Website builders are online platforms that make creating and launching your website a breeze. They offer features like free hosting, domain names (with the provider's brand), easy-to-use editors, and pre-designed templates. You will get the most out of website builders if you go for paid plans. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford that. So, we’ve compiled the top five free website builders available to help you quickly build stunning websites.
1. Wix
Build and scale your business online with confidence using Wix. With lightning-fast web performance, enterprise-grade security, and reliable infrastructure, Wix promises to help you build a functional website without spending much.
In addition to its primary features, Wix also offers online payment scheduling, payments, branding, and eCommerce solutions. Its SEO and marketing tools, advanced analytics, and mobile app feature help you stay competitive, anytime, anywhere.
Pros:
- Limited free plan
- A vast library of templates has something for every business type
- Huge number of professional features
- Easy to use
- Extensive eCommerce tools can build a feature-packed online store
- Excellent image features
- Hundreds of integrations available
Cons:
- You can’t change a template once you’ve chosen it
- Above-average prices for paid plans
- Only 2GB storage with the cheapest plan
- Email is not included as standard (it’s a paid extra)
2. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the best website builders for small businesses and individuals. Its AI-powered features simplify the website creation process. However, limited customization options and the absence of an app market may restrict its suitability for complex websites.
Pros:
- Affordable
- AI-powered tools
- Easy-to-use
- SEO features
- Mobile-responsive
Cons:
- On-site ads
- No custom domain
- SEO locked by the upgrade
3. Square Online
Square Online is the only builder on our list that lets you sell online for free. This is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create an online store without spending a fortune in website costs.
This free website builder alo integrates with other Square services, including point-of-sale (POS) system and payment processing. That is why Square Online is a convenient choice if you already use Square products.
Pros:
- Good value for money if upgrading
- Simple to navigate dashboard
- Unlimited products on the free plan
Cons:
- Hard to customize
- Pay for the best features
- Weak design options
4. WebFlow
Webflow website builder offers advanced customization features and professionally-looking templates. Its free plan has the fewest ads—a small, unintrusive "Powered by Webflow" at the bottom of the page. However, you must be aware that Webflow has a steeper learning curve than other website builders. It's best suited for those with some web design experience or a willingness to learn.
Pros:
- Virtual design assistant
- Ideal for experienced builders
- There are no ads on the free plan
Cons
- Complicated for beginners
- No drag-and-drop editor
- Most complicated free website builder to use
5. Weebly
Weebly is suitable for people who value convenience. You don't need to manually change themes to create a good-looking site. Weebly lets you switch themes without rebuilding the website. On top of that, the platform offers unlimited data transfers across the board.
However, the free plan has its highs and lows. With free tier, your site will have ads, a Weebly domain, a 10MB file size, and 500MB storage. To start selling digital products, you must upgrade to one of Weebly's paid plans.
Pros:
- Free tier
- Attractive, responsive design themes
- eCommerce options, including the ability to sell digital goods
- Site stats included
- It lets you switch themes without rebuilding your site
- Unlimited data transfers with all plans
Cons:
- Limited theme customization
- Lacks reusable photo storage
- No interface-wide undo feature
- Slow-responding customer service in testing
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best free website builder for creating online stores?
If you’re looking to create a completely free website for your online store, Square Online is your best choice. It's tailor-made for ecommerce and provides all the essential tools you need to start selling online without any upfront costs.
Another solid alternative is Weebly. With its easy-to-use interface and many stylish templates, Weebly makes creating a professional-looking online store a breeze. As your business grows, Weebly's reasonably priced paid plans offer superb features to help you succeed.
2. Is there really a free website builder?
Yes, there are free website builders available. Wix, Weebly, and WordPress offer free plans with basic features. However, these often come with limitations like ads or limited storage.
3. Is it worth upgrading to a paid plan?
The short answer is "it depends." Free website builders are not for everyone but can work from some. For instance, if you are starting a website to blog about your hobby, don't care much about large file storage, owning a custom domain, or having ads on your site, a free website builder is a good option. Similarly, a free website builder can be a great way for promoting your new business.
However, upgrading to a paid subscription will likely be necessary if you want to scale up your business. Free plans tend to be limited in functionality. And on-site ads and non-custom domains can make your business unprofessional.
4. Can I get free website hosting?
Yes, there are a handful of free website hosting services out there. However, it's important to keep in mind that free plans often come with some restrictions. Customer support, storage space, bandwidth, and extra perks like free domain names are typically limited to free plans. Despite these limitations, free web hosting can still be a great option for personal sites, blogs, testing projects, and startup ventures.
5. Can I connect a domain to a free website builder?
Yes, but finding one that lets you connect a custom domain can take time and effort. While many website builders like Wix or Weebly offer free plans, if you want to use your custom domain, you usually need to upgrade to their premium plan, which can be a bit pricey. Otherwise, your site will be hosted under their subdomain, not-so-subtly promoting their brand.
