Social media presence can only get you so far. You might have a ton of engagement on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, but if you don’t have a website where potential customers can learn more about you and engage with your brand, you’re missing out on converting leads into paying customers.
You might be worried about the cost of building a website. But we can recommend some of the best free website builders to help get you going.
Here, we’ll give you a rundown of the best free website builders available. We’ll discuss their features and selling points, the best free website builder for beginners, and how to build a website for free.
Why Should You Choose Free Website Builders?
Free website builders make developing your own space on the internet accessible to everyone. Regardless of your budget, skills, or technical know-how, they can help you establish your online brand and presence without needing professional help.
Advantages of Free Website Builders
While you won’t have access to premium features, budget website builders still come with some of the basics for creating a website. They make building a professional-looking website user-friendly and accessible to everyone.
Ease of Use
Service providers design these website builders with beginners in mind. The tools are packed with easy-to-use features like drag-and-drop editors, free templates, and user-friendly interfaces to help you build your website without the need for coding and design expertise.
Cost-free Entry
Thanks to these tools, you can get your own website up and running at zero cost. Several free website builders also offer complimentary domain and subdomain hosting. Since they don’t require long-term commitments, free website builders are great for testing out new ideas or running small-scale projects.
Quick Setup
You can get your professional-looking website off the ground in minutes with the help of a user-friendly website builder. They offer a streamlined process for sign-up, template creation, and website publishing.
Customization Options
Most free website plans are limited and won’t offer premium features like custom domain names. Still, they have enough customization options to tailor a website to your needs. They come with personalization features like layouts, content options, and can integrate vital functions like Google Search Console and social media links.
Scalability to Premium Plans
Free website builders can kickstart your website-building journey. They can establish your online presence and provide an avenue for your customers to interact with you and discover your products and services. If your basic website succeeds, free website builders offer upgrade options to access advanced features that support your future growth. For instance, premium plans can offer increased bandwidth which improves the website’s capacity to handle high-traffic density. Also, a premium plan will remove intrusive on-site ads, making your website look more professional.
Comparing the 5 Best Free Website Builders in 2025
Picking a website builder that aligns with your goals and needed features can provide huge savings. Below, we’ll thoroughly discuss the five most feature-complete free website builders, outline what tools they provide, describe their advantages, and help you decide which can get you started on building your online empire.
Website Builders | Upgrade Price | Number of Free Templates | Storage on Free Plan | On-site Ads on Free Plan |
Yola | Starts at $11.95/month | 85 | 1 GB of bandwidth and storage | No |
Wix | Starts at $17/month | 900 | 1GB of bandwidth and 500MB of storage | Yes |
Weebly | Starts at $13/month or $10/month if paid annually | 50 | Unlimited bandwidth and 500MB of storage | Yes |
Google Sites | No upgrade options available | 14 | Unlimited bandwidth 15 GB of storage on a free Google Plan | No |
WordPress.com | Starts at $4/month | 100 | Unlimited bandwidth and 1GB of storage | Yes |
Yola
Yola is a powerful website builder that can build you a simple and efficient free website. It offers a clean, no-frills approach to website building, making it a solid choice even if you don’t have coding skills.
- Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor with an intuitive interface.
- A variety of free templates with responsive designs.
- Built-in SEO features for meta tags and descriptions.
- Free subdomain option for basic sites.
- Ability to create multilingual websites.
- Integrated tools for online stores with Yola Commerce.
- Pros:
- Very beginner-friendly with a clear and uncluttered interface.
- Easy multilingual website creation.
- Reliable customer support, even on the free plan.
- Cons:
- Limited template library.
- The free plan only has a 1GB bandwidth cap.
- Lacks advanced features such as blogging tools.
- Most eCommerce features are locked behind a premium upgrade.
- Ease of use:
- The platform is designed to get you online quickly, even if you’re unfamiliar with website creation tools.
- Best suited for
- Personal blogs or small businesses that don’t need an extensive online presence.
- People looking to build a clean website for free.
- Beginners who value simplicity over a feature-rich website builder.
Wix
Wix is a highly versatile website builder that combines ease of use with robust customization options. It also includes AI tools to help simplify website launches.
- Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customization.
- Over 800 professionally designed templates.
- Built-in SEO tools for meta descriptions and keyword optimization.
- Free subdomain.
- Access to apps for additional functionality.
- Pros:
- Highly intuitive and beginner-friendly.
- Extensive template library for various industries.
- Mobile-optimized designs.
- Free SSL certificate for secure connections.
- Cons:
- The free plan includes Wix branding on your site.
- Limited storage and bandwidth (500MB each).
- You can’t edit the template selection after applying.
- Ease of Use:
- It is simple enough for complete beginners, with helpful tooltips and guides.
- Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) can create a website for you in minutes.
- Best Suited For:
- Small businesses, portfolios, and personal blogs.
- Users that desire a visually appealing and professional site without technical know-how.
