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The ultimate guide to the best free website builders in 2024
Nearly 71% of small businesses have a website, highlighting the importance of being online. But navigating the world of free WordPress page builders can be overwhelming. With 380 new websites created every minute, the demand for simple web development solutions is growing. This guide will help you choose the best free website builder to suit your needs, separating top contenders from those that might leave you frustrated.
The growing demand for simple web development solutions
The need for user-friendly WordPress website builders has never been higher. With hundreds of new websites appearing every minute, many individuals and small businesses are looking for easy, affordable ways to establish their online presence. This guide will help you identify the best free WordPress page builders, ensuring you make an informed choice.
What makes a great free website builder?
A great page builder free WordPress offers a mix of powerful features, easy-to-use design tools, and flexibility. It should allow you to create a website that reflects your unique style and works well, even if you don’t know how to code.
Ease of use Building a website shouldn’t require a degree in computer science. The best free website builders focus on user-friendly interfaces that make the process simple for both beginners and those with some technical experience. Look for drag-and-drop interfaces that let you visually move and place elements like text, images, and buttons. Pre-designed templates are helpful as they give you a starting point and help you imagine what your website could look like. Clear settings and customization options are important too, so you can adjust colours, fonts, and layouts without getting lost in menus.
Design flexibility Even with a free plan, you want control over the look and feel of your website. Customizable templates are important because while templates are a great starting point, being able to tweak them and making your website stand out. Your website should also look great on all devices, from smartphones to desktops, especially since over 59% of all website traffic worldwide came from mobile devices in 2023. Look for builders that offer tools for adjusting how your site appears on different screen sizes. Options for changing colours, fonts, backgrounds, and spacing put you in charge of your website’s appearance.
Key features A free website builder should offer more than just good looks. Useful functionalities will help you create a website that serves its purpose. If you want to share written content, look for a builder with a built-in blog system or easy integration with blogging platforms. A simple contact form allows visitors to get in touch without exposing your email address to spam. While free plans might not offer advanced SEO tools, you’ll want options to edit page titles and meta descriptions, as well as some control over how your site appears in search results. Website speed matters too, so look for builders that have some form of image compression or optimization.
Community and support When you’re using a free product, a supportive community can be very helpful for those inevitable questions or troubleshooting sessions. Clear guides and step-by-step instructions make a world of difference. The ability to connect with other users, ask questions, and share solutions adds another layer of support.
The “catch” of free plans
While free plans are attractive, they often come with limitations. You might encounter advertisements on your website, limited storage or bandwidth, or restrictions on advanced features. Be aware of potential trade-offs such as ads placed by the builders on your website, limited storage and bandwidth that restrict how much content you can upload and how much traffic your site can handle, and missing advanced features that might require upgrading to a paid plan.
Top 8 free website builders – pros, cons, and best uses
Now that you understand what to look for in a free website builder, let’s examine eight of the most popular options. We’ll cover each builder’s strengths, weaknesses, and the types of projects they are best suited for.
MaxiBlocks
MaxiBlocks is a free, open-source WordPress plugin that provides a visual, no-code page builder for creating responsive, fast-loading websites. It integrates with the Gutenberg editor, allowing users to drag and drop pre-designed blocks to craft stunning pages. The key features of MaxiBlocks include a library of over 2,000 customizable block patterns, 164 layouts, and more than 14,000 icons to choose from. It has an intuitive block system that makes it easy for anyone to build professional websites, regardless of experience. The responsive design ensures your website looks great on all devices. You get access to all page builder features, custom blocks, and settings completely free, with no locked features. MaxiBlocks offers unlimited sites and downloads, without the need for license keys or domain restrictions. MaxiBlocks is committed to providing cutting-edge features and continual improvements, ensuring that users have access to the best tools for creating and managing their WordPress websites. It has been used by many WordPress website designers and is recommended for its ease of use, flexibility, and comprehensive design features.
