Yes—free website builders do exist, and they can help you create a functional website without spending money upfront. For beginners, startups, students, and small businesses testing an idea, free website platforms offer a simple way to get online fast.
Most free website publishers come with drag-and-drop editors, ready-made templates, free hosting, and a subdomain. You don’t need coding skills, technical setup, or design experience. That’s why web builder examples like Wix, WordPress.com, Google Sites, and Weebly are so popular.
However, “free” almost always comes with limitations. These may include platform branding or ads, storage and bandwidth limits, restricted customization, limited SEO tools, and no custom domain. Understanding these trade-offs is essential before choosing the best free website builder for small business use.
Let’s look at the 10 best free website builders, what they’re good at, and where they fall short.
10 Best Free Website Builders
Before we dive into the top free website builders, it’s important to understand what is website builder.
A website builder is an online tool that lets you create and design websites without needing to code. These platforms let you create a website without upfront costs, offering drag-and-drop editors, pre-designed templates, and basic hosting.
1. WordPress.com
WordPress.com is one of the most widely used free website builders in the world. It’s beginner-friendly yet powerful enough to scale later.
This web builder is ideal for blogs, personal brands, and small business sites. Its flexible platform allows you to design multi-location business websites, integrate lead capture forms, and manage content easily.
Free plan includes:
Free hosting on a WordPress subdomain
Mobile-responsive themes
Built-in security and SSL certificate
Limitations:
WordPress ads on free sites
No plugins or advanced SEO tools
Limited customization unless you upgrade
If content marketing or blogging is your priority, WordPress.com is often the best free website builder to start with.
2. Wix
The Wix free website builder is known for its flexibility and visual editor. You can design almost anything using drag-and-drop elements.
You can create portfolios, service pages, and small e-commerce platform sites. Wix also supports contact forms and integrations like WhatsApp for business websites, making customer communication seamless.
Free plan includes:
Hundreds of templates
Wix App Market access (limited)
Contact forms and galleries
Limitations:
Wix branding and ads
No custom domain
Storage and bandwidth caps
Wix is a strong choice if you want design freedom without touching code.
3. Canva
Canva has evolved from a design tool into a surprisingly capable website builder and publisher. It’s perfect for one-page business websites or landing pages where visual storytelling is key. While not a full e-commerce platform, it’s a quick tool to showcase products and services with modern templates.
Free plan includes:
Clean, modern templates
Fast setup
Mobile-responsive layouts
Limitations:
No advanced SEO tools
Limited site structure
Not ideal for multi-page business websites
Canva works well if your goal is a simple, visually appealing web presence.
4. Weebly
Owned by Square, Weebly offers a straightforward website builder with basic e-commerce support. Weebly includes basic e-commerce website features like product listings, secure payments, and inventory management.
Best for: Small stores, simple business websites
Free plan includes:
Drag-and-drop editor
Basic online store features
Free SSL
Limitations:
Square ads
Limited themes
Basic SEO customization
Weebly is suitable for beginners who want simplicity over flexibility.
5. Google Sites
The Google Sites free website builder focuses on speed and collaboration rather than design.
While limited in design and SEO, it’s perfect for internal sites, informational pages, or a simple list of e-commerce sites for reference. Its seamless integration with Google Workspace is a plus for collaborative projects.
Free plan includes:
No ads
Fast loading
Seamless Google Workspace integration
Limitations:
Very limited design options
Minimal SEO controls
Not suitable for branding-focused businesses
If you need something fast and functional, Google Sites does the job.
6. Webflow
Webflow gives professional-level design control, ideal for startups and designers. You can build landing pages optimized to generate qualified leads from a website, though beginners may face a steeper learning curve.
Free plan includes:
Visual design tools
Clean HTML and CSS output
Responsive design control
Limitations:
Steep learning curve
Webflow subdomain only
Limited CMS usage
Webflow is powerful but not ideal for absolute beginners.
7. Square Online
Formerly Weebly’s e-commerce arm, Square Online is built for selling products quickly. It’s ideal for small businesses looking for a free way to sell online without technical setup.
Free plan includes:
Product listings
Secure payments
Inventory management
Limitations:
Transaction fees
Square branding
Limited customization
A solid option if your primary goal is e-commerce.
8. GoDaddy Website Builder
The GoDaddy website builder focuses on speed and simplicity, using AI-assisted setup for quick launches. It works well for multi-location business websites, local services, or small shops that want to get online fast and integrate basic marketing tools.
Free plan includes:
AI-generated layouts
Basic SEO tools
Mobile-responsive design
Limitations:
Very limited customization
GoDaddy ads
No custom domain
Good for getting online fast, not for long-term growth.
9. Framer
Framer is perfect for startups and portfolios, offering modern templates, smooth animations, and responsive design. While it’s not a full e-commerce platform, it can showcase products or services beautifully and support landing pages designed for conversion.
Free plan includes:
Smooth animations
Modern design templates
Fast performance
Limitations:
Framer subdomain
Not beginner-friendly
Limited site scale
Framer is ideal for polished, single-purpose websites.
10. HubSpot CMS
HubSpot’s free CMS connects your website with marketing tools.
Best for: Lead generation and inbound marketing
Free plan includes:
CRM integration
Forms and analytics
Secure hosting
Limitations:
HubSpot branding
Limited customization
Best features are paid
A smart choice if marketing automation matters more than design freedom.
Final Thoughts
Free website builders are a cost-effective way to create a website, especially if you’re just starting out or testing an idea. They’re user-friendly, require no coding, and help you go live quickly.
That said, free plans are best viewed as a starting point, not a final solution. If your business needs strong branding, advanced SEO, scalability, or a custom domain, you’ll eventually outgrow them.
If you’re serious about long-term growth, conversions, and professional credibility, investing in a custom website or a managed platform often delivers better results.
Free is great for learning. Professional is better for building trust.
