How do I improve local SEO on a free site?

Use consistent NAP information, list service areas, add descriptive meta titles, and optimise your Google Business Profile.

When should I upgrade from a free site?

Upgrade when you need a custom domain, faster performance, better SEO, ownership or professional support to scale enquiries.

design free websites - How to build a free website (step-by-step guide)

Q: Is a free website good enough for a business?

Free websites work for testing and basic info pages, but they often limit SEO, branding and integrations needed to get consistent leads.

Q: Can I connect my own domain on a free plan?

Some builders only allow custom domains on paid plans. Check your provider's plan details.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Should you design a free website in 2025?

Free website builders let you launch quickly at zero upfront cost — ideal for testing ideas or getting an online presence fast. This guide shows the best free options, real limitations you’ll face (SEO, branding, speed, ownership), and practical steps to launch a site that brings leads.

Zero upfront cost — great for landing a web presence fast.
Mobile-ready templates — many builders include responsive themes by default.
Limited customisation — most free plans restrict CSS, scripts and integrations.

PLATFORMS

Best free website builders in 2025

Quick comparison of the leading free platforms — ideal for different use cases.

Wix (Free)

Excellent templates and drag-and-drop design. Free sites include Wix ads and a wixsite.com subdomain.

Best for: small portfolios, creatives testing ideas.

WordPress.com (Free)

Powerful blogging features and growth options. Free plan limits themes, plugins and includes WordPress branding.

Best for: bloggers and content-heavy sites.

Google Sites (Free)

Extremely simple, integrates with Google Workspace. Very limited design flexibility and no custom domain on free plan.

Best for: internal pages or basic info sites.

Note: every free plan above typically displays platform branding, limits SEO features, and often locks key integrations (analytics, forms, booking systems).

STEP-BY-STEP

How to design a free website (practical steps)

Follow these steps to launch a usable free website and avoid common beginner mistakes.

01 — Choose the right platform

Match features to your goals: portfolio, bookings or blog.

02 — Pick a clean template

Start with a simple, mobile-first template for faster load times.

03 — Add clear content

Use a concise headline, 3 main services, contact details and one strong CTA.

04 — Publish & test

Test on mobile, measure page speed and add Google Analytics if supported.

Quick checklist before launch

Visible phone number and click-to-call on mobile
Service locations and an address (for local SEO)
One or two genuine customer testimonials or photos
Page titles and meta descriptions with your main keyword + location

LIMITATIONS

Why free websites can hold your business back

Free plans are great for prototypes, but businesses that need leads and growth often outgrow them quickly.

Branded subdomains & ads

Free sites often sit on a subdomain (yoursite.provider.com) and display the builder’s ads — which undermines trust and local credibility.

SEO & analytics limits

Many free plans restrict meta controls, slow page speeds and block advanced analytics — making it hard to rank locally or track leads.

No ownership & export limits

You may not be able to connect a custom domain, export code, or move content easily if you outgrow the platform.

When to upgrade from free to managed

If you want real enquiries, local search visibility, and a website that grows with your business, consider an affordable managed plan that includes hosting, SEO, and unlimited updates.

SEE A PROFESSIONAL DEMO

SEO TIPS

SEO best practices — even on a free plan

Follow these practical SEO steps you can implement on most free platforms to improve discoverability.

Local keywords + pages

Use region-specific keywords (e.g., plumber Sydney CBD) and create a Services page listing suburbs you serve.

Fast images

Compress images, add descriptive ALT text and keep photos under ~300 KB where possible.

Readable headings

One H1 per page, clear H2s, and short paragraphs for better crawlability and reader experience.

Pro tip: even on free plans you can often edit page titles and meta descriptions — prioritise these for your main service page and homepage.

CONGERO ALTERNATIVE

Free vs Congero — when to pay $49/month

Free is fine for testing. Congero is for businesses that need leads and predictable performance without the technical hassle.

Free builders

Platform ads and subdomains
Limited SEO & analytics
No unlimited support or rapid edits

Congero ($49/month)

Custom domain & premium hosting
Local SEO, schema and analytics included
Unlimited updates via text — no technical skills required
Zero lock-in: cancel anytime

SEE HOW CONGERO DIFFERS

Less than $2/day for a fully managed, lead-ready site with ongoing optimisation.

MISTAKES

Top 7 mistakes when designing a free website

Using a platform subdomain — reduces credibility and local SEO impact.
Ignoring page speed — large images and animations kill conversions.
Not adding contact info above the fold — missed leads on mobile.
Generic stock photos — customers want examples of your actual work.
No analytics — you can’t measure what you can’t track.
Overloading the homepage — keep a single clear CTA per page.
Failing to list local service areas — misses “near me” queries.

Need a site that actually gets you customers?

Try Congero’s AI demo — preview a fully-built, SEO-optimised website for your business in under 60 seconds. No credit card required.

START FREE DEMO

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common concerns about free websites and when to upgrade.

Is a free website good enough for a business?

Free sites are okay for testing and simple info pages, but they often limit SEO, branding and integrations needed to get consistent leads.

Can I connect my own domain on a free plan?

Some builders allow domain connection only on paid plans. Check your provider’s policy — this is a common upgrade trigger.

How do I get better local SEO on a free site?

Use clear NAP (name, address, phone), create location pages if possible, add structured data via any available settings, and ensure your Google Business Profile is optimised.

What’s the fastest way to move from free to a professional site?

Export your content (copy text and images), register a custom domain, and either upgrade the current provider or migrate to a managed service like Congero for a hands-off setup with SEO and hosting included.

design free websites

Step-by-step guide to designing a free website that actually works — tools, templates, SEO tips, pitfalls to avoid and when to move to a managed solution.