Elementor (Free Version)
Elementor is a popular WordPress plugin offering a visual, drag-and-drop website-building experience. Its free version provides a solid foundation for creating custom designs within your WordPress environment. The intuitive visual editor lets you design pages in real-time without needing to touch code. You get a solid collection of basic content widgets like text, images, headings, and buttons, as well as some layout widgets. Elementor lets you easily adjust layouts for different device sizes, ensuring your site looks good everywhere. You have access to a library of professional-looking templates and decent control over colors, fonts, spacing, and backgrounds. Elementor enjoys a large and active community, so you can often find help and tutorials online. Some advanced design features require the Elementor Pro upgrade, and it does not include free hosting. Elementor is best for beginners, creatives, and small-to-medium-sized businesses seeking an easy and visually driven way to build WordPress websites.
Wix (Free Version)
Wix is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and wide range of templates. Its user-friendliness is its core appeal, making designing a website very simple even for those with no technical experience. With hundreds of visually appealing templates across categories like business, eCommerce, portfolios, and blogs, Wix ensures plenty of starting points for customization. The platform has a robust set of built-in features and an extensive app market, allowing you to add booking systems, contact forms, image galleries, and more. Wix also provides solid tools for setting up an online store, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Switching templates after you’ve built much of your website can be a hassle, and the free plan includes Wix ads. Wix is best for beginners, creatives, and small-to-medium-sized eCommerce businesses.
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Weebly (Free Version)
Weebly is known for its simplicity and ease of use. Its drag-and-drop interface makes the website-building process very beginner-friendly. Weebly provides a collection of modern and aesthetically pleasing templates to give your website a polished foundation. Remarkably, the free version allows you to start a small online store with core essentials like product listings, a shopping cart, and payment processing. The Weebly App Center offers a selection of free and paid apps to extend your website’s functionality. The free plan displays Weebly ads on your site, and there are limits on storage and bandwidth. Weebly is best for first-time website builders, small-scale projects, and those testing the waters before committing to a paid subscription.
WordPress.com (Free Version)
WordPress.com is a hosted version of the world’s most popular content management system, WordPress. The free plan offers a way to try out the WordPress ecosystem with ease. WordPress.com shines in its intuitive blogging tools, making it easy to create and publish posts with text, images, and embedded media. The free version introduces you to the core WordPress interface, a valuable skill if you plan to scale up to self-hosted WordPress later. While the customization options are limited compared to self-hosted WordPress, you still get a decent selection of themes and basic site design controls. WordPress benefits from vast community resources, tutorials, and forums. The free plan includes WordPress.com ads, has storage limits, and does not allow custom plugins. WordPress.com is best for new bloggers, learners, and simple personal sites.
SITE123 (Free Version)
SITE123 prioritizes speed and simplicity in website creation. Its free version offers a way to establish a basic online presence with minimal technical know-how. SITE123 excels in its user-friendly interface, using a structured rather than fully drag-and-drop approach, making the design process straightforward. You can have a functional website up and running quickly with SITE123’s guided process. The platform provides a selection of visually appealing templates to serve as starting points for various website types. The free version includes basic SEO tools, social media integrations, and the ability to add a contact form. SITE123 boasts strong multilingual capabilities, making it a good choice for sites needing to cater to multiple languages. The editor offers less granular design control compared to some drag-and-drop builders, and the free plan displays SITE123 ads on your website. SITE123 is best for absolute beginners, simple websites, and time-sensitive launches.
Google Sites
Google Sites is a free website builder integrated into the Google Workspace ecosystem. Its primary draw is its simplicity and tight integration with other Google tools. Google Sites is very beginner-friendly, with an interface that will be familiar to anyone who uses Google Docs or Slides. It allows you to embed Google Drive files, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendars, Maps, and more directly into your website. Real-time collaboration is built-in, so you can work on your site with teammates easily. If you have a Google account, there’s no additional cost to start using Google Sites. The design flexibility is limited, and Google Sites focuses on core essentials, lacking advanced features like blogging systems or in-depth eCommerce tools. The free plan uses a sites.google.com/view/yoursitename type domain. Google Sites is best for Google Workspace users, small-scale projects, and internal teams.
