Top 10 Website Builders With Free Domains Available
Last updated: September 28 2024
Website builder experts praise the features and reliability of these builder platforms, while users appreciate the free domain for a professional online presence. These website builders combine simplicity and efficiency, offering merchants various choices in creating desired websites.
10 Best Website Builders With Free Domains
When exploring the top 10 website builders with free domains, we find user-friendly and cost-effective tools ideal for beginners and small businesses. Our seven years of web development experience confirms their ease of use and value.
Wix
Wix is one of the best free website builders, providing an intuitive platform requiring no coding skills. It boasts hundreds of templates suitable for various industries and niches, enabling users to create professional websites, online stores, portfolios, and blogs. We have tested 50 website builders, and Wix is one of the best choices for beginners building a website.
The service offers a free plan inclusive of a Wix-branded domain (e.g., yourusername.wixsite.com/site). For those seeking a custom domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), options include purchasing one through Wix or connecting an existing domain.
Main features
- Drag-and-Drop Builder: Allows users to design web pages easily by dragging and dropping elements onto the canvas. It simplifies the website creation process, offering a user-friendly experience.
- Extensive Templates: Wix provides diverse free website templates with niche-specific designs catering to different business needs. The customization options make it versatile for users.
- App Market: Users can enhance their websites by integrating various functionalities and tools from the App Market, expanding their capabilities and features.
- Ecommerce Functionality: Wix offers tools and templates specifically designed for creating and managing online stores, enabling users to sell products and services online.
—> Stores using this platform:
Haig’s of Rochester, a family-owned jewelry and antique art store in Michigan, utilizes Wix for its online platform, showcasing luxurious items and repair services. Powered by Wix’s ecommerce feature, their website displays captivating images of their collections, drawing visitors to explore the products easily. This Wix-based store is an ideal inspiration for creating an antique store specializing in collectibles and classic jewelry.
Pros
- Diverse modern templates for various industries
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- Extensive App Market for added functionalities
- Tailored tools for online store management
Cons
- Complex editor options for beginners
- Extra expenses for specific plugins
- Restrictions on online store platform migration
Who is it for?
- Small Business Owners: Wix is suitable for creating professional websites to establish a business’s online presence, incorporating SEO tools and marketing features.
- Artists and Designers: Ideal for creating portfolios and selling art online due to its customization options and visual appeal.
- Bloggers: While slightly pricier, Wix provides a solid platform for bloggers with formatting flexibility and customizable features.
- Online Store Owners: Offers robust tools for setting up and managing online stores, though migration to other platforms might be limited.
Weebly
Weebly is one of the most popular website builders, powering over 50 million websites globally. Its beginner-friendly editor and affordable pricing plans, including a generous free offering, stand out. With Weebly’s free plan, you can create a site with a free subdomain (e.g. yourusername.weebly.com). You must purchase one or connect your existing domain to use a custom domain.
As per the reviews of thousands of previous users on G2, Weebly is among the best website builders available this year.
Main features
- Drag-and-drop editor: Weebly has a user-friendly editor that simplifies building pages and entire sites. You drag elements like text, images, and videos onto your page.
- Template themes: Choose from hundreds of professionally designed template themes to instantly apply color schemes, layouts, and styles to your site.
- Basic SEO tools: Weebly automatically optimizes your site for search engines by generating an XML sitemap, meta tags, alt text for images, and more.
- App Center integrations: Enhance your site’s features and functionality by installing apps for social media, ecommerce, marketing, and more. There are hundreds to browse.
- Ecommerce capabilities: Even Weebly’s free plan supports basic ecommerce features like adding a shopping cart, inventory management, and in-store pickup options.
—> Stores using this platform:
Japhlet Attias, a Chapman Stick artist, showcases his talent through a beautifully crafted website built on Weebly. His site features an impressive theme offering various functionalities like embedded videos and streaming audio music sections. With a seamless single-page scrolling design, the website perfectly complements the style and artistry of this solo musician.
Pros
- Free plan with functional features
- Substantial improvements in the app store
- Helpful SEO guides and support
Cons
- Limited drag-and-drop customization
- Outdated template designs
- Subpar mobile optimization
Who is it for?
Weebly caters to specific user groups:
- Small Businesses: With tools tailored for online business presence, including business-specific themes, SEO support, and ecommerce functionalities.
- Personal Websites: Suitable for blogs, CVs, and portfolios due to its simple themes, multiple user profiles, and blog-specific SEO features.
- Basic Online Stores: While it allows free selling, Weebly’s ecommerce offerings are better suited for small-scale selling. It might not be ideal for extensive online stores seeking advanced functionalities.
