Is a free business website really free?
THE SHORT ANSWER
A website offer can include a free design and build while still requiring you to pay domain and hosting costs. At The Free Website Team, accepted applicants receive the standard website design and build at no cost. The business pays for its domain and hosting, supplies content, and is not required to buy ongoing support.
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Separate the build from keeping it online.
- Free design and build
- No design or development fee for the agreed website scope. It does not mean every third-party service or future change is free.[scope]
The useful question is which charges are waived and which obligations remain. Read the scope, identify the account owner, and check renewal terms before agreeing to any offer. Our free build has a five-page maximum and one revision round.[scope]
| Item | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Design and build, within scope | The Free Website Team; no fee for accepted applicants |
| Domain and hosting | Your business, including renewals |
| Copy and photos | Your business supplies approved material |
| Ongoing changes | Outside the free build; arrange separately |
A practical example.
A selected plumber could receive Home, Services, About, Service Areas, and Contact pages without paying a design fee. The plumber would still register a domain, arrange hosting, provide business details and photos, and keep track of renewals. Adding an online shop later would be a separate project.[scope][process]
Before you accept a website offer
- Get the included pages and revision allowance in writing.
- Check initial and renewal prices for the domain and hosting.
- Confirm that you control the accounts and receive the website at handoff.
- Ask whether ongoing services are optional.
- Identify what happens if your requirements change.
Related questions, answered.
Does applying guarantee a free build?
No. The Free Website Team selects projects based on scope, content readiness, and available capacity. The standard design and build are free only for accepted applicants.
Can I keep the site without buying maintenance?
Yes. No ongoing The Free Website Team service contract is required. You still need to maintain domain and hosting payments and arrange any future updates you need.
Sources & citations
- The Free Website Team: what’s included
The Free Website Team · Checked
Primary source for the offer’s page limit, revision allowance, inclusions, and exclusions.
- The Free Website Team: how it works
The Free Website Team · Checked
Primary source for selection, content preparation, ownership, and launch steps.