Free Website Builders with Custom Domain
Hello there, fellow creator! Are you feeling the urge to build something amazing online, but worried about the technical aspects? Don’t have any coding skills? No problem! Nowadays, anyone can create a stunning website without breaking the bank.
Here’s the deal: Website building used to be a mysterious process shrouded in technical jargon (HTML, anyone?). However, thanks to awesome no-code tools, creating a website is now as easy as dragging and dropping. The best part? Many of these tools allow you to have your own custom domain name, so you can ditch the generic website address and build your brand identity from the start.
We have compiled a list of 10+ website builders that are free and ideal for beginners. These builders are extremely user-friendly, offering templates and drag-and-drop interfaces that make website building a breeze. Additionally, they are all free to use or have reasonably priced plans to help you get started. The only instance where you may need to pay is if you desire advanced features such as an online store or complex integrations.
“Now, before we delve into this amazing list of website builders, let’s clarify a few basics…”
What is a Website Builder?
A website builder is an online tool that helps you create a website without any coding skills. Once you have chosen which one to use and downloaded the template, you can drag and drop various components into your new site, such as images, YouTube videos, forms, and more. Each one has its own set of “layers” that you can mix and match depending on your needs.
What is a Custom Domain?
A domain is a URL (internet address) that you type into your browser to access a specific website or website section. Common domains include .com, .org, .net, and many more. What’s important, though, is that the domain you use must be specified by the owner of the site. A custom domain or URL is essentially a unique identity for your website on the internet. Once the custom domain is taken, the same one cannot be used by anyone else. It creates a professional distinction and helps people remember your website easily.
If you have an awesome little online business or web app idea and want to create your website without getting any help from an experienced web designer, then you can do so with a custom domain name instead of a regular domain name like mywebsite.com. According to hubspot.com, getting a custom domain is important for your website’s brand identity and credibility, among other benefits. At the same time, search engines regularly change their algorithms, and having a custom domain can give you an upper hand in tapping into the algorithm.
10+ Website Builders That Also Allow You To Add Custom Domains (Free & Paid)
1. Webflow
So you need a slick custom design to really showcase what your product, service or business is all about, right? Well, Webflow is where it’s at for that kind of standout web design work.
Their whole deal is this dope in-browser design tool that lets you craft, build and launch responsive websites from scratch – just like a pro web designer would, but without all the coding headaches. It basically lets you go from initial concept and mockups all the way to a live, ready-to-rock website with just some clicking around.
What Can You Build with Webflow?
Webflow is a CMS platform and web design tool, making it perfect for building blogs and e-commerce websites. It enables you to create high-end animations and interactions with access to over 2000 web fonts, which is unique to this platform. Webflow provides non-traditional layouts and complex interactions, giving you a wide range of design options. Additionally, Webflow’s website is built with Webflow, demonstrating the potential design outcomes.
Top 5 Features of Webflow
- Design with Real Code: Unlike other prototyping tools that create clickable mockups, Webflow lets you design products with real code.
- Direct Content Editing: Clients can add content directly to the website without dealing with admin panels or editor issues, editing exactly what they see.
- Reusable Classes: Define a class once and use it for elements needing the same styling, or use it as a basis for variations.
- Customizable Ecommerce: Combine the Designer and CMS to create a fully customized e-commerce experience. While hosting costs vary, any Webflow project can become an e-commerce website.
- Free Starter Plan: Webflow offers a ‘Free Starter Plan’ that lets you host your website for free indefinitely, giving you a chance to see if it fits your needs.
Limitations of Webflow
- No User-Generated Content: Webflow doesn’t support building web applications with user-generated content, like those where users log in and add content (e.g., Facebook).
- Learning Curve: Webflow isn’t completely intuitive and has a learning curve. This is because it uses a regular code structure, adding HTML elements and styling them with CSS classes.
Check their official website: https://webflow.com
2. WordPress
WordPress is an immensely popular platform for no-code website builders, powering over 100 million websites. Although setting up a WordPress site requires some technical knowledge, its ease of use after setup is unparalleled. The WordPress dashboard is accessible from any computer or mobile device, providing direct access to site statistics, premium themes, and a variety of development tools and plugins. Furthermore, WordPress boasts an extensive library of free themes and custom templates created by designers, making it easy to create modern websites quickly.
