So, you want a website but don’t want to spend a dime? No problem! With today’s tools, anyone—even if you know zero code—can get a site up and running for free. Here’s how.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Website You Need
- Personal blog or portfolio?
- Business landing page?
- Online store (basic, with limited products)?
- Event or club page?
Knowing your goal helps pick the right platform.
Step 2: Choose a Free Website Builder
Here are popular, reliable options:
- Wix (https://www.wix.com/)
- Weebly (https://www.weebly.com/)
- WordPress.com (https://www.wordpress.com/)
- Google Sites (https://sites.google.com/)
- Carrd (https://carrd.co/) — great for simple, one-page sites
All offer:
- Free hosting (your site lives on their servers)
- Drag-and-drop builders (no coding required)
- Free templates/themes
Heads up:
Free plans usually give you a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wixsite.com), show small ads, and have some feature limits.
Step 3: Sign Up and Pick a Template
- Go to your chosen platform and sign up (just an email needed).
- Browse their free templates/themes—pick one that fits your style or purpose.
- Click to start editing.
Step 4: Customize Your Site
- Edit Text: Replace placeholder text with your own words.
- Upload Images: Add your photos, logo, or use free stock images (many builders have these built-in).
- Add Pages: About, Contact, Blog, Gallery, etc.
- Tweak Colors/Fonts: Most platforms let you make it match your vibe.
- Drag-and-drop Elements: Buttons, forms, maps, social links—just drag them where you want.
Step 5: Set Up Navigation
Make sure visitors can find their way around!
- Edit the navigation menu (usually at the top)
- Add, remove, or rename pages
Step 6: Preview and Test
Most builders have a “Preview” button. Check how your site looks on mobile AND desktop.
- Test all links and forms.
- Spellcheck!
Step 7: Publish!
- Hit the “Publish” button.
- Choose your free site address (e.g., amazingportfolio.weebly.com).
- Share your link with the world!
Step 8 (Optional): Upgrade or Connect a Custom Domain
If you want a “.com” address without builder branding or ads, you’ll need to pay a small fee—but you can always start free and upgrade later.
Helpful Tips:
- Keep it simple—don’t overwhelm visitors with too much info.
- Use high-quality images for a professional look.
- Update your site regularly, especially if it’s a portfolio or blog.
Free Website Creation: Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Free Plan Includes | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Visual, creative | Drag-drop builder, templates | Wix ads, subdomain |
| WordPress.com | Blogs, portfolios | Blog features, templates | WordPress ads, subdomain |
| Weebly | Small businesses | Drag-drop, eCommerce (basic) | Weebly ads, subdomain |
| Google Sites | Simple, fast sites | Clean layouts, Google Drive | Fewer design options, subdomain |
| Carrd | One-page sites | Super simple editor | One page only, Carrd branding |
That’s it!
