Free Tools I Used to Build My First Website

Mitzie Hall
Feb 21
3 min read

Many of the tools listed here are great for developers, bloggers, affiliate marketers, and more! I originally wrote this for developers, but see what kinds of tools you can find or even build your own website. It's easy and free!

As a self-taught web developer juggling parenting and coding, I know how overwhelming it can be to build a portfolio from scratch. Time is precious, and budgets are tight. But with the right free tools, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio without sacrificing sleep or sanity. Below, I’ll share the free resources that helped me launch my first portfolio site while balancing diaper changes and debugging sessions. Let’s dive in!

Essential Free Tools for Building Your Website

1. W3Schools HTML Templates

Starting with a template saved me hours of coding. W3Schools offers free HTML templates that are clean, responsive, and easy to customize. I used their basic portfolio template as a foundation and tweaked it to fit my style. Perfect for beginners who want structure without stifling creativity.🔗 W3Schools Templates

2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

This free, open-source code editor became my coding sanctuary. Its extensions — like Live Server for real-time previews and Prettier for code formatting — streamlined my workflow. The built-in Git integration also made version control a breeze.🔗 Download VS Code

3. GitHub Pages for Hosting

GitHub isn’t just for storing code — it’s a lifesaver for hosting static sites. I deployed my portfolio directly from my GitHub repository using GitHub Pages, which is free and integrates seamlessly with custom domains. Bonus: Employers love seeing active GitHub profiles.🔗 GitHub Pages Guide

4. Warp Terminal

As a terminal newbie, Warp’s modern interface and AI command search kept me sane. Its collaborative features even let me share terminal sessions with mentors for troubleshooting. Use my referral link for extra perks!🔗 Warp Terminal (Referral Code)

5. Pixabay for Royalty-Free Images

A portfolio needs visuals, but stock photos can break the bank. Pixabay’s free high-resolution images added polish to my projects without costing a dime. Pro tip: Use filters to find tech-themed visuals.🔗 Pixabay

6. Mobirise for Drag-and-Drop Design

When I needed a break from coding, Mobirise’s drag-and-drop builder let me prototype quickly. Their free version includes mobile-responsive blocks and Bootstrap integration — ideal for parent-developers short on time. Now they have AI, which I have not tried, but if it was amazing before, this is sure to be spectacular!🔗 Mobirise

7. Canva for Branding

Crafting a personal brand? Canva’s free tier helped me design logos, social media banners, and project thumbnails. Their pre-sized templates ensured everything looked consistent.🔗 Canva

8. Netlify for Continuous Deployment

Netlify’s free plan automated my deployments. Every Git push triggered a rebuild, and their CDN ensured fast loading times. It’s like having a free DevOps assistant.🔗 Netlify

Portfolio Tips for Busy Developers

Start Small, Iterate Often
As a parent, I focused on 2–3 polished projects instead of overwhelming myself. A to-do app and a landing page showcased my range without eating into bedtime routines.
Prioritize Mobile Responsiveness
Over 60% of hiring managers view portfolios on mobile. I used Chrome DevTools to test responsiveness and picked minimalist templates that scaled beautifully.
Leverage Free Templates
Don’t reinvent the wheel — adapt existing templates. W3Schools and GitHub’s “portfolio-template” repos are goldmines for time-strapped devs.
Add a “Storytelling” Touch
My “About Me” section highlighted my journey from parent to developer, making my portfolio memorable. Tools like Readymag or WordPress helped structure this narrative.
Optimize for SEO
I used free tools like Google Search Console to ensure my site was discoverable. Adding meta tags and project keywords boosted my visibility.

Final Thoughts

Building a portfolio as a self-taught developer and parent isn’t easy, but it’s 100% doable with the right tools. Focus on simplicity, leverage free resources, and let your unique story shine. Remember: Your portfolio is a living project — update it as you grow, and don’t forget to celebrate small wins along the way.