Yes — you can publish a functional website without spending money. Several reputable platforms offer free plans (Wix, WordPress.com, Google Sites, GitHub Pages). But "free" usually means trade-offs: adverts, platform subdomains (yourname.provider.com), limited storage, restricted SEO tools, and fewer professional features.
This guide explains free options step-by-step, shows what you should expect in 2025, shares local SEO tips for Australian businesses, and explains when a low-cost, managed solution like Congero (all-in at $49/month with unlimited edits and local SEO) becomes better value.
Fast comparison of pros and cons so you pick the right path for your goals.
Very easy to use with drag-and-drop editors and templates. Free plans include ads and a platform subdomain.
WordPress.com has free hosted plans; self-hosted WordPress can be free software but hosting costs apply. Most flexible long-term but steeper learning curve.
Free hosting for static sites. Great for small brochure sites with developer knowledge. No server-side features.
Free options work well for hobby projects, portfolios or testing ideas. For service businesses in Australia that need local leads, booking, or credibility, investing in a custom domain and reliable hosting (or a managed service) usually pays for itself in bookings.
Follow these practical steps depending on how hands-on you want to be.
Time: 30–120 minutes. Best for simple portfolios or test pages.
Time: 1–4 hours (depends on technical skill). Best for those with dev experience.
Time: 2–8+ hours. Best for businesses planning to scale and add features.
Not strictly free forever, but you can get a complete live website preview instantly — no card required. Congero builds a mobile-optimised, SEO-ready website in under 60 seconds using simple text messages. If you like it, full managed service is $49/month (domain, hosting, unlimited updates, local SEO included).
TRY THE FREE DEMOFree sites can rank locally if you follow core on-page and local SEO basics. Here’s what to focus on first.
Use the same Name, Address, Phone across your site and Google Business Profile. Inconsistent details confuse search engines and customers.
Create short service pages listing suburbs you serve (e.g. "Plumber Melbourne CBD", "Electrical services Glen Waverley") — this helps "near me" searches.
Claim and fully populate your GBP profile — photos, opening hours, services and regular posts. This often delivers the fastest local visibility.
Speed matters. Free plans can be slow due to shared servers. A fast mobile site improves rankings and conversions.
Ask suppliers, local partners or community groups to link to your site — high-quality local backlinks boost authority for region-specific searches.
If your platform allows it, add structured data for LocalBusiness and service listings. Congero includes schema automatically for managed sites.
Our AI builds sites with local SEO baked in. Try a free demo and see a live, optimised website in 60 seconds.
SEE A LOCAL-SEO SITEFree websites save cash short-term but can create hidden costs that slow business growth.
If you rely on online leads, accept bookings, or want a polished local presence in Australia, the small investment in a managed website (starting at $49/month) usually recoups itself quickly through more calls and bookings.
Short solutions to common problems so you can stay productive.
You’ll usually need to upgrade to a paid plan on the platform. Alternatively, move content to a low-cost managed site and keep your brand ad-free.
Many free plans block SEO controls. Use the platform’s paid plan or switch to a host that gives you full control — or try Congero’s demo to see SEO-ready meta tags created automatically.
Compress images, remove heavy widgets, and check whether the platform throttles free hosting. If speed remains an issue, consider switching to a performance-focused managed service.
Answers for Australians wondering how to get started for free and when to upgrade.
Try a live, optimised website preview in under 60 seconds. No credit card required — see exactly what a professional site looks like before deciding.
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