The 10 Best Free Website Builders in 2023
If you want to create an online presence, a website is essential. But hiring a professional web developer is out of reach for many small business budgets. That‘s where free website builders come to the rescue.
These DIY website creation platforms allow anyone to build a site with no coding required. Thanks to intuitive drag-and-drop editors and pre-made templates, you don‘t need design experience to craft a custom online space tailored to your needs.
I tested over a dozen top-rated free website builders hands-on, evaluating them across several key criteria:
- Ease of use: How intuitive is the interface for beginners vs. experts?
- Customization: What design tools and template options are available?
- Built-in SEO: Does the platform help optimize sites for search engines?
- Value of free plan: Are core features truly free or locked behind paywalls?
- Focus: Is website building the core offering or an add-on feature?
Based on my extensive testing, I recommend the 10 best free website builders below for all skill levels and use cases.
Best Free Website Builders
1. Google Sites – Best for basic websites like blogs and portfolios
2. Weebly – Best for simple, straightforward sites
3. GetResponse – Best for email-focused businesses
4. Wix – Best all-purpose website builder
5. Dorik – Best for semi-experienced creators wanting design freedom
6. HubSpot CMS – Best for growing small businesses
7. Webflow – Best for experienced designers
8. Site123 – Best for ecommerce sites
9. Strikingly – Best for one-page sites
10. Jimdo – Best for portfolios and online stores
Now let‘s explore the top recommendations in more detail.
1. Google Sites
With Google Sites, the tech giant enters the free website builder ring. As you‘d expect from Google, the editor feels instantly familiar. The workflow resembles Google Docs: build your pages in the browser, then access and share your site right from Google Drive.
Key Features:
- Choose from 12 templates or design your own responsive site
- Easily embed Google apps like Maps, YouTube, and Calendar
- Collaborate with teammates to build and manage your site
Best For:
- Personal portfolios
- Small business sites
- Internal team sites
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Deep integration with other Google services
- Completely free with unlimited storage and bandwidth
Cons
- Very limited design customization options
- No built-in SEO settings aside from page paths
If you want an ultra-simple site and already live in Google‘s ecosystem, their official website builder is tough to beat—especially given the free price tag. But expect minimal customization capabilities.
2. Weebly
Used by over 50 million people worldwide, Weebly is a popular choice for free website building. It shines when it comes to ease of use thanks to an intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
Key Features:
- 100+ professional templates
- Easy drag-and-drop editor
- Mobile optimization tools
- Built-in SEO settings
Best For:
- Personal sites
- Small business sites
Pros
- Extremely easy to edit pages visually
- Quality templates for blogs, stores, portfolios, and more
Cons
- Less design flexibility than Wix or Webflow
For straightforward sites like online portfolios, Weebly empowers beginners to build a polished online presence with minimal effort. While more advanced users may crave more customization capabilities, it nails the basics.
3. GetResponse
GetResponse may seem like an odd inclusion given it‘s primarily an email marketing platform. But its free website builder stands toe-to-toe with many dedicated site creation tools.
Key Features:
- AI-powered builder customizes sites as you edit
- Mobile editor to optimize sites for any device
- Email capture and newsletter sign up forms
- Basic SEO settings
Best For
- Businesses focused on email marketing and lead gen
Pros
- Powerful free website building capabilities
- Deep email marketing integrations
Cons
- Fairly basic SEO options
For solopreneurs and small teams who rely on email, GetResponse allows you to gather contacts and promote your newsletter straight from your site—all without paying a dime.
4. Wix
Boasting over 200 million users, Wix remains the standard-bearer for free website builders. It earns such popularity by packing an incredible amount of capability into its free tier.
Key Features:
- 500+ designer-made templates
- Drag-and-drop editor with extensive customization options
- Built-in image and video galleries
- SEO app and site analytics
Best For:
- All-in-one website building
- Sites of any type and complexity
Pros
- Extremely customizable without coding
- Asset libraries for images, videos, fonts, and more
- Generous free plan
Cons
- Interface has a learning curve for beginners
Whether you‘re showcasing travel photography or launching a small business online, Wix empowers you to realize your web design ambitions without spending a dime. Novices may face a few hurdles scaling the learning curve, but the payoff is immense creative control.
5. Dorik
Dorik differentiates itself from other DIY website builders through AI assistance. As you customize design aspects like color schemes, it suggests complementary changes to match your vision.
