In at the moment’s digital world, having a enterprise web site is not an choice. It’s a should.
A web based presence is the digital equal of a calling card or itemizing on a cellphone guide’s telephone book. It will increase model consciousness and permits you to show services and products on-line.
Sadly, not all companies see the good thing about having a web site. A survey commissioned by Prime Design Corporations discovered that 27% of small companies do not have one — and the highest causes holding them again from getting one are price and lack of technical know-how.
However here is the excellent news: there are many high-quality choices at no cost web site builders, a lot of which require little to no coding data.
If you do not know the place to look, don’t fret. We have compiled 14 of the very best free web site builders. They provide strong performance like search engine marketing advantages, embedded analytics programs, cell optimization, and professional-looking templates.
These builders are the subsequent smartest thing in case you’re on a good funds. Higher but? A lot of the free web site builders we’ll present you’ve paid choices in case you want extra options as your small business grows.
Finest Free Web site Builders
- HubSpot Drag-and-Drop Web site Builder
- Wix
- WordPress.com
- Elementor Web site Builder
- Webnode
- Jimdo
- Mozello
- Yola
- Weebly
- Webflow
- Ucraft
- SITE123
- Strikingly
- GoDaddy
1. HubSpot Drag-and-Drop Web site Builder
Designing a superbly branded web site does not need to be sophisticated. If you happen to’re taking the DIY-route to create your personal web site and do not have coding expertise, contemplate attempting HubSpot’s drag-and-drop web site builder.
It comes with all the things it’s essential to construct a web site, together with content material administration system (CMS) instruments, themes and templates, safety features, and a built-in content material supply community (CDN) to make sure pages load shortly.
It additionally connects simply with HubSpot CRM. That permits you to combine contact varieties, reside chat requests, and extra, making it ultimate for companies already utilizing HubSpot’s CRM software.
Options:
Benefits:
- Personalization (due to HubSpot CRM)
- Safety
- Responsive themes and templates
Disadvantages:
- Multi-language weblog performance continues to be being carried out
- No built-in e-commerce performance
- You’ll have to study HuBL (HubSpot’s templating language) to construct customized modules and coded templates.
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. The premium CMS plans with extra options begin at $23/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing HubSpot:
2. Wix
With over 200 million customers, Wix is likely one of the hottest free web site builders. The straightforward-to-use, fully-hosted platform presents a straightforward drag-and-drop editor, an in depth assortment of apps, and professional-looking templates. Wix may even suggest a design on your web site utilizing its Synthetic Design Intelligence (ADI) software program, Editor X.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Giant assortment of apps and templates
- Analytics and reporting
Benefits:
- Simple to make use of
- Giant assortment of apps and templates
- Optimized for cell
Disadvantages:
- The free model shows advertisements.
- The premium plans are expensive when in comparison with others on this record.
- Unable to change templates when the location goes reside. The one solution to change templates is by creating a brand new web site and transferring your premium plan to it.
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $16/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Wix:
3. WordPress.com
WordPress is the world’s hottest free web site builder, with a 43% market share within the content material administration area. When constructing web sites with WordPress, you’ve two choices: WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
WordPress.org enables you to obtain WordPress’s open-source software program so you possibly can construct and customise a web site to suit your wants. Nonetheless, there are a number of caveats. Not solely will you want a site title and internet hosting earlier than you get the web site going (which comes at a value), however you may additionally have to discover ways to keep and hold the web site safe by yourself.
In distinction, WordPress.com is far more beginner-friendly. It is a fully-hosted free web site constructing service provided by Automattic that makes use of the WordPress framework to offer a easy web site creation expertise.
The one draw back is that the free model is much much less customizable than WordPress.org. As an illustration, you possibly can’t customise plugins, and domains are restricted to [yourname].wordpress.com.
Nonetheless, WordPress.com’s free model empowers you to create visually gorgeous web sites, blogs, and touchdown pages utilizing the Traditional Editor or the highly effective new Gutenberg block-based editor. Beneath is an instance of certainly one of its pre-designed block-based templates:
Moreover that, you possibly can add property like contact varieties, movies, and embedded content material to WordPress pages utilizing plugins, an add-on function suitable with WordPress however often managed by one other firm.
For instance, HubSpot presents a WordPress advertising plugin that allows you to seize contacts via WordPress and observe them in HubSpot’s free CRM.
Options:
- Giant assortment of themes and plugins
- Cellular-friendly and optimized for search engine marketing
- Managed web site internet hosting and safety
Benefits:
- Customizable
- Versatile
- Cellular and desktop apps out there
Disadvantages:
- The free model shows advertisements.
- Extra limitations in comparison with WordPress.org
- Though intuitive, it’s tougher to study than different drag-and-drop builders.
