How to Set Up a Free WordPress Site with No Hidden Costs

How to Set Up a Free WordPress Site with No Hidden Costs

Set Up a Free WordPress Site

So, you want to launch a WordPress site in 2025 — but you don’t want to get trapped by fake “free” offers, credit card requirements, or a surprise bill 14 days later?

Smart move.

Here’s the real deal: You can set up a 100% free WordPress website — no hosting fees, no credit cards, no hidden upsells — but only if you know exactly which tools to use, and what limitations to expect.

This guide breaks it all down step-by-step:
✅ Free domain (or subdomain)
✅ Free WordPress hosting
✅ Free SSL
✅ No forced ads
✅ No fake trials

Whether you’re building a portfolio, blog, or starter business site, let’s get you online without spending a rupee, dollar, or dirham.

🧠 First: Know the Two Types of WordPress

Before we jump into setup, you need to understand the difference:

Type URL Hosting Good For
WordPress.com wordpress.com Hosted by WordPress Beginners, writers
WordPress.org wordpress.org Self-hosted Full control, custom sites

This guide focuses on WordPress.com’s free plan, but we’ll also show you a workaround for WordPress.org using free third-party hosting (no ads, no catch).

🛠️ Method 1: Build a Free WordPress Site Using WordPress.com

This is the easiest route. You’ll be live in 10 minutes — even with zero coding.

✅ What You Get (Free Plan):

  • Free WordPress site (yourname.wordpress.com)

  • Free hosting (no expiry)

  • WordPress CMS with block editor

  • SSL certificate (https://)

  • No credit card required

❌ Limitations:

  • WordPress ads will show on your site

  • No custom domain unless you upgrade

  • Limited themes/plugins

  • No AdSense or monetization options

🔧 Step-by-Step Setup:

  1. Go to: https://wordpress.com/start

  2. Create your free account – Use Google, Apple, or email.

  3. Choose your site type – Blog, business, portfolio, etc.

  4. Pick your site name – You’ll get a subdomain like myproject.wordpress.com.

  5. Select “Free” when asked about your plan.

  6. Pick a free theme – You can customize it later.

  7. Launch your site!

That’s it. You’re live.

💡 Pro Tip: Remove WordPress Ads (Without Paying)

Technically, WordPress ads show by default. But here’s the trick:

  • Use an ad-blocking browser extension (for personal use).

  • OR embed the blog inside an iframe on another ad-free domain (advanced).

But realistically, if you’re planning to go public or monetize, WordPress.com’s free tier isn’t ideal long-term.

🛠️ Method 2: Set Up a Free WordPress.org Site (Self-Hosted, No Cost)

Want full control, custom themes, plugins, SEO, and monetization?

Then you need WordPress.org — but that normally requires hosting.
Here’s how to get it free (with a little effort).

🔥 Free Hosting Platforms That Support WordPress:

Host Price Domain PHP/MySQL SSL
InfinityFree Free Free subdomain or BYOD
ByetHost Free Free subdomain
000WebHost Free Free subdomain
AwardSpace Free Free subdomain

Let’s go with InfinityFree for this walkthrough.

Step-by-Step: Install WordPress on InfinityFree

  1. Go to: https://www.infinityfree.net

  2. Create a free account

  3. Choose a free subdomain – like yourname.epizy.com

  4. Go to Control Panel (cPanel)

  5. Scroll to Softaculous App Installer

  6. Click WordPress

  7. Choose your domain > Set site title > Set login info

  8. Click Install

✅ Done. You now have a fully working self-hosted WordPress site — for free.

📦 Optional: Connect a Custom Domain

Want a more professional domain (like yourname.tech)? You can:

  • Buy a domain from Namecheap ($1–$2/year for .xyz, .online, etc.)

  • Point it to your free host using DNS settings

  • Install Let’s Encrypt SSL (most free hosts support it)

This gives you a completely free WordPress site with a real domain for under $2 total — and full plugin/theme control.

🤑 Can I Monetize a Free WordPress Site?

It depends on which route you take:

Method Monetization Options
WordPress.com (Free) ❌ No AdSense, limited affiliate options
WordPress.org (Self-Hosted) ✅ Full AdSense, affiliate, product sales, lead gen

If your goal is to:

  • Run Google AdSense

  • Start a niche blog

  • Promote affiliate products

  • Collect leads for business

Then go with self-hosted WordPress.org — even if it takes more time to set up.

⚖️ WordPress.com vs WordPress.org (Free Setup)

Feature WordPress.com (Free) WordPress.org (Free Hosting)
Subdomain ✅ yoursite.wordpress.com ✅ yoursite.epizy.com
Custom Domain ❌ Paid only ✅ Possible
Plugins ❌ Not allowed ✅ Fully allowed
Themes Limited Unlimited
AdSense ❌ Not allowed ✅ Allowed
Storage 1GB Depends on host
Support Basic Community-based

🚀 Pro Strategy: Free WordPress Site + Cheap Domain

Here’s a high-leverage combo:

  1. Buy a cheap domain from Namecheap, Hostinger, or IONOS
    (yourname.xyz, yourstartup.online, etc.)

  2. Host your WordPress site on InfinityFree

  3. Point your domain to the hosting via DNS

  4. Install HTTPS (SSL) using Cloudflare or Let’s Encrypt

  5. Start customizing & monetizing

Cost: Under $3
Control: 100%
Scalability: Unlimited

 Is Free WordPress Worth It?

Use Case Free WordPress OK?
Student Portfolio ✅ Yes
Learning Blogging ✅ Yes
Temporary Site ✅ Yes
Affiliate Blog ❌ Better to self-host
SEO Content Project ❌ Not ideal
Business Website ❌ Avoid free plans

Bottom line:
Free WordPress hosting is a great sandbox — but it’s not a castle.
Start free. Learn. Then upgrade when your project proves itself.

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