Building a website doesn’t have to be expensive. In 2024, there are plenty of free website builders available that let you create a professional-looking site without spending a dime. These tools are perfect for small businesses, personal blogs, portfolios, and more. Each builder has unique features, so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly. Here are the top 10 free website builders you should consider this year.
Key Takeaways
- Wix offers a user-friendly interface with lots of design options and features.
- Squarespace is great for creatives, with beautiful templates and easy-to-use tools.
- GoDaddy helps you get a website online quickly with its simple setup process.
- Weebly is ideal for small online stores, offering good e-commerce tools.
- Webflow is perfect for designers who want more control over their site’s look and feel.
1. Wix
Founded in 2006, Wix is an Israeli software company that provides cloud-based web development services. It allows you to create HTML5 websites and mobile sites using online drag-and-drop tools.
Wix is extremely easy to use. Building your first site with Wix’s ADI editor is as simple as answering a few questions about your online goals, color and design preferences, and the pages you want. Wix then creates the website in seconds.
For more customization, you can use the standard Wix editor. With over 800 templates to choose from, you can easily drag and drop images, text blocks, and other content onto the page.
Features
- Media Handling: Upload your own images and videos from your local system, Instagram, Google Photos, Drive, and more. You can also access Wix’s own and Shutterstock’s photo and video libraries.
- Page Sections: Add new pages and page sections like Welcome, About, Contact Us, and Testimonials. Each section type comes in various default layouts that can be fine-tuned to suit your needs.
- App Market: Extend your site with apps like TripAdvisor reviews and comment sections. For example, you can embed social media streams, automatically post to social media, and easily share your site on top social media platforms.
Pricing and Plans
Wix offers a limited free plan, but for serious users, a paid plan is a must. Here are some of the paid plans:
| Plan | Price (per month) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $17 | Removes ads, custom domain, 2GB storage |
| Core | $29 | E-commerce capabilities, 10GB storage |
| Business | $36 | Advanced e-commerce features, unlimited storage |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Over 800 templates to choose from
- Supports over 180 languages
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Offers a free version to test the service
Cons:
- Can’t switch templates after building your website
- Only premium plans have e-commerce capabilities
- Wide range of options can be overwhelming for beginners
Wix remains top-tier because it has all the qualities most people look for in a site builder. From sophisticated templates to ease of use, if it’s your first time building a website, consider Wix.
Wix is fairly priced at $29 per month for the Core plan, which allows you to sell both physical and digital goods while tracking what you have in stock.
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its beautiful, responsive designs. In 2024, it continues to be a top choice for those looking to create stunning websites with ease. The platform offers over 100 templates, making it easy to find a design that suits your needs.
Squarespace’s section-based drag-and-drop editor is one of the simplest to use, allowing you to build your site quickly. The built-in AI support can help generate content, although you should review it carefully.
Squarespace has four pricing plans:
| Plan | Price (per month) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $16 | Core website builder, free hosting, free domain for 1 year |
| Business | $23 | Secure checkout, full ecommerce functionality, 3% transaction fee |
| Basic Commerce | $27 | More marketing tools, 0% transaction fee |
| Advanced Commerce | $49 | Full ecommerce functionality, all shipping and selling tools |
Squarespace is ideal for bloggers and small businesses. The Blog App lets you manage your blog from your smartphone, and the platform supports social media integration, making it easy to share your content.
Squarespace is the easiest website builder we’ve tested in 2024, outperforming 16 other platforms due to its simple drag-and-drop editor and intuitive interface.
However, Squarespace does have some limitations. It doesn’t automatically save your changes, so you can’t restore an earlier version if you make a mistake. Additionally, it lacks phone-based customer support and doesn’t offer a free tier.
Overall, Squarespace is a great choice if you want a professional-looking website with minimal effort. Its wide range of templates and features make it a versatile option for many users.
3. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a popular choice for those who want to build a website quickly without sacrificing too much on professionalism. It’s a great option for beginners due to its simple editing tools and intuitive console.
Pricing and Plans
GoDaddy offers three main pricing tiers:
| Plan | First Year Price | Renewal Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $9.99/month | $12.99/month |
| Premium | $14.99/month | $19.99/month |
| Commerce | $20.99/month | $26.99/month |
The Basic plan is great for simple websites, while the Commerce plan includes everything you need to run an online store.
Features
- Ease of Use: GoDaddy is very user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to get started.
- Customer Support: Offers 24/7 tech support, extensive PDF guides, and community forums.
