It's tempting to want to create a website for free with editors such as Wix or WordPress, especially when you're starting your own business or simply want to share your passion online via a blog. Several services offer attractive deals to attract novices looking to save money.
However, is it really possible to create a website without spending a penny? In this guide, we take a detailed look at these free offers, their limitations, and the alternatives available for creating your website in a professional manner.
Summary
What do free site offers include?
When considering creating a free website with publishers such as Wix, WordPress.com, or Webself, one expects to avoid all costs associated with its creation and management. However, these attractive offers often conceal limitations and indirect costs.
The hidden costs of hosting and domain names
To access these free creation tools, it is generally necessary to subscribe to a paidweb hosting service for high-quality hosting, or to purchase a domain name.
Hosting is the storage space that holds all the information, images, and other content on your website. The domain name is the unique address through which your website will be accessible on the web. These costs, which are sometimes hidden in free website offers, can catch users off guard who were expecting a completely free service.
Functionality limitations
These free creation platforms often have significant limitations. For example, the customization of your site may be restricted. You may be able to use certain templates, but you may not be able to choose your own layout, add unique design elements, or even use your own logo.
There may also be restrictions on the number of pages you can create, limiting the amount of information you can present. In addition, technical assistance or customer support is often absent or limited in these free offers.
The limitations of free websites
Beyond hidden costs, free solutions have several major drawbacks that can impact the success of your web project.
Advertisements imposed on your site
Free services finance their business model by displaying advertisements on your site. This is a way for them to monetize their platform. This means that your visitors will be exposed to advertisements, often in the form of banners, pop-ups, or integrated ads, which could distract their attention from your content.
These ads can also impact the image of your website. They can give an impression of unprofessionalism or suggest that your site is not entirely under your control. In addition, you may not be able to control the type of advertising displayed, which can lead to embarrassing situations if the content of the ads is at odds with your brand or values.
Limitations of SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for attracting traffic to your website. However, free websites often have major limitations when it comes to SEO.
For example, you may not be able to customize the URL of your site or pages, which is a key factor in SEO. In addition, some free tools do not allow you to modify your site's meta descriptive tags, which are important for search engine rankings.
Finally, the absence of an SSL certificate, which secures the connection between your site and its visitors, can also affect your ranking, as Google favors secure sites.
Non-professional domain name
With a free solution, your domain name will usually include the name of the platform: www.votreentreprise.wixsite.com or yourblog.wordpress.com instead of www.votreentreprise.ma. This significantly damages your professional credibility.
Limited ownership and control
With some free platforms, you don't actually own your site. If the platform closes or changes its terms and conditions, you could lose all your content and work. What's more, you are dependent on the platform's limitations and choices.
Performance and speed
Free websites are often hosted on servers shared with many other sites, which can significantly slow down the loading of your pages. Slow loading speeds negatively impact the user experience and your SEO.
How much does a website really cost?
Although the idea of creating a website for free may seem economical in terms of direct financial costs, it can ultimately prove more costly in terms of time, effort, and results. Understanding the real costs of a professional website helps you make an informed choice.
Costs of a professional website
The creation of a website, whether it is an online store, a corporate interface, or a blog, represents an investment that varies depending on several factors.
Simple showcase website
For a basic website presenting standard information, the cost can remain modest with the use of solutions such as self-hosted WordPress. A showcase website, whose main purpose is to present your company or services, is generally less expensive to set up.
E-commerce website
An e-commerce site, which allows products or services to be sold directly on the site, requires a larger investment. It requires the integration of secure online transaction features, real-time inventory management, order tracking tools, etc.
Factors affecting cost
Type and complexity of the site
The complexity of the site plays a major role in estimating the cost. By complexity, we mean design, functionality, and coding. A custom design will require the work of a professional designer. Adding specific features such as live chat, interactive forms, or integrations with other services requires more extensive development work.
Choice of service provider
If you choose to use a CMS such as WordPress with our Site Builder, the financial cost may be more moderate. If you decide to hire a web development agency, the cost may be higher, but these professionals can offer you a more comprehensive service.
Recurring costs to be expected
- Web hosting: Essential for storing your website
- Domain name: Annual renewal required
- SSL certificate: For security and SEO
- Maintenance: Regular updates and backups
- Business email: Emails with your domain name
Alternatives to free websites
Fortunately, there are alternatives that offer transparency and efficiency without the drawbacks of free solutions.
Affordable hosting solutions
At Nindohost, we pride ourselves on the transparency of our hosting and website creation solutions. Our offers are clearly defined, with no hidden costs. Whether you are a beginner blogger or a business looking for a robust and high-performance hosting solution, we offer solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Website Builder with Artificial Intelligence
Our Site Builder allows you to create a professional website quickly and affordably, with all the benefits of a professional site. You get a custom domain name, high-quality hosting, an SSL certificate included, and responsive customer support.
Discover how to create a website with artificial intelligence or use WordPress with AI for professional results.
Self-hosted WordPress
WordPress.org (not to be confused with the free WordPress.com) gives you complete control over your site. With professional hosting and a domain name, you fully own your site and can customize it without limits.
Comparison: Free vs. Professional
| Criterion | Free Website | Professional Website |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | Non-customized (yoursite.platform.com) | Customized (yoursite.ma) |
| Advertisements | Imposed by the platform | None (or your own ads) |
| SEO | Limited or impossible | Full optimization |
| Customization | Very limited | Unlimited |
| Support | Minimal or absent | Professional support |
| Property | Limited or nonexistent | 100% owner |
| Performance | Often slow | Optimized and fast |
| Credibility | Amateur image | Professional image |
Conclusion
Creating a website for free may seem like a good idea to start with, but the numerous limitations and hidden costs make it an unsustainable solution for a professional project. Mandatory advertisements, lack of control over SEO, no custom domain name, and customization restrictions significantly harm your image and results.
Investing in a professional solution, even a modest one, guarantees you a website that truly reflects your brand, performs well in search engines, and belongs entirely to you. With affordable solutions like those offered by Nindohost, you can get a professional website without breaking the bank.
Understanding these different factors is crucial before getting started. You need to clearly define your needs, expectations, and budget in order to choose the most suitable solution.
To go further:
- Back to the complete website creation guide
- Why create a website for your business?
- How to create your website: step-by-step guide
- Hire a web design agency
- All our guides to hosting and web design
Guide updated: February 2026