Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
What do the free plans of website builders offer?
Wix, Jimdo and others have free plans. The site then runs under a provider address, for example a subpage or subdomain with the name of the website builder, and usually shows its ads. For your own domain such as yourbusiness.de you need a premium plan, according to the price pages from €14 per month with yearly payment plus tax at Wix, and from €12 per month on 12 months at Jimdo.
For a business, the free plan is no solution. The third-party address looks unprofessional, the ads distract, and you do not get an email address with your own domain.
Are there other free routes?
- Google Business Profile. Free and very important for local search. But it does not replace a website where you explain your services.
- Social media profiles. Free, but you do not set the rules, and content is often hard to see without logging in.
- Build it yourself and host it for free. Technically possible, but laborious for businesses without experience, and the domain costs money anyway.
What is the minimum an own domain costs?
The domain itself always costs a yearly amount with the provider. With many website builders it is included free in the first year, not afterwards. More in the guide What does a domain cost?.
How can the build be free?
Some providers charge nothing for the build and earn from yearly hosting with care. That is honest as long as three things hold true:
- 1
The yearly price is fixed in writing beforehand and may not rise.
- 2
There is no long minimum term.
- 3
The website belongs to you, source code included, and you can take it with you.
Also check whether you have to hand over money or login details upfront. A trustworthy offer only needs the address of your current site for a draft. More criteria in the guide Having a website built for free.
What about offers that generate a site automatically with software?
Many providers now advertise creating a site automatically in minutes. That can be enough for a first draft. But for a business that wants enquiries through its site, what counts is checked facts, your own photos, clear services and clean technology. An automatically generated text with wrong details can do more harm than good.
freeehouse works on the model free build, pay for hosting: we build your website by hand with your own domain, charge nothing for the build, and you only pay for hosting with care, cheaper than today. No minimum term. How freeehouse works
How do I recognise a fair offer without build costs?
- The yearly price is fixed in writing before you say yes.
- There is no minimum term, or only a short one.
- The contract says the price may not rise.
- You get source code and content when you leave.
- Domain and email stay with you.
- You pay nothing before you have seen a draft.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own domain for free at Wix?
No. According to the price page you need a premium plan for it. A domain is included in the plan for the first year.
Is a free website enough for my business?
With a third-party address and ads, usually not. Customers expect their own domain and a matching email address.
What does the cheapest website with its own domain cost?
With website builders after promotions end, roughly €7 to €14 per month according to the price pages, depending on provider and plan.
Where is the catch with free websites?
Usually in the term, in rising prices or in the site not belonging to you. Read the conditions carefully.
Sources
- Wix: Premiumpakete und Preise, accessed 23 October 2026
- Jimdo: Preise und Pakete, accessed 23 October 2026
- STRATO: Homepage-Baukasten, Tarife, accessed 23 October 2026
- Google Unternehmensprofil Hilfe: Lokales Ranking verbessern, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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