Free website for a small business: the 3 options compared
You want to put your business online without paying. Good news: it's possible. But "free" hides very different realities. Here are the three main options, honestly compared — with the right one depending on your needs.
1. Website builders (Wix, Squarespace, Canva)
Powerful, flexible tools to build a full website with many pages and designs.
- + Total design freedom, lots of templates.
- – The free plan shows ads and a subdomain (yourname.wix.com); a real domain and key features are paid.
- – Takes hours, with a learning curve — overkill if you just want a clean page.
2. Google (Business Profile + Google Sites)
Free and unbeatable for local visibility: your Business Profile puts you on Google Maps.
- + The best free way to appear on Google Maps and in local searches.
- – Google Sites is very basic; the profile itself isn't a real "page" you control.
See our guides: Google Business Profile and appearing on Google without a website.
3. Platforms for local businesses (SmartShopAgent)
Made specifically for shops, restaurants and salons that just want a clean page, fast.
- + Online in about 10 minutes, no skills needed, genuinely free.
- + An indexable page + a built-in QR code, available in several languages.
- – Not meant for a large multi-page site or an online store.
| Criterion | Builders | Dedicated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (limited) | Free | Free |
| Time to go live | Hours | 30–60 min | ~10 min |
| Skills needed | Medium | Low | None |
| Made for local shops | ❌ | ✅ Maps | ✅ |
| Google visibility | ✅ to set up | ✅✅ Maps | ✅ indexed |
| Built-in QR code | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
So, which one should you choose?
It depends on your goal. For a full site or an online store, a builder is worth the effort. For pure local visibility, nothing beats a Google Business Profile. And to get a clean, free page online in minutes — with a QR code and your information — a dedicated platform is the simplest path.
Put your business online for free
A clean page with a QR code, ready in about 10 minutes. No website, no skills, no cost.
Create my page for freeFrequently asked questions
Are there really 100% free options?
Yes, several. But watch the limits of "free": ads, a forced subdomain, or key features locked behind paid plans. A SmartShopAgent page is free without those catches.
Do I need a domain name to start?
No. You can go live with an address provided by the platform. A custom domain is a plus, not a requirement at the start.
Which option is the fastest?
A platform made for local businesses: your page goes live in about ten minutes, with nothing to install or configure.
Can I combine several options?
Yes, and it's recommended: create your Google profile (for Maps) and link a dedicated page to it as your "website". The most effective free combo for a local business.