You can build a working website yourself using free or low-cost tools, even with no coding experience
Building a website no longer requires hiring a developer or learning to code. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com let you drag elements onto a page, pick a design template, and publish without writing a single line of HTML. You can have a basic site live in an afternoon. The trade-off is that these tools limit how much you can customize later — if you outgrow the template, switching platforms means rebuilding from scratch.
The path you choose depends on what you need the site to do. A portfolio or small business site has different needs than an online store or a membership community. Some tools charge monthly, others are free with limitations, and a few let you own your files completely if you host them yourself. Understanding these differences before you start saves you from rebuilding later.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix and Squarespace handle hosting, design, and updates for you, making them fastest for beginners but harder to move later.
- WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress give you more control and lower long-term costs, but require more learning and maintenance.
- Free tiers exist on most platforms but include their branding, limited storage, and fewer features than paid plans.
- Pick your platform before you write content or upload images, because moving a finished site between builders is time-consuming and often incomplete.
- Most platforms include basic SEO tools and mobile-friendly templates, but you still need to write good page titles and descriptions yourself.
Website builders that handle everything for you
Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and GoDaddy Website Builder all work the same way: you pick a template, edit it by dragging boxes around, add your text and images, and publish. They host your site on their servers, handle security updates, and keep the site running. You pay a monthly fee (usually $10 to $30) and the builder takes care of the technical parts.
These tools are fastest if you want a site in a few hours. Templates are professionally designed and mobile-friendly out of the box. You can change colors, fonts, and layouts without touching code. The downside is that you are locked into that platform's design system — if you want to move your site to a different builder later, you will have to rebuild it manually because these platforms do not export your pages in a portable format.
Wix and Squarespace are the most popular because their templates look polished and their editors are intuitive. Weebly is simpler but less flexible. GoDaddy Website Builder is cheapest but has fewer design options. All of them include basic SEO tools, contact forms, and the ability to add a blog. If you need an online store, each one charges extra (usually $15 to $30 more per month) for shopping cart features.
WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress
WordPress powers about 40% of all websites on the internet. It comes in two versions: WordPress.com (hosted by Automattic, the company behind WordPress) and self-hosted WordPress (you rent a server and install WordPress yourself).
WordPress.com is simpler than self-hosted WordPress but less flexible than Wix. You pick a theme, customize it, and publish — no coding required. The free tier includes a subdomain (yourname.wordpress.com) and limited storage. Paid plans start at $4 per month and let you use your own domain name. The catch is that you cannot install custom plugins or code, so you are limited to what WordPress.com offers built-in.
Self-hosted WordPress gives you full control. You rent a server (usually $3 to $10 per month from hosts like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Kinsta), install WordPress, and run it yourself. You can install any plugin, edit code, and customize everything. The downside is that you are responsible for backups, security updates, and troubleshooting. If something breaks, you fix it or pay someone to fix it. Self-hosted WordPress is cheaper long-term but requires more technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance.
Free platforms and open-source options
If you want zero cost, Wix, Weebly, and WordPress.com all have free tiers. The free versions include their branding (a "Powered by Wix" footer or similar), limited storage (usually 500 MB to 3 GB), and fewer features than paid plans. You cannot use a custom domain name on the free tier — your site address will be something like yourname.wix.com. Free tiers are fine for testing or a personal portfolio, but they signal to visitors that you are not serious about the site.
If you want free and no branding, open-source platforms like Joomla and Drupal exist, but they require self-hosting and technical knowledge. You install them on your own server, manage updates yourself, and troubleshoot problems. They are powerful but steep for beginners. Most people starting out should pick a paid plan on a builder or WordPress.com instead.
Comparing costs and what you get
| Platform | Free Tier | Paid Starting Price | Includes Domain | Includes Hosting | Custom Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Yes, with branding | $10/month | No (extra $5/month) | Yes | No |
| Squarespace | No | $12/month | Yes (first year free) | Yes | Limited |
| WordPress.com | Yes, with branding | $4/month | No (extra $5/month) | Yes | No |
| Self-hosted WordPress | Free software | $3/month (hosting only) | Separate cost (~$12/year) | You manage | Yes |
| Weebly | Yes, with branding | $6/month | No (extra $2/month) | Yes | No |
The cheapest path is self-hosted WordPress: $3 per month for hosting plus $12 per year for a domain name equals about $48 per year. But you handle updates and backups yourself. The easiest path is Wix or Squarespace: $12 to $30 per month, everything included, no maintenance. WordPress.com sits in the middle: $4 to $8 per month plus domain costs, simpler than self-hosted but less flexible than Wix.
