quick setup | Built-in SEO wizard on paid; limited on free but indexable pages | Wix branding & subdomain, limited advanced SEO |
| Carrd | Fast single-page sites, simple CTAs, extremely cheap upgrades | Excellent for landing pages and link funnels; fast load | Single-page limits organic reach for keyword variety |
| GitHub Pages / Jekyll | Free, fast, full control if you know Git; great for developers | Full control over SEO tags and structure, fast delivery | Technical setup, no CMS for non-technical users |
| Neocities / Free static hosts | Totally free, lightweight, full HTML control | Good for small niche sites, fast loads, no forced ads | Manual SEO management, limited features and scalability |
How to pick
- Need speed + control: GitHub Pages or static host.
- Need content/SEO over time: WordPress.com (upgrade later to self-hosted WP).
- Need a single clear call-to-action fast: Carrd or Wix.
- Local business starting out: Google Sites + Google Business Profile to get immediate visibility.
What Free Plans Usually Hold Back — and Why It Matters
Free plans are great for starting, but they often limit features that matter to SEO and marketing:
- No custom domain — Subdomains reduce brand trust and local SEO performance.
- Platform ads / branding — Decreases conversions and can hurt perceived credibility.
- Limited meta tag control — You may not be able to set titles & meta descriptions per page.
- Block on analytics or scripts — Harder to track users and optimise campaigns.
- Indexing / sitemap restrictions — Some free builders don't generate sitemaps automatically.
SEO Basics You Can Do On Any Free Website
Even with a free plan, you can control many signals that help Google and customers find you. Focus on these five essentials first — they move the needle fastest.
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Set clear, keyword-focused page titles & meta descriptions.
Example: Plumber in Sydney — 24/7 Emergency Plumber | YourBusiness
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Use headings (H1,H2) and write for humans.
Make H1 the main service and location when you're local-focused.
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Claim Google Business Profile & add consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone).
Add the same contact details on your site footer and business listings.
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Install analytics and submit a sitemap.
If you can't add scripts, at minimum verify with Google Search Console using their HTML tag or DNS method.
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Optimise one page per keyword (avoid keyword stuffing).
A single-page site can rank for one focused intent — choose it wisely.
Technical checks (quick)
- Is the site mobile-friendly?
- Does the site use HTTPS (padlock)?
- Are images compressed and sized?
- Do URLs include readable keywords?
Low-cost Marketing Tactics That Work With Free Sites
Local citations & directories
List your business in local directories (Yellow Pages, TrueLocal, Yelp, industry directories). These backlinks and citations boost local rankings.
Email & SMS follow-ups
Use a simple contact capture (even just an email link) and follow up with offers. Small lists convert well.
Collect reviews
Ask happy customers for Google reviews. Reviews are one of the strongest local signals and boost click-through rates.
Hyperlocal content
Create pages or posts targeting specific suburbs or services. For free plans with single pages, create clear location sections and headings.
Step-by-step: Launch a Free Site and Optimise It in 7 Steps
Step 1: Choose the right platform
Decide based on your skill level and goals — quick landing (Carrd/Wix), blogging (WordPress.com), total control (GitHub Pages), or instant local presence (Google Sites).
Step 2: Secure your business name & phone
Use the same format across your website and listings. If possible, buy a domain when you're ready to upgrade — it's cheap and worth it.
Step 3: Build the essential pages
Create: Home (clear CTA), Services (with brief descriptions), About (trust signals), Contact (phone, address, hours), and a simple Testimonials/Photos section.
Step 4: Implement quick SEO basics
- Set page title and meta description (unique per page).
- Use one H1 per page and H2s for subsections.
- Compress images, add descriptive alt text.
- Verify site with Google Search Console.
Step 5: Launch Google Business Profile
Complete your profile with photos, services, and accurate hours. Link your website and verify — this is the #1 local visibility step.
Step 6: Add analytics & monitor
Add Google Analytics or an allowed analytics option. Watch top pages and queries in Search Console to refine your content weekly.
Step 7: Run 30-day local marketing tests
- Ask 5 customers for reviews
- Publish 1 neighbourhood-targeted page
- Share the site URL in a local Facebook group or community board
- Measure calls and messages; refine CTA and copy
When (and How) to Upgrade From Free to Paid
Free plans are a great start, but consider upgrading when you're ready for predictable growth. Signs it's time:
- You're getting steady traffic and need a custom domain to convert more visitors.
- Your site needs features blocked on free plans (scripts, forms that email reliably, SEO plugins).
- You want to remove platform ads for credibility.
Upgrade checklist
- Buy a domain and connect it.
- Move to a paid plan that allows analytics & SEO tools.
- Implement structured data/schema and XML sitemap.
- Consider a managed subscription if you prefer hands-off updates — Congero offers instant builds, local SEO, hosting and updates for a flat monthly fee.
Immediate Checklist — Do These First (15–60 minutes)
- Set a clear H1 and a one-line value proposition on the home page.
- Add an easy-to-find phone number and CTA.
- Verify site with Google Search Console.
- Create or claim your Google Business Profile.
- Compress images and add alt text.
- Write a concise meta title and meta description for the home page.
- Publish a small "service + suburb" content block or page for local targeting.
- Save a screenshot of the mobile layout to test readability.
- Ask one recent customer for a quick Google review (send link).
Congero builds professional, SEO-ready sites with domain, hosting and local optimisation included — ideal when free plans stop being enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a free website rank on Google?
Should I buy a domain right away?
What's the fastest way to improve local visibility?
When should I move off a free plan?
Can Congero help migrate a free site?
Ready to move from free to professional — without headaches?
If your free website starts to limit growth, Congero builds SEO-optimised, mobile-first websites fast. Domain, hosting, local SEO and unlimited updates are included for a flat monthly fee — so you can focus on customers, not code.
Congero is built for busy trades & service businesses — fast, affordable, and optimised for local search. No lock-in contracts.
