Creating a free website with free domain and hosting is a great way to get started online, whether for a personal portfolio, a blog, or a small business. While "free" services often have limitations, several platforms offer a solid starting point.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a free website using some of the most popular platforms:

Understanding the "Free" Model
It's important to know what you're getting with a free service.

Free Domain: This is typically a subdomain of the platform. For example, your site's address might be yourname.wordpress.com or yourname.wixsite.com. A true custom domain (e.g., yourname.com) usually requires a paid upgrade.

Free Hosting: The hosting is managed by the website builder. This means you don't have to worry about technical aspects like server maintenance, but you will have limitations on storage, bandwidth, and customization.

Limitations: Free plans often include a small amount of storage, display the platform's branding (e.g., "Powered by Wix"), and may not allow for certain advanced features like e-commerce or extensive search engine optimization (SEO) tools.

Option 1: Using a Website Builder with a Free Plan
This is the easiest and most common method. Website builders are all-in-one platforms that combine a drag-and-drop editor, hosting, and a subdomain.

Steps for a Website Builder (e.g., Wix, Weebly, or WordPress.com)
Choose a Platform: Research and select a website builder that fits your needs.

Wix: Known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and a vast library of templates.

Weebly: A simple and intuitive builder that's great for beginners and small-scale projects.

WordPress.com: Excellent for blogging and content-heavy sites, offering a robust platform with many customization options.

Sign Up for a Free Account: Navigate to the platform's website and sign up for their free plan.

Choose a Template: Browse their collection of professional, mobile-friendly templates. Select one that aligns with the purpose and style of your website.

Customize Your Site: Use the drag-and-drop editor to add and edit content. You can add your own text, images, videos, and contact forms.

Choose Your Free Subdomain: During the setup or publishing process, you will be prompted to choose a name for your website. This will be a subdomain, such as mybusiness.wixsite.com.

Publish Your Website: Once you're happy with the design, click "Publish." Your website will be live and accessible to the world.

Option 2: Using Free Hosting and a Free Subdomain
This method is slightly more technical but offers more control. It's often used by developers or those who want to learn more about web hosting.

Steps for Free Hosting (e.g., 000webhost, InfinityFree)
Find a Free Hosting Provider: Research free hosting providers. Be aware that these services may have limited uptime and support. Look for providers that offer PHP and MySQL support if you plan to use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress.

Sign Up for an Account: Create a free account on the hosting provider's website.

Get a Free Subdomain: The provider will likely offer a free subdomain as part of the package (e.g., yourname.000webhostapp.com).

Install a CMS (Optional but Recommended): Most free hosts offer a one-click installer for popular CMS platforms like WordPress. This allows you to build your website using a more powerful system than a basic site builder.

Build Your Site: Log in to your CMS dashboard and begin creating your website using themes and plugins.

Publish: Your site is now live on the provided subdomain.

Important Considerations
Custom Domain Name: While you get a free subdomain, it is highly recommended to purchase a custom domain name for professional use. It builds brand credibility and is easier for visitors to remember. Many paid hosting plans include a free custom domain for the first year.

Advertisements: Many free platforms place their own ads on your website to cover costs. To remove these, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Limited Features: Free plans are often stripped-down versions of the premium offerings. This means you may not have access to features like e-commerce, advanced analytics, or a large selection of templates and themes.

Security and Support: Free services may not offer the same level of security or customer support as paid plans. If your site is for a serious business, a paid solution is a safer and more reliable option.

For a basic personal project or to simply test the waters of website creation, a free website builder is an excellent and low-risk starting point.