What Can You Build on WordPress?
- Blogs and Forums: Create personal blogs or community forums.
- Online Shops: Build e-commerce websites to sell products or services.
- News Aggregators: Use WordPress as an RSS reader and news aggregator.
- Custom Functionality: Implement features like comments, ratings, file uploads, social media widgets, and SEO tools through custom plugins and third-party apps.
Top Features of WordPress
- Extensive Theme Library: Access a vast collection of free themes and custom templates designed to help create modern websites quickly.
- User-Friendly: Suitable for both novices and experts, WordPress makes adding and managing content easy without needing a developer.
- Standards-Compliant Code: All WordPress-generated code adheres to W3C standards, ensuring your site functions correctly across current and future browsers.
Limitations of WordPress
- Performance Issues: WordPress can be slow on shared hosting and may struggle with larger applications or plugins.
- Mobile Friendliness: WordPress is not inherently mobile-friendly, which can be a drawback if your primary audience accesses your site via mobile devices.
Check their official website: https://wordpress.com/
3. Google Sites
Google Sites is a completely free and straightforward website creation tool offered by Google. It seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace tools such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, enabling you to drag and drop projects from your Google Drive into your website. Additionally, it supports collaborative editing, making it effortless to share and manage with others.
What Can You Build on Google Sites?
- Work Projects: Perfect for websites involving charts and tables.
- Group Events: Ideal for organizing and sharing event information.
Top Features of Google Sites
- Customizable Design: Easily modify your site’s look and feel with the editing tool.
- User-Friendly Functions: Intuitive and simple to use.
- Easy Management: Deleting and rearranging elements takes just a few clicks.
Limitations of Google Sites
- Limited Features: Not as comprehensive as other website-building tools.
- Design Constraints: Limited design tools and layout options, making it less ideal for small businesses seeking more customization.
Check their official website: https://sites.google.com/new
4. Ucraft
Ucraft is a user-friendly, drag-and-drop website builder designed to assist users in creating web pages with ease. The platform has over 27,000 websites built on it and offers templates for various purposes, such as blogging, e-commerce, and school projects.
What Can You Build on Ucraft?
- Blog Websites
- Business Websites
- Personal Websites
- Ecommerce Websites
Top Features of Ucraft
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily add content blocks to your website.
- Extensive Template Library: Access a wide range of templates.
- Ease of Use: Simple to update and manage.
- Strong Support: Reliable customer service.
- No Coding Required: Build sites without any coding knowledge.
- Mobile Optimization: Sites are mobile-friendly, fast, and SEO-optimized.
- Ecommerce Integration: Monetize your site with built-in eCommerce tools.
Limitations of Ucraft
- Limited Free Plan: Free plans come with fewer templates and customization options.
- Not for Large Websites: Better suited for small to medium sites rather than complex ones.
- Learning Curve: Slightly less intuitive than expected.
Check their official website: https://www.ucraft.com/
5. Strikingly
Strikingly is a simple website builder that offers flat templates with either dark or light themes. You can effortlessly create your site by dragging and dropping content blocks, and there are additional widgets available for customization. New users are prompted to answer a few questions to help tailor their site, adding descriptions, taglines, and other relevant details to make it as professional as possible. You can quickly get started by using the Strikingly Builder, Strikingly Blog Builder, and Strikingly Social Builder.
What Can You Build on Strikingly?
- Personal Websites
- Small Business Websites
- Small-Scale Ecommerce Websites
Top Features of Strikingly
- Free Domain Name: Included with your site.
- Bootstrapping Wizard: Simplifies the setup process.
- Responsive Mobile Design: Ensures your site looks good on any device.
- Built-in SEO Support: Helps improve your site’s visibility.
- Smart Analytics: Provides insights into your site’s performance.
- No Coding Skills Required: User-friendly for all experience levels.
- Logo and Favicon Customization: Quickly and easily personalize your site.
