The address
Platform subdomain versus your own domain name.
Website design · 2026 edition
Free or paid website: the real numbers
A free website is tempting when you are starting out. But "free" rarely means "no cost". Here is what you gain, what you lose, and the three-year calculation to help you decide with confidence.
- The real cost
- The limits of free
- Ownership
Updated October 2026Rules checkedNo jargon
Free or paid in 30 seconds
In short
A free website is fine for testing an idea or a personal project. For a business, it often causes problems: an address like "your-name.platform.com", adverts or platform branding, limited features, and a website you do not really own. A paid website costs more at the start, but gives you your own domain name, a professional image and the freedom to leave. The right choice depends on your goal, not just the price.
Adverts
Often present on free plans.
Ownership
Being able to take your website and leave.
Trust
A professional address reassures customers.
Free, subscription or one-off purchase: point by point
Three common ways to get a website. Features vary from one offer to another: always check the terms.
| Criterion | Free plan | All-in-one subscription | Website bought once |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address | Platform subdomain | Your domain name | Your domain name |
| Adverts or compulsory branding | Often | Usually not | No |
| Ownership of the website | No | Limited to the subscription | Yes, if the contract says so |
| Leaving with your website | Difficult | Often difficult | Yes |
| Monthly cost | €0 | Subscription for as long as the website exists | Domain name and hosting only |
| Time spent | High if you do everything | High if you do everything | Low if a professional builds it |
This table describes the most common cases. Some offers are exceptions: read what is included and what happens if you stop.
The real cost over 3 years
A worked example for a business website. The subscription amounts are assumptions for the calculation, not guaranteed market prices.
Free, done yourself
€0 spent, but 15 to 30 hours of work at the start, and an unprofessional address. Your time has value.
A subscription at €20 a month
Over 36 months: €720, and you start from scratch if you stop the subscription.
The Simple Website at €39.90
A professional mobile-friendly page, fixed price, paid once, with your text and your logo. Add the domain name and light hosting.
The Essential Website from €290
Up to 5 pages, text written for you, going live included. The website and the domain name are in your name.
Choose in 5 questions
Answer honestly. The answer often appears by the third question.
From a one-page site to a website that works for you
Choose the package that fits your business. The price is fixed in advance.
Simple Website · 1 page
A one-page website, simple and professional, to be present online.
- 1 mobile-friendly page
- Your copy and your logo
- WhatsApp button
- 1 round of changes included
- File delivered, ready to publish
Essential Website
For a small business that wants a serious website, fast.
- Up to 5 pages
- Copy written for you
- Basic SEO
- Contact form
- Publishing included
Multilingual Pro Website
To reach customers in several languages.
- 5 to 10 pages
- 2 or 3 languages
- Full SEO
- Form linked to a tracking spreadsheet
- WhatsApp button and direct contact
Website + Automations
For a website that works for you, day and night.
- Everything in the Multilingual Pro Website
- Quotes calculated and sent
- Orders recorded automatically
- Automatic invoices and reminders
Online Presence Pack
Everything you need to exist on Google, set up for you.
- Domain name in your name
- Professional email address
- Business Google account
- Your website registered with Google
Options, for every offer
- €29Domain name purchase and setup
- €49Going live on hosting
- €39Extra page with copywriting
- €59Translation, per language
- €19/monthWebsite monitoring and alerts
The website and the domain name are in your name. Simple Website: text and logo supplied by you, going live as an option. Indicative prices.
A website paid for once, working every day
With the Website + Automations package, the website does more than exist: it handles enquiries.
Form linked to a spreadsheet
Every contact is recorded, dated and sorted.
Automated quotes
Form answers fill in a quote ready to send.
Online booking
The customer books, you get notified.
WhatsApp on every page
A pre-filled message, in one tap.
Your questions, our answers
Can you create a truly free website?
Yes, some platforms allow it, usually with an address in their name, adverts or compulsory branding, and limited features.
Does a free website rank well on Google?
It can be indexed, but you have fewer levers: a shared address, limited settings, speed you do not control. Content is still the most important factor.
Can you use your own domain name with a free website?
Rarely. It is often the first feature kept for paid plans.
How much does a paid website cost for a small business?
From a few tens of euros for a simple page to several hundred or thousand euros for a full website. Our offers range from the Simple Website at €39.90 to Website + Automations from €1,490.
Can you switch from a free website to a paid one?
Yes, but you often have to rebuild everything elsewhere. Also plan redirects if the old address is already known.
Does a free website need a legal notice?
Yes, as soon as it is used for a business. Free or paid, the requirements are the same.
Sources: Directive 2000/31/EC on electronic commerce (information a business website must display) · terms of website plans checked in October 2026 (general cases, to be checked offer by offer).
General information, up to date as of October 2026. It does not replace advice from a professional.
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