The 10 Best Free Website Builders of 2024 [Detailed Guide]
Building a website used to require coding skills or a big budget to hire a professional web developer. But thanks to free website builders, creating a beautiful, functional website is now possible for anyone, regardless of technical ability or budget.
Whether you‘re a small business owner, blogger, artist, or just want to establish your own corner of the internet, a website builder can help you create a professional web presence without spending a dime. But with dozens of free options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for your needs.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll break down the 10 best free website builders of 2024. We‘ll highlight the key features, advantages, and limitations of each one to help you make an informed decision. Plus, we‘ll share tips for getting the most out of these tools, even if you have zero web design experience. Let‘s dive in!
What Is a Website Builder?
A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without manual coding. It typically provides a drag-and-drop editor along with pre-designed templates to build and customize your site.
The main advantage of using a website builder is that it requires no programming knowledge, so anyone can create a professional-looking site. It also tends to be much faster and easier than building a site from scratch.
Many website builders offer free plans, which are a great option if you have a limited budget or just want to experiment with building a website. While free plans tend to have some limitations and display ads, they still allow you to create a functional website at no cost.
Key Features to Look for in a Free Website Builder
Before we get into our top picks, here are some of the most important features to consider when choosing a free website builder:
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Ease of use: Look for a builder with a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that makes it simple to create and customize your site without any coding.
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Professional templates: Choose a builder with a wide selection of modern, professional-looking templates that are mobile-responsive.
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Custom domain: See if the builder lets you connect your own custom domain name to give your free site a more professional look.
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Ecommerce: If you plan to sell products online, make sure the builder has ecommerce capabilities like payment processing, inventory management, shipping tools, etc.
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SEO: Look for built-in tools to help you optimize your site for search engines, such as meta descriptions, alt text, and header tags.
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Mobile-friendly: With over half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, it‘s critical that your site works well on smartphones and tablets. Most builders now offer responsive templates that adapt to any screen size.
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App integrations: Check if the builder integrates with the tools and platforms you use, such as email marketing, live chat, social media, etc.
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Customer support: Look for a builder that offers support to help you troubleshoot issues, even on the free plan.
The 10 Best Free Website Builders of 2024
We tested and compared dozens of free website builders to narrow it down to our top 10 picks. These are the ones that stood out for their features, ease of use, and professional results.
- HubSpot CMS Free
Best free website builder for growing businesses
HubSpot CMS Free is our #1 pick for the best free website builder, particularly for small businesses and startups. As part of the HubSpot platform, it comes fully loaded with tools for CRM, marketing, sales, customer service, and more. While the free tier has some limitations, it includes everything you need to build a professional website that can scale with your business.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop page editor
- Themes and modules
- Built-in security features
- Live chat, forms, and CRM
- Basic ecommerce tools
Pros:
- Includes free hosting and security
- Powerful CRM and marketing tools
- Highly customizable themes
Cons:
- Free plan has HubSpot branding
- Advanced features require upgrade
- Most templates designed for business/marketing
Pricing: Free for basic features. Paid plans start at $45/month.
- Wix
Best free website builder for small businesses
Wix is one of the most popular website builders, and for good reason. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, hundreds of designer templates, and tons of features – even on the free plan. Plus, the Wix ADI (artificial design intelligence) tool can create a professional site for you in minutes by answering a few questions.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- 500+ templates
- Ecommerce tools
- SEO and marketing tools
- App Market with 250+ apps
Pros:
- Intuitive and flexible editor
- Huge selection of templates
- Optimized for mobile
- Robust app integrations
Cons:
- Free plan has Wix ads and branding
- Can‘t switch templates after publishing
- Storage limited on free plan
Pricing: Free with ads. Paid plans start at $16/month.
- Zyro
Best free website builder for ecommerce
Zyro stands out for its robust ecommerce features, including inventory management, discount coupons, order tracking, and 70+ payment options. Thanks to the drag-and-drop editor and AI tools, you can launch an online store in minutes without any coding.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Ecommerce
- AI content generator
- Marketing tools
- Logo maker
Pros:
- Intuitive grid builder
- Powerful ecommerce tools
- AI writer and logo maker
- Mobile-optimized
- Commission-free sales
Cons:
- Fewer templates than other builders
- No app store
- Transaction fees on free plan
Pricing: Free plan with ads. Ecommerce plans start at $13.90/month.
- Site123
Easiest free website builder for beginners
As the name suggests, Site123 makes it easy to build a website in just 3 steps. With a simple editor and optimized templates, you can launch a professional site in minutes. While it lacks some advanced features compared to other builders, it‘s a great choice for beginners who want to get online quickly.
Key features:
- Responsive templates
- Ecommerce
- Blogging tools
- SEO and marketing
- App market
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Optimized for desktop and mobile
- Free plan has no ads
- Multi-language sites
Cons:
- Limited design customization
- Fewer templates than other builders
- Free sites on Site123 subdomain
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $10.80/month.
- Jimdo
Best free website builder for photographers
Jimdo offers an easy way for photographers and artists to create a professional online portfolio. With modern, minimalist templates and a focus on visuals, you can showcase your work in style. Plus, you can sell prints, digital downloads, and services through your site.
Key features:
- Responsive templates
- Photo galleries
- Online store
- Appointment booking
- SEO tools
Pros:
- Sleek, visual templates
- Unlimited storage on free plan
- Ecommerce and bookings
- Logo creator
- GDPR compliant
Cons:
- Can‘t edit mobile view separately
- No restore option
- Limited app integrations
Pricing: Free plan has Jimdo ads. Paid plans start at $9/month.
