Free platforms for creating websites is an opportunity to develop your own resource (online store, business card, etc.) without special skills and abilities in the field of web programming, without spending a penny. With the help of online services, you can not only create a website, but also arrange it in the design you like according to a ready-made template, fill it with modules and text, and even adjust it yourself if necessary.
Of course, website builders, although they simplify web development, are significantly inferior in quality to the work of professionals. On the other hand, a free platform to create 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 part, which allows you to adjust the text and layout separately;
- no need to waste time developing website design, just choose the template you like;
- media files are easy to download;
- changes are published promptly, immediately afterapplication;
- no need to worry about storing backups, all data is located on the constructor's server;
- some platforms allow you to transfer your site to another hosting;
- 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 rating contains only time-tested and traffic-tested engines that have proven themselves among various categories of users.
Wix
Wix is arguably the best free website building platform with over 55 million users worldwide. The main advantage of Wix is its simplicity: an intuitive interface, ease of editing, training materials. Everything is quite simple and accessible, and you do not need any special knowledge about writing website code. Another advantage is the 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 systemconnection or forum. Also, the Wix service is endowed with the functionality to transfer 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 interruptions to the site.
Of the minuses, I would like to note the impossibility of editing the template and html code, so professional web designers will most likely have nowhere to turn around, but beginners will not have difficulty creating a site. Another disadvantage is the large number of paid services and the inability to disable ads in the free version.
In general, with low costs and a complete lack of technical knowledge, while choosing a platform for creating websites for free, you should pay attention to Wix.
UCOZ
The second in the list, but not least, the UCOZ platform is one of the oldest in the Runet, celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2015.
UCOZ Constructor is truly the most powerful tool for creating free online resources. It is equipped with rich functionality that allows you to create 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 everything you need to work with it is there.
As for templates, here the choice 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 definitely will not meet onthe Internet.
The pluses include a powerful SEO module that allows you to easily promote your site to the top lines of search queries.
From the minuses. Free platforms for creating websites rarely do without ads, UCOZ was no exception, so the advertising banner can be removed only after paying for the premium. Speaking of payment, tariffs for UCOZ are quite affordable and do not hit the pocket, and during the first 2 days after registration there is a 50% discount. Plus, with a premium account, you can connect a second-level domain.
As a conclusion, nowhere you will 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.
Platform A5
An analogue of the foreign platform Wix - service A5 - 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 allows you to create your own, is easy to use and understandable in the interface, suitable for beginners, especially for whom you can find video tutorials on the service.
The only negative is the limitation 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 website building platforms include common design templates, on Setur youyou will find a lot of blanks, divided into categories for convenience: "Education", "Business", etc. You can also order an individual design development here.
Why is it best to create an online storefront on the Setur platform? Firstly, this service pays a huge role to search seo promotion, thanks to which the site gets into the top search queries, which means it is better visited by potential consumers. Secondly, any data on the site, blocks, product information, fonts, etc. are easily corrected. Thirdly, and most importantly for an online store, Setur offers a simple, memorable domain name absolutely free, you only need to fill out more than 5 pages of the site to get it.
Among the shortcomings are the same restriction on a free account, banner advertising, which is disabled only by premium and minimal functionality for developing, for example, business cards or a landing page.
Nethouse
Nethouse constructor is not up to 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 only get a few ads and a limit on the number of images you can upload.
The builder has fairly simple design templates compared to Wix or Ucoz, which are unlikely to be suitable for a business card site, where quality and originality of design is most important. Rather, the Nethouse platform is suitable for creating an online store, since there are templates for onlinestorefronts with a shopping cart, 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 the site on some resources, you cannot modify anything in the html code, so other free platforms for creating sites are more suitable for an experienced user.
Webydo
The only one of the above paid platform for creating a website, but it is not by chance that it is mentioned here. This is a service for professional designers that allows you to create unique and very high quality landing pages, shops and business cards both in terms of work and design. Also of the advantages - 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 a simple interface that is understandable to beginners in working with sites, and many interesting templates that can be modified during the creation process. The free version does not have the intrusive banner ads that other free website building platforms abuse.
Among the shortcomings - a weak level of technical support, the imposition of paid packages, a low level of opportunities 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 how to create websites.
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, Drag & Drop support, its own engine and excellent seo optimization. For beginners, perhaps, it will be difficult to handle. Among the shortcomings are the high prices for redemption and transfer of the site to another domain.
Which platform to choose?
There are a lot of platforms for creating a website, and none of them is without flaws. In order to choose a close one for you, perhaps you should try several options. The most powerful are objectively Wix and Ucoz. With their 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 separate hosting for the same money and use free platforms for creating Joomla and Wordpress sites.
Instead of a conclusion
Free website building platforms are a great way to get your own resource, saving you money and time. However, you must understand that a site whose domain name indicates that it was created for free will look undignified for large commercial sites that must have enough funds to develop an individual Internet project. This option is most likely suitable for starting a business when you want to make yourself known, but do not yet have enough funds for marketingactivities.
Choose platforms that seem simple and understandable to you, do not connect those functions and features that you are not going to use. Bigger is not better.
