Free platforms for creating websites is an opportunity to develop your own resource (online store, business card, etc.) without special skills in the field of web programming, without spending a dime. Using online services, you can not only create a website, but also design it in your favorite design according to a ready-made template, fill it with modules and text, and even correct it yourself if necessary.
Of course, website designers, although they simplify web development, are significantly inferior in quality to the work of professionals. On the other hand, a free platform for creating your own website has its advantages:
- It is easy to use and does not require special skills;
- the design part is not interconnected with the text, which allows you to adjust the text and layout separately;
- no need to waste time developing a website design, just select the template you like;
- Media files load easily
- changes are published promptly, immediately after the introduction;
- no need to worry about storing backups, all data is located on the designer’s server;
- some platforms allow you to transfer the site to another hosting;
- The site easily adapts to mobile applications.
In this review you will find the top platforms for creating a site for free in Russian, as well as their key features (power, convenience, etc.) that allow you to distinguish them from the huge variety of such services. The ranking contains only time-tested and traffic-proven engines that have established themselves among various categories of users.
Wix
Wix is perhaps the best platform for creating a website for free, which is used by more than 55 million users around the world. The main advantage of Wix is its simplicity: an intuitive interface, ease of editing, training materials. Everything is quite simple and affordable, and you do not need any special knowledge about writing site code. Another advantage is a large number of functions and many (more than 500 templates) design options, as well as the ability to create your own.
As practice suggests, sites on this platform are more creative, so Wix is ideal for creative artists, photographers, bloggers, developers of small online stores of handmade products or unusual goods.
Another useful bonus is the ability to install widgets that can be used for online consulting, feedback system or forum. The Wix service is also endowed with functionality for transferring the site to the mobile version and is adapted for search engine optimization in Google and Bing. The technical side is completely on the shoulders of the customer support center, so there are no disruptions to the site.
Of the minuses, I would like to note the impossibility of editing the template and html code, so professional web designers are likely to have nowhere to turn around, but newcomers will not have difficulty creating a site. Another disadvantage is the large number of paid services and the inability to disable advertising in the free version.
In general, at low costs and a complete lack of technical knowledge, when choosing a platform for creating sites for free, you should pay attention to Wix.
Ucoz
The second on the list, but not least, the UCOZ platform is one of the oldest on the Runet, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2015.
UCOZ Designer is truly the most powerful tool for creating free Internet resources. It is equipped with rich functionality that allows you to make any type of site: business card, landing page, online store, blog, forum and much more. If you have chosen to create, for example, an online storefront, you can be sure that there is everything you need to work with it.
As for the templates, the choice here is not as wide as on Wix, but for a small amount of $ 20-40 you can get an individual design from the developers, which you certainly will not find on the Internet.
The pluses include a powerful SEO-module that allows you to easily promote your site to the top lines of search queries.
Of the minuses. Free platforms for creating sites without advertising are rarely dispensed with, UCOZ was no exception, so an ad banner can only be removed after paying a premium. Speaking of payment, UCOZ tariffs are quite affordable and can’t afford it, and there is a 50% discount for the first 2 days after registration. Plus with a premium account, you can connect a second-level domain.
As a conclusion, nowhere will you find such an ideal price-quality ratio, however, it will be quite difficult for a beginner to deal with a site from scratch, an experienced web designer will be much easier and more interesting here.
A5 platform
An analogue of the foreign Wix platform - the A5 service - can also be attributed to the top platforms for creating a site for free. It allows you to develop a site in html and flash, has design blanks for design and makes it possible to create your own, easy to use and understandable in the interface, suitable for beginners, especially for whom you can find video tutorials on the service.
The only minus is the restriction on the free version, i.e. in future work you will have to purchase a premium account.
Setur
Another domestic analogue of Wix with good functionality for creating online stores is Setur. As a rule, free platforms for creating sites include general design templates, on Setur you will find many blanks, broken down for convenience into categories: "Education", "Business", etc. You can also order custom design development here.
Why is it best to create an online storefront on the Setur platform? Firstly, this service devotes a huge role to search seo promotion, due to which the site is in the top of search queries, which means it is better visited by potential consumers. Secondly, any data on the site, blocks, product information, fonts, etc. are easily adjusted. Thirdly, which is especially important for an online store, Setur offers a simple, memorable domain name absolutely free, to receive it you only need to fill in more than 5 pages of the site.
Of the disadvantages - all the same restriction on a free account, banner ads that are disabled only by premium and minimal functionality for developing, for example, business cards or landing pages.
Nethouse
The Nethouse constructor does not reach its competitors in terms of level, but, unlike top platforms, it allows you to use the site absolutely free. In the free version you will get only a little advertising and a limit on the number of downloaded images.
The designer has fairly simple design templates compared to Wix or Ucoz, which are unlikely to be suitable for a business card website where the quality and originality of the design are most important. Rather, the Nethouse platform is suitable for creating an online store, since there are online storefront templates with a basket, high-quality seo promotion, accepting online payments, integration with other services, etc.
Of the minuses - there is no integration with 1C, it is not always possible to confirm the rights to a site on some resources, you cannot modify anything in the html code, so an experienced user will prefer other free platforms for creating sites.
Webydo
The only paid platform for creating a site from all of the above, but it is no coincidence that it is mentioned here. This is a service for professional designers, which allows you to create unique and very high-quality and for work, and for the design of landings, shops and business cards. Also of the benefits - great functionality, many modules, widgets and settings. For about $ 25 a month, you get an expensive, unique, stylish website with a good engine.
Fo.ru
The fo.ru service has the simplest interface, understandable for beginners in working with sites, and many interesting templates that can be modified during the creation process. The free version does not have intrusive banner ads that are abused by other free platforms for creating sites.
Among the shortcomings are a weak level of technical support, the imposition of paid packages, and a low level of capabilities for advanced users.
In general, fo.ru is a service for those who need a simple, fast and free resource without a powerful engine and serious seo-promotion, or for those who are just learning to create sites.
Umi
Constructor for professionals who need to create a website in 5-10 minutes. It is mainly aimed at creating stores, as evidenced by its rich functionality, support for Drag & Drop, its own engine and excellent seo optimization. For beginners, it will probably be difficult to handle. Of the disadvantages - high prices for the purchase and transfer of the site to another domain.
Which platform to choose?
There are a lot of platforms for creating a site, and not one of them is without flaws. In order to choose the one closest to you, perhaps, it is worth trying several options. The most powerful objectively are Wix and Ucoz. By speed of action, quality and functionality, they justify even the money spent on paid accounts. As for other sites, for example, Nethouse, A5, Setur, it is advisable to use them only in the free version, otherwise it would be better to buy a separate hosting for the same money and use free platforms to create Joomla and Wordpress sites.
Instead of a conclusion
Platforms for creating websites for free are a great way to get your own resource, saving your money and time. However, you must understand that a site whose domain name indicates that it was created for free will look solid for large commercial sites that should have enough finance to develop an individual Internet project. This option is most likely suitable for starting a business when you want to declare yourself, but do not yet have enough funds for marketing activities.
Choose platforms that seem simple and understandable to you, do not connect those features and capabilities that you are not going to use. More doesn't mean better.