Did you catch our blog last month on the best free sites for freelancers? We pulled together a list of free websites that should help make your job as a freelancer a bit easier. When planning this blog at Dinghy HQ, we also thought it would be useful to include a free website builder, and we quickly realised that there are a lot out there.
Whether you are looking for a website to host your blogs, include details of your portfolio, or just a simple page with your pricing and contact details, here at Dinghy we believe it’s essential for all freelancers to have their own website. You may have been putting this off as you can’t justify the extra expense, but there are plenty of free website builders available to make a start. Read on for Dinghy’s top ten free website builders for freelancers.
WordPress
If you’ve ever worked for a company that had a blog, there’s a good chance that you would have used WordPress before. WordPress claim that a staggering 41% of the web is built on WordPress.
Even if you haven’t used it before, the reason why WordPress is so popular is because of its ease of use. And the good news is because it’s so well used, if you do end up stumped on something, there will be a wealth of tips and tricks available for you with a quick Google.
Wix
Wix is another website builder that is known for being easy to use, with a drag and drop functionality making it perfect for everyone from experienced tech users to beginners. Wix gives the user creative control over the appearance of the site and has many choices for template and design, so you can ensure the site look matches your vibe.
Weebly
Weebly is a good option if you haven’t set up a website before. The platform offers step-by-step guidance on how to launch your website, with starter guides and planning tools. The free version gives you a website domain with Weebly branding, but you can upgrade for a small monthly fee to connect to a custom domain. You can also upgrade to have eCommerce functionality if you would like to be able to sell products or services directly through the site.
GoDaddy
You’ve more than likely heard of GoDaddy before, as it is one of the bigger web hosts. The free website builder is very beginner-friendly, with the option to add on things like a blog and email marketing all included for free. If you choose one of the paid plans, this will include a custom domain connection, so you can make sure your website name is short and memorable, making it look much more professional.
Site123
Site123 offers all the tools you would expect to get your website up and running: an intuitive website editor, SEO tools so you can maximise your traffic, and it is mobile friendly. The main drawback is that the design function is fairly limited, leaving your website looking potentially outdated.
ionos
This next site isn’t entirely free, but you currently sign up with ionos for just £1 (excluding VAT) for the first year, which then shifts to a monthly subscription. For the costly sum of one British pound, you will get access to the Pro version, which includes added security features, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Webstarts
Webstarts free plan is a solid choice. If you are looking to start a blog, you can do this fairly easily for free. The drawback is that you must be on a paid plan to have access to mobile optimisation.
Jimdo
Unlike Webstarts, the basic plan for Jimdo includes mobile optimisation, and the design templates available offer a good selection that will ensure your website looks slick on any device. There is no option to include a blog, so you’re probably best avoiding Jimdo if you intend to set up a blog in the not-too-distant future.
Squarespace
While Squarespace has fewer template options than the likes of Wix, one of Squarespace’s main focuses is on the look and speed of the site. Remember, your website is essentially your shop window, so it’s essential that you get this right and that your site looks professional and modern. It’s worth noting that Squarespace only offers a free trial of 14 days, but this should give you just enough time to play about with the site and decide if the features warrant the monthly fee.
Strikingly
Where Strikingly stands out is that the free version is a one-page layout. Whilst this will affect your SEO, if you are just looking for a simple webpage you can put together quickly with an overview of your services, this could be the option for you.
At Dinghy, we think having a website is an essential tool for freelancers. Equally, we think all freelancers should consider having insurance, to ensure full protection – and it can be an extra selling point when trying to win new clients. Whether you need professional indemnity, public liability, business equipment insurance, or all these cover options, get a quote in seconds by visiting our website.
This is not a sponsored article and neither Dinghy nor our staff has received any kind of promotional gifts or payments for the websites or services mentioned in this article.
