Five12 Digital Marketing
The “Free Website for My Portfolio” Facebook Scam Explained
You’ve seen the posts in local groups. They all sound the same, and they’re rarely as “free” as they claim.
Here’s what’s really going on, how the trap works, and what to look for before you agree to anything.
and websites you do not fully own.
What these posts usually say
The wording changes slightly, but the theme is always the same:
“I’m a web designer building my portfolio and I’m offering a few businesses a FREE website.
Comment below or message me if you want one.”
It sounds generous, but this model nearly always ends with hidden costs, weak results, or both.
How the “free website” trap works (step-by-step)
The hook
They offer a “free website” to pull in quick replies from trades and small businesses who understandably want to keep costs down.
- No upfront cost
- “Only building my portfolio”
- “Just need a few examples”
The catch arrives later
Once the site is “built”, the real cost appears. Common examples include:
- Mandatory hosting fee (often monthly)
- Paid extras for “SEO”, edits, or fixes
- A contract you did not expect
- Charges to move the site elsewhere
The lock-in
The biggest issue is ownership. If you cannot take the website with you, it is not really your asset.
If you stop paying, the site often disappears.
The real problem: you might not own your own website
A proper website is a business asset. If you cannot move it, back it up, or control the domain, you are renting it.
Here are the most common lock-in tactics.
Common lock-in tactics
- Domain registered in their name
- Website built on a platform you cannot export
- No admin access given
- Refuse to provide a full backup
- Fees to “release” the site
What that means for you
- You cannot easily switch provider
- You are stuck paying monthly to keep it live
- Any changes become a paid job
- If they disappear, your website can disappear too
Red flags to check before you say yes
Red flag
They dodge the ownership questionIf they cannot clearly explain who owns the domain and website files, walk away.
Red flag
“Free” but hosting is compulsoryThat’s not free. It’s a rental model that relies on recurring payments.
Red flag
No written scopeNo page list, no deliverables, no timeline, no support plan.
Red flag
No plan for local SEOA trade website should be built to rank locally, not just look acceptable.
Free website vs proper website (side-by-side)
| What to check | “Free website” offer | Proper website setup |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Often unclear or retained by the builder | You own the domain + website files |
| Costs | Hidden monthly fees appear later | Clear pricing up front |
| Ability to move host | Restricted or penalised | You can move anytime |
| Local SEO | Usually not included | Built in from day one |
| Support | Ad-hoc and inconsistent | Defined support options |
| Goal | Get you paying monthly | Get you calls and enquiries |
What to ask (copy and paste this)
Before I agree, can you confirm:
- Will the domain be registered in my name?
- Do I get full admin access to the website?
- If I leave, can I take the full site backup and move host?
- Is hosting optional, or mandatory?
- What exactly is included in the build (pages, edits, SEO)?
So what should a trade website actually do?
A trade website should not be “pretty”. It should be a simple system that turns visitors into calls.
At minimum, it should:
- Load fast on mobile
- Have click-to-call buttons
- Show trust (reviews, badges, photos)
- Make services clear in 5 seconds
- Target local areas properly
- Make it easy to request a quote
Want a trade website that you actually own?
If you want a website built to rank locally and convert to enquiries (without lock-in contracts),
we can help.
- Clear pricing
- No lock-in
- Built for Google + mobile