Webflow (Free Version)
Webflow stands out in the website-building space for its incredible visual design control and focus on interactions and animations. The free plan offers a way to test the waters of this powerful platform. Webflow grants you pixel-perfect control over your website’s layout and styling, using concepts similar to professional design tools. You can create eye-catching animations and micro-interactions to add a ‘wow’ factor to your website. If you have a design background or a strong desire to craft your site’s visuals precisely, Webflow will resonate with you. The free plan includes basic Content Management System (CMS) functionality to build dynamic, data-driven content like blog posts or project listings. Learning Webflow, even through the free version, can boost your web design skills. The free plan limits you to two projects and has staging restrictions, and your site will live on a Webflow subdomain. Webflow is best for web designers in training, experimenters, and those exploring CMS capabilities.
Why is WordPress free? What are the costs? What is the catch?
WordPress is open-source software, meaning it is free to use, modify, and redistribute. There are costs involved in other areas, such as hosting and domain names. Understanding the philosophy behind open-source software and how people make money with WordPress can clarify the true costs and benefits.
The philosophy behind open-source software Open-source software is different from tangible products. Once created, it can be copied many times at little cost. The open-source movement believes in the freedom to use, modify, and redistribute software.
How do people make money with WordPress? WordPress.com offers restricted free blog hosting services, with upgrades available for additional features. Developers build businesses around commercial plugins, themes, and hosting. Examples include WPEngine, Awesome Motive, and ElegantThemes.
Cost of using WordPress While WordPress.org software is free to download and use, you need hosting and a domain to make your WordPress site live on the web. Hosting starts at around $7.99 per month, with domain names costing about $14 per year. Additional costs could include commercial themes and plugins, but there are many free options available.
Ownership With self-hosted WordPress.org, you own your website. With WordPress.com, there are more restrictions and limited customization options.
Monetization opportunities There are many ways to make money from your WordPress site, such as membership sites, affiliate marketing, Google AdSense, selling digital products, and more.
Choosing the right free website builder depends on your specific needs and goals. This guide has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of eight popular options, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a beginner looking for simplicity, a creative seeking design flexibility, or a business aiming to establish an online presence, there’s a free website builder out there for you. By understanding the features and limitations of each platform, you can select the one that best fits your needs and start building your professional-looking website today. For more insights on WordPress website design, WordPress Templates, and various WordPress website builders, refer to the articles linked throughout this guide.
FAQs: Is WordPress web builder free?
Is WordPress web builder free?
Yes, WordPress itself is free to use. However, costs can be incurred for hosting, domain names, premium themes, and plugins.
What is the best free website builder in 2024?
The best free website builder depends on your specific needs. Popular options include MaxiBlocks, Elementor, Wix, Weebly, WordPress.com, SITE123, Google Sites, and Webflow.
Why is WordPress free?
WordPress is open-source software, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and redistribute. The philosophy behind open-source software is to provide freedom and flexibility to users.
What are the hidden costs of using WordPress?
While WordPress software is free, you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name. Additional costs can include premium themes, plugins, and possibly hiring developers for advanced customization.
How do people make money with WordPress?
Developers and businesses make money with WordPress through commercial plugins, themes, hosting services, and providing customization and development services.
What should I look for in a free website builder?
Key features to look for include ease of use, design flexibility, essential functionalities like blogging and contact forms, and a supportive community.
Can I create a professional website with a free builder?
Yes, you can create a professional-looking website with a free builder, though you may encounter limitations in customization, storage, and advanced features.
What are the limitations of free website builders?
Common limitations include advertisements on your site, limited storage and bandwidth, and restricted access to advanced features and customization options.
Is it worth upgrading to a paid plan?
Upgrading to a paid plan can be worth it if you need additional features, more storage and bandwidth, ad-free experience, and better customization options.
Can I switch from a free to a paid website builder plan easily?
Yes, most website builders offer seamless upgrades from free to paid plans, allowing you to retain your existing content and design while gaining access to additional features.
What is a Web Builder free?
A Web Builder free is an online tool that allows users to create websites without any cost. These builders often come with various templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and essential features to help you build a professional-looking website without needing to know how to code.
How do I find a good Web Builder free?
To find a good Web Builder free, look for reputable platforms such as Wix, Weebly, or WordPress.com. These platforms offer free plans with various features and templates to choose from. Additionally, read user reviews and check for features that match your needs.
