You know how Facebook listens to your conversations, knows your search history and your interests? Well for me, obviously, I see ALL the website design ads.
And I’ve noticed a new trend. Not only to you need to wade through the international dirt-cheap “professional” services, but now, you’re getting ads for “free” professional website design. Now that’s a head scratcher!
If their services are truly free, how do they feed their family? There’s always a catch when it’s ‘free’ and I’ve spent a bit of time digging into what’s really under the hood of the top “free” website providers currently advertising in Australia.
First the old school platforms: Wix, Weebly, Squarespace or WordPress.com are not free, they are "freemium"
Freemium platforms get you in the door with a taster – just enough so you invest time in setting up your site, but not enough to actually help you look professional in the eyes of your customer and actually convert sales. We all know the freemium model, the actual cost is hidden in the fine print!
- You get a limited, generic domain like yourbiz12345.freewebhost.com
- You have very, very limited design options and functionality. All of which you can upgrade, for a cost.
- Want to remove ads or unlock basic SEO tools? That's extra too
- It's DIY, has a steep learning curve that's full of frustration as you stumble into the free account limitations.
Now the juicy new trend of Website designers that offer "free" professional services
If you’ve seen an ad for one of these and wondered what’s the catch, you’re onto it.
There are all sorts of different “free” website offers, but what they all have in common is the designer will not charge you for their time setting up your website.
Naturally, you can see how they are now highly motivated to cut corners, save time and reduce their own investment into your project. You’re just a number, and they are pumping out as many ‘free’ websites as they can to earn the $$ in other ways.
Hint: It's all in the fine print.
- The designer will offer a limited number of pages upfront (fair enough!), limited functionality, and choice of a limited selection of pre-made templates. They'll get you to provide all your content and just fill in the blanks.
- You may be locked into dealing with them for all small changes, and you will not have access to edit the site yourself. $$$
- You may have to use their selected hosting provider, for which they may get affiliate income OR, if they are providing the hosting for you, the price tag will be high. I've seen ads for 'free' websites, where the required hosting fee was 5-10 times MORE than it needed to be, with a 24 month term!
- DNS support may not be available, so if you wanted to setup custom emails or connect to a CRM or accounting program... you may not be able to.
- You may not be able to 'transfer' your website to another host later on. Just like the DIY platform, you may get stuck with staying with them, or having to start over again from scratch.
Important questions to ask before agreeing to any website design service (not just the freebies!)
Now you know what to look for, you can keep the following questions in mind when getting quotes for your website project:
- Can I edit the website myself after it’s launched and will you teach me how to use it?
- Am I locked into any contracts for hosting?
- Are there any other hidden charges or ongoing costs?
- Can I get a complete backup of the website?
- If I wanted to move to another hosting provider later down the track, are there any hidden fees or limitations?
- What website builder, theme or platform are you using? (eg, WordPress)
- Can I setup a custom email account with the domain?
- Can I add custom DNS records to my domain?
Is free ever a good idea?
If you’re running a passion project, testing an idea, or just want a simple online presence without worrying about growth, a free website can be a decent starting point. It gives you a playground to learn the ropes. But for most businesses, especially if you want to look professional, be found on Google, or actually convert visitors into customers, it’s not the long-term solution.
What's the alternative?
Investing in a professionally designed website (yes, even a basic one) gives you control, branding, and room to grow. And it doesn’t have to break the bank! There are affordable options out there, especially with platforms like WordPress + Elementor that give you flexibility without ongoing subscription traps.
You can start small with a one-page site and build from there – the key is owning your domain, creating a design that reflects your brand, and making sure your site works for you, not just the platform hosting it.
Bottom Line?
Free website builders can be a quick fix, but they often come with strings attached. If you’re serious about your business or brand, think of your website as an investment — not just in looks, but in credibility, trust, and growth.
So before you hit “publish” on that free site or agree to sketchy terms with a free ‘professional’ service, ask yourself: Is this helping me move forward, or just holding a place?
