Jimmy ParkerOne of the most challenging and intimidating parts of launching your website is building it. Given how important having a website is, building a website can be a step that seems like a bridge too far for many people.
When you’re ready to take the plunge and build your website, you’ll quickly realize that building a website can be a bit daunting. From choosing a Canadian web hosting company to finding a web designer, it’s not that straightforward.
This is where website builders come in. They’re a one-stop shop for both building a site with easy tools and hosting the site at the same time.
Not all website builders are created equal; depending on your needs, some will be better than others. The difference is particularly true when looking at the best premium website builders in Canada versus free website builders.
To help you out, we’ve created a list of the best free website builders in Canada. For each website builder, we’ll focus on the free plan provided by the company and give you a list of pros and cons.
Best Free Website Builders for Canada in 2023
1. Wix
Wix is one of the most popular website builders on the market. It’s easy to see why: with Wix, you can create a website in minutes, even if you have no experience.
With Wix, you can create a website in any language. Wix also offers a wide range of templates, so you can find one that suits your needs. And, if you need help, Wix has an excellent support team that is always willing to assist you.
The downside of Wix is that it’s not as flexible as some of the other website builders on this list. For example, if you want to add an eCommerce store to your website, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Wix also advertises free websites, which can be annoying for visitors. The ads make your website look unprofessional, and you will have to upgrade to the paid plan if you want to get rid of them.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop website building tool makes it easy to make a website, even for beginners.
- Wix provides a large number of tools you can incorporate into your website (many of them require the paid plan)
- As your website grows, it is easy to expand and scale. It is also easy to upgrade your website to the paid plan.
- The website builder gives users a great deal of creative freedom and flexibility. You can build your dream website.
Cons
- Once you have published your website, there is no turning back. You must start from scratch if you want to edit your website.
- Advanced apps require a paid plan.
- The website builder tool can feel overwhelming to new users. There are so many options and features that it can be challenging to know where to start.
2. Zyro
Zyro is a new website builder on the scene. It’s quickly become one of the most popular website builders, and it’s easy to see why.
While many website building tools harp on all the advanced available features, Zyro’s simplicity is excellent. Zyro’s free plan is straightforward and allows you to build a high-quality website without getting distracted by all the advanced bells and whistles many websites don’t need.
Zyro’s website builder is for people without experience with coding. You can quickly build a website using Zyro’s free plan even if you have never written a line of code in your life.
Pros
- Zyro websites perform at high speeds. You will not have to worry about lag or latency.
- Zyro websites average over 99.9% uptime.
- Zyro’s website builder is straightforward to use. It is not overwhelming.
- Users have access to a wide variety of preexisting templates. You can use these templates to quickly design and build a website.
Cons
- Zyro handles domain names in a complicated fashion.
- Zyro’s website lacks the customizability that other free website builders offer.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders. It has been around for a while and has a good reputation. Squarespace has become so popular that it no longer offers a free plan. While this is disappointing, Squarespace still has affordable plans for individuals building their first website.
Squarespace offers a wide range of features, including eCommerce and blogs. You can use Squarespace to build a simple or complex website with multiple pages.
The downside of Squarespace is that it can be challenging to use. Squarespace is not as intuitive as some other website builders on this list. It will take some time to get used to the interface and figure out how to build the website you want.
Squarespace is targeted at individuals and businesses looking to build more advanced and complex websites. Squarespace might not be your best website builder if you are a beginner.
Pros
- Squarespace has beautiful templates. The templates are regularly updated to keep pace with the latest styles and trends on the internet.
- The user interface is intuitive and easy to use.
- Squarespace provides access to a wide variety of excellent tools. You get what you pay for.
- Squarespace integrates with 3rd partly tools well. Some other website builders lack this functionality.
Cons
- Squarespace lacks multi-currency functionality. You need another website builder to create an e-commerce store that sells in multiple currencies.
- Squarespace has limited payment options. For example, you cannot integrate Google Pay.
4. Weebly
Weebly is one of the oldest website builders. It was founded in 2006 and has been around longer than most competitors.
Weebly offers a wide range of features, including eCommerce and blogs. You can use Weebly to build a simple or complex website with multiple pages.
The downside of Weebly is that it can be challenging to use. Weebly is not as intuitive as some other website builders on this list. It will take some time to get used to the interface and figure out how to build the website you want.
