You can build a website in the UK for free using a website builder’s free plan, such as Wix, WordPress.com, Google Sites or Square Online. Pick a builder, choose a template, add five or six core pages, publish it, then connect it to a free Google Business Profile so local customers can find you.

The catch is that free plans come with limits: usually the builder’s ads or branding, a long web address instead of your own domain, and fewer features. This guide walks you through the whole process step by step, is honest about where free stops being enough, and explains when it is worth having someone build it for you instead.

Plan the site before you pick a builder

Step 1: Decide what your site needs to do

Before you touch a builder, write down the one main job your website has. For most small businesses, it is one of these:

• Getting people to call, email or fill in a form
• Showing your work so people trust you
• Taking bookings
• Selling products online

This matters because it decides which builder suits you. A simple brochure site works on almost any free plan. Selling online or taking payments is where free plans tend to fall short, so if that is your main goal, check the ecommerce limits first.

Step 2: Choose a free website builder

Here is a quick, honest summary of the main free website builder options available in the UK. Plans change, so always check the current details on each platform before you start.

Builder	Free plan?	Main limits on the free plan
Wix	Yes	Wix ads and branding, wixsite.com subdomain, no custom domain, limited storage, no online payments
WordPress.com	Yes	Ads shown to visitors, wordpress.com subdomain, 1 GB storage, no plugins
Google Sites	Yes	No ads, can connect a domain you buy separately, but very basic design and few business features
Square Online	Yes	Square branding, no custom domain, card fees on each sale
Squarespace	No	Free trial only, then a paid plan

If you want a simple, clean site with no adverts and you are happy with basic layouts, Google Sites is worth a look. If you want more design choice and are likely to upgrade later, Wix or WordPress.com give you more room to grow. If you mainly want to sell a few products, Square Online’s free plan lets you start, with fees taken from each sale.

One thing to know: Google used to let businesses make a simple website from their Google Business Profile, but it switched those sites off in 2024. If you had one, you will need a new home for your website.

Get your address and pages right

Step 3: Sort out your domain name

Your domain is your web address, such as yourbusiness.co.uk. On most free plans you cannot connect one, so your site will live at an address like yourbusiness.wixsite.com/home. That works, but it is harder to remember and looks less professional on a van or business card.

Even if you start on a free plan, it is worth registering your domain now so nobody else takes it. A .co.uk domain usually costs somewhere around £5 to £15 a year, depending on the registrar. Register it in your own name or your business’s name, and keep the login details somewhere safe. You can connect it later when you upgrade, or straight away if you use Google Sites.

Step 4: Build the pages that matter

You do not need dozens of pages. Most small business sites work well with these:

1. Home. Say what you do, who you do it for and where, in the first line. Add a clear button to call or get in touch.
2. Services. One section or page per main service, written in plain words your customers would use.
3. About. Who you are, how long you have been trading and why people should trust you. Real photos help a lot.
4. Reviews or examples of work. Genuine customer reviews and photos of finished jobs.
5. Contact. Phone number, email, a simple form, your opening hours and the areas you cover.
6. Privacy policy. If you collect any personal details through a form, you need one under UK data protection rules.

Keep the design simple. Pick one template, two fonts at most and your brand colours, then stick with them. Check every page on your phone, because that is where most of your visitors will see it.

Step 5: Set up your Google Business Profile

For local businesses, a Google Business Profile is often more important than the website itself. It is free, and it is what shows up in Google Maps and the map results when someone searches for a service near them.

• Create or claim your profile at Google Business Profile and verify it.
• Choose the most accurate main category for your business.
• Add your opening hours, service areas, phone number and photos.
• Add your new website address so people can click through.
• Ask happy customers for reviews, and reply to every one.

Make sure your business name, address and phone number match exactly on your website and your profile. Small differences can confuse search engines.

Step 6: Cover the SEO basics

SEO (search engine optimisation) simply means helping Google understand your site so it can show it to the right people. On a free site, you can still do the basics:

• Page titles. Give each page a clear title that includes the service and the area, such as “Plumber in Guildford | Smith Plumbing”.
• Headings. Use headings that describe the content below them.
• Plain words. Use the phrases your customers would type, not industry terms.
• Image file sizes. Compress large photos so pages load quickly.
• Google Search Console. Add your site to Search Console so you can see whether Google is finding your pages. Some free plans make this harder, so check before you choose.

The biggest SEO factor you control is content. A site that adds useful, relevant articles over time gives Google more reasons to show it. A site that never changes after launch tends to stay quiet. Our SEO team spends most of its time on exactly this for clients.

Step 7: Know the limits of a free site

A free web page is a great way to get started, test an idea or get something online quickly. But be honest with yourself about the trade offs:

• Adverts or branding from the builder can make a business look less established.
• Without your own domain, your web address is harder to share and remember.
• Moving off a hosted builder usually means rebuilding the site from scratch.
• Selling online, bookings and email marketing often need paid upgrades.
• Every hour you spend building and updating it is an hour away from paying work.

Many people start free, then upgrade to a paid builder plan once the business grows. That is a perfectly sensible route.

When it is worth getting it done for you

If you would rather spend your time running your business, a professionally built site is worth considering. We offer a free website where the design and build of a five page website is free and you pay £59 + VAT a month on a 24-month minimum term. That £59 + VAT a month covers secure UK hosting, technical updates (WordPress, plugin and security updates) and one SEO blog post written and published for you every month.

The monthly blog is the bit most free website deals leave out. A site that keeps getting new content has a far better chance of being found than one that is built and forgotten. If you would prefer to pay once instead, our standard WordPress websites start from £895.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free website builder in the UK?

It depends on what you need. Google Sites has no ads but is basic. Wix and WordPress.com offer more design options but show ads and use a subdomain on their free plans. Square Online suits selling a few products.

Can I use my own domain on a free website?

Not on most builder free plans. Google Sites is an exception, as it lets you connect a domain you have bought separately. Wix, WordPress.com and Square Online need a paid plan for a custom domain.

How long does it take to build a free website?

A simple five or six page site can be built in a day or two if you have your words and photos ready. Writing the content usually takes longer than the building.

Will a free site show up on Google?

It can, as long as it is published publicly and has useful content. Pair it with a Google Business Profile and add helpful content over time to give it the best chance.

Want it built for you instead?

If building your own site is not how you want to spend your evenings, we can take it off your hands. Have a look at our free business website offer (free five page build, £59 + VAT a month, 24-month minimum term, including a monthly SEO blog post), or contact our web team for a friendly chat about what your business needs.