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $16/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing WordPress.com:
4. Elementor Web site Builder
Whereas WordPress makes web site constructing beginner-friendly, WordPress web page builders make refining your web site and attaining your dream design simpler.
Trusted by over 5,000,000 customers, Elementor is a no-code drag-and-drop web page builder that’s an awesome choice for getting a personalized WordPress web site off the bottom shortly. Select from a whole bunch of mobile-optimized web page templates with out worrying in regards to the underlying code.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Dwell modifying
- Giant library of mobile-responsive templates
- A number of companions constructing templates and add-ons for Elementor (e.g., Astra)
Benefits:
- Newbie-friendly
- Dwell modifying
- Third-party integrations
Disadvantages:
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $49/yr (with out internet hosting).
Manufacturers utilizing Elementor:
5. Webnode
With over 40 million customers, Webnode is likely one of the extra widespread web site builder instruments for a very good purpose. It is reasonably priced, simple to make use of, and helps multilingual web sites — as much as 20 totally different languages.
Webnode is ideal for private, skilled, and small enterprise web sites, because it helps e-commerce shops.
Options:
- Pre-designed templates
- Ecommerce assist
- Cellular-ready
Benefits:
- Multilingual assist
- Cellular-responsive pages
- Backup and restore options
Disadvantages:
- Webnode doesn’t include a built-in app retailer, making it extra sophisticated so as to add additional performance to the web site
- Restricted customization choices
- Restricted weblog and e-commerce performance
Pricing:Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $3.90/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Webnode:
6. Jimdo
Based in 2007, Jimdo is a German-based firm that gives AI-powered web site builder instruments for impartial small companies. The builder, Dolphin, asks customers questions and suggests designs based mostly on their solutions. If you happen to’re interested in what these AI-powered designs appear to be, Jimdo showcases a few examples on its web page.
With 500 MB of area, you may possible have greater than sufficient area to construct your web site, and it even gives HTTPS/SSL encryption, which means your customer’s data might be stored secure. Plus, you possibly can combine your web site seamlessly with social media accounts.
Jimdo can also be a wonderful choice for worldwide corporations as a result of it enables you to create mobile-optimized web sites in over 9 languages.
Options:
- AI-powered web site builder
- SSL encryption
- GDPR-compliant
- Cellular app out there
Benefits:
- Simple to make use of
- Cellular-responsive
- Quick load speeds
Disadvantages:
- Restricted vary of obtainable options
- Few design choices
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $9/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Jimdo:
7. Mozello
Mozello has all the fundamental options it’s essential to construct a web site: a drag-and-drop editor, template library, and even helps ecommerce performance. One of many greatest promoting factors for Mozello is that the builder permits you to create a multilingual web site at no cost.
You may examine samples of internet sites constructed on Mozello on its portfolio web page.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop web site builder
- Template library
Benefits:
- Simple to make use of
- Assist for multilingual web sites
- Ecommerce performance
Disadvantages:
- The drag-and-drop builder isn’t as intuitive as some others on this record.
- Restricted design customization
- The free model shows advertisements
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $8/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Mozello:
8. Yola
Based in 2007, Yola is a free web site builder constructed to remove the effort of making a web site.
It comes with a drag-and-drop builder, a whole bunch of customizable and mobile-optimized templates, and pre-designed blocks that assist you to create every kind of internet sites — even on-line outlets.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop web site builder
- Free customizable templates
- Assist for multilingual web sites
Benefits:
- Ecommerce options out there
- Social promoting options
- Cellular-optimized
Disadvantages:
- No running a blog function
- The free model shows advertisements
- Navigation and design limitations
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $4/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Yola:
9. Weebly
Weebly is an open-source software-as-a-service (SaaS) that provides website hosting, area registration, internet design, and e-commerce capabilities, making it appropriate for companies and startups. For a free web site builder, Weebly’s notably versatile — it’s suitable with each machine and platform and straightforward to make use of.
Like Wix, Weebly has drag-and-drop performance, an built-in CMS resolution, and hand-coded HTML information. The in-house editor comes with search engine marketing instruments and Google Analytics.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Built-in CMS resolution
- Free SSL certificates
- search engine marketing instruments
- Analytics and reporting
Benefits:
- Useful search engine marketing useful resource instruments
- Good number of paid and free apps within the app heart
- The free plan has e-commerce performance
Disadvantages:
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $6/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Weebly:
10. Webflow
Whereas a lot of the different builders on this record are for folks and not using a ton of coding data, Webflow particularly targets superior customers, designers, and businesses that require an answer that provides them extra design freedom than conventional web site builder instruments.
