what are free websites
A clear, practical guide for small businesses on using free website options without sacrificing growth
Free websites are a popular first step for many small businesses. This guide explains what they are, when they make sense, their SEO limits, and an action plan to get the most value — then scale up when you're ready.
Cost to start
Most free builders provide a subdomain
Depends on platform capabilities
Usually paid plan or migration
What is a "free website"?
A free website is any online presence you can create and publish without paying an initial fee. Most commonly this means using a platform that provides hosting, a website builder, and a subdomain (yourname.platform.com) at no cost.
Free plans are offered by website builders, blogging platforms, marketplaces, and social services. They let you get online quickly — but they usually include trade-offs such as limited customization, platform branding, feature restrictions, or ads.
- Start with no money down
- Use a subdomain owned by the platform
- Access basic templates and tools
- Upgrade to paid plans for full control
Common types of free websites
Website builder free plans
Platforms like Wix, Weebly, and site builders provide drag-and-drop editors with free subdomains and templates. They’re easy to use and great for basic brochure sites.
Blogging platforms
WordPress.com and Blogger offer free blogs with hosting and subdomains. Ideal for content-driven businesses that plan to blog frequently.
Social & marketplace profiles
Facebook Pages, Instagram business profiles, Etsy, and Gumtree let you list services or sell products without a separate website. They’re discoverable and often free to start.
Developer-hosted free options
GitHub Pages, Netlify (free tier), or Firebase hosting let developers publish static sites or landing pages for free — often with custom domains if you own one.
Google Business Profile (formerly GMB)
Google offers a simple free website automatically generated from your business profile. Limited, but appears directly in local search results.
Free landing page tools
Tools like Carrd offer free single-page sites ideal for a promo, lead capture, or a simple service page.
Benefits of free websites for small businesses
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Zero cost to start — no upfront fees mean you can test an online presence without financial risk.
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Fast setup — launch a basic site in minutes using templates and guided builders.
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No technical skills required — drag-and-drop editors and simple forms let non-technical owners publish content.
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Good for validation and experiments — try a new service offering or product before investing in a full site.
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Local discoverability — a Google Business Profile site or social profile helps customers find you quickly.
Key limitations to be aware of
Platform branding and ads
Free sites often include the provider's logo, footer links, or ads. That reduces professionalism and can distract visitors.
Subdomain, not your domain
URL like yourbusiness.platform.com looks less trustworthy. Owning a custom domain (yourbusiness.com) is a strong signal of legitimacy.
Limited SEO and technical controls
Many free plans restrict meta tags, structured data, sitemaps, and robots controls — all critical for search visibility.
Feature and storage limits
You may hit page limits, storage caps, or be unable to add advanced features such as eCommerce, booking systems, or custom scripts.
Ownership & portability concerns
Content may be difficult to export, or URLs change when you upgrade — which can harm SEO if not handled correctly.
Performance limitations
Free tiers may use shared, slower infrastructure that impacts page speed — and slow pages hurt SEO and conversions.
How small businesses can use free websites effectively
Free websites can be useful when used intentionally. Below are practical steps to get real value while avoiding common traps.
- Treat it as temporary, not permanent. Use free plans to validate an offer, capture early leads, or put up a professional contact page quickly.
- Claim your brand assets early. Buy your domain name (often under $20/yr) even if you start on a free plan — point it later or use it with developer-hosted free options like GitHub Pages.
- Maximise the content you control. Write clear service pages, concise contact details, and a strong call-to-action. Good content outranks appearances in many cases.
- Use analytics from day one. Add Google Analytics or a simple tracking snippet (if allowed) to learn where visitors come from and which pages convert.
- Leverage local listings. A Google Business Profile plus a free site can dominate the local results for searches like "plumber near me."
- Avoid platform-only links where possible. If the platform lets you add your phone number, address, and social links in visible locations, do it — don’t rely on hidden menus.
- Plan the upgrade path. Know how you'll move to a paid plan or migrate content when your traffic or needs grow to avoid surprises.
SEO and growth strategies for free websites
Even on free platforms, you can take steps to improve discoverability and prepare for growth. Here’s a practical checklist.
On-page SEO
- Use clear page titles and meta descriptions (if platform allows).
- Include your primary service + location in headings (e.g., "Plumber Sydney").
- Write 300–800 words on service pages explaining problems you solve and the steps you take.
- Add alt text for images (improves image search and accessibility).
Local SEO
- Create/complete your Google Business Profile and link to your free site.
- Add consistent NAP (name, address, phone) across listings and the site.
- Collect reviews — they significantly improve local rankings and click-through rates.
Technical & performance
- Keep images optimised (WebP or compressed JPEGs) to improve load times.
- Minimise external widgets that slow pages (remove unnecessary scripts).
- Use cached pages or static-export options where available (GitHub Pages, Netlify).
Content & growth
- Publish one or two helpful blog posts focused on local queries (FAQ, pricing, service area).
- Share pages on social and local groups to build initial traffic and reviews.
- Use simple lead magnets (PDF, checklist) and capture emails using free form tools or your social inbox.
When and how to upgrade or migrate from a free website
A free site is great to start, but there are clear signals it's time to move to a paid plan or a managed website:
- You need a custom domain and more trust.
- Traffic or conversions are growing and you need better performance.
- You need advanced features: bookings, payments, or CRM integration.
- You want full control of SEO, redirects, and structured data.
- You want professional analytics and conversion tracking.
Migration checklist (practical)
- Buy and verify your custom domain.
- Export content (copy page text, download images). If platform supports XML export — use it.
- Set up 301 redirects for important pages (preserve SEO).
- Recreate page titles, meta descriptions, and header structure on the new site.
- Install analytics and Search Console before launch.
- Test forms, phone links, and payment flows.
- Monitor traffic for 30 days after migration and fix any broken links.
Quick 7-step checklist for using free websites wisely
- Decide if it's temporary or long-term.
- Buy your domain now — point later.
- Publish clear service pages with CTAs.
- Add analytics/tracking if possible.
- Claim local listings and gather reviews.
- Compress images and remove slow widgets.
- Plan your upgrade timeline (3–12 months).
Decision guide: Keep or upgrade?
Keep free plan if: you’re testing, have minimal budget, or need a temporary landing page.
Upgrade if: you want a custom domain, more SEO control, or features that drive sales.
Frequently asked questions
Are free websites bad for SEO?
Can I use a custom domain with a free site?
How do I move my content later?
What’s the fastest way to get a professional upgrade without technical headaches?
Ready to turn a free website into a growth tool?
Start with a free site to test demand, but plan the upgrade path. If you'd prefer professionals to handle migration, domain setup, SEO and updates — explore a managed upgrade that gets you live fast without the technical hassle.
Congero helps small businesses move from free sites to professional, SEO-optimised websites quickly — domain, hosting, and unlimited updates included in our managed subscription.
