Looking for a good free builder just to start, or should I look at paid ones?

I have my own domain, business cards, business social media and portfolio ready for a website. I just can’t find a website builder that is actually free. I can’t put my own domain on without subscribing to some expensive service that I’ll never use. I have found places to host my website but I’m just trying to make it and all I can find is wix for like $17, squarespace for even more and I’m just trying not to break my bank before I even start actually advertising.

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions, I’ve been busy the last few days but I think I’m gonna try Wordpress because it was the most popular suggestion and let you know how it goes!

hey everyone,

I'm looking to build a website that is both free and easy to navigate/design. There are a few out there so i was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Any advice is welcome!

What are the best website builders for small businesses? I’m starting a small business and now looking for the best website builders to create my own website. I want it to look professional and also help drive traffic. I plan to build the site myself, so I’m searching for a builder that’s easy to use but flexible enough for future needs.

I’ve been reading about different companies, but it’s confusing. Many seem good at first, but I’ve heard some business owners say that certain website builders don’t work well with HTML, or have limitations because they use drag-and-drop systems. I don’t want to face issues like that later.

I have a few questions:

• What is the best website builder for small businesses?

• Are there any good free website builders?

• Should I go with a custom-built site or use a drag-and-drop builder?

• Any website builders you recommend based on personal experience?

Any tips or advice would be super helpful! I want to pick a platform that works well long-term and won’t give me problems once my business grows. Thanks in advance!

I started a small tutoring service recently and I’m trying to get online without spending a ton. All I really need is a homepage and a booking/contact page.

Looked into Wix and Squarespace but both get expensive fast once you want your own domain or remove ads.

I’ve seen Durable mentioned a couple of times in this sub. Any feedback about it?

Would love to hear what you guys use before I waste hours testing random platforms.

Hey, kind people. I am looking to build a simple portfolio website as a creative professional and looking for the right website builder. I have tried 10Web and WordPress.com. 10Web opens the editing options for the website once you pay and WordPress.com can't have any plugins so when I'm trying to edit theme (Twenty Seventeen) to make my work clickable and open in a new tab, it isn't working. Also, not much scope in changing alignment of the header, typeface, etc.

I don't want to invest any money in it yet because I want to build a professional website in a months after I sort out my work and find a new opportunity. Meanwhile I just want a simple website that is easy and creative to showcase my work to people I'm approaching.

Some info - My WordPress skills is 3/4 as I have handled it for my clients in terms of creating content and putting it online with understanding of Semrush. I thought about google sites too. Don't know if it will look good. Open for ALL your suggestions.

Thanks :)

Hello labbers,

I'm curious if anyone has found and used any open source website builder software and if they're any good. I found a site to build a page and export the html code but its pretty basic. I'm looking for something that can build multiple pages, add photos, links, side bars, etc.

I don't feel like paying hundreds of dollars to build a website only to not be able to export the html file.

I have a basic site that I've created in html but it's very lackluster and do not feel like learning html yet.

Edit: I have my own fqdn and prefer to host it myself

Edit2 July 2025: I decided to go with Wordpress after finally learning a lot more and then realizing how simple it is to use and edit. Thanks for all the comments. Highly recommend wordpress, just be sure to secure the hell out of it.

I am looking for a free website designer (or one that offers a fairly long free trial - at least a month).

I currently sell on eBay and I'm looking to expand to a website that I can sell through because I feel like it will give a better brand image and look more professional.

What would you guys say is the best to go with?

I'm looking a free website builder for my portfolio. Which one is the best, and why?

Hi yall I’m new to digital marketing and just need a site up fast. I saw Vendasta is more for agencies, but what’s good for someone solo?

Any solid free website builder or even an AI site builder you’ve tried that’s actually worth it?

Looking for something quick to set up, but still has SEO + analytics.

Did free stuff get the job done for you, or did you end up paying once things grew?

Update: Ended up going with Durable and it's been solid. AI builder had my site up in minutes, SEO tools work well and I'm seeing steady traffic growth. Went with their paid plan ($15/month) for the custom domain and full features. Worth it so far.

Hello everyone,

There are so many AI website builders out there now. Picking the right one for your needs can be tough. But maybe my experience can help you.

I've been building websites and testing AI tools for years. I've tried many different website builders. This is partly because I work as a web developer. And partly because I like helping friends and clients who aren't tech-savvy set up their websites.

Below, I'll talk about some popular brands. I'll explain what makes each one special. I'll share what I liked and what I didn't like. In brackets, you'll see which AI features I tested from each brand. At the end, I'll give each one a score from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent). Let's start!

My recommendation, If you’re running a small or mid-sized business or an eCommerce site, the Hostinger AI Website Builder(currently 75% o'ff) is your best choice. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are much more expensive around $20 per month for basic plans and $29 for eCommerce options, whereas Hostinger offers its Premium AI Builder for just $2.99 and eCommerce plans for $3.99.

