website making sites free
A complete 2025 guide to the best free site builders, what they include, their limits, and how to move from a free plan to a professional website that actually converts.
What do we mean by "free" website making sites?
"Free" website builders are platforms that let you create and host a website without an upfront fee. They provide templates, drag-and-drop editors or simple guided flows, and a hosted subdomain (for example: yourname.wixsite.com). But free doesn't always mean complete — many free plans limit features, branding, analytics, SEO controls and remove custom domain support.
Who they're for
- Hobby projects, portfolios, or proof-of-concept sites
- People testing an idea before investing in a paid website
- Small side projects that won't rely on search traffic or bookings
Common limitations
- Platform ads and branding on your site
- No custom domain (or pay to connect one)
- Limited SEO controls, schema and analytics
- Poor export options — often locked into the platform
Best free website making sites (2025)
Options ranked by ease-of-use, custom domain support, SEO controls and real-world suitability for small businesses.
Wix (free plan)
Excellent templates and a friendly editor. Free plan includes Wix branding and a Wix subdomain. SEO Wiz and apps available on paid plans.
WordPress.com (free)
Powerful content management with a learning curve. Free plan uses wordpress.com subdomain and shows ads. Upgrading unlocks plugins and themes.
Google Sites
Truly free, simple and reliable. Works well for internal pages, events and small informational sites. Very limited design flexibility and SEO features.
Carrd
Minimal, affordable one-page sites. Free plan lets you publish simple landing pages on a carrd.co subdomain. Quick and clean for landing pages and personal profiles.
GitHub Pages / Netlify
Free hosting for static sites. Great performance and no branding, but requires technical setup or static-site generators.
Thinking long-term?
Free builders are useful for testing ideas, but small businesses that need leads, local SEO and easy updates usually outgrow them fast. Congero offers an alternative: professional, mobile-first websites built by AI and managed for $49/month — includes domain, hosting, local SEO and unlimited text-in updates (no dev skills needed).
SEE A CONGERO DEMOAre free website making sites worth it?
Benefits
- Zero upfront cost — start immediately
- Fast to publish a basic online presence
- Lower maintenance overhead if site is static
- Good for learning and prototyping
Drawbacks
- Platform ads and forced branding reduce trust
- Hidden costs for domain, forms, ecommerce or SEO tools
- Limited SEO / schema — hard to rank for local searches
- Export restrictions and vendor lock-in
When to choose a free website maker — and when to upgrade
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Use a free builder if:
You're testing a personal project, need a quick portfolio, or want a simple informational page with minimal traffic expectations.
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Upgrade when:
You need a custom domain, bookings/payments, professional local SEO, analytics, lead capture or brand trust — these are essential for service businesses and trades by 2025.
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Consider a managed paid option when:
You want a site that ranks locally, can be updated by sending a text message, includes hosting, SSL, domain management, and monthly analytics without hiring developers. Congero provides all of this for a flat monthly fee with no lock-in contracts.
How to make a website for free — step-by-step
Follow these steps to publish a useful free site that still respects SEO and conversion basics.
1. Pick the right builder
Choose based on your goal: Carrd for landing pages, WordPress for content, GitHub/Netlify for static sites.
2. Use clear contact details
Add phone, email and service area – consistent NAP boosts local trust and citations.
3. Optimize for search
Add keyword-focused headings, meta title/description and a short location-based service page.
4. Track performance
Connect Google Analytics and Search Console (where possible) to monitor traffic and fix issues early.
Pro tip
Even on a free plan, you can build credibility by adding genuine customer testimonials, before/after photos, and a clear call-to-action (call now or WhatsApp). These small additions increase conversions dramatically.
SEO tips that actually work for free websites
Meta & Headings
Write a concise meta title (under 60 chars) and description (under 155 chars). Use H1 for your main keyword and H2/H3 to structure services.
Local Signals
Add suburb/city names to service pages, keep NAP consistent and create a Google Business Profile for local visibility.
Images & Speed
Compress images, add descriptive alt text and choose lazy-loading where supported to keep pages fast on mobile.
Schema
If possible, add structured data (LocalBusiness, Service, FAQ). Many free builders have limited schema — a reason to consider paid solutions if local search matters.
Mobile First
Google indexes mobile versions first. Test on a real phone, ensure buttons are easy to tap and contact info is prominent.
Measure & Improve
Monitor queries and pages that drive traffic and refine content monthly. Even small content updates can move rankings for local keywords.
Common problems with free website builders — and how to fix them
My site looks unprofessional because of builder branding
Solution: Move critical information above the fold (phone, services, testimonials) to build trust despite the branding. Consider a low-cost domain purchase to hide the platform subdomain.
I can't connect a custom domain
Solution: Check the builder's paid plan requirements. If domain connection is essential, compare monthly costs vs managed solutions. Congero includes domain registration and connection as part of the managed package.
My site isn't appearing in Google
Solution: Verify Search Console ownership, submit a sitemap, ensure robots.txt isn't blocking crawling and add at least a few service pages with local keywords.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about free website makers and when to upgrade.