Limitations of Strikingly
- Single Website per Account: You can only create one site per Strikingly account.
- Limited Pages: You are restricted to a maximum of 20 pages per site, which may be too few for larger projects.
Check their official website: https://www.strikingly.com/
6. Softr
Softr is a user-friendly, no-code platform that allows users to create web applications and websites without the need to write code. With its visual interface and drag-and-drop tools, Softr makes web development accessible to individuals and businesses without extensive technical knowledge. Users can use pre-built templates and components to customize their projects. It is particularly popular among entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses for quickly prototyping and launching web-based projects. Notably, Softr offers a generous free tier plan that allows users to build websites with a custom domain at no cost.
What Can You Build with Softr?
- Landing Pages
- Business Websites
- Blogs
- Portfolios
- Online Directories
- E-commerce Stores
- Web Applications
- Membership Sites
- Interactive Forms
- Dashboards
- Event Registration Pages
- Educational Platforms
- Job Boards
- And More: Softr is flexible for various web projects.
Top Features of Softr
- Built-in Profile Pages: Users can set up and modify data, and manage user permissions and tiers with custom editing.
- Resourceful Asset Libraries: Access professional icons and graphics easily to enhance your app’s key features.
- Built-in Form Creators: Create fully featured forms to collect consumer data, with integrations to over 30 connections and webhooks, including Airtable.
- Custom Coding: Add HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to your project to push the boundaries of low-code development.
- Easy Payment Integration: Simplifies the payment process for e-commerce and other financial transactions.
Limitations of Softr
- Limited Customization: Offers fewer customization options for advanced users.
- Database Dependency: Relies on Google Sheets and Airtable for database functionalities.
- Not Ideal for Large Organizations: Less suited for big business needs compared to some competitors.
- Complex Data Analysis: Lacks advanced real-time data analysis capabilities, which can complicate some processes.
Check their official website: https://www.softr.io/
7. Brizy
Brizy is a plugin for WordPress that enables users to create websites visually without requiring any coding knowledge. It includes a drag-and-drop visual editor, which makes designing pages on your WordPress site easy without having to deal with CSS or HTML. Brizy’s editor interface is straightforward, intuitive, and designed to have a near-zero learning curve, making it ideal for non-coders.
What Can You Build with Brizy?
- Pages: Easily create and customize pages on your WordPress site.
- Themes: Build custom themes with the theme builder.
- E-commerce Sites: Utilize the WooCommerce builder to create online stores.
- Headers and Footers: Design custom headers and footers.
- Popups: Set up automatically triggered popups.
- Marketing Integrations: Integrate with third-party marketing services.
Top Features of Brizy
- Inline Customization: Most of your design can be customized with inline options rather than sidebars and popups.
- Responsive Design: All designs are responsive by default, with additional customization options for different devices.
- Pre-built Templates: Create pages using a vast library of pre-built templates.
- Form Builder: Build custom forms with ease.
- Marketing Integrations: Connect to other marketing and SEO tools for enhanced functionality.
- White-Labeling: With the agency license, you can white-label the Brizy interface to reflect your custom branding, providing a more branded experience for your clients.
Limitations of Brizy
- No Developer API: Brizy lacks a developer API, which means there’s no third-party extension/add-on marketplace, limiting flexibility.
- Limited Documentation: The available documentation is primarily video-based, lacking in comprehensive text documentation compared to other page builders.
Check their official website: https://www.brizy.io/
8. ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a powerful email marketing tool that is designed to simplify the creation and distribution of attractive newsletters. It is particularly beneficial for businesses that are just starting out, as it provides free templates and drag-and-drop elements, eliminating the need for a developer. This tool is geared towards enhancing reader engagement through interactive design.
What Can You Build with ConvertKit?
- Landing Pages: Create customized landing pages to capture leads.
- Facebook Integration: Connect ConvertKit with your Facebook account to leverage social media marketing.
- Email Lists: Manage and grow your email lists for targeted marketing campaigns.
Top Features of ConvertKit
- Drag & Drop Builder and Templates:
- Easily build landing pages and emails without coding.
- Utilize a variety of templates and customizable elements to suit your needs.
