A website builder is a tool that allows you to build and manage a website using themes, templates, modules, and other web elements.

A free website builder is, more often than not, the no-cost tier of a larger paid website builder. Not all website builders offer free tiers; some opt for affordable base tiers that cost a few dollars per month. Other services offer some features for free while locking more powerful functionality behind premium paywalls. If you don’t need those extra perks, the free tier may be more than enough.

What can you expect from a free website builder? Some common limits include only letting you make one website with a handful of pages, restricting your storage options, and forcing you to use the builder’s domain instead of a custom one. Some free tiers are more like free trials; they let you test the tools as much as you want, but you have to spend money to publish. Other free services, however, are respectable hosting offerings, even if the paid tiers are "better."

Having a website is a must for small businesses. The internet is a massive marketplace you simply need to tap into. A free website builder is an easy way to establish your web presence. That said, truly professional users should opt for a paid plan sooner rather than later. Customers will trust a business with a custom domain because it looks legitimate. More importantly, free website builders typically lock their e-commerce features and the ability to sell products online behind paywalls. You must spend money to make money.