Hostinger (AI Website Builder, AI SEO Assistant, Heatmap AI, AI Logo Maker): Amazing value for money. It starts at just $2.99 per month. That's crazy cheap for what you get. The AI builder works well and creates decent websites quickly. The setup is easy and really fast. You can get online in minutes like they promise. The AI-written content is simple and easy to edit, making it great for quick launches. The built-in AI logo maker delivers decent results for small businesses. While the AI focuses on efficiency rather than complexity, it creates solid, ready-to-use websites fast. The streamlined platform keeps things straightforward, helping users build a site without getting overwhelmed by too many options. Perfect for anyone on a budget who wants a reliable, hassle-free website builder that gets the job done. 9/10

Squarespace (AI Site Builder, Design Intelligence, Content Generator): This is one of the best AI website builder out there. The setup process is amazing - you just chat with their bot like you're talking to a real designer. It creates really good websites. The AI writes decent content for you. The image tools work well for stock photos. What impressed me most was how the AI suggestions actually made sense. They weren't just random. After the AI builds your site, you can still edit everything with their drag-and-drop editor. The downside is the price - it costs more than others. Sometimes the AI doesn't understand complex requests. The platform has so many features it can feel overwhelming. But that's also what makes it powerful. For most people who want a professional website fast, this is the best choice. 8/10

Wix (ADI Builder, AI Text Writer, AI Image Maker, ChatGPT features): The websites this AI makes are beautiful. Really beautiful. If you care about how your site looks, Wix 's AI always creates stunning designs. The AI understands good design better than any other platform I tested. But it has fewer AI features than Squarespace. You get great starting designs but not many ongoing AI tools. It's also harder to learn and customize. Perfect for creative people and businesses where looks matter most. Maybe too fancy for simple business websites. The price is high, but you're paying for quality. 7/10

Shopify (Magic AI, Product Description Generator, AI Store Setup): This is the specialist for online stores. Their AI is built for e-commerce and it shows. The AI help for setting up stores is really useful. It understands online selling better than general website builders. The product description writer is fantastic. It writes copy that actually sells products, not just boring text. The AI gets inventory, payments, and customer journeys. But if you're not building a store, you're paying extra for features you won't use. The AI only focuses on selling stuff. That's both good and bad. For anyone serious about selling online, the AI features are worth the higher cost. 8.5/10

GoDaddy (AI Website Builder, Social Content Generator, AI Marketing Calendar): Solid middle choice that's all about speed and simplicity. Their AI gets you from nothing to a published website faster than almost anyone else. The social content generator is surprisingly helpful for small businesses that need marketing materials. The AI marketing calendar shows they understand business needs beyond just building websites. But the results often feel generic. No personality. The AI makes functional but boring designs. You can't customize much. It's like fast food - quick and fills basic needs, but not gourmet. Perfect for small business owners who want something online quickly without hassle. Creative people will find it limiting. 6/10

10Web (WordPress AI Builder, AI Assistant, Content Generator): Interesting mix approach. It combines WordPress power with AI convenience. The AI actually builds real WordPress sites. This gives you the power of the world's most popular website system with AI ease. The content creation is smart. The AI understands WordPress-specific needs like SEO and plugins. But it still needs more tech knowledge than simple drag-and-drop builders. The AI sometimes creates overly complex structures that beginners struggle with. It's powerful but feels caught between two worlds. Not as simple as other AI builders. Not as flexible as manual WordPress building. Great for developers who want AI help. Less ideal for complete beginners. 7/10

Framer (AI Website Generator, Smart Components, AI Copy Assistant): The designer's choice, and you can see it in every detail. The AI makes websites that feel crafted, not just generated. It follows modern design trends and user experience rules. The smart components feature is brilliant for keeping design consistent. But it's definitely for users who understand design. The AI assumes you know things like layout hierarchy and visual balance. The learning curve is steep. The pricing reflects its professional focus. If you're building for clients or have an eye for design, the results are stunning. For basic business websites, it's probably too much and unnecessarily complex. 7.5/10

In conclusion, these are my personal opinions based on lots of testing. As you can see, most platforms work well in their own way. It often comes down to your specific needs, budget, and how comfortable you are with technology. The AI website builder space is changing fast. What we have today would have seemed like magic just a few years ago. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced developer, there's an AI solution that can speed up your work while making truly professional results.

I'm 17, just starting my brand godhasfavorites. I made an Instagram account, and now I need a website. I really need a free ecommerce store that I can add my own domain to. (Low budget until I start selling and am in profit.)

Starting a tutoring business and would like to have a website simply to display information about pricing, what I offer etc. Its mostly just a place for me to display info, nothing too complex, so I am going to build it myself using a website builder. Which website builder is the best for this purpose?
The most complex component of the website would be that users can schedule lesson times automatically through the website. Im not sure if a website builder has the capability to integrate this feature but if so let me know