- WordPress.com
Best free website builder for blogging
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites and is the go-to platform for bloggers and content creators. The .com version is a hosted website builder that‘s easier to use than the self-hosted WordPress.org software. You can create a free blog and upgrade for more advanced features.
Key features:
- Customizable designs
- Powerful blogging tools
- Members-only content
- SEO and social tools
- Hundreds of plugins
Pros:
- Flexible content options
- Large library of plugins
- Built-in analytics
- Export content to WordPress.org
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve than other builders
- Free plan has WordPress ads
- Ecommerce requires upgrade
Pricing: Free for basic blog. Plans start at $5/month.
- Weebly
Best free website builder with ecommerce
Weebly is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and robust ecommerce features. Even on the free plan, you can launch an online store and accept payments through Square, Stripe, and other gateways. Choose from dozens of templates or start from scratch.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Ecommerce functionality
- Blogging tools
- SEO and lead capture
- App center
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Professional templates
- Powerful ecommerce
- Membership sites
Cons:
- Need upgrade to connect custom domain
- Only email support
- Can‘t export site
Pricing: Free plan with ads. Paid plans from $5/month.
- Webflow
Best free website builder for web designers
Webflow blends the power of manual coding with a visual, no-code builder. While it has a steeper learning curve than most website builders, it offers unparalleled design flexibility and control. This makes it a top choice for professional designers who want to create custom, responsive sites without writing code.
Key features:
- Visual CSS designer
- Interactions and animations
- Ecommerce tools
- Integrations
- Hosting options
Pros:
- Complete design control
- Clean, semantic code
- Dynamic elements
- Extensive learning resources
Cons:
- Not as beginner-friendly as other builders
- Limited templates
- Most features require upgrade
Pricing: Free plan to publish one site. Paid plans start at $12/month.
- Mozello
Best multilingual free website builder
Mozello is designed to create localized websites for international audiences. You can easily build a multilingual site with a click and edit all language versions from one place. It also includes ecommerce and blogging capabilities.
Key features:
- Multilingual builder
- Ecommerce tools
- Blog templates
- Marketing features
- Mobile editor
Pros:
- Easy multilingual setup
- Sell digital and physical products
- SEO tools and reports
- No transaction fees
Cons:
- Outdated templates
- Can‘t export site
- Limited integrations
Pricing: Free plan with Mozello ads. Paid plans start at $7/month.
- Ucraft
Best free website builder for single page sites
Ucraft offers modern templates and a simple editor to create one-page websites like portfolios, event sites, and landing pages. The free plan includes hosting and unlimited pages, although you‘ll need to upgrade to remove Ucraft branding and ads.
Key features:
- Landing page templates
- Blogging tools
- Logo maker
- SEO settings
- Google Analytics
Pros:
- Modern, responsive designs
- Free SSL certificate
- Ecommerce (paid plans)
Cons:
- Limited customization on free plan
- Small app store
- No phone support
Pricing: Free for one site with Ucraft branding. Plans start at $10/month.
Tips for Choosing a Free Website Builder
Consider your website goals: Do you want to showcase a portfolio, start a blog, launch an online store, or build a business website? Make sure to choose a website builder with the right features for your needs.
Look for responsive design: With more people using mobile devices, it‘s important that your website looks good and works well on smaller screens. Choose a builder with responsive templates that automatically adapt to any screen size.
Check for SEO features: To attract organic traffic from search engines, your site should be optimized for SEO. Look for built-in tools like customizable URLs, header tags, alt text, etc.
Read the fine print: Be aware of the limitations of free plans, such as ads, limited storage, and features. You may need to upgrade to a paid plan to get the full functionality and remove branding.
Test multiple builders: Since most of these website builders offer free plans, we recommend testing a few to see which one you like best. Pay attention to the ease of use, flexibility, design options, and features.
Start with a template: Website builders offer professional templates for different types of sites, so start with one that fits your needs. You can then customize it with your own content, images, colors, and branding.
Add only essential elements: It‘s easy to get carried away and clutter your site with too many features. But the best websites tend to be simple and focused, so only add elements that enhance the user experience and support your goals.
Optimize for speed: Page load speed is an important factor for user experience and SEO. To keep your site fast, optimize your images, enable compression, minify code, and avoid bloated design elements.
Make it accessible: Accessibility refers to how usable your site is for people with disabilities, such as visual impairment or limited mobility. Choose a design that is keyboard-friendly, has strong color contrast, uses legible fonts, and includes alt text for images.
Promote your website: Creating a website is just the first step – you also need to promote it to attract visitors. Share your site on social media, optimize it for search engines, add it to directories, and consider paid advertising to boost traffic.
Conclusion
Thanks to free website builders, anyone can create a professional website without spending a dime. Whether you‘re a small business owner, freelancer, blogger, or artist, there‘s a website builder to fit your needs and skill level.
The 10 best free website builders of 2024 are:
- HubSpot CMS Free – Best for growing businesses
- Wix – Best for small businesses
- Zyro – Best for ecommerce
- Site123 – Easiest for beginners
- Jimdo – Best for photographers
- WordPress.com – Best for blogging
- Weebly – Best ecommerce on free plan
- Webflow – Best for web designers
- Mozello – Best for multilingual sites
- Ucraft – Best for one-page sites
By understanding your website goals, testing different builders, and following best practices for design, SEO, and promotion, you can create a stunning website that achieves your objectives.
Building a website is an essential step to establishing your digital presence and reaching a wider audience online. With these powerful, easy-to-use website builders, you have everything you need to get started. So pick a builder, find a template you like, and start creating your site today!
