Want to build a website but don’t want to spend a fortune? Whether you’re launching a business, showcasing your creative work, or starting a blog, a free website is the perfect way to get online without breaking the bank.
The great news? There are tons of free website builders out there that make it super easy to create your own website—no tech skills required! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best free website builders available in 2024, so you can pick the one that fits your needs and get started today.
Why Build a Free Website?
So why opt for a free website instead of shelling out for a paid service? Here are a few reasons:
- It’s budget-friendly: Obviously, free means no cost—perfect for those just starting out or testing the waters.
- User-friendly tools: Most free website builders are designed with non-techies in mind, offering drag-and-drop editors that make building a website a breeze.
- Plenty of features: Even though they’re free, many of these platforms come packed with templates, design tools, and more to help you create a polished, professional-looking site.
Now, let’s jump into some of the top free website builders available in 2024, and what makes them stand out.
1. Wix: Best for Stunning Design and Flexibility
If you’re looking for a free website builder with a ton of creative freedom, Wix is a top choice. With its drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of customizable templates, Wix makes it easy to create a site that looks exactly how you envision it.
- Free plan perks: You get access to free hosting, templates, and a subdomain (e.g., username.wixsite.com/sitename). The catch? Your site will have Wix ads.
- Perfect for: Personal sites, portfolios, or even small businesses that need a sleek online presence.
2. Weebly: Simple and Effective for Beginners
Want to create a free website without getting overwhelmed by too many options? Weebly is super straightforward, offering a drag-and-drop builder with a clean, easy-to-navigate interface. It’s ideal if you’re looking to create a site quickly and with minimal fuss.
- Free plan perks: Includes hosting, templates, and a Weebly-branded subdomain.
- Perfect for: Beginners who want a no-fuss solution for blogs, portfolios, or small businesses.
3. WordPress.com: The King of Blogging Platforms
If you’re planning to create a free website for blogging, WordPress.com is the go-to platform. It’s built for bloggers, offering easy tools to create, manage, and promote your blog content. Plus, it’s backed by the power of WordPress, which powers over 40% of the web.
- Free plan perks: Access to free themes, hosting, and a WordPress-branded domain.
- Perfect for: Bloggers, writers, and creatives who want to share their thoughts or work with the world.
4. Site123: Speedy Setup for Simple Sites
If you need a free website and you need it fast, Site123 is perfect. It’s designed for simplicity—just answer a few questions about the kind of site you want, and boom, you’ll have a template ready to customize.
- Free plan perks: Free subdomain, templates, and hosting.
- Perfect for: Those in need of a simple, one-page website (think: landing pages or event announcements).
5. Google Sites: Fully Free and Easy to Use
Google does a lot of things well, and building a free website is one of them. Google Sites is a completely free platform that’s integrated with other Google services, like Drive and Docs. While it’s not the most customizable, it’s a solid option if you just need a basic, no-frills website.
- Free plan perks: No ads, free Google subdomain, and full access to the Google ecosystem.
- Perfect for: Small teams, project websites, or people already familiar with Google’s tools.
6. Jimdo: AI-Powered Site Building
If you’re someone who’d prefer to let AI do the heavy lifting, Jimdo might be right up your alley. This platform uses AI to help you build your free website, asking you questions and then putting together a site based on your answers.
- Free plan perks: Free Jimdo subdomain, templates, and hosting.
- Perfect for: People who want to skip the design process and get a website built quickly.
7. Strikingly: Great for One-Page Sites
One-page websites are all the rage these days, and Strikingly is one of the best free website builders for creating a sleek, modern one-page site. Whether you’re building a personal portfolio or a landing page for an event, Strikingly makes it easy.
- Free plan perks: Access to templates, hosting, and a free Strikingly-branded subdomain.
- Perfect for: Personal portfolios or single-page websites.
8. Webnode: Multilingual and Versatile
Need to create a free website in more than one language? Webnode makes it simple to set up multilingual websites, making it a great choice for businesses or personal brands that cater to global audiences.
- Free plan perks: Free Webnode subdomain, hosting, and templates.
- Perfect for: Businesses or individuals who need multilingual support right from the start.
9. Mozello: Multilingual on a Budget
Another great choice for building a free website that’s multilingual is Mozello. It’s simple and straightforward, and it even allows you to create an online store, though with some limitations in the free plan.
- Free plan perks: Free subdomain, templates, and hosting.
- Perfect for: Simple websites and multilingual sites on a budget.
10. Carrd: Beautiful One-Page Websites for Free
Carrd is an awesome platform if you’re looking to build a single-page free website that’s sleek and mobile-friendly. It’s great for personal portfolios, landing pages, and resumes—anything where you want to get straight to the point.
- Free plan perks: Access to templates, hosting, and a Carrd-branded subdomain.
- Perfect for: Anyone who needs a quick, polished one-page site.
How to Choose the Right Free Website Builder
With so many options, how do you choose the best free website builder for your needs? Here are a few things to consider:
- Purpose of your site: Is it a blog, portfolio, or business site? Choose a platform that supports your specific needs.
- Customization options: Do you want full control over design, or would you prefer a simple setup?
- Branding and ads: Most free plans come with the platform’s branding. If that’s a deal-breaker, you may want to consider upgrading to a paid plan.
- Ecommerce: Planning to sell products or services? Look for a builder that supports online stores, like Wix, Weebly, or Jimdo.
Final Thoughts
Creating a free website has never been easier, thanks to the wide variety of user-friendly website builders available today. Whether you’re starting a blog, launching a portfolio, or building a business site, there’s a free tool out there for you. Each platform offers its own unique set of features, so take the time to explore your options and find the one that best meets your needs.