Top 10 Free Website Builders With Custom Domains

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 free website builders with custom domain options, leveraging my specialized expertise in e-commerce to guide you through the best choices. Drawing on more than 5 years of experience, I’ll help you navigate these platforms to find the perfect fit for your online needs.

10 Popular Free Website Builders With Custom Domain Options

Let’s explore the top 10 free website builders with custom domain options unveils a world of user-friendly, cost-effective solutions for creating a digital presence.

My journey through web development, coupled with expert insights and user reviews, has shown that these platforms offer an ideal balance of ease-of-use and customization. 

Big Cartel

Key features

In three months of exploring Big Cartel as a free website builder with custom domain options, I’ve experienced firsthand how it caters uniquely to artists and creative entrepreneurs.

With my background in e-commerce, I can confidently say that this website builder with a free custom domain and free version stands out among the best free website builders for its ability to showcase and sell artistic products of your online store with a personal touch.

• Artist-Centric Design Templates: Big Cartel offers visually-focused templates ideal for artists to showcase their work effectively.

• Simple and Intuitive Interface: This one, as the best free website builder, provides a user-friendly interface, making website creation and management straightforward for artists.
• Direct-to-Consumer Sales Tools: Big Cartel includes integrated sales features like shopping carts and easy payment processing for direct consumer transactions.

• Custom Domain Integration: It allows for a custom domain name, which is essential for creating a unique and professional online brand presence.
• Effective Visual Showcase for Art Sales: Big Cartel is designed to let the art do the talking, with minimalistic design elements focusing on the products.

Artist Nic Annette Miller successfully uses Big Cartel to sell unique sculptures, from sardines to pallid bats, demonstrating the platform’s strength in showcasing and selling visually striking art with minimal text and transparent pricing. 

Pros

• Drag-and-drop editor
• Intuitive design and simple navigation
• Custom domain support
• Tools for building direct relationships with buyers
• Free plan

Cons

• Limited features for large stores
• Basic SEO capabilities
• Fewer integration options
• Basic analytics tools

How to use

In my journey of using Big Cartel for the past three months with free domain, I’ve gathered practical insights on utilizing this free website builder with custom domain capabilities. 

• Sign Up and Select a Plan: Begin by signing up on the Big Cartel website and choosing a plan that suits your needs, with options ranging from free to more feature-rich paid plans.
• Choose a Template: Select from various artist-centric templates that best fit your brand’s and products’ aesthetic.

• Customize Your Store: Utilize Big Cartel’s customization options to tailor the look and feel of your store, including colors, fonts, and layout to match your brand identity.
• Set Up Products: Add your products, including images, descriptions, and pricing. Ensure that your product visuals are high-quality to attract customer attention.
• Integrate a Custom Domain: If you have your own domain, integrate it with your Big Cartel store to enhance your brand’s professionalism and uniqueness.
• Configure Payment and Shipping: Set up your preferred payment gateways (such as PayPal or Stripe) and define your shipping rates and methods.
• Launch Your Store: Once everything is set up, launch your store and promote it through various channels like social media, email marketing, and word of mouth.

Branchbob

Key features

Branchbob emerges as a notable free website builder with a free version, and custom domain capabilities, acclaimed in customer reviews for its diverse features. Drawing from these reviews, I’ve compiled a list of the advanced features that make Branchbob a go-to choice for your online store.

• Easy-to-Use Interface: Branchbob allows beginners to create professional-looking websites effortlessly.
• Integrated SEO Tools: Branchbob, the best free website builder, has integrated SEO tools that help optimize your website for search engines, boosting online visibility.
• Mobile Optimization: Ensuring that websites look great and function well on mobile devices, Branchbob offers excellent mobile responsiveness.

• Extensive Customization Options: Branchbob offers a wide range of customization features that allow businesses to tailor their websites to their unique brand identity.

Utilizing Branchbob’s customization capabilities, Ragbone Handmade, a store specializing in unique handmade products, crafted a unique and engaging online storefront, leading to increased customer interaction and a notable boost in sales.

Pros

• Drag-and-drop editor
• Zero transaction fees
• Effective SEO tools on Google sites
• Mobile responsiveness
• Custom domain integration
• Free plan

Cons

• Limited template selection
• Basic e-commerce features
• Limited third-party integrations
• Customer support limitations

How to use

During my two months of using Branchbob, a free website builder with custom domain options, I’ve gained practical insights into its functionalities and ease of use. I appreciate its straightforward approach to website building, which I’ll share in this easy-to-follow guide.