When comparing long-term costs, remember that builder prices often increase after the first year. Wix and Squarespace may jump $5 to $10 per month on renewal. Self-hosted WordPress stays the same if you stick with the same host. Factor renewal costs into your decision if you plan to keep the site running for more than a year.
What to do before you start building
Before you pick a platform, write down what your site needs to do. Do you need a blog? An online store? A contact form? A photo gallery? Member login? Different platforms handle these differently. Wix and Squarespace include most features in their paid plans. WordPress.com requires plugins (add-ons) for some features. Self-hosted WordPress gives you access to thousands of plugins but you have to install and manage them.
Next, pick a domain name and buy it before you build. You can buy a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains for about $12 per year. Some builders let you buy a domain through them, but buying separately gives you more flexibility if you switch platforms later. Write down your domain name and the login details somewhere safe.
Gather your content before you start: your business description, photos, any text you want on each page. Builders let you add content as you go, but having it ready means you will not get stuck halfway through. If you are building a portfolio, resize your images to about 1200 pixels wide before uploading — this saves storage space and loads faster.
The basic steps to launch
Once you have picked a platform and a domain, the process is similar across all builders. First, create an account and pick a template that matches what you need. Do not spend too long choosing — you can change the template later on most platforms. Second, edit the template by replacing placeholder text with your own content and uploading your images. Third, customize colors, fonts, and layout to match your brand. Fourth, add pages (About, Contact, Services, Blog, etc.) by duplicating existing pages and editing them. Fifth, set up a contact form or other interactive elements. Sixth, preview the site on mobile to make sure it looks right on phones. Seventh, publish.
The whole process usually takes 4 to 8 hours for a small business site with 5 to 10 pages. A portfolio or personal site takes 2 to 4 hours. An online store with product pages takes longer because you have to add each product individually. Most builders save your work automatically as you go, so you can step away and come back later without losing anything.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is picking a platform, building a site, then realizing you need features that platform does not support. You end up rebuilding on a different platform. Avoid this by testing the platform's free tier first or reading reviews about the specific features you need.
The second mistake is not writing good page titles and descriptions. Search engines use these to rank your site, and visitors see them in search results. Spend time on your homepage title and description — make it clear what your business does in one sentence. Do the same for other important pages.
The third mistake is uploading huge image files. A photo from a phone camera is often 3 to 5 MB. Uploading 20 of these will eat your storage quota and slow down your site. Resize images to 1200 pixels wide and compress them before uploading. Free tools like TinyPNG and Pixlr do this in seconds.
The fourth mistake is abandoning the site after launch. A site with outdated content and broken links looks unprofessional. Plan to update your site at least once a month — add a blog post, update your portfolio, refresh your services page. This also helps search engines rank you higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my site from Wix to WordPress later?
Not easily. Wix does not export your pages in a format that WordPress can read. You would have to manually rebuild your site on WordPress by copying text and re-uploading images. This is why picking the right platform before you start matters. If you think you might outgrow a builder, start with self-hosted WordPress instead.
Do I need to know HTML or CSS to build a website?
No. Website builders and WordPress.com are designed for people with no coding experience. You drag elements around and type text. If you want to customize code later, most builders let you add custom HTML or CSS in specific areas, but it is optional. Self-hosted WordPress lets you edit code if you want, but you do not have to.
How much does it cost to keep a website running?
Minimum cost is about $4 per month for WordPress.com plus $12 per year for a domain name, totaling about $60 per year. Wix and Squarespace cost $12 to $30 per month, or $144 to $360 per year. Self-hosted WordPress costs $3 to $10 per month for hosting plus $12 per year for a domain, totaling $48 to $132 per year. Prices vary by plan and features.
Will my site show up in Google search results?
Eventually, yes. All major builders and WordPress are search-engine friendly. Google will find your site within a few weeks if it has real content and you have written good page titles and descriptions. You can speed this up by submitting your site to Google Search Console (free). Ranking high takes longer — that depends on your content quality and how many other sites link to you.
What if I want to add an online store later?
Most builders support online stores, but you usually have to upgrade to a paid plan that includes e-commerce. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com all offer this. Self-hosted WordPress lets you install WooCommerce (free plugin) to add a store. Plan for this before you build — some builders make it easier to add a store later than others.