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:
-
Go to: https://wordpress.com/start
-
Create your free account – Use Google, Apple, or email.
-
Choose your site type – Blog, business, portfolio, etc.
-
Pick your site name – You’ll get a subdomain like
myproject.wordpress.com
. -
Select “Free” when asked about your plan.
-
Pick a free theme – You can customize it later.
-
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
-
Go to: https://www.infinityfree.net
-
Create a free account
-
Choose a free subdomain – like
yourname.epizy.com
-
Go to Control Panel (cPanel)
-
Scroll to Softaculous App Installer
-
Click WordPress
-
Choose your domain > Set site title > Set login info
-
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:
-
Buy a cheap domain from Namecheap, Hostinger, or IONOS
(yourname.xyz
,yourstartup.online
, etc.) -
Host your WordPress site on InfinityFree
-
Point your domain to the hosting via DNS
-
Install HTTPS (SSL) using Cloudflare or Let’s Encrypt
-
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.