Pros
- One of Weebly’s most significant advantages is that it gives its users a high degree of flexibility with the preset themes. The themes are regularly updated and look sleek.
- Weebly’s website editors are easy to use, even for beginners.
- Weebly has a mobile app that you can use to build and manage your website.
- Weebly has an app center dedicated to adding 3rd party apps that can enhance your website.
Cons
- The free website builder is limited to the Weebly domain. You cannot use your domain on the free Weebly plan.
- Although Weebly has excellent tools, its blogging tools are limited. If you are looking to start a blog, you should look elsewhere.
- Weebly’s photo editor is basic and lacks advanced features.
- Weebly’s free plan has low-quality customer service. You have to pay for quicker solutions to your problems.
5. Webnode
Webnode is one of the lesser-known website builders on this list. It was founded in 2008 and is in the Czech Republic.
Webnode offers a wide range of features, including eCommerce and blogs. You can use Webnode to build a simple or complex website with multiple pages. The downside of Webnode is that it can be challenging to use.
Webnode is not as intuitive as some other website builders on this list. It will take some time to get used to the interface and figure out how to build the website you want.
However, Webnode does offer multi-language support and is SEO-optimized. These features make Webnode an excellent option for international businesses looking to build a website that will engage with customers worldwide.
Pros
- Webnode has the best interface for creating translations of any website builders on this list. You can quickly build a webpage in another langue with ease. This task usually is quite complicated.
- You can keep an offline version of your website available so you can edit and makes changes even if you don’t have access to the internet.
- Webnode gives its users a free email address. This feature is usually a paid option for many website builders.
Cons
- Webnode lacks the e-commerce features that other website builders on this list have. Webnode is not a good website builder for e-commerce stores.
- The blogging interface is basic. If you are looking to start a blog, you should look elsewhere.
- Webnode lacks some other key features like an app store that come standard with other website builders.
6. Webflow
Webflow is one of the newest website builders on this list. It was founded in 2013 and is in San Francisco, CA.
Webflow offers an extensive range of features, including eCommerce and blogs. You can use Webflow to build a simple or complex website with multiple pages.
The downside of Webflow is that it has a learning curve. Webflow is not as intuitive as some other website builders on this list. It will take some time to get used to the interface and figure out how to build the website you want.
However, once you get over the learning curve, Webflow is an excellent website builder with many features.
Pros
- Webflow makes it easy to build excellent landing pages without any coding experience. This feature is impressive if you do email marketing.
- Users have access to advanced design tools without the need for coding experience.
Cons
- Webflow lacks the variety of templates that other website builders offer.
- You cannot edit the actual code of the websites. The inability to edit the code makes it difficult to make minor changes to your website.
7. Jimdo
Jimdo is a German website builder that was founded in 2007. Since then, Jimdo users have built more than 32 million websites. This website builder excels at creating online stores and websites. Jimdo is a hosted solution which means you don’t have to pay for hosting, and you can edit your website through your browser. You don’t have to download any additional software.
The downside of Jimdo is that it has a limited free plan. The free plan only allows you to build a website with two pages. You will need to upgrade to a paid plan to create a more complex website.
Pros
- Jimdo offers a comprehensive free plan, and its paid plans are affordable.
- You can access and edit the HTML and CSS of your website to make minor changes and edits.
- You can change templates without losing anything you have created.
Cons
- There are a limited number of templates available, even on paid plans.
- Customer support is through email, which can be time-consuming.
- Jimdo lacks an official app store.
8. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. Shopify was founded in 2006 and is in Ottawa, Canada. More than half a million businesses use Shopify to sell their products online. Shopify offers a wide range of features for online stores, including payment processing, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Shopify is not a good choice for building a website that is not an online store. It would be best if you used another website builder on this list to make a simple website.
Shopify is limited in scope. You cannot design blogs and other types of websites using Shopify. However, if you want to create an eCommerce store, Shopify is the best website builder.
Pros
- Shopify offers excellent customer support through live chat, email, and phone.
- Shopify is easy to use, and the user interface is intuitive.
- You can choose from a wide variety of themes broken down by the type of store you want.
Cons
- Shopify lacks the customizability that other platforms offer.
- Most of the templates are paid.
- Direct technical support is not available worldwide. Depending on your location, you may need to look at forums for help
How To Choose a Free Website Builder in Canada?
