You can build a free website using platforms that host it for you, though you'll have limits on customization and a free subdomain instead of your own domain name
The fastest way to get a website online without spending money is to use a website builder with free hosting included. Services like Wix, Squarespace, Google Sites, and Carrd all let you build and publish a site at no cost. You won't own a custom domain (your address will be something like yourname.wix.com instead of yourname.com), and the free versions come with their branding, limited storage, and fewer design options than paid plans. But if you need a working website quickly and don't mind those trade-offs, you can have something live in an hour.
The other path is to use free open-source software like WordPress.org (different from WordPress.com) paired with free hosting. This gives you more control over how your site looks and works, but requires more technical setup and carries real risks — free hosting providers often disappear, delete inactive sites, or inject their own ads into your pages.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix, Google Sites, and Carrd offer free plans that include hosting, but your site address will be a subdomain (yourname.wix.com) rather than your own domain.
- Free plans typically limit you to 1 to 5 GB of storage, remove your ability to use custom code, and display the platform's branding or ads on your site.
- WordPress.org with free hosting gives you more design freedom but requires you to manage backups yourself and exposes you to the risk that your host shuts down or deletes your site.
- If you want a custom domain name (yourname.com), you'll need to pay for the domain registration separately, usually $10 to $15 per year, even if hosting is free.
Website builders with free hosting included
The simplest option for most people is a website builder that handles hosting for you. You sign up, choose a template, add your content, and your site is live on their servers. The main platforms offering free plans are Wix, Squarespace, Google Sites, Carrd, and Weebly.
Google Sites is the most bare-bones but genuinely free with no ads. You get a Google account, create a site, and it lives at sites.google.com/view/yourname. It's useful for simple project pages, team documentation, or portfolios, but the design options are limited and it won't look like a professional business site.
Wix and Weebly offer more polished templates and let you add things like contact forms, image galleries, and basic e-commerce. Your site will be at yourname.wix.com or yourname.weebly.com. Both display Wix or Weebly branding on the free plan, and you get 500 MB to 1 GB of storage. If you want to remove their branding or use a custom domain, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Carrd is designed for single-page sites — one long scrolling page instead of multiple pages. It's free for one site, looks modern, and works well for portfolios, landing pages, or resumes. You get a carrd.co subdomain and can add forms and basic features.
Squarespace does not offer a free plan, so skip it if you want to spend nothing.
What you lose with a free website builder plan
Free plans come with real restrictions. You cannot use your own domain name — you're stuck with the platform's subdomain. You get limited storage, usually 500 MB to 5 GB depending on the platform. You cannot add custom code or install plugins to extend what the site can do. The platform's branding or ads appear on your site, sometimes prominently. And you cannot sell products or accept payments on most free plans.
These limits exist because the platform is betting you'll upgrade to a paid plan once you outgrow the free version. If your site is just a resume, a hobby project, or a simple portfolio, the free plan may be all you ever need. If you're running a business or expect your site to grow, you'll eventually hit these walls.
Using WordPress.org with free hosting
WordPress.org (the self-hosted version, not WordPress.com) is open-source software you can install on any web server. It gives you complete control over your site's design and functionality. The catch is that you have to find and pay for hosting yourself — except free hosting does exist, though it comes with serious drawbacks.
Free hosting providers like Infinityfree, 000webhost, and Byethost will let you install WordPress at no cost. You get a subdomain (yourname.000webhost.com) and enough storage for a small site. But free hosts often inject their own ads into your pages, limit how much traffic you can receive, delete sites that haven't been updated in months, and go out of business without warning. When they do, your site disappears and you have no recourse.
If you choose this route, back up your site regularly — download your WordPress files and database to your own computer. Free hosts don't do this for you, and if something goes wrong, you'll lose everything.
Getting a custom domain name for free
You cannot get a custom domain name (yourname.com) for free. Domain registration costs money — usually $10 to $15 per year, though some registrars charge more. Services like Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Google Domains all charge for domains.
Some paid website builder plans include a free domain for the first year, then charge you the normal registration fee after that. This is not actually free; it's a discount on year one. If you're on a free plan, you won't get this offer.
If you want a custom domain but don't want to pay for hosting, you can register a domain at any registrar and point it to a free website builder. You'll pay for the domain but not for hosting. This is a reasonable middle ground if you want yourname.com but don't want to spend $10 to $20 per month on a web host.
Comparing your free options
| Platform | Free Plan Cost | Subdomain or Custom Domain | Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sites | Free, no ads | Subdomain only | Unlimited | Simple project pages, team docs |
| Wix | Free with Wix branding | Subdomain only | 500 MB | Portfolios, small business sites |
| Weebly | Free with Weebly branding | Subdomain only | 1 GB | Portfolios, small business sites |
| Carrd | Free for one site | Subdomain only | Sufficient for one page | Single-page portfolios, resumes |
| WordPress.org + free host | Free but risky | Subdomain only | Varies, often limited | Learning WordPress, temporary sites |
When to upgrade from free to paid
Stay on a free plan if your site is a portfolio, a hobby project, or a one-time thing. Upgrade when you want a custom domain, need more storage, want to remove the platform's branding, or plan to sell products or services.
Most paid plans start at $5 to $15 per month for a website builder, plus $10 to $15 per year for a domain. If you're running a business, this cost is worth it because a custom domain looks more professional and you own your site's address. If you're just experimenting, free is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my free website to a different platform later?
It depends on the platform. Google Sites and Wix let you export your content, but the process is manual and you may lose some formatting. WordPress.org sites are easier to move because you can export your entire database. Website builders like Carrd don't offer exports, so moving means rebuilding from scratch. Check the platform's export policy before you commit.
Will my free website show ads?
Wix, Weebly, and some other builders display their own branding or ads on free plans. Google Sites and Carrd do not. WordPress.org sites don't show ads unless you add them yourself, but free hosting providers often inject their own ads into your pages.
Can I use a free website for a business?
You can, but it's not ideal. The subdomain (yourname.wix.com) looks less professional than a custom domain. Free plans usually don't let you accept payments or remove the platform's branding. If you're serious about a business, a paid plan or custom hosting is worth the cost.
What happens if I stop paying for my domain?
Your domain registration expires and someone else can buy it. You lose the address and anyone trying to reach you at that domain will get an error or land on a parked page. Renew before expiration — registrars usually send reminders.
Is free hosting safe for my site?
Free hosting is risky. Providers shut down without notice, delete inactive sites, inject ads, and rarely back up your data. If your site matters to you, don't rely on free hosting long-term. A paid host with regular backups is worth the cost.