Whether you want to trial run your design before launch, or get online as quickly and affordably as possible, if you’re a small business looking to build a professional website for free, you’re in luck. Many top website builders offer free plans that allow you to create and publish a site — though with some trade-offs like ads or subdomains.
We’ve reviewed and ranked the best free website builders for small businesses in the UK, based on ease of use, functionality, and limitations of their free offerings.
Compare website builder free plans and trial periods
1. Webador – Best overall free plan
Why it stands out:Webador offers one of the most generous free plans around. You can set up an online store, blog, or portfolio using its clean, modern templates and drag-and-drop editor. Unlike many competitors, Webador doesn’t charge any sales commission, even on the free plan, meaning you keep 100% of your profits.
Free Plan Limitations: Webador branding, subdomain
Pros:
Very beginner-friendly
Includes free ecommerce support
No transaction fees
Clean, professional templates
Cons:
Webador ads and subdomain (e.g., yoursite.webador.co.uk)
Limited template variety
Pricing
2. Site123 – Fastest for getting online
Why it stands out:If you need a basic business site online within an hour, Site123 delivers. Its guided setup and AI tools create a ready-to-publish site after answering a few questions. While ecommerce features are locked behind paid plans, it’s a solid free option for simple sites.
Free Plan Limitations: 250MB storage, SITE123 branding, subdomain
Pros:
Very quick to set up
Helpful support via live chat
Mobile-optimised templates
Cons:
Minimal storage
Limited design flexibility
Can’t change templates after going live
Pricing
3. Wix – Best design flexibility (with limitations)
Why it stands out:Wix offers an enormous selection of templates (900+) and powerful design tools — even on its free plan. However, your site will show Wix ads and live on a Wix-branded subdomain. Still, if design freedom is important, it’s hard to beat.
Free Plan Limitations: Wix branding and ads, no custom domain
Pros:
Excellent drag-and-drop editor
AI builder (Wix ADI) for speed
Huge library of templates
Cons:
No custom domain on free plan
Shows Wix ads
Can’t switch templates later
Pricing
4. Weebly – Easiest to use for beginners
Why it stands out:Weebly is an ultra-simple website builder owned by Square (the payments provider), making it strong on both usability and ecommerce. You can build your site with a WYSIWYG editor, and there are plenty of apps to expand its functionality over time.
Free Plan Limitations: Weebly branding and subdomain
Pros:
Drag-and-drop simplicity
Decent ecommerce tools
Focused template selection
Cons:
No AI setup
Free plan is quite limited
No domain connection
5. Squarespace – Maximum creative freedom, but only free for 14 days
Why it stands out:Squarespace is all about stunning design. While there’s no forever-free plan, the 14-day free trial gives you full access to their powerful editor and premium templates. It’s best suited to visually-led businesses like designers, photographers, or creatives.
Free Access: 14-day free trial only (no forever-free plan)
Pros:
Premium, elegant templates
Switch templates any time
Excellent customisation
Cons:
Free trial only, no permanent free option
Requires more time to learn
6. GoDaddy – Quick setup, but short trial
Why it stands out:GoDaddy’s AI-driven website builder makes it easy to create a business site in minutes. You’ll be prompted through a few questions and voilà — a live-ready site. But after the 7-day trial, you’ll need to subscribe.
Free Access: 7-day free trial (no forever-free plan)
Pros:
Simple and fast with ADI
Flexible template switching
Good for service-based businesses
Cons:
Trial ends after 7 days
Limited creative control
No direct selling via social platforms
Further reading
Top five online businesses you can start today – Ground-breaking companies have been founded in garages, dorm rooms and home offices. Here are five online business ideas for inspiration
Your guide to starting an online business – A survey of small and micro-businesses found businesses with a website were 51 per cent more likely to grow than those without
What are the best 8 website builders for my small business? – Reviews of eight of the most popular off-the-shelf e-commerce platforms in Britain to help you choose the best website builder