- Templates: Professional templates are available, though they can be hard to find.
- SEO Tools: Basic SEO tools are included, but advanced features require an upgrade.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great for beginners
- Excellent customer support
- Affordable plans
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- No permanent free option
- Templates can be difficult to locate
If you’re looking for a website builder that is both affordable and boasts great support, then GoDaddy may be the right choice for you.
Final Thoughts
GoDaddy is a solid choice for anyone looking to build a website quickly and easily. While it may lack some customization options, its ease of use and excellent customer support make it a strong contender in 2024.
4. Weebly
Weebly is a great choice for those who want to create an online store without much hassle. Its ease of use is unbeatable. You can have your website up and running in no time with its drag-and-drop builder.
Key Features
- User-friendly site editor
- Robust e-commerce tools
- SEO tools and lead capture
- Unlimited items in your store
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0/month |
| Premium | $10/month |
Pros
- Easy to use
- Unlimited store items
- Low-cost premium plans
Cons
- Displays ads on free version
- Limited theme customization
Weebly is perfect for anyone looking to sell products online with minimal effort. Its ease of use makes it a top choice for beginners.
5. Webflow
Webflow is a powerful website builder that offers advanced customization features and stunning templates. It’s a great choice for those who have some web development experience or are willing to learn.
Pros
- Creative freedom: Webflow provides a lot of creative control, allowing you to customize almost every aspect of your site.
- Limited ads: The free plan includes a small, unintrusive “Powered by Webflow” ad at the bottom of the page.
- Template choices: There are many free templates available, making it easier to find one that suits your needs.
- Integrations: You can connect your Webflow site to other apps using tools like Zapier.
Cons
- No drag-and-drop editor: Webflow can be difficult to use for beginners due to its complex layout and reliance on code.
- No custom domain on free plan: You need to upgrade to a paid plan to use a custom domain.
- Steep learning curve: The platform can be overwhelming at first, but there are tutorials available to help you get started.
If you’re comfortable with WordPress and the concept of styles and classes, you should be okay with Webflow. However, if you’re new to website builders, it might be hard to get your footing.
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0/month |
| Basic | $14/month (billed annually) |
| CMS | $29/month (billed annually) |
Webflow is a solid choice for those looking for a free website builder with advanced features and minimal ads. However, it may not be the best option for beginners due to its complexity.
6. Hostinger
Hostinger is a great choice for those looking for an affordable website builder in 2024. While it doesn’t offer a free plan, it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out risk-free.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Tools: Hostinger’s suite of AI tools can help you design your site, write content, and predict user behavior.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily create attractive pages and e-commerce shops without any coding skills.
- Free SSL Certificate: Secure your site with a free SSL certificate included in all plans.
- Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth: All plans come with unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it a great option for growing sites.
Pricing
Hostinger offers two main plans:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | $2.99 | AI tools, free domain for one year, 24/7 support |
| Business | $3.99 | All Premium features plus advanced AI and e-commerce tools |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Easy to use
- Powerful AI tools
- Free domain for one year
Cons:
- No free plan
- Limited template switching options
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly website builder with powerful features, Hostinger is worth considering. Its AI tools and easy-to-use interface make it a strong contender in 2024.
7. Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular choice for those who want to create a WordPress site. It offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started, even if you’re new to website building. Here are some key features and points to consider:
- Ease of Use: Bluehost provides a simple onboarding process with a wizard to guide you through setting up your site.
- Templates: You get access to over 300 templates, which is less than some competitors but still a good variety.
- Free Domain: Bluehost includes a free domain for the first year.
- Support: 24/7 expert support is available to help you with any issues.
- Ecommerce: For online stores, Bluehost combines WordPress, WooCommerce, and YITH plugins.
Bluehost is a leading web hosting solutions company recommended by WordPress.org.
Pricing and Plans
Bluehost offers four main plans:
- Basic: $2.9/month for the first year, renews at $11.99/month.
- Choice Plus: $5.45/month for the first year, renews at $21.99/month.
- Online Store: $9.95/month for the first year, renews at $26.99/month.
- Pro: $13.95/month for the first year, renews at $28.99/month.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large library of templates
- Free SSL and free domain
- Easy switch between Builder and WordPress builder
Cons:
- No email accounts included
- Can’t switch templates once chosen
- No monthly billing option
Bluehost is ideal if you want a WordPress site and value ease of use and good support. However, if you need more advanced features or email accounts included, you might want to consider other options.
