When you're starting a business, every expense counts, so it's natural to ask whether you can get a website for free. You can. The trick is knowing what "free" really includes, and when a small upgrade pays for itself.

Yes, you can build a real website for free

Most website builders, including OnePrompts, offer a free plan. With OnePrompts the Free plan includes 60 credits to start, enough to generate your first complete website (50 credits) and make edits, plus 10 free credits every month. You can publish it on your own address, like yourbusiness.oneprompts.io, with no credit card.

How to create a free website in five steps

  1. Write down the basics. What you offer, who it's for, where you are and the one action you want visitors to take.
  2. Describe your business to an AI website builder. Two or three clear sentences are enough. See how to write a great prompt.
  3. Review the draft on your phone. Check that the headline, services and contact details are right.
  4. Make changes by chat. "Add our opening hours", "make the tone friendlier", "add a FAQ".
  5. Publish and share. Add the link to your Google Business Profile, social bios and email signature.

What free plans usually include

  • A website on the builder's address (a subdomain)
  • Hosting and an SSL certificate (the padlock)
  • A limited number of pages, edits or AI generations
  • Basic forms

What free plans usually leave out

  • Your own domain name (yourbusiness.com). Domains always cost something, usually a modest yearly fee.
  • Removing the builder's badge. Free sites typically show a small "Built with" credit.
  • Higher limits. More websites, more AI edits, more images.
  • Priority support.

None of these stop you from getting customers on day one.

Watch out for "free" that isn't

  • Builders that let you design for free but charge to publish
  • Free plans that show large adverts on your site
  • Platforms that make it hard to move your content later

Read the plan details before you invest time.

When it's worth paying

Upgrading makes sense when:

  • You want a custom domain to look established
  • The badge doesn't fit your brand
  • You're editing often, or running more than one website
  • You're an agency or freelancer building sites for clients

OnePrompts paid plans start at $15 a month; see pricing. If one extra customer a month covers that, it pays for itself.

Free website checklist

Before you publish, make sure your free site includes:

  • A clear headline that says what you do and where
  • Your services and, ideally, prices
  • Real contact details and a contact or booking form
  • Opening hours and location for local businesses
  • A short About section with a human touch

For the full list, read what every small business website needs.

Start free today

Describe your business and get your first complete website free. No credit card, no design skills, no code.