Yes. There are over 20 website builders that I have tried and tested. They offer free websites as long as you don’t leave them unused.
It is possible to have a free website with website builders like Google Sites, Wix, and WordPress. In fact, you can even have multiple websites with these platforms at no cost.
Quick Take
Which website builder is free and which one can I try right away?
Here are 20 free website builders. You can join one or more and start creating your own website today.
Each of these free website builders has its advantages and disadvantages.
However, let’s discuss the common advantages and disadvantages and see which one is right for you.
Advantages
Here are some advantages using of free website builders
- They come at zero cost
- You don’t need to hire a professional. This gives you room to deliver your website faster and at your own pace
- You can showcase your website to the world as you so wish
- The platforms provide knowledgebase articles and tutorials
- Build your online presence as soon as possible
- Design themes are free, easy to use, and modify
- Your free website comes with free hosting
- Website builders automatically take care of security
- Check your website stats with on-site analytics
- Run complex tasks without coding
- A free website builder like Square Online provides online store features such as automatic sync with Square POS, SSL security, local delivery, inventory management, sales coupons Apple Pay integration, Local delivery, Instagram integration, in-store pick-up, in-house delivery, on-demand delivery, and much more
- A free website builder like Webflow provides CMS features
- Connect your custom domain name to Google Sites
Disadvantages
Here are some disadvantages of using free website builders
- Building a website for the first time may be inundating so you may face some challenges
- Be aware you do not own the site if you decide to leave
- You can only use the templates available on the website builder
- Free website builders are not so good for SEO
- Free website builders include advertisements to your websites
- You may not be able to migrate your website
- Prices may rack up quickly upgrading your plans and adding new features
- You may be limited with the number of pages you can add to your site
- You may end up with an unprofessional-looking domain name
- Free website builders limit your bandwidth allocation
- Features may be limited such as blogging, eCommerce, and payment
- You may not have access to customer service
Recommendations
What are the best free website builders?
1. Google Sites
Google Sites is a completely free site as they do not offer any paid plans. The Google free website builder is suitable for anyone who wants to create a static informational website. I recommend Google Sites to almost anyone who wants to try out their first website builder. Because they most likely have used other Google products, the environment is less intimidating which reduces the learning curve.
Google Sites is intuitive and easy to use. More so, you can connect your custom domain for free and connect other Google products such as Google Calendar, Google Slides, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Forms seamlessly.
The major drawback with Google Sites is the lack of some important features like blogging and eCommerce. In addition, they don’t come with attractive themes like other free website builders.
2. Square Online
Square Online is an excellent free website builder suitable for small business owners. With Square Online, you can create a free online store without compromising important eCommerce features critical to your business. It is simple, easy to use, and user-friendly. You even get customer support on a free plan.
With Square Online you enjoy features such as automatic sync with Square POS, in-house and on-demand delivery, Curbside and in-store pickup, Instagram integration, Local delivery, Accept Square gift cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Sales coupons, Inventory management, SEO tools, and SSL security.
If you want to get your business online with a free website builder, Square Online is your best option. The only compromise you have to deal with is the small advertisement on your page. The advertisement on your free website is small price to pay for the benefits Square Online provides.
3. Ucraft
Ucraft is a unique website builder because you can connect your Ucraft website to a custom domain. The platform offers a lot of freebies and their themes repository seems to be fresh and attractive. Additionally, your free website builder comes with SSL security.
The minor drawback with Ucraft is that you are limited to 15 pages on the free plan, you have limited SEO access and your website carries a big sticky advertisement.
4. Webflow
Webflow offers high-level customization features for your website. You can create, design, and build your website from the scratch. Webflow is recommended for design professionals and developers with some design skills.
The Webflow website builder comes with a content management system feature that allows you to create new pages. As a beginner, the drawback here is the learning curve. Another drawback is the small advertisement displayed on free websites.
5. Site123
The Site123 free website builder is easy to use and user-friendly. They come with modern templates you can use to make your website attractive. The free websites are responsive, come with free SSL security. In addition, Site123 free websites are SEO-friendly.
Site123 free website builder has two major limitations. The free websites have sticky advertisements and the subdomain is a random combination of strings and numbers which is hard to share and remember.
6. Wix
When it comes to website builders, Wix is an industry heavyweight. Wix provides a huge library of templates you can use to give your website a refreshing look. You can create as many pages as you want.
Wix has over 200M users in 190 countries. However, Wix is really not recommended when it comes to using the platform for free due to the limitations on free accounts.
Sticky advertisement can be quite annoying if you’re using a free plan. Another limitation is the 500MB bandwidth limit. This means your monthly traffic will be limited.
7. Jimdo
Jimdo is a fast, simple, and easy-to-use website builder with no technical experience required. The platform provides all-in-one business solutions. The paid plans are affordable if you decide to upgrade in the future.
Jimdo free websites cannot have more than 5 pages. Besides this limitation, Jimdo is a good free website builder you should consider.
8. Strikingly
Strikingly helps you create a free one-page website that’s mobile-friendly, easy to use and user-friendly. The platform prides itself to help you get started with your website “within minutes”. They have a good repository of modern-looking templates to help create a “strikingly” attractive website.
Strikingly provides a free one-page website that displays a large advertisement at the top. You can create unlimited free sites but creating multiple pages requires a paid plan.
9. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is the biggest domain registrar on the internet. They offer other services such as hosting and website builders. The GoDaddy website builder (Godaddy Websites + Marketing) helps you create free modern websites that are responsive and equipped with marketing tools.
GoDaddy free website builder displays a sticky advertisement at the top which can be annoying. More so, you cannot use a custom domain or make sales with the online store feature.
10. WordPress
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system that allows you to extend your software with plugins. You can use the free WordPress website builder to create a free website or blog that’s got the features of the world’s most popular content management system.
The shortcoming here is that the free WordPress website displays too many ads on your website.
FAQs
Is it possible to have a free website?
Yes. It is possible to have a free website with website builders like Google Sites, Wix, and WordPress. In fact, you can even have multiple websites with these platforms at no cost.
Since the beginning of the internet era, things that are impossible have become lesser and lesser. I have some friends who had small businesses. They started with multiple websites using free website builders. As they got more comfortable using those platforms, they decided to either upgrade or quit using website builders. Most website builder platforms does not use X-day free-trial model.
You can start, create, build and maintain your own website for free at zero cost. Once your website is beginning to take off you can decide to upgrade or switch platform. The only caveat with free website builders is the limitation that comes with it.
Many website builders provide free service to newbies with the hope they grow and upgrade to paid service. Now that you know it’s possible to have a free website, let me show you the advantages and drawbacks of website builders in detail.
Is website builder free?
Yes. You can get a decent website using website builder free plans. As you grow your website, you can decide to upgrade your plans to boost your website with paid features.
Most website builders offer beginners the opportunity to try their products. You can create your website and design it as you want for free. This is a marketing strategy to draw you in to try their product. Obviously, if you find it valuable to you, your brand, or your business, it becomes easier for you to pay so as to get full access and improve on what you have going on.
Can a website builder that fits into your needs save you stress and resources? The best way to find out is to start with a free website builder. Let’s find out the pros and cons of website builders and see the best ones you should try out.
Conclusion
Oftentimes many people ask me, “are there free website builders?”
Yes. There are over 20 free website builders I have tried and tested. They all have their advantages and shortcomings. My top free website builders are Google Sites, Square Online, Ucraft, Webflow, and Wix. Join any of them and start building your websites today.