What you can build with free website tools
You can create a working website for free using tools that require no coding knowledge. These platforms handle the hosting (the server that keeps your site online), the design templates, and the basic features most people need — contact forms, image galleries, blog posts, and payment buttons. You pick a platform, choose a template, add your content, and publish. The site lives at a web address the platform provides, usually something like yourname.wix.com or yourname.weebly.com.
The trade-off is that free plans come with limits. You get a smaller amount of storage space, the platform's branding appears somewhere on your site, you cannot use your own domain name (like yourname.com), and some features are locked behind paid upgrades. If you outgrow the free version, you can usually pay to remove those limits — but you are not forced to.
Key Takeaways
- Free website builders like Wix, Weebly, and Google Sites let you drag and drop content into pre-made templates without writing any code.
- Free plans include hosting and basic features but show the platform's branding in your web address and may limit storage or design options.
- You can add a contact form, image gallery, or straightforward online store to a free site, though some advanced features require a paid plan.
- Your site is live and searchable as soon as you publish it, but search engines take weeks to weeks to index new sites regardless of whether you paid.
Wix: Templates with drag-and-drop editing
Wix is a visual editor where you click and drag elements onto a blank page. You start by choosing a template (restaurant, portfolio, small business, blog, and so on), then you replace the placeholder text and images with your own. The editor shows you exactly what your site looks like as you build it — no separate preview step.
The free Wix plan includes hosting, a web address ending in .wix.com, up to 500 MB of storage, and basic features like contact forms and image galleries. You cannot remove the Wix branding from your address or use a custom domain name unless you pay. Wix also limits how many pages you can create on the free plan, though the limit is high enough for most small projects.
To start: go to wix.com, click "Create a Website," choose a template category that matches what you want to build, pick a specific template design, and begin editing. Wix walks you through the process with tooltips and suggestions.
Weebly: Simpler interface with fewer options
Weebly is more straightforward than Wix but offers fewer design customization options. You choose a template, add pages (Home, About, Contact, and so on), and fill in content. The interface is less flexible — you cannot move elements around as freely as you can in Wix — but that simplicity makes it faster to build a basic site.
The free Weebly plan includes hosting, a web address ending in .weebly.com, up to 500 MB of storage, and a contact form. Like Wix, you cannot remove Weebly's branding or use a custom domain without paying. Weebly is a good choice if you want something straightforward and do not need advanced design control.
To start: go to weebly.com, click "Create a Website," choose a template, and begin adding pages and content. The process is more linear than Wix — you build pages in order rather than editing a visual canvas.
Google Sites: The fastest option for straightforward projects
Google Sites is the lightest-weight option. It is built into Google's ecosystem, so if you already use Gmail or Google Drive, you are already logged in. You create a site by choosing a template and adding pages with text, images, and embedded content (like YouTube videos or Google Maps). There is almost no learning curve.
The free Google Sites plan includes hosting, a web address ending in .sites.google.com, unlimited storage, and basic features. Like the other platforms, you cannot use a custom domain or remove Google's branding without paying. Google Sites is best for portfolios, class projects, small business landing pages, or anything that does not need an online store or advanced features.
To start: go to sites.google.com, click "Create," choose a template, and begin adding content. You can embed Google Forms (for surveys or sign-ups), Google Calendar, and other Google tools directly into your pages.
Adding features: contact forms, galleries, and straightforward stores
All three platforms let you add a contact form without coding. In Wix and Weebly, you drag a contact form element onto a page and configure where the messages go (usually to your email). In Google Sites, you can embed a Google Form that collects responses in a spreadsheet. These forms work when ready — visitors can send you messages as soon as you publish.
Image galleries are built into all three platforms. You upload images, choose a layout (grid, carousel, lightbox), and the platform handles the rest. Google Sites is the most basic — it shows images in a straightforward list or grid. Wix and Weebly offer more layout options.
If you want to sell products, Wix and Weebly both offer straightforward online stores on their free plans, though with limits on the number of products you can list. Google Sites does not have a built-in store, but you can embed a Shopify or Stripe payment button if you set up an account with those services separately.
Your own domain name and removing platform branding
On a free plan, your web address is something like yourname.wix.com or yourname.weebly.com. If you want yourname.com instead, you need to buy a domain name and connect it to your site. Domain names cost roughly $10 to $15 per year from registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
Connecting a custom domain to a free website builder usually requires upgrading to a paid plan. Wix and Weebly both charge monthly fees to use a custom domain with their free templates. Google Sites lets you use a custom domain for free if you own the domain, though the setup is more technical — you have to change DNS settings in your domain registrar.
If you do not need a custom domain, the free web address works perfectly fine. Search engines treat yourname.wix.com the same way they treat yourname.com — there is no penalty for using the platform's domain.
Publishing and search engine visibility
Once you finish building your site, you click a "Publish" button and it goes live when ready. Your site is now online and has a web address anyone can visit. However, search engines like Google do not automatically know your site exists. It takes weeks or sometimes months for Google to discover and index a new site, regardless of whether you paid for it or built it for free.
You can speed this up slightly by submitting your site to Google Search Console (a free tool from Google that tells search engines about your site). All three platforms make this straightforward — there is usually a settings option to submit your site automatically. But even after submission, indexing takes time.
Your site will be searchable eventually, but do not expect traffic from Google in the first few weeks. If you need people to find your site right away, you will need to share the link directly or promote it on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my site to a different platform later?
It depends on the platform and what you built. Wix and Weebly make it difficult to export your content — you may have to rebuild your site on a new platform. Google Sites is easier to migrate because you can read your pages as HTML files. If you think you might switch platforms later, Google Sites is the safer choice.
Will my free site have ads on it?
Wix and Weebly do not show ads to your visitors on free plans. Google Sites also does not show ads. The platform's branding appears in your web address and sometimes in a footer, but not as advertisements interrupting your content.
How much storage do I actually get?
Wix and Weebly both give you 500 MB of storage on the free plan, which is enough for roughly 100 to 200 images depending on their size. Google Sites offers unlimited storage. For most small sites with text and a few dozen images, 500 MB is plenty.
Can I add a blog to my free website?
Yes. All three platforms include a blog feature on their free plans. You can write posts, organize them by category, and let visitors leave comments. The blog works the same way as the rest of your site — no coding required.
What if I want to use my own code instead of a template?
These three platforms are not designed for that. If you want to write your own HTML and CSS, you need a different tool — either a code editor paired with free hosting (like GitHub Pages), or a hosting service that lets you upload files directly. Those options require coding knowledge and are outside the scope of these drag-and-drop builders.