Though it’s a posh software, Webflow tries to make it as simple as attainable to get your small business on-line. Webflow has a sturdy set of sources that can assist you — weblog posts, boards, FAQ sections, and a library of web sites constructed on Webflow that you could examine for reference.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop web site builder
- Widgets so as to add options like maps and media
- Third-party integrations
Benefits:
- Gives full management over your web site’s design
- Drag-and-drop what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) builder
- Responsive interface
Disadvantages:
- Purely a web site builder. After constructing a web site on Webflow, it’s essential to switch it to a content material administration system.
- Requires some data of HTML and CSS to entry full options
- It has a posh free and paid plan construction. You want to enroll in each a Web site and Workspace plan.
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $12/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Webflow:
11. Ucraft
Ucraft is likely one of the extra superior and beneficiant web site builders on the record. Just like the others, it’s received a drag-and-drop editor, a wide selection of templates, and helps e-commerce performance.
Nonetheless, Ucraft stands out as a result of it enables you to join an present customized area title with its free plan. It additionally comes with an SSL certificates and limitless storage. Ucraft’s portfolio web page reveals pattern web sites constructed by its shoppers.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Free internet hosting
- Ecommerce performance
Benefits:
- Lets you join an present area title at no cost
- Respectable number of free templates
- Consists of SSL and limitless storage on free plans
Disadvantages:
- Sporadic loading points and bugs.
- It has a steeper studying curve than most web site builders on this record.
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $10/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Ucraft:
12. SITE123
True to its title, SITE123 enables you to construct a web site in as simple as one, two, and three steps. After setting it up with a one-click set up wizard, you possibly can customise your SITE123 web site with a free library of pictures, graphics, and templates.
Furthermore, SITE123 presents website hosting, area registration, and 250 MB of cupboard space, so you will not really feel pressured to change to a paid plan.
Options:
- Free internet hosting and area
- Cellular-responsive design
- Free picture and icons library
Benefits:
- Simple to make use of
- Multilingual assist
- 24/7 tech assist
Disadvantages:
- No drag-and-drop operate
- Restricted storage on the free plan
- Lacks superior customization options
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $5.80/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing SITE123:
13. Strikingly
Launched in 2012, Strikingly is likely one of the newer web site builder instruments on the record. It helps customers construct web sites with no programming abilities required and units itself other than opponents by specializing in single-page web sites resembling portfolios, occasion pages, or touchdown pages.
The free plan contains limitless free websites, a modest 5 GB month-to-month bandwidth, 500MB storage, and a branded area.
Options:
- Library of mobile-optimized templates
- Ecommerce instruments
- Analytics
Benefits:
- An reasonably priced choice for many who need to create a number of websites
- Finest for creating single-page web sites
- Responsive assist crew
Disadvantages:
- No drag-and-drop operate
- Restricted search engine marketing performance
Pricing: Restricted free plan out there. Premium plans begin at $8/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing Strikingly:
14. GoDaddy
Whereas GoDaddy is a model synonymous with reasonably priced website hosting and domains, it’s expanded its choices to incorporate an all-in-one web site builder software for inexperienced persons and small enterprise house owners which have bought internet hosting and domains.
The web site builder is primary, nevertheless it has all the things it’s essential to construct a purposeful web site, together with a drag-and-drop editor, easy and clear templates, an SSL certificates, and social media instruments.
Options:
- Drag-and-drop web site builder
- Advertising and analytics dashboard
- 24/7 buyer assist
Benefits:
- All-in-one resolution
- Simple to make use of
- Cellular-optimized
- Quick web page load speeds
Disadvantages:
- Restricted search engine marketing options
- Restricted app retailer options
- Having your personal website hosting and area carries an preliminary price
Pricing: Restricted free plan — improve options at your personal tempo. Premium plans begin at $9.99/month when billed yearly.
Manufacturers utilizing GoDaddy:
Web site Builder Options You Want
Selecting a web site builder software is less complicated when you realize what you are on the lookout for. Listed below are 14 options to look out for:
1. Themes and Templates
Having an assortment of absolutely customizable web site themes and templates on the web site builder’s theme marketplaces makes it simpler for customers to vary their web site’s look.
In that sense, web site builders ought to have theme choices that cater to particular niches so customers do not waste time creating new templates from scratch. For instance, the web site builders on our record have choices for blogs, portfolio web sites, e-commerce web sites, and extra.
Templates ought to be pre-structured and pre-populated with pictures, textual content, and different components generally discovered on pages just like the Homepage, About web page, or Contact web page. All it’s essential to do is decide one and change the pattern content material with your personal.
Themes and templates ought to be simple to customise — with a number of choices for backgrounds, layouts, fonts, and colours.
2. WYSIWYG Editor
Moreover an assortment of themes and templates, the very best web site builder instruments make it simple for customers to customise their web sites with drag-and-drop instruments and what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) editors.