IONOS
1&1 IONOS, a prominent web hosting provider serving millions globally, offers a robust website builder that simplifies online presence creation. IONOS is an intuitive drag-and-drop site editor, making website building accessible without coding. With hundreds of customizable templates, users can effortlessly create mobile-optimized sites.
IONOS provides a free domain name for 12 months with the initial purchase of a 12-month hosting plan. You can choose from popular domain extensions like .com, .net, .info .org, and country-specific domains like .us and .ca. As a professional website building expert with around 5 years of expertise, I highly recommend new users to experience IONOS for making a brand new website.
Main features
- eCommerce Integration: Seamless connection with major platforms enables effective online selling.
- Comprehensive Marketing Tools: Access to SEO, Google Adwords management, and email marketing tools.
- Scalable Cloud Solutions: Offers customizable resources for optimal performance and cost-efficiency.
- Multilingual Translation: Allows translation of site content into 62 languages, expanding audience reach.
- Visitor Targeting: Enables personalized content based on visitor demographics or seasonal deals.
- Robust SEO Functionality: Offers AI SEO suggestions and ranking coach for advanced SEO optimization.
Pros
- Good uptime and site speed.
- Lots of design templates.
- Includes email accounts.
- Easy to make an online store.
- Marketing tools included.
Cons
- Limited features compared to competitors.
- Someone finds the interface is outdated.
- No free trial is available.
Who is it for?
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking affordability and professionalism
- Corporate sites and online stores
- Beginners looking for a user-friendly platform
Hostinger
Founded in 2004, Hostinger has rapidly expanded its user base to over 29 million customers, with approximately 20,000 new sign-ups daily, emphasizing its popularity and accessibility.
In addition to website hosting, Hostinger also provides website builder services with many powerful features. Hostinger’s website builder empowers users by offering a complimentary domain name for the first year upon subscribing to an annual plan. Users can select from a range of domain extensions, including .net, .com, .online, .link, .live, .me, .store, and more.
Main features
- Extensive Template Library: Access hundreds of specialized templates catering to various needs, ensuring a personalized touch.
- Built-in Ecommerce: Seamlessly integrate ecommerce functionalities, facilitating online selling and secure payment processing.
- Device Preview: Effortlessly switch between widescreen, desktop, tablet, and mobile previews, ensuring optimal display across devices.
- Multilingual Support: Supports 31 languages, enabling global reach and an impressive 99.9% uptime.
Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- Good uptime and speed
- Lots of ecommerce features
- Easy-to-use editor for beginners
- Free domain name and SSL certificate
Cons
- Only one plan is available.
- Limited design customization
- Can’t switch templates once live
- No free trial available
Who is it for?
- Small Business: Suitable for small businesses seeking an affordable and quick online presence but might need more than long-term scalability.
- Personal Use: Ideal for individuals wanting a simple and cost-effective solution for personal websites, portfolios, or blogs.
- Blogging: Adequate for websites needing a blog as an additional feature rather than the primary focus.
HostGator
HostGator’s website builder is a robust platform that caters to individuals and businesses seeking a seamless and efficient way to create their online presence. Founded over a decade ago, HostGator has established itself as a reputable web hosting service provider, and its website builder, the Gator™, reflects the company’s commitment to user-friendly yet powerful tools.
With over 200 mobile-friendly templates available, users can choose designs suitable for various industries and purposes, from business and fashion to music and real estate. A key highlight of HostGator’s website builder is its inclusive hosting package with a free domain name and SSL certificate.
Main features
- Drag-and-Drop Design: The Gator™ site builder simplifies website creation, blending ease of use with HostGator’s powerful web hosting services.
- Mobile-Friendly Templates: Choose from over 200 modern, mobile-responsive templates categorized for diverse purposes like fashion, music, business, and more.
- Free Hosting and SSL Certificate: Enjoy complimentary hosting, domain name, and SSL certificate, ensuring security and accessibility.
- Blog and Ecommerce Integration: Seamlessly incorporate blogs and ecommerce stores, complemented by a free domain name and SSL certificate.
- Analytics Portal: Access a robust analytics tool to monitor site performance, gaining insights to optimize your website’s reach and engagement.
Pros
- Excellent integration with social media platforms
- Cost-effective initial sign-up fees
- Strong Uptime with a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- Free Domain and SSL
Cons
- Limited support and guidance resources
- It is not suitable for huge websites with large businesses.
- Absence of built-in email marketing features
Who is it for?
- Semi-technical Users: Targeting users who seek ease of use and the flexibility to manage their websites effectively.
- Small Business Owners: Ideal for small businesses aiming to establish an online presence, enabling blog creation and ecommerce functionalities.
- Bloggers and Online Sellers: Suitable for individuals focused on blogging or initiating online stores, providing necessary tools for these purposes.