Can I use a Web Builder free for my business website?
Yes, you can use a Web Builder free for your business website. Many free web builders offer professional templates and essential features like contact forms and e-commerce capabilities that can help you create a functional and attractive business site.
What are the limitations of using a Web Builder free?
The limitations of using a Web Builder free often include restricted features, limited storage and bandwidth, ads displayed on your site, and a lack of a custom domain. Upgrading to a paid plan can remove these limitations and provide additional features.
Do Web Builder free platforms include hosting?
Yes, most Web Builder free platforms include hosting as part of their service. This means you do not need to purchase separate hosting, making it easier to get your website online quickly and at no cost.
Can I upgrade from a Web Builder free plan?
Yes, you can upgrade from a Web Builder free plan to a premium plan. Upgrading typically offers more features, additional storage, custom domain options, and the removal of ads from your website.
Are there any hidden costs with Web Builder free services?
While the basic features of Web Builder free services are free, there may be additional costs for premium features, custom domains, and other add-ons. It’s important to review the terms of service and pricing plans before committing.
How user-friendly is a Web Builder free?
A Web Builder free is generally very user-friendly, designed for individuals with no technical background. These platforms use drag-and-drop interfaces and offer plenty of tutorials and customer support to help you build your website.
Can I use my own domain with a Web Builder free?
Using your own domain with a Web Builder free usually requires an upgrade to a paid plan. However, you can typically use a subdomain provided by the web builder, such as yoursite.webbuilder.com, for free.
What kind of websites can I build with a Web Builder free?
With a Web Builder free, you can build various types of websites, including blogs, personal websites, business websites, portfolios, and online stores. The versatility of these builders makes them suitable for many different projects.
Are Web Builder free templates customizable?
Yes, Web Builder free templates are customizable. Most free web builders offer a range of templates that you can personalize with your own content, images, colors, and layouts to match your specific needs and preferences.
Can I add e-commerce functionality to my Web Builder free site?
Some Web Builder free platforms offer basic e-commerce functionality, but you may need to upgrade to a paid plan for full e-commerce features like payment processing, inventory management, and advanced shipping options.
How do Web Builder free platforms make money?
Web Builder free platforms make money through premium subscriptions, selling custom domains, and additional services such as email marketing, SEO tools, and e-commerce features. They may also display ads on free websites.
What is the best Web Builder free for beginners?
The best Web Builder free for beginners depends on individual needs, but popular choices include Wix, Weebly, and WordPress.com. These platforms are known for their ease of use, robust features, and extensive template libraries.
Can I create a mobile-friendly site with a Web Builder free?
Yes, you can create a mobile-friendly site with a Web Builder free. Most modern web builders offer responsive design templates that automatically adjust to look great on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
How secure is a Web Builder free platform?
Web Builder free platforms typically offer a secure environment for building and hosting websites. They often include SSL certificates, regular updates, and security monitoring to protect your site from potential threats.
Can I integrate social media with my Web Builder free site?
Yes, you can integrate social media with your Web Builder free site. Most web builders offer easy integration with social media platforms, allowing you to add social media buttons, feeds, and sharing options to your website.
Will my Web Builder free site include analytics?
Some Web Builder free platforms include basic analytics tools, but for more detailed insights, you may need to upgrade to a premium plan or integrate third-party analytics services like Google Analytics.
Are there any SEO tools available with Web Builder free?
Many Web Builder free platforms offer basic SEO tools to help you optimize your site for search engines. These tools might include meta tag editing, URL customization, and site map generation. For advanced SEO features, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
How long can I use a Web Builder free?
You can use a Web Builder free for as long as you want, but the duration and terms may vary by platform. While there are no time limits, you might consider upgrading to a paid plan as your website grows and your needs evolve.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
maxiblocks.com/go/help-desk
maxiblocks.com/pro-library
www.youtube.com/@maxiblocks
twitter.com/maxiblocks
linkedin.com/company/maxi-blocks
github.com/orgs/maxi-blocks
wordpress.org/plugins/maxi-blocks
Kyra Pieterse
Author
Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.
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