- eCommerce Integration:
- Available in the advanced plan.
- Sell products directly from your ConvertKit pages using Stripe, a trusted online payment processor.
Limitations of ConvertKit
- Single Account Limit:
- Each person is limited to one account, which may not be ideal for larger teams or agencies.
- Advanced Functionality Challenges:
- It can be less intuitive for tasks that require more advanced features, such as Facebook ads or Instagram embeds.
Check their official website: https://convertkit.com/features/landing-pages
9. Shift4shop
Shift4Shop provides a robust eCommerce platform and a fully hosted shopping cart, which are both completely free when you use their payment processing solution. With unlimited product options, multichannel selling capabilities, and free domain name registration, Shift4Shop is an outstanding option for budget-conscious business owners who are looking for top-tier eCommerce solutions.
What Can You Build with Shift4Shop?
Shift4Shop caters to a wide range of industries, including but not limited to:
- Arts and Crafts
- Auto Parts
- B2B (Business to Business)
- Clothing and Fashion
- Food and Beverage
- Sporting Goods
- Wine
Top Features of Shift4Shop
User-Friendly Interface:
- Enjoy a drag-and-drop interface for easy website customization.
- Seamlessly integrate with social media platforms and utilize built-in email tools.
Comprehensive Management Tools:
- Efficiently manage inventory with robust inventory management capabilities.
- Benefit from API and SSL certificate support for enhanced security.
Quality-of-Life Features:
- Themes offer Google AMP-enabled product pages and HTML5 AJAX implementations for improved user experience.
- Customize your store with additional pages like an “About Us” section and a blog for enhanced SEO.
Reliable Web Hosting:
- Enjoy 99.9% uptime, PCI certification, and secure web hosting.
- Includes a domain name that automatically renews annually and daily backups for peace of mind.
- Limitations of Shift4Shop
Reliance on Add-Ons:
- Some advanced functionalities may require additional add-ons, leading to increased complexity.
Challenges with Change:
- Updating or making changes to your store may be challenging due to outdated infrastructure, requiring significant time and effort.
Check their official website: https://www.shift4shop.com/
10. Bigcartel
Big Cartel is a versatile platform that serves as a free website builder, marketplace, and application. It empowers designers, artists, and bloggers to collaborate, promote, and sell their products, services, and creations. Owned by Weebly Inc., a prominent player in the web industry since 2003, Big Cartel has emerged as one of the most visited website builders since its inception on May 10, 2006. While the platform is free to use, premium features such as additional design layouts, social media embedding, and analytics access are available for users seeking enhanced functionality.
What Can You Build on Bigcartel?
Bigcartel enables users to create various types of websites and storefronts, including:
- Personal sites showcasing creative work
- Design portfolios featuring client testimonials
- Storefronts for selling products
Top Features of Bigcartel
Flexible Pricing Options:
- Bigcartel offers free accounts and affordable pricing plans tailored to varying needs.
Versatile Store Setup:
- Users can create single product stores with variations and enjoy unlimited products and designs (up to 50) per profile or global storage.
User-Friendly Interface:
- Automated profile creation process facilitated by 24/7 live support ensures a seamless user experience.
Integration Capabilities:
- Integration with popular shopping carts like Magento & WooCommerce and social media channels like Facebook & Twitter enhances the platform’s functionality.
Global Accessibility:
- Bigcartel is available in over 30 languages, catering to a diverse user base worldwide.
Limitations of Bigcartel
Product Limitations:
- Users are restricted to a maximum of 50 products per profile or global storage.
Domain Restrictions:
- Only one domain is permitted for each account, with no allowance for subdomains.
Storage and Bandwidth:
- While the smallest plan offers 100 MB storage, bandwidth is not enabled.
Mobile App and Responsive Design Absence:
- Bigcartel currently does not offer mobile apps or responsive designs, limiting its adaptability across devices.
Check their official website: https://www.bigcartel.com/
11. Branchbob
Branchbob is a free application developed by Branch, a notable social media platform that has launched several successful content-sharing apps, including Reachout and Boomerang (which was acquired by Dropbox). Branchbob itself serves as a drag-and-drop website builder, empowering users to quickly create their blogs, landing pages, or affiliate marketing sites. With comprehensive video tutorials and screenshots guiding users through the process, Branchbob also promises future support for eCommerce functionality.