There’s no have to discover ways to code when you possibly can replace your web site in a number of clicks. Merely drag-and-drop components to the web page and see the modifications carried out to your web site instantly.
3. Malware Scanning
Safety is a high consideration when selecting a web site builder.
Security measures range relying on the web site builder software you choose, however contemplate it a keeper if it presents malware scanning. Automated malware scanning permits you to tackle threats earlier than it progresses into one thing catastrophic proactively.
4. Internet Software Firewall (WAF)
A internet software firewall (WAF) is one other must-have safety function.
It usually sits between your internet server and the web to guard your web site from frequent assaults like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) by filtering, monitoring, and blocking malicious visitors from getting into the community.
WAFs can come within the type of software-as-a-service (SaaS), and you may customise them to satisfy your web site’s distinctive wants.
5. Content material Supply Community (CDN)
Moreover web site safety, you must also contemplate optimizing for web page velocity. In any case, it impacts all the things from buyer expertise to conversions and income.
In keeping with Portent, a web site that masses in a single second has a conversion price 5x greater than a web site that masses in 10 seconds.
There are various methods to enhance web page velocity, and a content material supply community (CDN) is one solution to do it. CDNs retailer heavy and static content material on distributed servers positioned worldwide and cargo the cached content material from a location nearest to the consumer to hurry up its supply.
6. Internet Internet hosting
What good are web site builders after they cannot get your web site on-line?
Some options solely provide web site builder instruments to construct your web site — you must pay individually for website hosting companies to get your web site on-line.
The perfect web site builders make it handy to start out web sites by providing website hosting. Free web site builders provide restricted bandwidth and storage — only for private use. You may improve to shared, devoted, or managed internet hosting for a further payment.
7. Storage
Hosting works by offering two companies: bandwidth and disk area (or storage).
Most free web site builders provide ample (restricted) storage for a newbie web site however require you to buy extra storage do you have to want it.
8. Blogs
Individuals usually confuse web sites and blogs with one another — they’re related however not the identical.
A weblog is a sort of web site that accommodates details about totally different subjects. They’re usually up to date with new articles or posts, whereas web sites solely obtain updates when wanted. In a nutshell, all blogs are web sites, however not all web sites are or have blogs.
Organizations construct web sites for various causes: to promote, showcase a portfolio, or inform — and for these causes, a weblog will be useful.
Blogs can assist your web site by:
- Growing visibility via search engine marketing
- Producing new leads
- Constructing belief and loyalty
- Creating model consciousness
Most free web site builders include primary running a blog instruments and publish creation and remark administration options.
9. search engine marketing Capabilities
In keeping with BrightEdge, 53% of visitors comes from natural search.
If you wish to convey in additional visitors and views, your web site must be search engine-optimized.
Most web site builders assist with technical search engine marketing by providing free SSL certificates and supporting schema markup and XML sitemaps. In addition they assist on-page search engine marketing by permitting you to enter and modify URLs, meta tags, and picture alt attributes.
10. Buyer Assist
Whereas utilizing web site builder instruments, you’ll possible run into an issue you possibly can’t troubleshoot. That’s the place buyer assist is available in.
Buyer assist assists you with something you need assistance with — technical, gross sales, billing, funds, or experiences. Relying on the web site builder, help can are available in any (or a combination) of the next channels:
The perfect web site builders hold a mixture of channels and reply inquiries promptly.
11. E-commerce Capabilities
Are you planning on promoting bodily or digital merchandise sooner or later? Take into account selecting a web site builder software with e-commerce capabilities.
There are devoted e-commerce web site builders, however these are sometimes paid options with strong performance resembling apps for cost and delivery.
Free web site builders usually combine with a third-party e-commerce software or assist a easy built-in retailer.
12. Third-party Integrations
There’s nothing worse than realizing your present tech stack doesn’t work with the web site builder you selected. Thus, it’s essential to think about whether or not a web site builder permits third-party integrations.
Your web site builder ought to combine with exterior instruments, resembling e mail advertising, e-commerce, and social software program.
13. Media (Video, Picture, Audio, Graphics)
Solely having textual content in your web site will be monotonous, so together with totally different types of media helps break up textual content and might help data stick as a result of not everybody learns the identical manner.
Some web site builders provide extra strong media capabilities, with a number of gallery layouts, customization choices, and modifying options.
14. Analytics and Reporting
Your web site builder must also have an analytics and reporting operate to measure necessary metrics like the location’s widespread pages, bounce price, common length per go to, and extra.
Selecting Your Web site Builder
There you’ve it! Since most of those web site builders are free, check out a pair in case you’re uncertain of the very best match. Particularly, pay attention to what you actually need to get out of your web site to make sure your wants might be met by certainly one of these builders.
Editor’s Notice: This publish was initially revealed in November 2018 however was up to date in October 2019 for comprehensiveness.