Bluehost
Bluehost’s website builder stands out for its user-friendly design, leveraging the power of WordPress to create an accessible platform for beginners and seasoned users. Bluehost offers a complimentary domain name, adding value to its services. The free domain coupon applies to a range of top-level domains, but it’s essential to note that it expires 90 days after the purchase date.
The free domain coupon lets you get a new domain or transfer an existing one to Bluehost without paying. You can’t use it with other offers, and it won’t work for Premium domains. It works for domains ending in .BIZ, .INFO, .COM, .NET, .ORG, .CO.UK, .US, .CO, .SPACE, .WEBSITE, .BLOG, .ONLINE, .SITE, .STORE, or .TECH. But remember, if you get a refund, it doesn’t cover the cost of the domain.
Main features
- WordPress-Powered Simplicity: Integrates drag-and-drop functionality, enabling the effortless creation of professional websites.
- Freebies Galore: Bluehost offers various complimentary features, including domain hosting, email hosting, unlimited storage, and bandwidth.
- E-commerce Integration: Seamlessly integrates with WooCommerce, enabling the creation of online stores with various products.
- 24/7 Expert Support: Offers round-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and email for user assistance.
Pros
- Streamlined WordPress-based website creation
- Extensive library of templates and stock photography
- Strong uptime performance
- Innovative WonderSuite AI tools
- Free SSL and helpful customer service
Cons
- Lack of a free plan option
- Limited image editing capabilities
- Inflexible template-switching options
- Additional costs for domains and email
- Fewer marketing tools compared to competitors
Who is it for?
Bluehost’s Website Builder caters to a diverse range of users:
- Small Businesses with Comprehensive Online Catalogs: Ideal for small businesses that maintain extensive product inventories and want to establish an online presence.
- Entrepreneurs Managing Multiple WordPress Websites: Entrepreneurs seeking an efficient platform to design and manage multiple WordPress websites under a single fee find value in Bluehost’s offerings.
- Beginners in Web Development: Tailored for individuals lacking coding or technical skills, providing an accessible platform to create and manage websites without extensive technical knowledge.
WordPress
WordPress is a popular platform for making websites, used by millions of people worldwide. It’s a bit tricky to set up at first, but once you’re started, it’s easy to use. With WordPress.com, you can start with a free plan that gives you a web address like yourwebsite.wordpress.com. You can also buy your web address through WordPress.com or use one you already have.
Main features
- Diverse Building Options: Build blogs, forums, or online shops effortlessly on WordPress.
- Extensive Plugin Integration: Implement additional functionalities such as comments, ratings, and SEO tools using custom plugins and third-party apps.
- Free Templates & Themes: Access a vast collection of free themes and templates, making modern website creation quicker and easier.
- User-Friendly Interface: Regardless of expertise, managing and adding content is seamless on WordPress without needing a developer.
- Code Compliance: Every line of WordPress-generated code adheres to W3C standards, ensuring compatibility across browsers.
Pros
- Best Blogging Platform
- Easy to set up and use
- Supportive Community
- Automatic updates
- Free themes and plugins
- Integrated ecommerce options
- SEO optimization
- Custom domain name option
- Scalable growth
Cons
- Limited control and customization
- Cannot install all plugins or themes
- Storage and bandwidth limitations on free plans
- Additional fees beyond the basic free account
- Limited monetization options
- WordPress owns your content
Who is it for?
WordPress suits people or businesses who want a flexible and affordable website option. Here’s who can benefit:
- Bloggers: Great for people who love writing and want to start their blogs.
- Small Business Owners: Ideal for those who need an online presence without spending much.
- DIY Enthusiasts: WordPress gives you lots of control if you like to customize and learn new things.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Good for those ready to invest a little time rather than a lot of money in building their site.
- Content Tweakers: Best for those who want to change or update their site regularly
Jimdo
Jimdo is a website builder that makes it easy for anyone without technical skills to create their own website. Their free plan includes a Jimdo subdomain like yourusername.jimdosite.com. Still, you can also add a custom domain by buying one through Jimdo or connecting your existing domain. It’s all about giving you options for a website that fits your needs and preferences.
Main features
- Automatic Design: Jimdo’s Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) feature builds the website for you. It’s fantastic for those feeling less confident as it simplifies the process.
- Cost-effective: While it might not have all the fancy features, it’s incredibly affordable compared to other options.
- Mobile Optimization: Thanks to its dedicated mobile editor view, it ensures your site looks great on all devices.
- SEO Tools: Helps your website get noticed by search engines like Google.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Affordable pricing.
- Works well on mobile devices.
Cons
- Limited features.
- It’s not the best for advanced SEO.
- It may be more suitable for smaller businesses.
Who is it for?
Jimdo suits individuals or businesses seeking a straightforward, budget-friendly website solution. Specifically, it’s ideal for:
- Small Business Owners: Perfect for creating a simple online presence without breaking the bank.