Weebly
Weebly is a reliable website builder known for its straightforward interface and strong online store functionality.
- Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor with responsive design templates.
- Built-in eCommerce features.
- SEO tools that support meta titles and descriptions.
- Free subdomain.
- Access to third-party integrations via the Weebly App Center.
- Pros:
- Easy to use, even for non-technical users.
- Robust eCommerce tools on the free plan.
- Mobile-responsive designs.
- Affordable paid plans for scaling.
- No access to own custom domain.
- Cons:
- Limited template variety compared to competitors.
- Ads displayed on free plan sites.
- Customization options are less flexible.
- Lacks custom domain features.
- Ease of Use:
- Extremely user-friendly with a straightforward interface.
- Ideal for beginners and those focused on eCommerce.
- Best Suited For:
- Small online stores, personal portfolios, and informational websites.
Google Sites
Google Sites is a simple, no-cost website builder that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace. It emphasizes ease of use and streamlined functionality.
- Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor for no-frills website building.
- Integration with Google Workspace tools like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- Mobile-friendly designs with auto-scaling for different devices.
- Free hosting with no storage or bandwidth limitations.
- Real-time collaboration with multiple contributors.
- Easy embedding of YouTube videos, calendars, and forms.
- Simple URL customization with custom domain support.
- Pros:
- Completely free with access to complete feature package.
- Seamlessly integrates with other Google tools for productivity and content sharing.
- User-friendly interface with no coding required.
- Automatic mobile optimization for a consistent user experience.
- Completely ad-free.
- Excellent for teams needing collaborative web creation.
- Cons:
- Limited template and design customization.
- No advanced features like online stores, blogging, or third-party app integrations.
- Best for basic websites that don’t require premium integrations.
- Custom domains require external purchase and setup.
- Ease of Use:
- Designed for users with little to no technical expertise.
- Integration with Google Workspace means you can easily add documents, calendars, and videos with a few clicks.
- Best Suited For:
- Small businesses or teams needing a quick, collaborative website.
- Students, educators, or non-profits looking for an easy way to share information.
- Personal projects, portfolios, or internal company resources.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com provides a blogging-focused platform with extensive customization and scalability options.
- Features:
- Free subdomain.
- Hundreds of templates for various industries.
- Built-in SEO features like meta tags and analytics.
- Free storage up to 3GB.
- Optional plugins and integrations after upgrading.
- Pros:
- Excellent for blogging and content management.
- Scalable for future needs with affordable paid plans.
- Strong community support and tutorials.
- Cons:
- Free plan includes WordPress ads.
- Customization is limited compared to WordPress.org.
- Steeper learning curve for beginners.
- Ease of Use:
- Takes time to learn, but blogging tools are intuitive once mastered.
- Great for users willing to invest time in learning.
- Best Suited For:
- Bloggers, writers, and content-heavy websites.
Who Should Consider Free Website Builders?
Despite having no entry barriers, free website builders are versatile and can cater to a wide array of needs. Below are some of the best use cases that highlight the adaptability and usefulness of these free tools.
Personal Blogs
Purpose: A platform to share thoughts, hobbies, or expertise with your audience.
Why free website builders work:
- They feature ready-to-use blog templates with quick and easy setup.
- The free tools include built-in features required for blogging, like comment sections, post scheduling, and category organization.
- Perfect for new users planning to start blogging without needing heavy investment.
Online Portfolios
Purpose: An online platform to share your skills, work, and creative projects with potential employers.
Why free website builders work:
- Most free site builder tools come pre-packaged with visual templates for adding media files.
- They have user-friendly organizational tools for image carousels and portfolio showcases.
- Includes quick update and upload options to make sharing accomplishments and new content easy.
Community Websites
Purpose: Building a space for community building, resource sharing, and event planning for like-minded users.
Why free website builders work:
- Their low entry barrier makes them perfect for groups with minimal budgets.
- They include built-in support for community features like forums, event calendars, and contact sheets.
- It requires simple maintenance to make it accessible to most users.
Small Businesses
Purpose: Establish an online presence to attract potential customers.
Why free website builders work:
- Perfect for testing business ideas without any upfront costs.
- Access basic online business features such as contact forms, product showcases, and appointment scheduling.
- It provides access to customer segmentation features without premium prices, like behavior data and customer interest checks.
Personal Landing Pages
Purpose: Create a website that acts like a business card, informing prospective customers about your brand.
Why free website builders work:
- Provides quick setup with minimal setup while producing a professional website.
- It comes equipped with crucial networking integrations such as resume uploads, social media links, and content sharing.
- Free website builders can produce a website that requires minimal maintenance while providing maximum uptime.
Can a Free Plan Build a Competent Website?
Yes, creating a website for free is entirely feasible, especially if you’re starting or working with a tight budget. Free website builders like Wix, WordPress.com, and Weebly offer intuitive tools that make designing and launching a website accessible to anyone. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Basic functionality: Free plans typically cover essentials like hosting, a subdomain, and pre-designed templates. You can get by on the available functions for less demanding websites like personal blogs, small business sites, or online portfolios.
