Free websites are tempting for many new entrepreneurs. Why pay for something when you can get the same thing for free? The question, however, is not quite that simple. A business website is often the most important digital sales channel, and its quality directly affects how potential customers see your company. In this article we compare free and paid options honestly, go through the hidden costs and help you make the right choice for your company's situation.
Free websites, what do they offer?
There are several popular services online with which you can build a business website for free. The best known are Wix, WordPress.com, Weebly, Google Sites and Jimdo. These platforms offer ready-made templates and an easy-to-use editor with which a site is created quickly without coding skills.
Free packages usually include:
- A basic template and a simple site builder
- Limited storage space (typically 500 MB - 1 GB)
- The platform's own subdomain (e.g. companyname.wixsite.com or companyname.wordpress.com)
- Basic analytics
Limitations of free websites
Free does not come without a price. Most free website services impose significant restrictions that can hurt your business:
- The platform's own advertising With Wix's free package, Wix's ads appear on your site. This looks unprofessional in the eyes of a customer.
- Subdomain Instead of the address companyname.fi, the address is in the form companyname.wixsite.com. This weakens credibility and makes it harder to be found in search engines.
- Limited SEO Most free platforms offer only minimal search engine optimization options. Your site struggles to be found on Google.
- No own email You cannot use a business address such as info@companyname.fi without an extra charge.
- No online store Selling products online almost always requires a paid package.
- Weak support In free packages, customer support is minimal or missing entirely.
- The platform's terms The service can change its terms or remove the free tier at any time.
Paid websites, what do they cost?
When we talk about the price of a website for a business, the range is enormous. It can be roughly divided into three levels:
1. Do-it-yourself sites (web hosting + WordPress)
The most affordable professional option is to get web hosting and install WordPress yourself. This way the monthly cost can be very low. For example, Nordweb's basic web hosting costs only a few euros per month. However, you have to handle the WordPress installation, themes, plugins and maintenance yourself.
- Web hosting 3-15 €/month
- A .fi domain costs 12 €/year
- Premium theme (one-time payment) 30-100 €
- Total for the first year around 90-300 €
2. All-inclusive packages
The simplest solution for many entrepreneurs is to handle everything with one order. Nordweb's hosting plans include email and an SSL certificate, and the Premium and Max plans also include a domain for the first year. Nothing needs to be assembled separately, since everything works right away.
3. Custom website
If you need a fully individual design, special features or an online store, a custom site is the right option. Prices usually vary:
- Simple presentation site 500-2,000 €
- Functional company site 2,000-8,000 €
- Online store 3,000-15,000 €+
Hidden costs, what free doesn't tell you
Many entrepreneurs soon notice that free websites are not as free as promised. The most common hidden costs:
- Connecting your own domain On Wix, for example, connecting your own .fi domain costs 8-17 €/month in platform fees alone.
- Removing ads On most free platforms you can only get rid of ads with a paid package.
- Additional pages or more storage The needs of a growing site quickly exceed the limits of the free tier.
- Email marketing Mailing lists and newsletters usually require an extra charge.
- Time This is often forgotten. Building your own site takes time, which is away from your actual business.
When you add up these extra costs, you often notice that the free platform turns into a paid one and ultimately becomes more expensive than a straightforward solution from the start.
When are free websites enough?
Completely free websites can be sufficient if:
- You are just testing your idea and the business is not yet operating
- You only need a temporary web presence for a few months
- The site is a personal portfolio or hobby project
- The budget is tight and online visibility is not the core of the business
If, however, your goal is to acquire customers online, build a credible brand or stand out from competitors, a free solution rarely serves you in the long run.
When does it pay to invest in a paid website?
It pays to invest in a paid, professional website when:
- Your company is operating or you are just about to start a business seriously
- You need your own domain (companyname.fi) for credibility and memorability
- You want to appear on Google: search engine optimization requires a proper technical foundation
- You need a business email such as info@companyname.fi, since it significantly increases trust
- The site needs fast loading times, because customers do not wait for slow pages
- You want analytics and conversion data to develop your marketing
Remember also that a website is often the first contact between a potential customer and your company. The first impression is decisive.
Hosting and a domain from the same place
For many entrepreneurs, the best solution is neither an expensive custom site nor a limited free service, but something in between. Nordweb's hosting plans are built for exactly this need.
Every plan includes:
- Web hosting on NVMe storage
- Business email with your own domain (e.g. info@companyname.fi)
- A free SSL certificate (https)
- Daily automatic backups
- Customer support in Finnish and English
The Premium and Max plans also include a new .fi or .com domain for the first year on a 12 month subscription, so the site, the email and the address are handled with one order. Current prices are on the pricing page.
If you want to try first, there is also a free hosting plan for small sites. You can start for free and upgrade later as your business grows.
If you only need a domain registration, that is also possible separately: register a domain here.
Summary, free or paid website?
The answer depends on your situation:
- Free Suitable for testing, temporary needs or hobby projects. Not suitable for serious business.
- Affordable paid (under 10 €/month) The best choice for most entrepreneurs. You get your own domain, business email and reliable web hosting without large investments.
- Custom site Consider it if you need special features, an online store or a strong brand look.
The most important thing is that your website serves your business, not the other way around. Choose a solution that grows with your company.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can a business use a free website?
Technically yes, but in practice free websites are poorly suited to serious business. The platform's own ads, the subdomain (e.g. companyname.wixsite.com) and limited search engine optimization options make the site look unprofessional and hard to find on Google. For most businesses, an affordable paid solution is clearly the better choice.
How much does a website cost a business?
A simple website can be made functional for a few tens of euros a month when you get web hosting and a domain from the same place. Current prices are on the pricing page. Custom sites made by a developer or an agency typically cost 1,000 to 10,000 euros or more.
What is the best free website service?
Wix, WordPress.com and Google Sites are the most popular. Of these, WordPress.com offers the most flexibility and growth potential. They all have the same basic problems, however. No own domain, ads are displayed and search engine visibility is weak. If your goal is to acquire customers online, we recommend moving to a paid solution as soon as possible.
Does a website need its own email address?
Yes. A business email with your own domain (info@companyname.fi) is an important part of a professional brand. A Gmail or Hotmail address raises distrust in customers. Business email is included in Nordweb's hosting plans at no extra cost, and it is easy to set up right after registering the domain.