How to make your own free website — step-by-step guide for beginners

Q: Can I use my own domain for free?

Some platforms allow custom domains free (GitHub Pages, Netlify), but many builders require a paid plan. Domain registration still has a cost.

Q: Will Google penalise free or AI-assisted websites?

No — search engines reward helpful, original content regardless of the tool used to create it. Follow SEO best practices.

Q: How much does a custom domain cost?

Domains typically cost around AU$10–20/year depending on the TLD and registrar.

Q: Is it better to start free and upgrade later?

Starting free is fine for testing. Move to paid or managed solutions when you need better branding, performance or integrations.

AT A GLANCE

Can you make a website for free in 2025?

Yes — you can publish a website with no hosting bill using platforms like Google Sites, GitHub Pages, WordPress.com (free tier), Carrd, or Blogger. Free sites usually include branding/ads, limited features, and a non-custom domain (example.platform.com). This guide shows practical options, step-by-step instructions and the trade-offs so you choose the best approach for your goals.

FREE OPTIONS

Top free website builders & platforms — what they're best for

Short summary of popular free options and the situations where each is the right choice.

Google Sites

Fast, reliable and great for simple informational pages. No ads and easy G Suite integration.

Very simple editor
Free hosting and no forced ads
Limited design flexibility

GitHub Pages

Best for developers or anyone willing to use static site generators (Jekyll, Hugo) — fully free hosting on a custom domain.

Free custom domain support
Fast static sites with no ads
Requires git/command-line knowledge or a GUI tool

Carrd / Wix / WordPress.com (Free)

Drag-and-drop builders let you visually assemble a site quickly. Free tiers usually show platform branding and a subdomain.

User-friendly editors
Templates for portfolios, landing pages
Feature limits, platform branding, upgrade prompts

Blogger

Google-owned blogging platform — easy to publish posts and pages, free hosting and a blog-focused toolset.

Ideal for simple blogs
Free and low maintenance
Design and plugin limitations

Netlify / Vercel (Static)

Free hosting with continuous deployment from Git. Perfect for Jamstack sites and custom static builds.

Free SSL, fast CDN
Developer-friendly workflows
Requires build tooling and git knowledge

When to avoid free

If you need brand control, advanced SEO, booking/payments or professional support, free plans can hold you back.

Platform ads and subdomain
No guaranteed performance or uptime SLA
Limited or no analytics and integrations

STEP-BY-STEP

How to make your own free website — 6 practical steps

Follow this concise process whether you're building a one-page portfolio or a small business site.

Step 1 — Choose your platform

Pick based on technical skill and goals: Google Sites or Carrd for absolute simplicity; GitHub Pages / Netlify for full control; WordPress.com for content-heavy sites.

Step 2 — Plan your pages

Decide on core pages (Home, About, Services, Contact) and the primary action you want visitors to take (call, message, book).

Step 3 — Create content & assets

Write short, clear headlines, a 2–3 line service description, contact details and 3–6 high-quality images. Use compressed images with descriptive alt text for SEO.

Step 4 — Build the site

Use templates and replace placeholder content. On GitHub Pages or Netlify deploy via git or upload your static files. Preview on mobile before publishing.

Step 5 — Optimize SEO basics

Set an SEO-friendly title (under 60 chars), meta description (under 155 chars), add structured data where possible, and ensure your NAP (name, address, phone) is consistent across the site and Google Business Profile.

Step 6 — Publish & measure

Publish your site and connect a free analytics tool (Google Analytics / GA4 or a privacy-first alternative). Track visits and the pages that drive contacts so you can iterate.

TRY A FASTER, MANAGED OPTION

Prefer hands-free setup? Congero builds and manages sites instantly for $49/month with unlimited updates and local SEO included.

SEO CHECKLIST

Essential SEO tips for a free website

Even free sites can rank well if you follow these practical steps.

On-page Basics

Include primary keyword + location in title tag
Use clear H1/H2 headings and short paragraphs
Write meta descriptions to improve CTR

Technical & Performance

Enable HTTPS (free on most platforms)
Compress and lazy-load images
Use semantic HTML and fast hosting/CDN

Local & Content

Consistent NAP and Google Business Profile
Create one clear CTA per page
Publish useful content that answers customer questions

Need done-for-you SEO & updates?

Congero includes local SEO, monthly analytics and unlimited edits for a flat $49/month — ideal for trades and local services who want results without the learning curve.

SEE THE 60‑SECOND DEMO

UPGRADE CHECK

When a paid, managed site is the smarter choice

Free sites are great for quick starts, but many businesses need reliability, brand control, ongoing SEO and fast edits. If that sounds like you, a managed service can save time and convert better.

Fast launch & ongoing updates: Congero can create a full, SEO-optimised website via WhatsApp in under 60 seconds and make unlimited edits via text.
All-inclusive pricing: Domain, hosting, SSL and monthly analytics for $49/month — no surprise bills.
Local SEO handled: Auto-generated meta tags, schema and on-page signals for “near me” searches.
No lock-in: Cancel anytime and export your content if you leave.

SEE HOW CONGERO WORKS

TROUBLESHOOTING

Common issues when building a free site (and fixes)

Your site looks unprofessional

Fix: Pick a clean template, use 2–3 brand colours, readable fonts and remove cluttered sections. Replace low-quality stock photos with 3-6 high-res images of your work.

No traffic after publishing

Fix: Submit sitemap to Google Search Console, add your site to your Google Business Profile, target long-tail local keywords and create one useful article or FAQ page to attract search traffic.

Can't use a custom domain

Fix: Most free tiers restrict custom domains. Upgrade the plan or use platforms like GitHub Pages/Netlify which support custom domains free of charge.

GET HELP OR TRY A MANAGED SITE

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to common concerns about free websites.

Can I use my own domain for free?

Many free builders reserve custom domains for paid plans, but GitHub Pages, Netlify and Vercel allow you to add your own domain without a hosting cost (you still pay for domain registration).

Will Google penalise free or AI-assisted websites?

No — Google evaluates content quality and relevance. Free platforms or AI-assisted content are fine if the content is helpful and original. Follow SEO best practices and avoid thin or duplicated content.

How much does a custom domain cost?

Domain prices in 2025 typically start around AU$10–20/year for common TLDs. Some managed services include a free domain for the first year.

Is it better to start free and upgrade later?

Yes — starting free helps you test ideas. But if your business needs lead generation, bookings or consistent local SEO performance, consider upgrading or switching to a managed option to avoid migration headaches.

Prefer someone to handle it for you?

If you want a professional, mobile-optimised website with local SEO and unlimited updates — all managed for a flat AU$49/month — Congero builds and maintains your site instantly. Start with a free demo and see a live preview in under 60 seconds.

TRY THE 60-SECOND DEMO

how to make own free website

Practical, step-by-step options to launch a no-cost site in 2025 — plus SEO tips, publishing checklists and when a managed option like Congero makes sense.