- Limitations: Free plans often include ads, limited storage and bandwidth, and restrictions on advanced features like custom domains or eCommerce tools.
- Professionalism: The website builder’s branding might make your site look less professional, which can impact business credibility.
While free plans are great for getting started or testing ideas, upgrading to a paid plan eventually becomes an attractive option for accessing additional customization, scalability, and branding needs. A small investment can significantly enhance your website’s quality and capabilities if you’re serious about building a professional online presence.
5 Misconceptions About Free Website Builders
Just because a tool is free doesn’t mean it is “cheap” or low-quality. Some small business owners who plan to establish an online presence may avoid free site builders due to misconceptions they encounter online.
But these are just misunderstandings of what free website builders provide. Instead, they’re actually fully functional tools that can produce a professional website. Ignoring these free tools can potentially lose you a budget-option for building your online presence. So, here are five common misunderstandings about free website builders and why they’re wrong.
They’re Only for Personal use
Some believe a free website builder is only suitable for a personal website or blog. But the fact is, it’s a perfectly viable tool for building a website for small businesses. Some platforms even include features like eCommerce integrations and marketing tools.
Free Means Low-quality
Most think free tools come with a catch or won’t build you a professional-looking website. While most free plans have limitations, they still include basic features to help you create a functioning website. Actually, some platforms even include accessibility options like drag-and-drop editing.
You Can’t Upgrade
Another common misconception is that free website-building software locks you into a free plan for life. Instead, most providers offer upgrade options for when you need to access premium features.
They’re Not Secure
People commonly cite security concerns as their primary reason for avoiding free site builder tools. However, almost every free website builder implements standard security protocols, including SSL (secure sockets layer) certificates. These make websites built from them capable of encrypting your and your customer’s data, making it difficult for hackers to access sensitive information on your website.
No SEO Potential
Most free plans don’t have advanced SEO tools. However, they include main SEO features like metadata customization and mobile-friendly website templates to help your website rank reasonably on most search engines.
Common Limitations of Free Website Builders
While free website builders are a fantastic starting point, they come with limitations that you should note. Understanding these constraints can help you decide if a free plan meets your needs or if upgrading to a premium plan is worth your money.
- Limited storage and bandwidth
- Free plans often come with restrictions on storage and bandwidth.
- Limited storage constrains the number of media you can upload to your website, and you might have to delete old content to make additional space in the long run.
- Subdomain instead of a custom domain
- Most free website builders provide a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.builder.com) instead of a custom domain.
- Lacking a custom domain makes you look less professional and less memorable and can damage your brand identity.
- Ads on your website
- Free plans typically include advertisements for the website builder platform.
- Ads disrupt the user experience and detract from your site’s professionalism.
- It might prompt potential customers to leave your website if they encounter disruptive ads.
- Limited customization options
- Design flexibility is often restricted. Free plans allow access to fewer templates or customization tools.
- Free website builder providers lock advanced features like custom CSS or JavaScript behind a premium subscription.
- No ownership of data
- With free plans, you don’t fully own your website’s data or content.
- Many free builders don’t allow easy migration, making it difficult to export content.
- Basic or limited support
- Customer support is often minimal, with free users relying on community forums or self-help guides.
- Only paid plans include priority or 24/7 customer service.
- Lower Search Engine Visibility
- While free builders offer basic SEO tools, their limitations can impact your website’s search engine rankings.
Website Builders With Free Trials That Include Premium Features
If you’re still unconvinced about free website builders, you can opt to try website builder platforms with free trials.
Sites like Squarespace, GoDaddy, and Web.com offer free trials that include the full functionality of a paid subscription. On your free trial, you get the full experience, having access to premium integrations, a structured customer support system, and robust or unlimited bandwidth and storage.
Some even come with powerful AI integrations. Our partners at Web.com empower customers to build their dream site, no coding skills required, through their AI Website Builder. Thanks to these AI tools, users can create a professional and SEO-optimized website in no time.
Start building your online presence today with the Web.com free trial. With the help of Web.com, you can bring your ideal website to life!
Free Website Builders Can get you Started on Launching Your Online Presence
Free website builders offer a versatile and straightforward path to creating a website. They provide easy-to-use tools, include essential SEO components, and offer reliable data protection. They also provide a worry-free and easy-to-fix method of testing new website features without fear of permanent data loss or losing access to your website.
Add to that, if you want to scale your website for larger projects like eCommerce platforms, they provide options to upgrade to a premium plan with more robust features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only select free website builder tools that come with built-in eCommerce integrations.
Yes, they can come with SSL certificates which encrypt your data against potential security breaches.
Yes, most free website builders offer upgrade options when you want to scale-up your website.
Yes, free site builders can optimize your website for mobile devices.