2025 GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

free website designers

A practical, no-nonsense guide to what “free website designers” really mean — the trade-offs, hidden costs, and smarter alternatives that deliver results fast.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

What "free website designers" actually offer

People use the phrase “free website designer” to mean different things: a free DIY builder, a freelancer offering a free template in exchange for exposure, or an agency offering a free starter site with paid maintenance. This section explains the common models and what they include — and what they usually don’t.

DIY Website Builders

Free templates from Wix, WordPress.com, etc. Fast—but limited branding and SEO.

  • Free starter templates
  • Could show provider ads
  • Limited SEO/analytics

Freelancers & Exchange Deals

Designers who build free sites for portfolio or barter. Quality varies.

  • Potentially custom design
  • No guaranteed maintenance
  • Limited SEO focus

Agency Promotions

Free basic site to win a client, then upsell paid services.

  • Professional polish initially
  • Ongoing costs often required
  • Possible lock-in or migration costs
DECISION CHECKLIST

Pros & cons of using a free website designer

If cost is the only factor, “free” can be tempting. But you’ll trade money for time, control, or performance in many cases. Here’s a clear breakdown.

Potential Benefits

  • Zero upfront cost
  • Useful for very simple one-page sites or MVPs
  • Good for experimenting with ideas
  • Can produce a portfolio-quality site if you find a great freelancer

Common Drawbacks

  • Hidden costs: domain, hosting, SSL, or migration fees
  • No guaranteed ongoing updates — you may be left unsupported
  • Generic templates, slow page speed, poor SEO
  • Possible vendor lock-in or difficulty exporting the site

Quick advice

If you want a purely temporary site to test demand, a free solution might be fine. If you want steady leads, local search visibility, and low ongoing effort, plan for a managed solution that includes hosting, SEO, backups and easy updates.

STEP-BY-STEP

When it makes sense to use a free website designer — and how to do it safely

Follow these five practical steps to reduce risk when you choose a free or low-cost designer.

1

Research & Vet

Check portfolio, reviews, and live sites — not just mockups.

2

Agree Ownership

Get clear terms: who owns domain, hosting, and content after launch.

3

Limit Scope

Start with a one-page MVP to test demand — avoid large builds for “free.”

4

Plan Migration

Ask for exportable files or admin access to avoid lock-in later.

5

Budget Ongoing

Expect hosting, SSL, backups and SEO to cost something — plan for $10–$100+/month depending on needs.

SEE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE

Congero builds mobile-responsive, SEO-ready sites in under 60 seconds for a flat $49/month — domain, hosting, unlimited updates and analytics included.

ALTERNATIVE

Why Congero beats "free" for growing trades & service businesses

If you want a website that generates leads, ranks locally and doesn’t require constant firefighting, Congero gives predictable value for one low monthly fee.

Live in 60 seconds

Start with a free demo and get a fully built, mobile-responsive website via WhatsApp or the web — in under a minute.

Unlimited updates

Text any change and our AI updates your site within minutes at no extra cost — truly unlimited edits for a flat monthly price.

Local SEO & analytics

Built-in local SEO, schema markup, and monthly analytics help you get found and measure what matters.

All-inclusive $49/month — no lock-in

Domain, hosting, SSL, performance monitoring and support — everything a trades or service business needs to be credible online for less than $2/day.

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Cost & risk comparison — free designers vs Congero

A realistic view of what you pay for and what you get.

Free Designer (Typical)

Upfront cost: $0

  • Hosting often extra
  • No guaranteed SEO
  • Limited support

Congero

Flat monthly: $49

  • Domain + hosting + SSL included
  • Unlimited text-in updates
  • Local SEO and analytics

If things go wrong

Free options can become costly to fix

  • Migration fees
  • SEO recovery time
  • Unexpected professional costs

Most small business owners find predictable monthly pricing with included maintenance and SEO delivers better long-term ROI than a “free” but fragile website.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about free website designers

Short, practical answers to the questions we hear most from tradies and service businesses.

Often not. Many free offers exclude domain, hosting, SSL, or maintenance. You may also trade ownership or pay for migration later.

Yes — sometimes. But quality varies widely. Vet portfolios, check live examples, and get clear terms about ownership and support before you proceed.

Congero’s AI-driven approach builds a mobile-responsive, SEO-optimised website in under 60 seconds and includes domain, hosting and unlimited updates for $49/month — a predictable, low-risk option.

Insist on admin access, a written agreement about ownership, and a plan for exports or backups. Budget for hosting and SSL even if the build is free.

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Real results, not just promises

Small businesses using Congero report measurable increases in enquiries and local visibility within weeks. The difference is predictable upkeep, focused local SEO, and instant edits via text.

  • 60-second site preview
  • Unlimited updates by text
  • Monthly analytics and growth insights
Business owner updating website via text

Skip the uncertainty — get a professional site now

Start with a free demo — see your website in under 60 seconds and decide. No credit card, no obligation.

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