You can get online for free, but "free" usually means limits: someone else's branding, no custom domain or your own time. Here are the honest options.
Option 1: Google Business Profile (free)
Every local business should have one. It puts you on Google Maps with hours, photos, reviews and a call button. It is not a full website, but it is the most important free step.
Option 2: Free website builder plans
Builders such as Wix and Squarespace-style tools offer free or trial plans. Free plans typically show the builder's branding and use a subdomain instead of your own domain. Upgrading for a custom domain usually costs a monthly fee.
Option 3: Social media pages
A Facebook or Instagram page is free and useful, but you don't control the platform and many customers still look for a website.
Option 4: A low-cost done-for-you website
If your time is worth more than the fee, a done-for-you site can cost less than you think. Our One Page package is $99 a year with your own domain, hosting, copy written for you and a free AI chat agent included.
What to check with any option
- Can you use your own domain name?
- Who owns the domain and the files?
- What does it cost after the first year?
- Does it look good and load fast on phones?
- Can customers contact you in one tap?
The true cost of "free" over three years
Free plans often become paid plans once you want your own domain, remove branding or add features. Add up what you'd pay over three years, plus the hours you'd spend building and updating it yourself, and compare with a low-cost done-for-you option.
Do it yourself or have it done?
- Do it yourself if you enjoy it, have the time and are comfortable writing your own copy.
- Have it done if you'd rather spend those hours on paying work, want professional copy, or need the site to bring in leads quickly.
Whatever you choose, do these free things too
- Claim your Google Business Profile.
- Claim Bing Places and Apple Business Connect.
- Ask customers for reviews.
- Use the same name, phone and hours everywhere.
Questions
Is a free website good enough for a small business?
It's a start, but branding, a subdomain and limited features make many businesses look less established. Pair it with a free Google Business Profile.
What's the cheapest way to get a professional website?
A simple one-page site on your own domain. Ours is $99 a year with hosting, copy and a free AI chat agent included.