Key Features:
- AI assistant for design suggestions
- Custom brand kit builder
- Easy own domain connection
- Built-in analytics
Best For:
- Beginner and intermediate designers
- Brand-forward sites and online portfolios
Pros
- AI guidance makes design approachable
- Brand kit builder defines visual identity
- Domain purchase/connection included free
Cons
- Less structure than Wix or Webflow
Dorik strikes an ideal balance between customization and ease of use. While not packing as many complex capabilities as some builders, its AI assistant empowers users of any skill level to craft beautiful, on-brand sites.
6. HubSpot CMS
Well-known for its inbound marketing platform, HubSpot also offers a free CMS for building sites. And the quality flies in the face of “you get what you pay for.”
Key Features:
- Flexible framework grows with your business
- Integrates neatly with other HubSpot tools
- Built-in form and pop-up builder
- SEO recommendations
Best For:
- Businesses outgrowing beginner site builders
Pros
- Creates sites primed for scaling
- Lets you build more complex funnels and landing pages
- Trusted brand used by 100,000+ businesses
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than Wix or Weebly
If you’ve maxed out the basics of website builders like Wix, HubSpot CMS empowers the next stage of growth with powerful marketing tools baked in.
7. Webflow
While not the most beginner-friendly tool, Webflow offers pro-caliber site building capabilities—and brand-new users can join for free.
Key Features:
- Complex animations and interactions
- Extensive design customization
- Built-in CMS for managing site content
- SEO metadata customization
Best For:
- Experienced website designers
- Sites with advanced functionality
Pros
- Professional-quality web design
- Granular control over site elements
- Generous free plan option
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than other builders
Webflow delivers almost unprecedented creative control, helping expert users craft complex, interactive sites for free. But expect to invest serious effort mastering its vast toolset.
8. Site123
Site123 differentiates itself by specializing in ecommerce sites for small businesses plus packing expansive customization into its free plan.
Key Features:
- 100+ industry-specific templates
- Built-in online store capabilities
- Email marketing integration
- SEO optimization
Best For:
- Online stores and ecommerce sites
Pros
- Specialized ecommerce design and features
- Custom domains and email included free
Cons
- Less all-purpose than some competitors
For fledgling online retail endeavors, Site123 helps you get the basics of ecommerce websites and marketing in place without spending a cent.
9. Strikingly
Strikingly adopts a boldly minimalist approach. As its name suggests, the Strikingly editor lets you publish stylish one-page sites in minutes.
Key Features:
- Tailored one-page site templates
- Simple and distraction-free editing
- Built-in SEO suggestions
- Site analytics dashboard
Best For:
- Personal sites
- One-page portfolios
- Landing pages
Pros
- Create basic one-page sites with incredible ease
- Interface prioritizes clarity and simplicity
Cons
- Geared exclusively toward one-page designs
Sometimes less truly is more. For compact, focused sites promoting your work, passion projects, or personal brand, Strikingly is my top recommendation thanks to its purpose-built simplicity.
10. Jimdo
Last up is Jimdo, which stands out for blending ease of use with powerful ecommerce capabilities…even for free members.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- List unlimited products
- iPad & iPhone app for editing
- SEO features like metadata customization
Best For:
- Small online stores
- Portfolios with online sales
- Hybrid online retail sites
Pros
- Intuitive, beginner-friendly interface
- Robust free ecommerce and blogging builder
Cons
- Some useful features require paid tiers
Jimdo strikes an admirable balance: offering beginners a streamlined editing experience while packing in advanced functionality like online selling—capabilities typically reserved for premium site building platforms.
Find the Best Website Builder for You
All the user-friendly website creation platforms above allow you to make a custom, mobile-friendly site for free. Each takes a slightly different approach, but nails the basics of fuss-free DIY web design.
I aimed to showcase a diversity of options fit for complete beginners and expert users alike. The builders toward the top boast the greatest ease of use, while the bottom pack more complex but powerful features.
Review the list to decide which platform best aligns with your skill level and site needs. Fortunately, committing to a specific free website builder doesn‘t lock you in forever. If you outgrow your initial choice, you can easily export your content to transfer to another option later.
Here‘s wishing you the best of luck bringing your web presence vision to life. Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite free website builder discoveries of your own!