• Signing Up and Choosing a Plan: Create an account on this basic website builder. You can immediately begin setting up your store after choosing your preferred plan.
• Selecting a Design Template: This website builder with a free custom domain provides a range of templates, although limited. Choose one that aligns with your brand aesthetic and product line.
• Customizing Your Website: Utilize Branchbob’s customization options to personalize your website. This includes adjusting layouts, colors, and fonts to match your brand’s style.
• Adding Products and Descriptions: Enter your product details, including descriptions, images, and pricing. 
• Setting Up Domain and SEO: Integrate your own domain to establish a professional online presence. Utilize Branchbob’s SEO tools to optimize your site for search engines, helping to increase your website’s visibility.

Brizy

Key features

After my two-month exploration of Brizy, a standout free website builder with custom domain capabilities, and I discovered its advanced features suited for modern e-commerce needs.

• Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Builder: Brizy is simple for users to design and customize their websites without needing coding skills.
• Responsive Design Templates: The platform, as one of the best website builders, provides a variety of modern, responsive website templates that automatically adjust to look great on any device.

• Advanced Customization Options: As the best free website builder, Brizy allows users to tailor every aspect of their site to fit their brand identity perfectly.
• SEO and Marketing Tools: Integrated SEO and marketing tools are available to optimize your site for search engines and engage effectively with your audience.
• Efficient E-commerce Integration: Brizy excels in seamlessly integrating e-commerce functionalities, simplifying setting up and managing an online store.

Pros

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for web hosting
• Mobile-responsive templates
• Advanced customization features
• Built-in SEO tool on Google sites
• Effortless e-commerce integration
• Free plan with free tools

Cons

• Learning curve for advanced features 
• Limited support options for your online store
• Fewer integrations compared to some other platforms

How to use

Brizy is a user-friendly free website builder with custom domain capabilities, ideal for those looking to create modern, responsive websites and free domain with. Here’s a simple guide on effectively utilizing Brizy’s features for your online projects.

• Start with Registration: First, sign up for a Brizy free account.
• Template Selection: Choose from Brizy’s diverse array of templates. Whether for a business, blog, or portfolio website, there’s a template to match your needs, ensuring a professional look from the outset.
• Customizing Your Site: Utilize the drag-and-drop builder to personalize your site, which is completely free.
• Setting Up Pages and Content: Organize your website by creating pages like ‘Home,’ ‘About,’ and ‘Contact.’ Add relevant content and media to each page, enhancing the user experience.
• Integrating Custom Domains: Connect your own domain to give your site a professional edge. 

ConvertKit

Key features

ConvertKit, recognized as a robust free website builder with custom domain support, offers a range of features tailored for content creators and marketers. 

My selection of these critical features of this best free website builder is based on transparent criteria, including ease of use, integration capabilities, and effectiveness in audience engagement, all gleaned from evidence-based reviews and user feedback.

• Email Marketing Automation: ConvertKit, one of the outstanding ecommerce websites, simplifies the creation of automated email sequences, allowing for efficient and timely engagement with your audience.

• Customizable Sign-Up Forms: The website builder with free custom domain provides a variety of customizable sign-up forms, helping to grow your subscriber list and tailor audience interactions.
• Landing Page Builder: ConvertKit’s user-friendly page builder enables creators to design attractive pages that convert visitors into subscribers.
• Segmentation and Personalization: The tool excels in segmenting audiences and personalizing content, ensuring that messages are targeted and relevant.
• E-Commerce Integration: An essential aspect of ConvertKit is its robust e-commerce integration, enabling creators to monetize their content and services efficiently.

Pros

• Advanced email automation
• Customizable forms and landing pages
• Audience segmentation
• E-commerce integration
• High deliverability rates
• Free plan with free tools

Cons

• Limited template designs
• Complex for beginners
• Limited third-party integrations

How to use

As a comprehensive free website builder with custom domain integration, ConvertKit offers a variety of features tailored for content creators and marketers. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key steps to effectively use ConvertKit for your digital marketing needs.

