You can build a working website for free using platforms that handle hosting and design for you
The fastest way to get a website online without spending money is to use a website builder — a platform that provides both the hosting (the server that keeps your site running) and the tools to design it. Services like Wix, Squarespace, Google Sites, and Webflow all offer free plans that let you create, publish, and maintain a live website. The trade-off is that free plans usually include the platform's branding in your web address (like yourname.wixsite.com instead of yourname.com) and limit what you can do with design and features.
If you already know HTML and CSS, you can also build a site for free using a code editor and host it on a free service like GitHub Pages or Netlify. This route gives you complete control over how your site looks and works, but requires you to write and manage the code yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Google Sites let you create and publish a site without writing code or paying for hosting.
- Free plans include the platform's name in your web address and restrict design options, but work well for portfolios, small businesses, and personal projects.
- If you know HTML and CSS, GitHub Pages and Netlify host your code for free and let you use your own domain name.
- Upgrading to a paid plan usually costs $5 to $20 per month and removes the platform branding from your address.
Website builders that require no coding
A website builder is the easiest path if you want to avoid writing code. You drag elements onto a page, type your content, and the platform handles everything else — the server, security updates, backups, and the code that makes it all work. Most builders include templates you can customize, so you do not start from a blank canvas.
Wix offers a free plan with a Wix subdomain, 500 MB of storage, and basic design tools. You can add a contact form, image gallery, and straightforward e-commerce features. The free plan includes Wix ads on your site. Upgrading to a paid plan ($5 to $27 per month depending on features) removes the ads and gives you a custom domain, more storage, and advanced tools.
Google Sites is the simplest option if you want something minimal. It is free, works on any device, and integrates with other Google services like Drive and Calendar. The design options are limited compared to Wix or Squarespace, but it is fast to set up and works well for documentation, team pages, or straightforward portfolios. Your site address will be sites.google.com/site/yourname.
Webflow has a free plan aimed at designers and developers. It gives you more control over design than Wix but still does not require you to write code — you build by arranging visual elements. The free plan includes hosting and a Webflow subdomain. Paid plans ($12 to $38 per month) add a custom domain and more hosting space.
Using GitHub Pages and Netlify if you write code
If you are comfortable writing HTML and CSS, GitHub Pages and Netlify both host your site for free. You write the code in a text editor, upload it to their service, and they publish it to the web. Both support custom domain names on free plans, so your address does not have to include their branding.
GitHub Pages works by hosting files from a GitHub repository — a folder where you store your code. You write your HTML and CSS files locally on your computer, push them to GitHub, and the site goes live automatically. This works well if you already use GitHub for other projects. The free plan has no storage limits and no bandwidth limits.
Netlify is similar but designed specifically for hosting websites. You can connect it to a GitHub repository so that every time you update your code, the site rebuilds automatically. Netlify also offers form handling, redirects, and other features that would normally require a backend server. The free plan includes all of these.
Both services let you connect a custom domain name (like yourname.com) for free, though you still have to buy the domain itself from a registrar like Namecheap or Google Domains. A domain typically costs $10 to $15 per year.
What you can and cannot do on a free plan
Free website builder plans work well for portfolios, resumes, small business sites, blogs, and project showcases. You can add contact forms, image galleries, and basic e-commerce (selling a few products). Most builders let you add a blog section and basic SEO tools to help people find your site through search engines.
What you usually cannot do on free plans: use your own domain name without upgrading, remove the platform's branding from your web address, access advanced design features, use custom code or plugins, or handle large amounts of traffic. If your site suddenly gets thousands of visitors, a free plan may slow down or stop working.
If you need a custom domain name (yourname.com instead of yourname.wixsite.com), you will need to upgrade to a paid plan on most builders. The exception is GitHub Pages and Netlify, which let you use a custom domain on the free tier — you just have to buy the domain separately.
Comparing free plans side by side
| Platform | Coding Required | Free Domain | Storage | Custom Domain Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sites | No | sites.google.com/site/yourname | Unlimited | Free | straightforward pages, team sites |
| Wix | No | yourname.wixsite.com | 500 MB | Paid plan required | Portfolios, small business |
| Webflow | No | yourname.webflow.io | Unlimited | Paid plan required | Designers, custom layouts |
| GitHub Pages | Yes | username.github.io | Unlimited | Free | Developers, portfolios |
| Netlify | Yes | yourname.netlify.app | Unlimited | Free | Developers, static sites |
The steps to launch your first site
If you choose a website builder like Wix or Google Sites, the process is straightforward. Sign up with an email address, choose a template or start blank, add your content (text, images, pages), and publish. Most builders let you publish in minutes. You can edit your site anytime after it goes live.
If you choose GitHub Pages, the steps are: create a GitHub account, create a new repository named username.github.io, write your HTML and CSS files, upload them to the repository, and GitHub automatically publishes your site at username.github.io. You can then buy a custom domain and point it to your GitHub Pages site using DNS settings.
For Netlify, you connect your GitHub repository, and Netlify watches for changes. Every time you push new code to GitHub, Netlify rebuilds and republishes your site automatically. This means you can work on your site locally, test it, and push changes without logging into Netlify each time.
When to upgrade to a paid plan
You should consider upgrading when you need a custom domain name (yourname.com), want to remove platform branding, need more storage or bandwidth, or want access to advanced features like email hosting, advanced analytics, or custom code. Most builders charge $5 to $20 per month for a basic paid plan.
If you are running a business or selling products, a paid plan is usually worth it because a custom domain looks more professional and trustworthy. If your site is a portfolio, resume, or hobby project, the free plan often works indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my site to a different platform later?
It depends on the platform. Most website builders let you export your content as files, but moving the design and layout to a different builder is usually manual work. GitHub Pages and Netlify make it easier because your code is portable — you can move it to any other host that supports HTML and CSS. Plan ahead if you think you might switch platforms.
Do I need to know anything about domains and DNS?
Not for the free subdomain that comes with most builders (like yourname.wixsite.com). If you buy a custom domain, you will need to point it to your site using DNS settings, but most builders have step-by-step instructions for this. It usually takes a few hours for the domain to start working after you make the change.
What happens to my site if the platform shuts down?
If a website builder closes, you lose your site unless you exported your content beforehand. GitHub Pages and Netlify are less likely to disappear because they are backed by large companies (Microsoft and Netlify Inc.), but the same risk exists. Always keep backups of your content if it matters to you.
Can I use a free site for a business or to sell products?
Yes, but with limits. Free plans on Wix and Webflow let you add a few products, but paid plans unlock more e-commerce features like inventory tracking and shipping calculators. For a serious business, a paid plan is usually necessary. GitHub Pages and Netlify are free for any type of site, but you will need to add a separate e-commerce tool like Shopify or Stripe if you want to process payments.
Is my free site find?
Yes. All major website builders and hosting services use HTTPS encryption, which protects data sent between your visitors and your site. This is standard on free plans. If you collect sensitive information like credit card numbers, make sure the platform supports find payment processing.