How Do I Create a Free Website for My Business? (And Is Paying for a Website Really Worth It?)
In today’s digital world, having a website is no longer optional—it’s a must. Whether you're a plumber, boutique owner, landscaper, or run a food truck, a professional website helps your business show up in local search results, builds trust with customers, and gives people a place to learn about your services 24/7.
But if you’ve never built a site before, you may be asking: Where do I start? How much does it cost? Can I build it myself?
Let’s walk through your options—from free website tools to hiring a professional developer—and what you really need to know to create a small business website that works.
Can you Create a Free Website for Your Business
Yes. There are several ways to create a website without paying upfront. Most business owners start here because it feels safer — and in some cases, that’s perfectly reasonable.
However, “free” usually comes with trade-offs that aren’t obvious at first.
Common Free Website Options (And Their Real-World Downsides)
Free Website Builders with Subdomains
Many platforms offer “free” websites that look like this:
yourbusiness.squarespace.com
yourbusiness.wixsite.com
The problem:
These instantly look less professional. To potential customers, it often signals “side project” instead of “legitimate business.” It can also hurt trust before someone even reads your content.
Using Only Facebook as a Website
This is extremely common for new businesses.
The problem:
- You don’t own the platform
- Facebook pages don’t rank well like websites
- Not everyone wants to dig through posts to find basic info
A Facebook page is a marketing tool, not a website replacement.
Free WordPress (WordPress.com)
WordPress itself is powerful — but the free version can be frustrating.
The problem:
- Not very user-friendly for beginners
- Limited customization
- Easy to accidentally break layouts
- Harder to create a clean, professional look
The Biggest Problems I See With Free Websites
From working with many small businesses across North Alabama, the same issues show up again and again:
- Not showing up on Google
- Slow load times
- Generic, cookie-cutter designs
- Hard to update or improve
- Most importantly: they often look unprofessional
Even if your service is great, your website can silently hurt your credibility.
Real Local Example: How a Website Increased Credibility Overnight
I worked with a landscaping company in Huntsville that was using a personal Facebook profile for their business.
We helped them:
- Move to a professional website
- Set up a business Facebook page
- Optimize their Google Business Profile
The result wasn’t complicated — but it was powerful.
- Their business instantly looked more legitimate
- Customers trusted them more
- Their online presence finally matched the quality of their work
No gimmicks — just a professional foundation.
When Paying for a Website Is NOT Worth It
Paying for a website doesn’t automatically mean it’s good.
One handyman business came to me after paying another company for a “professional” website. Unfortunately:
- The colors clashed badly
- There was only one gallery page
- That page had hundreds of photos, no titles, no organization
- No strategy, no structure, no clarity
It actually reduced their credibility compared to just using Facebook.
This is why many business owners don’t trust websites — and honestly, I don’t blame them.
So… Is Paying for a Website Really Worth It?
Yes — if it’s done correctly.
No — if it’s rushed, generic, or poorly designed.
A good website:
- Builds trust
- Makes your business look legitimate
- Supports your Google Business Profile
- Helps turn visitors into calls and messages
A bad website does the opposite.
“I’ll Just Start Free and Fix It Later” — Is That a Bad Idea?
Not necessarily.
If a free website is done well, it can be okay temporarily. However:
- It often delays growth
- It usually creates more work later
- If done poorly, it can hurt credibility from day one
The key is understanding when “temporary” becomes “holding you back.”
A Safer Option for Small Businesses in North Alabama
Most business owners I talk to want:
- Something professional
- Without getting locked into a bad decision
- Without wasting money
That’s why I offer a free homepage sample build.
You can see what a professional website for your business could look like — before committing to anything.
👉
Try a Free Homepage Sample Build:
https://promos.rocketcitybusinesssolutions.com/free-homepage-promo
If you’re not ready for a website yet, I can also help make sure your Google Business Profile is set up correctly — which is often the fastest win for local visibility.
Final Thoughts
Free websites can work —
for a short time and in the right situation.
But if your goal is to look professional, build trust, and grow locally, a properly built website is usually worth it.
The key is not whether you pay — but what you’re actually paying for.