• Account Setup and Plan Selection: Start by registering on ConvertKit’s website. Select a plan that fits your needs, considering factors like the size of your subscriber list and the level of features you require.
• Creating Sign-Up Forms: Utilize ConvertKit’s intuitive tools to create and customize sign-up forms. 
• Designing Landing Pages: Craft engaging landing pages using ConvertKit’s user-friendly templates. 
• Setting Up Email Campaigns: Leverage ConvertKit’s email automation features to set up targeted email campaigns. You can create welcome emails, promotional campaigns, or informational newsletter sequences for your free online store.
• Analyzing and Refining Strategies: Utilize ConvertKit’s analytics tools to track the performance of your emails and landing pages. 

Shift4Shop

Key features

Shift4Shop, a free website builder with custom domain capabilities, stands out in e-commerce with a free version. My experience and expertise in e-commerce have helped me identify key features of this best website builder that cater to a wide range of your online store, from aesthetics to functionality.

• Advanced E-commerce Tools: Shift4Shop has comprehensive e-commerce tools, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping solutions.

• SEO Optimization Features: Like most free website builders, the platform offers robust SEO tools to enhance your online store’s visibility in search engine results.
• Customizable Templates: Shift4Shop, one of the best website builders, allows businesses to create a unique look and feel for their online store.
• Integrated Marketing Tools: It includes marketing tools to promote your products, such as email marketing, social media integration, and discount and coupon functionalities.
• Sophisticated Web Design: It’s vital to highlight Shift4Shop’s capability for sophisticated web design, which is crucial for businesses aiming to mirror their brand’s elegance and style online.

Pros

• Comprehensive e-commerce tools
• Effective SEO capabilities on Google sites
• Wide range of customizable templates for web designers
• Integrated marketing features
• Free plan with free domain name

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Template customization complexity
• Inconsistent response times and support quality

How to use

Shift4Shop, a versatile free website builder with custom domain capabilities, offers a comprehensive platform for building an e-commerce website. I’ll guide you and your online store through a few clicks to set up and use Shift4Shop effectively.

• Account Registration and Plan Selection: Begin by registering on the Shift4Shop website. Choose a plan that suits your business scale and needs, considering that more advanced features might be part of paid plans.
• Template Selection: Explore Shift4Shop’s range of templates and select one that aligns with your brand’s style and the nature of your products. 
• Customizing Your Storefront: Use Shift4Shop’s customization options to personalize your selected template. 
• Adding Products and Setting Up Categories: Upload your product details, including descriptions, images, and pricing. 
• Configuring Payment and Shipping Options: Set up your preferred payment gateways and define your shipping methods and rates. 

Softr

Key features

Softr stands out as a free website builder with custom domain capabilities, praised for its free version, versatility, and ease of use. 

My selection of its key features is based on evidence-based criteria such as user-friendliness, design flexibility, and integration capabilities, ensuring a comprehensive overview for potential users and online stores.

• No-Code Platform: Softr, as the best free website builder, is designed as a no-code platform, making it accessible for users without any technical background to create and manage their websites effortlessly.
• Responsive Design Templates: The platform offers a wide range of modern, responsive, and free templates, ensuring that websites look great and function smoothly on any device.
• Custom Domain Integration: Softr supports custom domain integration and custom domain names, allowing users to establish a unique and professional online presence.
• Powerful Integrations with Tools: It offers robust integration options with various tools and platforms, enhancing the website’s functionality and user experience.

• Dynamic Content Management: Softr excels in dynamic content management, making it easy to create and update web pages, blogs, and other content types with just a few clicks.

Pros

• User-friendly no-code interface and drag-and-drop editor
• Mobile-responsive designs for web hosting
• Custom domain name support
• Versatile integrations
• Dynamic content management
• Free plan

Cons

• Fewer options for advanced design tweaks
• Basic SEO features
• Limited e-commerce capabilities

How to use

Softr, recognized for its ease of use as a free website builder with custom domain capabilities, is an excellent tool for creating professional websites. I’ll break down the process into simple steps to help you effectively use Softr for your online needs.

• Getting Started with Account Setup: Begin by signing up on Softr. 
• Choosing a Template: Softr offers a range of responsive templates. Select one that best fits your project’s requirements, whether for a business site, portfolio, landing pages, or blog.
• Customizing Your Site: Utilize Softr’s user-friendly interface to customize your chosen template. This includes adjusting layouts and colors and adding your unique content to make the free site truly yours.
• Integrating Your Custom Domain: Connect your own domain to Softr to establish a professional and recognizable online presence for your brand or project.
• Publishing and Updating Your Site: Once your site is ready, publish it with just a click.