Now that you have a list of the best free website builders in Canada, you might wonder how to select the right website builder for your needs. It would be best if you chose the website builder matching your needs and website type.
Additionally, it is essential to remember that all the website builders on this list are free. Free website builders are a great way to save money, but you will also be limited in the features available.
If you are serious about building a high-quality website, you should strongly consider using a paid website builder. Paid website builders will give you access to many more features, and you can create a much higher quality website. However, if you are still set on using a free website builder, here are some factors to consider:
- Ease of Use: One of the most important factors to consider is how easy the website builder is to use. If you are not tech-savvy, you will want to choose a website builder that is easy to use and understand.
- Features: Another critical factor to consider is the features available on the website builder. As mentioned, free website builders will have limited features compared to paid website builders. Check the features available on each website builder and see if they match your needs.
- Limitations: Finally, you need to be aware of the limitations of free website builders. Free website builders will often have limitations in terms of storage, bandwidth, and the number of pages you can create.
- Ads: Additionally, free website builders will often include ads on your website. If you want to create a professional website, you will want to avoid this.
Using a free website builder can save you money, but it may be costly and time-consuming to change to a paid service in the long run. If your needs don’t align precisely with a free website builder, you are probably best served to spend money on a paid one. If you need the features of a paid website builder, using one from the jump will save you both time and money.
Website Builder Questions
These are some commonly asked questions about Canada’s best free website builders.
What is the best completely free website builder in Canada?
The best completely free website builder in Canada is Wix. It offers many features and templates, and you can upgrade to a paid plan anytime. Wix is easy to use and offers many templates through its free plan.
However, Wix may not be the best website builder if you have slightly different needs. Before selecting Wix, double-check what you want to accomplish with the features of the free website builder plan.
All the website builders on this list are of the highest quality, and some of the other less popular ones may serve you better than Wix.
Can you build a good website for free?
The short answer is yes. You can find many good website builders that allow you to create a website for free.
The long answer is that it depends on what you need from your website. If you need a simple website that has a few pages and doesn’t need any complex features, then you can probably find a good website builder that will allow you to create a website for free.
However, if you need a more complex website with features like e-commerce or a members-only area, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
How much does it cost to make a website in Canada?
This question is a common one with many different answers. It all depends on how you want to build your website and what features you need. If you are starting, using a free website builder is the best option.
You can build a website for little to no cost. You will have to pay for a domain name and registration. If you want your website to be fully customized and have features like e-commerce, you will have to pay for a website builder, which can cost $10/month. Or you can have someone build your entire website. Paying someone to make your website can cost thousands of dollars.
Is Wix really free?
Wix is one of the most popular free website builders on the market. Wix’s free plan is free. It doesn’t cost any money. However, before signing up, you should know a few things about the free plan.
The Wix free plan offers a limited selection of templates, storage, and features. You’ll also have Wix ads displayed on your site. If you want to remove the ads, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. You cannot use a custom domain name on the free Wix plan.
The Wix free plan is best for people who are just starting their website and don’t need a lot of features.
Is Google Web Designer free?
Google Web Designer is a free, professional-grade HTML5 authoring tool. You can use it to build interactive, animated HTML5 creative ads. It features a drag-and-drop page builder that functions on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
You also get access to excellent and helpful tools like Google Web Fonts. You can also edit shapes, and 3D objects and write custom text using Google Web Designer.
The best part of Google Web Designer is that it is 100% free. You can download it at no cost. To build a website for free, you should look into Google Web Designer.
Does Google have a free website builder?
Google does have a free website builder. It is called Google Sites. However, Google Sites is limited in comparison to other free website builders. You have a limited number of templates, and the websites are not customizable.
However, plenty of other free website builders available in Canada give you access to better features. Some of the best include Wix, Weebly, and WordPress.com.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive solution than Google Sites, look at some of the website builders on our list. Each free website builder offers better features and options than Google Sites.
Wrap Up
Now that we’ve gone over the best free website builders in Canada let’s recap what we’ve learned.
The three best free website builders are Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace.
- Weebly is the best option for those who want an easy-to-use platform with good customer support.
- Wix is the best option for those who want many customization options and features.
- Squarespace is the best option for those who want a platform that is both easy to use and has good customer support.
You should consider your needs and requirements when choosing a free website builder. Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace are all excellent choices, but your best option will depend on your specific needs.
If you have experience using the free website builders on this list, tell us about your experience in the comments below.