In recent years, creating a website has become a relatively simple and even enjoyable task. No need to know how to program, no cryptic terms like HTML and FTP. Now the problem is to find the best site creator among the huge choice available on the market.
As you can imagine, many site creators also offer packages with which you can create your site for free. And since they are housed in the cloud, you won’t even have to worry about web space. All you need is a computer and a browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
Sounds like quite a bargain, doesn’t it? But it’s worth taking a closer look at all the pros and cons of these site creators. We decided to save you this hard work and did it for you.
To begin with, which site creators are worth analyzing? Here are in detail the features of the free packages offered by eight of the top site creators.
How to create a free website step by step?
For all the site creators we mention in this article, the same process that consists of 6 steps applies:
Create a free account
Choose a template you like
Add pages to your site
Customize the content (text, images, videos, etc.)
Optional: Manage SEO settings
Publish your site
Now let’s find the right site creator for you:
These are our favorite free site creators
Wix.com – The heavyweight of the internet
Webnode – Modern editor with some limitations
Mozello – Free Multilingual Sites
Weebly – Solid and easy to use
Jimdo – For simple sites
WordPress(.com) – The king of blogs
GoDaddy – Easy and Complete
It’s time to find the best site builder for your project:
Wix – The International Heavyweight
There is no getting around it, the biggest of them all is Wix. It has more users than any other site creator and it is easy to see why. It includes many unique features and beautiful templates. An excellent choice for creating a paid site. But what if we wanted to create a professional site for free? Does it live up to its reputation as well?
Well, the short answer is no. Exactly like Weebly, the advertising is really too intrusive. Actually we should say “the” advertisements, as it is included not only in the footer but there is also a button in the top right corner.
Screenshots:
We like: its spectacular selection of themes and the flexibility of its editor, the extensive app market and the 500MB of free web space. No page limit. Full SEO customization.
To improve: the Wix ads are too visible. URL is too long and difficult to remember.
Try it for free: www.wix.com
Webnode – Modern Editor with Some Limitations.
A short time ago Webnode completely revamped its editor, making it very modern. The added themes are elegant and responsive. However, it is a pity that you cannot choose a different template once you make your initial choice.
We really liked the free version of Webnode because of its discreet footer advertising that could barely be noticed. But recently it decided to change tactics. The free sites now have a flashy light banner that unfortunately does not disappear as you scroll down the page.
But if the banner is not a problem for you, you will find several advantages to using Webnode. It is very intuitive, and while it is not the most feature-rich site builder, it certainly includes the most essential ones: contact forms, Google Maps integration, lots of templates, and good options for SEO.
Webnode also offers a low-cost package at €3 per month (aptly named Limited) that essentially allows you to use a domain you already own and receive premium support. Webnode’s advertising will continue to appear.
The free URL you will be assigned: namechoice.webnode.com
We like: the templates are responsive. There is no page limit. SEO settings can be changed for all pages.
To improve: some sections (blog, eCommerce) should be added or improved. Also, the web space of only 200 MB with the free package is not enough. SSL should also be added. And of course, its cumbersome banner is certainly a step backward.
Try it for free: www.webnode.com
Jimdo – Web Creation with AI Help.
The good thing about Jimdo is that it won’t cost you an arm and a leg even when you decide to subscribe to a paid package. The cheapest package costs €6.50 per month and includes domain, an email address and, of course, the site creator. But even if you don’t plan to upgrade to a higher package, Jimdo’s basic offering is quite comprehensive.
Not only are all templates free, but they are also fully compatible (responsive) with smartphones and tablets. You can also use the mobile app to create and edit your site. Also, unlike most other site creators, Jimdo allows you to create an online store with which you can sell up to 5 items. Keep in mind that with the Jimdo Free package, SEO settings can only be changed for the homepage.
Screenshots:
The free URL you will be given: namechoice.jimdo.com
Demo site: Bliss Bakery
We like it: using the free package only a small advertisement is shown. Included is 500MB of web space, more than enough for most web projects, and a blog. There is no page limit. Includes SSL encryption (https://).
To improve: Their templates could be better. Also, there is no app market. There is also no support service, so you are left to your own devices if something goes wrong or if you need a hand.
Try it for free: www.jimdo.com