What Can You Build with Branchbob?
Branchbob offers versatile options for website creation, allowing users to:
- Establish a blog on their own domain name or utilize the free Blog Builder.
- Develop websites compatible with all major browsers, without the need for additional plugins.
- Utilize an unlimited number of blocks to construct their pages, with access to over 2000 free icons, fonts, logos, and templates.
Top Features of Branchbob
Drag-and-Drop Builder:
- Users benefit from a user-friendly interface that enables effortless customization through drag-and-drop functionality.
Unlimited Blocks:
- The platform offers unrestricted use of blocks for page construction, providing ample flexibility in design.
Diverse Asset Library:
- Access to a vast collection of over 2000 free icons, logos, and templates enhances the visual appeal and customization options for users.
Limitations of Branchbob
Limited Free Trial:
- The free trial is restricted to 10 pages, potentially limiting users’ ability to fully explore the platform’s capabilities.
Access to Advanced Features:
- Access to advanced features such as eCommerce functionality requires a paid subscription after the initial 30-day trial period.
Check their official website: https://www.branchbob.com/
Wrapping up!
so you’re trying to figure out the best website builder for your needs and vibe, right? Whether it’s for a small biz, personal blog, portfolio showcase or something else entirely?
Well, this list of options is a solid starting point to start evaluating what’ll be the right fit. And you know the beauty of most of these? They offer free accounts to test drive before committing! So why not just spin up some free trials across a few that catch your eye initially? Spend a little time really mapping out the type of site you’re envisioning – the purpose, aesthetic, must-have features. That’ll help narrow your focus as you explore the pros and cons of each builder hands-on.
Some are gonna feel like a smoother workflow for you personally. Others might nail specific needs like e-commerce tools or portfolio templates out-the-box. It’s about finding that Goldilocks zone for your goals and skill level. Not quite feeling confident in making that call yet? No sweat, there are plenty of video overviews and demos you can peek at to get a better sense before pulling the trigger. I’d recommend queuing up a few of those for the top contenders on your list.
Here’s the way I see it: The web design industry is a massive $42.2 billion behemoth already and still rapidly growing. Having an online presence that genuinely represents you or your brand isn’t just important – it’s absolutely vital to tap into that vast web of prospects and connections. So now that you’ve done your research diligence, no more delays! It’s time to rally those creative juices and start actually building something you can be proud to put out into the world wide web. An online embodiment of your talents, services, or whatever you’re trying to put on the map.
And hey, if you get stuck along the way or want a second pair of eyes? You know I’m just a ping away, ready to lend a hand getting your website vision locked in and launched into cyberspace!
If you like you can also check out how to save money as a student.
F.A.Q
Where can I create a free website with my own domain?
You can create a free website with your own domain using website builders such as Shift4Shop, BranchBob, ConvertKit, WordPress, and Ucraft.
How can I create a website and domain for free?
If you’re a student, you can obtain a free custom domain with Github and link it to a website builder that offers free custom domains, such as Shift4Shop, ConvertKit, Ucraft, and WordPress.
What is the best free website builder?
Based on dozens of reviews, I believe that Shift4Shop and Branchbob are the best free website builders for online stores because they offer the most features. If you want to create a personal website, Ucraft is a great option since they offer a flexible editor and well-designed templates. Additionally, ConvertKit is a recommended website builder if you want to create a free landing page. With their pre-made, well-designed landing page templates, you can quickly get your project or business started.
Can I publish a website for free?
Yes! You can publish content on your website right now for free by using various website builders listed above, depending on your specific use case.
Is it possible for me to host a website for free?
Yes, you can host a website for free for as long as you want with website builders such as WordPress and Google Sites, among others.
How can I publish my website on Google for free?
You can utilize Google’s free trial to initiate hosting your website with any Google Cloud product. Essentially, this means that if you have a Google account, it only takes a few simple steps to publish your website with Google.