Strikingly

Key features

In my one-month hands-on experience with Strikingly, a versatile free website builder with custom domain capabilities, I’ve identified key features that stand out from other website builders for their utility in building an effective online presence and online stores. 

My expertise in e-commerce has been instrumental in evaluating these features for their practicality and effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

• Simplified One-Page Website Design: Strikingly creates sleek, one-page websites perfect for concise, impactful online presentations.

• Responsive and Modern Templates: The platform, like many free builders, offers a selection of contemporary, mobile-responsive, and free templates, ensuring your site looks great on any device.
• Easy Drag-and-Drop Editor: Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes website customization easy and accessible, even for those without coding knowledge.
• Built-In E-commerce Functionality: Strikingly, as the best free website builder, includes built-in e-commerce features, allowing you to set up an online store and start selling quickly and easily.
• SEO Tools for Online Visibility: The platform, as one of the free sites, provides essential SEO tools to help improve your website’s visibility on search engines, which is essential for attracting more traffic.

Pros

• One-page website specialty 
• Responsive design templates for web hosting and web designers
• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
• Integrated e-commerce features on a free landing page
• SEO tools on Google sites
• Free plan for your online store

Cons

• Limited design flexibility
• Limited features for large online stores.
• Limited page options

How to use

Strikingly is a straightforward free website builder with custom domain capabilities, ideal for creating impactful one-page websites. From my one-month experience and expertise in e-commerce, I will break down a few clicks to effectively use Strikingly to build an online presence or your own website.

• Creating an Account: Start by signing up on Strikingly. This process is quick and sets the foundation for your website-building journey.
• Selecting a Template: Choose from Strikingly’s array of responsive templates that cater to various styles and industries, ensuring your site aligns with your brand identity.
• Customizing Your Website: Utilize the intuitive drag-and-drop editor to personalize your selected template. You can modify layouts, add content, and adjust design elements with a free custom domain without needing any coding skills.
• Setting Up an Online Store: If you plan to sell products, use Strikingly’s e-commerce features. Easily add product listings, set up payment methods, and manage orders directly from your website.
• Publishing and Integrating Your Domain: Once your site is ready, publish it with a click. For a more professional look, integrate your custom domain, enhancing your brand’s credibility and online presence.

Ucraft

Key features

Exploring Ucraft, a versatile free website builder with custom domain integration and a free version, I’ve identified its standout features that are particularly beneficial for e-commerce, online branding, and web developers. 

My expertise in e-commerce with most website builders has allowed me to appreciate how this best free website builder’s features can effectively meet your online store’s various online business needs and create your own domain name.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Ucraft offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the website creation and design without coding skills.
• Wide Range of Templates: The platform provides diverse free themes, catering to different styles and industries and ensuring your website has a professional and modern look.

• E-commerce Capabilities: Ucraft includes robust e-commerce tools that allow for easy creation and management of an online store, complete with product listings and transaction handling in its generous free plan.
• SEO Optimization Tools: Including SEO tools helps improve the visibility of your website on search engines, which is essential for driving traffic and sales.
• Responsive Design: Ensuring that websites look great on any device, Ucraft’s responsive design adapts to different screen sizes, offering an optimal user experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Pros

• Intuitive drag-and-drop builder
• Diverse template selection
• Integrated e-commerce tools
• SEO optimization features on Google sites
• Responsive design
• Free plan

Cons

• Full functionality with higher-tier plans.
• Fewer integration options compared to some competitors.

How to use

Ucraft stands out as a free website builder with custom domain capabilities, offering various tools for creating professional websites. Here are the simple steps to effectively utilize Ucraft for your online business or personal site.

• Setting Up Your Account: Sign up on the Ucraft website..
• Choosing the Right Template: Browse Ucraft’s diverse template library and select one that aligns with your business or personal brand aesthetics. 
• Customizing Your Website: Utilize Ucraft’s drag-and-drop builder to personalize your chosen template. You can adjust the layout, add new elements, and customize the color scheme to match your brand identity on the web application firewall.
• Adding and Managing Content: Populate your website with text, images, and videos. 
• Launching Your Website with a Custom Domain: Once your website is ready, connect it to your own domain to enhance its professional appearance and improve brand recognition. 

