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Want to get your business or project online but not sure how to build a website from scratch? Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a tech genius to create something unique.
A website builder makes the process easy, even if you’ve never built a website before. Others like Wix's AI website builder can help you whip up a site in minutes.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best free website builders you can use to create a simple one-page portfolio or a full-blown business site.
Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website.
What is a website builder?
A website builder is a tool that helps you create different types of websites without any technical expertise. You can drag, drop and customize everything to make your site look exactly how you want.
For example, if you want to promote your services, a business website with multiple pages might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for something simple and sleek, a one-page website can be perfect for showing off your portfolio or a specific project.
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What to look for in a free online website builder
Here’s what to look for when choosing a free website maker:
01. Ease of use
The best builders have a friendly interface so you can navigate the platform with ease, even if you’re just starting out. They also offer a drag-and-drop editor that helps you add elements like texts, images and buttons and provide plenty of templates so you can get started quickly.
02. Mobile-friendly templates
A 2024 study by DataReportal shows that 93.7% of people aged 16 and above use their smartphones to access the internet. So, you can be sure that most people will visit your website on their phones, and if your site doesn’t look good on mobile versions, you could lose a lot of visitors.
That’s why popular website builders offer website templates that automatically adapt to different screen sizes—whether someone’s using a desktop, tablet or phone.
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03. Security
Web security still matters even if you’re creating a website for free. Look for features like SSL certificates (that padlock symbol in the browser) and basic security against hackers to keep your site secure and reliable.
Learn more: Site reliability
04. SEO and marketing tools
A good website builder gives you access to SEO tools to help boost your online visibility. SEO settings that let you add things like meta tags and image alt texts can make a big difference in how search engine bots crawl your website.
Builders that come with marketing features are a bonus, too. Options like basic email marketing tools and social media integration can help grow your website traffic and engagement.
Learn more: Marketing strategies
05. Limits of the free plan
Free website builders usually come with a few trade-offs. One is limited storage space, which means you might not be able to upload tons of images or videos. So, if you plan on growing your website, you’ll want to check what those limits are.
You’ll also get basic design features on most free plans. That means limited customization options and, sometimes, the builder’s branding slapped on your site.
That said, some free website builders like Wix often come with additional website features, like an online portfolio or a blog maker, that make your website more functional.
Learn more: How to start a blog
What are the best website builders for free?
01. Wix
02. Weebly
03. Webflow
04. Jimdo
05. Strikingly
06. Google Sites
07. Ucraft
08. Carrd
01. Wix
Wix is a top pick if you’re looking for a free website builder that has it all. It offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to build your website, even if you’re new to web design.
With the Wix Editor, you can customize fonts, color schemes, shadows and even letter spacing so your site looks exactly how you want. The platform also has hundreds of templates to choose from.
Another great feature is the AI-powered website builder. Instead of starting from scratch, you can chat with Wix’s AI website builder tool, answer a few quick questions and watch as it creates your custom website in minutes.
Wix also offers essential features for eCommerce, blogging, scheduling and events to give your site advanced functionality.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $17 per month.
Learn more: Best AI website examples
02. Weebly
Weebly is a popular website builder that provides handy tools to build your website and grow your business. It has a drag-and-drop editor and mobile-responsive themes so your website looks polished on any device.
Beyond website creation, Weebly has premium features for marketing, SEO and eCommerce. This makes it a great platform for anyone looking to establish an online presence.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $13 per month.
03. Webflow
Webflow offers creative freedom, making it a solid choice for anyone with a bit of design or coding experience. Its design tools let you create everything from simple blogs to highly detailed websites.
The free plan offers a range of advanced features, which is pretty rare for free builders. It also has a wide selection of free templates organized by industry to help you quickly find the right fit.
That said, Webflow’s learning curve is steeper than most drag-and-drop builders. So, it might take a little time to get used to.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $14 per month (billed annually).
04. Jimdo
Jimdo is perfect for business owners who want to create simple websites. It has easy-to-use blocks, a library of free photographs and tons of design features to help you build your site to your liking.
You also get responsive designs that adapt to various screen sizes, so you don’t have to create different versions of your website for mobile and desktop.
Moreover, you can create an online store to sell products and find new customers. Visitors can also book your services with an integrated booking tool.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $11 per month.
05. Strikingly
Strikingly offers a simple drag-and-drop builder that lets you create a website without coding or design skills. You can also create signup forms and newsletters in one place to grow your audience and keep them engaged.
In addition, the platform lets you add an online store with shipping, coupons and membership log-ins to start making sales from your website.
Additional features include social media integration, built-in analytics and a blogging platform.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $12 per month.
06. Google Sites
Google Sites is an ideal place to start if you’re brand new to building websites and want something straightforward. The platform’s free plan allows you to choose from a variety of themes and templates and customize them with headers, footers, images, fonts and menus.
In addition, you can connect Google Sites to most Google products like Google Analytics. You can also insert Google Workspace tools like Google Docs and links and files from your Google Drive.
Pricing: It’s free on its own. Paid plans to use it with Google Workspace start at $6 per month.
07. Ucraft
Ucraft offers a drag-and-drop editor and beautiful templates on its free plan. It also has a user-friendly Content Editor that makes it easy to change your content without altering your site's design or functionality.
Moreover, the platform offers extra features like a Translation App to make your website content available in other languages. You also get a free logo maker, an online store builder and AI-powered customer support.
Pricing: 14-day trial period. Premium plans start at $14 per month/project.
08. Carrd
Carrd is a simple one-page website builder. It’s perfect for portfolios, landing pages or personal sites. The platform is easy to use and offers a free plan that includes customizable templates and basic customization options.
It's ideal for anyone who wants to get a website up and running quickly without a steep learning curve.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $19 per year.
How to build a website
Let’s now look at the steps to follow to create a website for your business or portfolio.
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01. Register a domain name
First things first—you need a domain name. This is your website’s address, and it’s how people will find you online. Most free website builders will give you a default URL that includes their branding, like yoursite.websitebuilder.com.
If you want something more personalized, you can do a domain name search to check if your preferred name is available. Some free plans let you connect your custom domain, while others might ask you to upgrade for that option.
Learn more: What is a domain?
02. Choose a web hosting provider
Builders like Wix offer free web hosting features as part of their free plan. That way, you can focus on creating your website without worrying about where it “lives” on the internet.
Just remember, free hosting might come with limited features, like storage caps or having the builder’s branding on your site.
Learn more: What is web hosting?
03. Design your website
A free website builder makes website development simple. No coding—just easy-to-use tools that let you focus on designing your website.
You can pick a basic template and customize it with texts, logos, color palettes and fonts until it matches your brand identity.
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04. Manage your website
Once your website is live, the real work begins: website management.
The good news is that most builders offer simple dashboards where you can handle everything in one place. That way, you can do regular updates to keep your site fresh and increase the chances of visitors coming back.
Learn more: How to make a website accessible
*Editor's note: All information in this blog is accurate as of December 2024. Features, pricing and other details may change over time.
Free website builders FAQ
What is the best free website builder?
The best free website builder depends on your needs, but some one of the top options includes Wix, known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates. Each option has unique features, so choosing the best one depends on your goals and level of experience.