8. Duda
Duda is a top choice for agencies and professionals looking to create high-quality websites. It offers over 100 professionally designed templates and advanced customization tools. However, it does not provide a free plan, although there is a 14-day free trial.
Key Features
- Client Management Tools: Duda excels in client management, allowing agencies to create new websites from pre-saved templates, set permissions, and streamline feedback and revisions.
- Ecommerce Functionality: Offers robust ecommerce tools, including various payment gateways, coupons, and gift cards.
- Customization: Features ultra-precise edits through Flex Mode, global styles for sitewide consistency, and support for RTL languages.
- Marketing and SEO Tools: Includes native email marketing, blogging functionality, and comprehensive SEO features optimized for Google Page Speed.
Pricing
Duda offers several pricing plans:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $19 | Suitable for small businesses, includes essential features. |
| Team | $29 | Adds more advanced tools for growing businesses. |
| Agency | $52 | Unlocks additional features for agencies managing multiple clients. |
| White Label | $149 | Comprehensive package for large-scale agency work with white labeling. |
Duda is ideal for agencies needing professional tools to streamline workflows and client interactions. However, it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a free plan or a large selection of fonts.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Over 100 professionally designed templates
- Advanced design and customization tools
- Comprehensive client and team management features
- Integrated with Amazon Web Services
- Power AI tools
Cons:
- No free domain
- Relatively expensive plans
- Steep learning curve
- Limited support for lower-level plans
If you run an agency, Duda’s specialized tools can make your work easier and more efficient. However, if you need a free plan, you might want to consider other options like Wix or Weebly.
9. Strikingly
Strikingly is a straightforward website builder with simple, mobile-friendly designs for landing pages, e-commerce, and blogs. You can add an e-commerce store with its Simple Store feature—you can even sell up to one product with a free account.
Strikingly offers everything a simple business needs to get online, but its design options aren’t particularly striking. You can build a simple page, but the platform lacks modern design features like animation and more complex layouts.
Who should use it:
Strikingly is a good fit for a small business that needs a simple online presence and doesn’t have design resources.
Pros & Cons
- Free plans do not display ads
- Invite collaborators with free plan
- Add a store to a free site (limited to one product)
- Very beginner-friendly
- Free site limited to five pages
- Outdated page styles
Strikingly is a good choice if you need a simple, no-fuss website builder. It’s especially useful for small businesses that want to get online quickly without needing advanced design skills.
10. Ucraft
Ucraft is a free website builder that offers a range of features to help you create a professional-looking site. While it may not be the most intuitive platform, it does provide strong mobile site customization and modern templates. This makes it a good choice for those who want to build a site without spending any money upfront.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop builder
- CMS and e-commerce functions
- Ability to use your own domain for free
- Modern template designs
- Printful integration
Pros
- Strong mobile site customization
- Modern site templates
- Image repository
- Collaborative site editing
- Good web store options
Cons
- Placing page objects can be awkward
- Limited free version
- No blogging with a free plan
- Limited e-commerce features compared to competitors
Ucraft’s free tier makes it a good pick for anyone looking to try building a website or even an online store without fully committing. If you like what you see, you can subscribe to a premium tier to remove all limitations and really go for it.
Conclusion
Creating a website in 2024 has never been easier, thanks to the wide range of free website builders available. Whether you’re looking to start a blog, showcase your portfolio, or set up an online store, there’s a tool out there to meet your needs. From Wix’s user-friendly interface to GoDaddy’s quick setup, each builder offers unique features to help you create a professional-looking site without breaking the bank. While free plans come with some limitations, they provide a great starting point for anyone new to website building. As you grow, you might find it worthwhile to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced features and greater flexibility. Happy building!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a website builder?
A website builder is a tool that helps you create a website without needing to write any code. It usually comes with templates and drag-and-drop features to make designing easy.
Are free website builders really free?
Yes, free website builders let you create and publish a website without paying. However, they often have limitations like ads and fewer features compared to paid plans.
Can I use my own domain with a free website builder?
Most free website builders don’t allow you to use a custom domain. You usually need to upgrade to a paid plan to use your own domain name.
Do free website builders include hosting?
Yes, free website builders typically include hosting, so you don’t need to pay extra to make your site available online.
Will there be ads on my free website?
Yes, most free website builders display ads on your site. To remove these ads, you often need to switch to a paid plan.
Can I sell products on a free website builder?
Some free website builders allow you to sell products, but the features are usually limited. For a full-fledged online store, you might need to upgrade to a paid plan.