Webflow

Key features

Webflow, a highly versatile free website builder with custom domain capabilities, stands out for its advanced design and functionality features. My selection of its key features is grounded in evidence-based analysis and transparent criteria, focusing on design flexibility, user engagement, and e-commerce functionality.

• Visual Design and Customization: Webflow offers unparalleled design customization, allowing for precise control over the website’s layout and aesthetics without needing to write code.
• Responsive Design Capabilities: The platform ensures that websites are fully responsive, automatically adjusting to look great on any device.
• Integrated CMS for Content Management: Webflow includes a powerful CMS that makes managing and updating website content intuitive and efficient.

• Robust E-commerce Tools: It provides comprehensive e-commerce solutions, from product management to secure checkout processes.
• Customer Engagement and Testimonials: It’s essential to note Webflow’s capability to engage customers effectively through features like testimonials and product reviews.

Noonbrew utilizes Webflow to showcase its Superfood Organic Tea, featuring a clean and informative one-page design. The site effectively communicates the benefits of Noonbrew’s tea, backed by customer reviews and testimonials, which has significantly contributed to building customer trust and increasing product sales.

Pros

• Advanced design customization
• Responsive design free themes
• Integrated content management system
• Comprehensive e-commerce features
• SEO and marketing tools
• Free plan

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Fewer templates compared to some competitors

How to use

Webflow, renowned as a free website builder with custom domain capabilities, combines advanced design control with user-friendly features. In this guide, I’ll break down the process into manageable steps, leveraging my experience to help you effectively use this one of the best free website builders for your own website design projects.

• Sign Up and Plan Selection: Create an account on Webflow. Choose a plan that suits your project’s nêds.
• Template Selection or Starting from Scratch: Webflow offers a range of templates, or you can start from scratch for total design freedom.
• Designing Your Website: Use Webflow’s visual editor to create your site and to sell online. Here, you can precisely manipulate every element on your page, from layout to typography and color schemes, without needing to code.
• Content Management: Add and manage your content using Webflow’s integrated CMS. 
• Publishing and Custom Domain Integration: After designing your free site, publish it directly through Webflow. Integrate your custom domain to reinforce your brand identity and professional online presence.

WordPress

Key features

Having spent 9 months exploring and harnessing the potential of WordPress, a renowned free website builder with custom domain support, I’ve uncovered the remarkable features of the WordPress site. 

• Dynamic Content Presentation: WordPress, one of the absolute best website builders, empowers users to create engaging and visually appealing websites. 

A prime example is Project Doughnut, where visitors are welcomed by a dynamic and colorful animation showcasing delectable doughnuts from various angles. This is also an excellent way to impress all the clients from the first time they visit its website.

• Gallery and Visual Appeal: The platform supports the creation of stunning galleries and free templates, perfect for showcasing products or creative works. 
• Chatbot Integration: WordPress allows seamless integration of chatbots for real-time customer engagement to sell online. 

• Customization and Flexibility: WordPress provides extensive customization options, from widget colors to site layouts, allowing users to tailor their websites to their unique vision and brand identity.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Abundant free WordPress themes and plugins
• SEO optimization
• Scalability
• Active community support
• Free plans

Cons

• Complexity for beginners
• Regular updates required
• Security concerns

How to use

As an individual who has explored the intricate world of WordPress site for a substantial 9-month period, I’m excited to share my insights on how to harness the full potential of this exceptional free website builder with custom domain capabilities. 

• Setting Up Your WordPress Site: Choose a reliable hosting provider and install WordPress using their one-click installation for your personal website or your online business.
• Crafting Your Website’s Appearance: Select a theme that matches your site’s purpose and customize it by adjusting colors, fonts, and layout.
• Populating Your Website with Content: Create landing pages and blog posts using WordPress’s user-friendly editor for text and multimedia content.
• Managing and Maintaining Your Website: Keep your free site updated with regular WordPress, theme, and plugin updates, and implement a backup strategy for security.
• Engaging with Your Audience: Boost your online presence with social media integration and foster community engagement by responding to comments on your blog posts.

Free Website Builders With Custom Domain: Summary 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored a range of free website builders with custom domains capabilities and free plans to empower you to create your online presence. 

Whether you’re an e-commerce expert or a budding blogger, many website builders here are some of the best free website builders to help you build your dream website.

FAQs

Bottom line

Free website builders with custom domain capabilities open doors to limitless online creativity and accessibility. Scan your favorite platform from our suggested list above and start building your own website with a custom domain from scratch.