A website is essential for small businesses; that’s it. With a website, a small business can expand online, attract new customers, and raise brand awareness. We understand that, despite all the advantages, building a website might seem overwhelming for a small business. Concerns about costs may arise, particularly in the beginning.
So, is it possible to create a website for free? Well, the answer is yes. To guide you in getting started with website creation, we have included a list of several free website builders, along with information about their features and restrictions. Let’s dive in.
Top Choices of Free Website Builder in 2024
There are many free website builder available online, but you might feel overwhelmed by their features and limitations. So we lay down some of the best options, like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress, that might fit your needs.
1. Wix: Best for Local Businesses
Wix is notable for its vast template library and highly customisable drag-and-drop editor. It is a great option for local businesses trying to build an online presence because it provides important features like email marketing, web hosting, and SEO tools.
If you go with Wix or the free account, there are a number of limitations. Your domain name will first be assigned with the word “wixsite” behind it. Ads will also be present on your website. Moreover, the Wix favicon takes the place of your logo next to the URL. Fortunately, it provides a good amount of storage, with 500 MB of bandwidth and 500 MB of storage.
Forbes suggests that Wix can be a good option to build an online presence for your brick-and-mortar business, like an accounting firm, financial planning firm, small law business, or other service.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop editor.
- Extensive template library catering to various industries.
- Built-in features for easy website creation.
Cons:
- The free plan displays Wix ads on the website.
- Limited storage and bandwidth on the free plan.
2. Weebly: Best for Free Online Stores
Weebly’s free website builder comes equipped with robust e-commerce features for selling tangible goods. These features include an online store, an infinite number of items, item badges and options, inventory management, coupons, and Square gift cards. SEO features and lead capture are included in the drag-and-drop builder, and you can upgrade to use Weebly Promote for social media and email marketing.
Weebly is a well-known and established platform, particularly for those looking to create e-commerce websites. So you don’t need to worry when you decide to make a free online store website.
Pros:
- Powerful e-commerce tools, including inventory management and coupon codes.
- Seamless integration with Square for payment processing.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for easy website creation.
Cons:
- The free plan displays Weebly ads on the website.
- Limited customisation options compared to some competitors.
3. Mailchimp: Best for Solopreneurs and Micro Businesses
Mailchimp’s free website builder features a drag-and-drop editor. This is a feature that you may want to look for in website builder, particularly if there is no technical or coding background on your small business team.
In addition to having access to pre-made colour schemes and free themes, you can design your own colour scheme to fit your brand. Mailchimp itself is primarily known as an email marketing tool. Because of this, you can enjoy the same user experience (UX) as its email management service, which is simple and straightforward.
Although Mailchimp has free website builders, they don’t offer a free domain. While designing a website is actually simple, starting a website requires more steps, like buying a hosting and domain. You can check out our article about how to start a website for small businesses to learn more about what a domain is and why it’s important for creating your first website.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Mailchimp’s email marketing tools.
- Appointment scheduling and e-commerce capabilities are included in the free plan.
- Simple drag-and-drop editor for quick website creation.
Cons:
- No domain is included in the free plan, requiring additional purchases.
- Limited design customisation compared to other platforms.
4. WordPress: Best for Developers and Bloggers
WordPress is one of the choices where you can start your website totally for free. They offer a free domain and hosting with “yoursite.wordpress.com. Other than that, they have drag-and-drop free website builders with dozens of themes
All free versions, of course, have restrictions, such as having advertisements on your free website. Additionally, you will require a bit of budget to upgrade to a paid plan if you need an e-commerce feature for selling physical goods. Thankfully, the cost of upgrading can be as low as $5 USD per month ($7 AUD) for personal use. After upgrading, your website will be ad-free and collect payments from visitors.
Pros:
- Highly customisable platform with access to thousands of themes and plugins.
- Suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
- Strong community support and extensive documentation are available.
Cons:
- Learning curve for beginners, especially with self-hosted options.
- The free plan displays WordPress ads and has limited features compared to premium plans.
5. Webflow: Best for Startups with Minimal Content Publishing
Webflow distinguishes itself with its no-code drag-and-drop editor and modern design options. It’s perfect for startups aiming for a sleek and professional website without the hassle of complex coding.
For managing a blog or other site content, Webflow has an integrated content management system (CMS) with SEO features. But compared to a builder like WordPress, its content-based site builder options are less robust. Fortunately, Webflow website builder Pros offers integrated e-commerce capabilities as well, allowing you to sell your goods.
- No-code drag-and-drop editor with modern design options.
- Built-in e-commerce features are available.
- Intuitive interface suitable for startups and small businesses.
Cons:
- Higher learning curve compared to some other website builders.
- Limited free plan features, with essential functionalities requiring a paid subscription.
6. Ucraft: Best for Using Your Own Domain
Ucraft stands out for allowing users to connect their own domain for free—a feature not commonly found in free website builders. With its drag-and-drop builder and e-commerce functionalities, it’s an excellent choice for small business owners seeking a cost-effective solution.
Pros:
- Ability to use your own domain for free.
- Modern template designs are comparable to premium alternatives.
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder for website creation.
Cons:
- Limited e-commerce features compared to some competitors.
- Free plans may lack certain advanced functionalities required by larger businesses.
7. Site123: Best for Quick and Easy Setup
Another option where you can launch your website for free is Site123. Just like other free website builders, of course your site name will be “yourwebsite.site123.com”. The Site123 website builder offers a straightforward drag-and-drop editor and a variety of templates. While it may lack some advanced features, it’s perfect for businesses looking to establish an online presence as quickly as possible.
Pros:
- Quick and easy setup with straightforward drag-and-drop editor.
- A wide selection of website templates is available.
- Suitable for beginners and those with minimal technical knowledge.
Cons:
- Free plan displays Site123 ads on the website.
- Limited customisation options compared to more advanced website builders.
Conclusion
So to conclude this all and answer your burning question, building a website for free is totally possible. Naturally, it will come with restrictions. Some examples include not having an ideal domain name and sometimes unwanted ads on your website. But at least, all these free options can be your entry point to learning about creating a website for your small business.
But if you don’t have time to create your own website, you should check out Nexa Lab’s web app development services. We offer customised solutions for businesses of any size, including small businesses.
We provide the best web app development services that ensure your scalability and performance, with comprehensive testing and quality assurance, with security and compliance in mind, as well as provide you with maintenance and support.
