Free Website Builders That Are Actually Free – Brighter Websites Recommendations
Thinking about building a website but don’t have the budget yet? Whether you’re starting a side hustle, creating a school project, or testing an idea, free website builders are a great way to get online without upfront costs.
As a digital studio working with small businesses across Ballarat, we often get asked: “Are there any free website builders that are actually free?”
Short answer: Yes – but with some limitations.
Here’s a breakdown of free website builders we actually recommend at Brighter Websites, and what to expect from each.
Google Sites Simple & 100% Free
Google Sites is a free website builder that allows users to create basic, no-frills websites without any cost. It’s ideal for small projects, but it lacks advanced SEO tools and customisation options which are not available in the free plan.
Best for: Basic internal sites, resumes, school projects
- No hosting or domain costs
- Easy to use for non-tech users
- Integrates with Google Drive and Docs
Limitations:
- No SEO tools
- Limited design flexibility
- Not suitable for growing businesses
Verdict: Great for quick internal or low-stakes pages. Not ideal for SEO or business websites in Ballarat or beyond.
Yola – Two Free Websites
Yola offers a free plan that includes up to two websites with limited storage and basic features. For additional functionality like custom domains and advanced SEO tools, users need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Best for: Hobby sites, family pages, or very small service sites
- Free plan includes 2 websites
- Drag-and-drop editor
- HTTPS support included
Limitations
- Only 1GB storage on free plan
- No custom domain
- Limited SEO control unless you upgrade
Verdict: Simple and decent for personal sites, but limited if you’re building a brand or hoping to get found online.
Wix – Popular Drag-and-Drop Platform
Wix offers a free plan with Wix-branded domains and ads, along with access to its drag-and-drop website builder and templates. To connect your own domain, remove ads, and unlock advanced SEO features, a paid plan is required.
Best for: DIYers who want design freedom
- Free use of templates and editor
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly
- App marketplace for extended functionality
Limitations:
- Free plan has Wix branding and ads
- No custom domain
- SEO tools limited to paid plans
Verdict: One of the most visually flexible free builders but if you’re serious about SEO or branding, you’ll likely need to upgrade.
Blogging-Focused Builders
Ghost – Modern Blogging Platform
Ghost is primarily a paid platform, with no free tier, but it provides professional tools for creating fast, SEO-friendly publishing websites. While open-source and free to self-host, the managed hosting service starts with paid plans for more
Best for: Writers and content creators with dev know-how
- Clean writing experience
- Open-source version is free (if you self-host)
- Fast, SEO-friendly
Limitations:
- No free hosted plan
- Hosting costs apply unless you’re managing your own server
- More suited to developers or tech-savvy users
Verdict: Great if you’re comfortable with a self-hosted setup. For everyone else, there’s a learning curve and a price tag.
Tumblr – Social + Blog Vibes
Tumblr is free to use for creating blogs and sharing multimedia content, with no hidden fees. However, users can opt for premium themes or custom domain support by paying for third-party services.
Best for: Creative bloggers, photographers, hobbyists
- 100% free to use
- Built-in social community
- Supports multimedia posts
- Limitations:
- Custom domain requires outside service
- Not SEO-focused
- Design customisation is limited
Verdict: Great for personal blogging and creativity. Not built for structured business websites or local SEO.
WordPress.com – Free Plan for Beginners
WordPress.com offers a free plan that includes basic website creation tools, though it features WordPress ads and a branded domain. To access custom domains, remove ads, and enable SEO tools, users must upgrade to a paid plan.
Best for: Blogging and simple business sites
- Access to WordPress block editor
- Free themes and basic tools
- Large global community
Limitations:
- WordPress branding and ads
- No custom domain on free plan
- SEO features locked behind upgrades
Verdict: A solid starting point. If you’re considering website design in Ballarat, WordPress is one of the most scalable platforms — and you can always migrate to WordPress.org later.
So, Which One Should You Use?
Here’s the real talk, free website builders are a great starting point, but they’re often not built for long-term business growth. That said, they’re perfect for:
- Building confidence with tech
- Prototyping your content and layout
- Creating internal, school, or temporary pages
- Testing an idea before investing
Want to Upgrade From Free to Future-Proof?
At Brighter Websites, we help businesses take the leap from free builders to fully custom websites designed to grow with your business. Whether you’re upgrading from Wix, Weebly, or WordPress.com or just feeling stuck we make the process simple, affordable, and stress-free. Chat with Brighter Websites – We’re your local partner in smart, flexible website design Ballarat businesses can rely on.
Explore Our 5-Part Series: Free Website Design Resources
If you’re building or refreshing your website on a budget, this 5-part series is your go-to toolkit for getting started.
We’ve rounded up the best free tools and platforms that help you design like a pro without breaking the bank. Each article is packed with practical links and expert tips. Whether you’re a small business owner in or a creative launching your first project, these resources will help you launch with style, clarity, and confidence.
Sarah J says:
Really useful tools I had no idea some of these were free. Thanks for the list!