- Hobbyists: Great for hobby-related sites, portfolios, or small online stores.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Ideal for those prioritizing cost over advanced website features.
- Those Wanting a Sleek Site: Although features are limited, you’ll still get an attractive and user-friendly website.
Webnode
Webnode is a website builder catering to users seeking simplicity and flexibility. It offers support in over 20 languages, making it an excellent choice for those aiming at global audiences.
Users can acquire a free domain name with Webnode’s plans, such as PROFI, STANDARD, and MINI. However, the LIMITED plan doesn’t include a free domain name. Webnode provides a free plan with a free subdomain (e.g., yourwebsite.webnode.com)
Main features
- User-Friendly Editor: The drag-and-drop interface allows beginners to design a website easily.
- Multilingual Support: Offers the ability to create multilingual websites, making it ideal for international audiences.
- Mobile Responsive Designs: Websites created on Webnode look excellent and function well on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
- E-commerce Capabilities: Users can set up online stores to sell products or services.
- Attractive Templates: Offers various appealing website templates for various purposes.
—> Stores using this platform:
The “20 Something Lessons” website, built using Webnode, showcases a vibrant design and dynamic branding, offering insights for aspiring bloggers. This site provides effective structuring tips for blog posts, highlighting features like social media buttons and a prominent “Subscribe” call-to-action. Webnode’s responsive design ensures its accessibility and appeal across multiple devices.
Pros
- User-friendly interface, ideal for beginners
- Affordable plans for diverse budgets
- Multilingual support for a wider audience reach
- Mobile-responsive websites for optimal device performance
Cons
- Limited customization compared to other builders
- Less comprehensive e-commerce features
- Lower customer support responsiveness
- Less robust SEO compared to other website builders
Who is it for?
- Small business owners seeking straightforward websites
- Individuals and freelancers wanting cost-effective sites
- Personal bloggers looking for simple platforms
- Educational platforms and non-profit organizations need simplicity and flexibility
Strikingly
Strikingly is a user-friendly website builder with a straightforward drag-and-drop interface resembling a flat website template. This platform simplifies website creation by allowing users to drag and drop content blocks and widgets to design their sites without needing coding skills. It emphasizes ease of use by incorporating a bootstrapping wizard and built-in SEO support for mobile-responsive designs.
Strikingly’s free plan offers a free Strikingly subdomain (e.g., yourusername.strikingly.com). You can upgrade to a paid plan for a custom domain or use an existing one.
Main features
- Responsive Mobile Design: Ensures websites look good on all devices and are SEO-friendly.
- Logo Customization: Allows quick and easy customization of logos and favicons.
- Blogging Features: Provides essential blogging tools, including analytics, RSS feeds, and social bookmarking.
- Social Media Integration: Enables integration with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to showcase social media posts on the site.
Pros
- Ideal for simple websites, making it beginner-friendly.
- Offers a free plan for exploration before committing.
- Quick and straightforward website creation.
- A popular choice among bloggers and freelancers.
Cons
- Not suitable for complex websites.
- Limited design options and features.
- Constraints in e-commerce capabilities.
- Below-average site speed performance.
Who is it for?
- Bloggers seeking a simple platform for web presence
- Freelancers in need of an uncomplicated website setup
- Small businesses on a budget requiring quick site creation
Website builder with free domain: Summary
Wix: Best for beginners, offers a free plan with a Wix-branded domain. Great for various websites and online stores. |
Weebly: Popular with a beginner-friendly editor and a free plan, but customization is limited. Suited for small businesses and personal websites. |
IONOS: Intuitive builder with a free domain for 12 months. Ideal for small businesses, it lacks some features compared to rivals. |
Hostinger: Budget-friendly with a free domain but limited customization. Suitable for small businesses and personal use. |
HostGator: Easy-to-use builder with free hosting and domain. Ideal for small businesses, it lacks some support features. |
Bluehost: WordPress-powered builder with free domain support. Suitable for small businesses and those managing multiple WordPress sites. |
WordPress.com: Popular but slightly complex setup. Offers a free plan with a WordPress subdomain. Good for bloggers and small businesses. |
Jimdo: Simple and affordable with a free subdomain. It is ideal for small businesses and hobbyists, but its features are limited. |
Webnode: User-friendly with multilingual support. Free domain on select plans. It is suited for straightforward websites but needs some advanced features. |
Strikingly: User-friendly but limited to complex sites. Offers a free plan and quick site creation, great for bloggers and freelancers. |
FAQs
Bottom line
The top 10 website builders with free domains are pivotal tools for establishing an online presence, as evidenced by my experience and expert reviews. These platforms, celebrated for their ease and efficiency, cater to a variety of users, from entrepreneurs to creative professionals, offering a valuable start in the digital world.