Quick answer: The safest places to find free web design templates are the WordPress.org theme directory, starter template libraries such as Kadence and Astra, Shopify’s free themes, Webflow’s free templates, Figma Community for design files, and HTML libraries such as HTML5 UP, Start Bootstrap, and TemplateMo. The catch is the licence. Some free templates require a visible credit link, some cannot be used for client work, and some allow one project per licence. Check that before you build, not after you launch.
First, check what the licence allows
Website templates come with more strings attached than most people expect. Before you pick one, find out:
- Commercial use: can you use it on a business website?
- Client work: can a freelancer or agency use it to build a site for a paying client?
- Credit link: do you have to keep “Designed by…” in the footer?
- Number of projects: is the licence for one website or unlimited websites?
- Resale: can you sell the template itself, or only websites built with it?
The difference matters. A template that is free for your own blog may not be free to use for a client’s company website.
Free WordPress templates
WordPress powers a large share of business websites, so it has the widest choice of free templates.
WordPress.org theme directory
The official directory lists free themes released under the GPL licence, which allows commercial use, including client websites. Themes listed there go through a review before approval, which makes it a safer starting point than random download sites.
Best for: business websites, blogs, and service sites on WordPress.
Kadence starter templates
Kadence offers free starter templates that work with the free Kadence theme and the WordPress block editor. More designs are available in its paid bundles.
Best for: fast, lightweight sites built with the block editor.
Astra starter templates
Astra has a library of free starter templates, with a larger set of premium designs locked behind its paid bundles. Check the “free” filter before you fall in love with a design.
Best for: people who want a finished-looking site quickly, often with a page builder.
Elementor template kits
Many designers share free Elementor kits. Licence terms vary by creator, so read each kit’s terms before using it for business or client work.
Best for: Elementor users who want ready-made page layouts.
Not sure WordPress is right for you? See WordPress vs Shopify.
Free ecommerce templates
Shopify free themes
Shopify’s Theme Store includes free themes built and maintained by Shopify. They are well supported, updated regularly, and a sensible base for a new store.
Best for: new online stores that want a clean, reliable starting point.
See WooCommerce vs Shopify if you are still choosing a platform.
Free templates on website builders
Webflow
Webflow’s free templates are royalty-free for personal and commercial projects, but each licence covers one end product, for yourself or for one client. Using the same template for another client needs another licence.
Best for: designers who want design control without writing code.
Framer
Framer has many free “remix” templates shared by designers. There is no single platform-wide licence for free templates, so the terms depend on each creator.
Best for: modern landing pages and portfolios.
Wix and Squarespace
Both include free templates with their plans. You build and host on their platform, and moving the site elsewhere later is difficult. See what is a website builder.
Best for: very small sites where convenience matters more than flexibility.
Free HTML and Bootstrap templates
These suit developers or anyone comfortable editing code.
HTML5 UP
Responsive HTML templates released under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. You can use them commercially, but you must credit HTML5 UP.
Start Bootstrap
Free Bootstrap templates released under the MIT licence, which allows any use, including commercial and client projects.
TemplateMo
Free HTML and CSS templates that TemplateMo says can be used for commercial and client websites, with credit links removable at no cost.
BootstrapMade
Free templates, but read the terms closely. The free licence requires keeping the “Designed by BootstrapMade” footer credit and does not allow using the template to build websites for clients or to charge for your work. Client work needs its paid licence.
Colorlib
A large collection of free HTML templates. Colorlib’s current licence page allows commercial use and removing the footer credit, but older templates were released with a credit requirement, so check the licence note included with the template you download.
Free web design files
Figma Community
Designers share free UI kits, wireframes, and full website designs. Free Community files are published under CC BY 4.0, which allows commercial use as long as you credit the original creator.
Best for: planning a website layout before building it, or handing a design to a developer.
Quick comparison
|
Source |
Platform |
Business use |
Client work |
Credit required |
|
WordPress.org themes |
WordPress |
Yes (GPL) |
Yes |
No |
|
Kadence (free) |
WordPress |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Astra (free) |
WordPress |
Yes |
Check terms |
No |
|
Elementor kits |
WordPress |
Varies |
Varies |
Varies |
|
Shopify free themes |
Shopify |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Webflow (free) |
Webflow |
Yes |
One client per licence |
No |
|
Framer (free remix) |
Framer |
Varies by creator |
Varies |
Varies |
|
HTML5 UP |
HTML |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Start Bootstrap |
HTML/Bootstrap |
Yes (MIT) |
Yes |
No |
|
TemplateMo |
HTML |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
BootstrapMade (free) |
HTML/Bootstrap |
Personal use |
No |
Yes |
|
Colorlib |
HTML |
Yes |
Yes |
Check template |
|
Figma Community |
Design files |
Yes (CC BY 4.0) |
Yes |
Yes |
Summary based on each provider’s published terms in 2026. Licences change, so confirm on the provider’s site before use.
Which free template source suits you?
|
Your situation |
Where to start |
|
Not technical, need a business website |
WordPress.org theme with Kadence or Astra starter templates |
|
Opening an online store |
Shopify free themes |
|
Designer, no coding |
Webflow or Framer |
|
Developer |
Start Bootstrap, TemplateMo, or HTML5 UP |
|
Planning a site for a developer to build |
Figma Community |
Before you launch a site built on a free template
- Delete all demo content, including sample pages, posts, and products
- Replace every stock image with real photos of your business
- Rewrite all placeholder text in your own words
- Apply your brand colours, fonts, and logo
- Remove plugins and features you do not use, since they slow the site down
- Test speed on mobile with PageSpeed Insights. See Core Web Vitals
- Set page titles, meta descriptions, and headings for your keywords
- Check contact forms work and include a privacy notice. See PDPA compliance for websites
- Keep the required credit link if the licence asks for it
- Set up analytics so you can see what visitors do
- Turn on updates and backups
For the full list, see our website launch checklist.
Never use “free premium” themes
Sites offering paid themes for free, often called nulled themes, are one of the most common ways small business websites get hacked. They can hide malicious code or spam links and they do not receive security updates. An official free theme is always the safer choice. See what is website security.
The limits of free web design templates
Free templates are a good way to get online quickly or test an idea. For a website that has to bring in customers, the limits show up fast:
- Same look as thousands of other sites. Popular templates are everywhere, which makes it harder to stand out.
- Extra code you do not need. Demo features and bundled scripts slow pages down and hurt rankings.
- SEO is left to you. Heading structure, schema, and internal links are rarely set up for your keywords.
- Designed for the demo, not your customers. Layouts look good with sample content but are not built around how your customers decide to enquire or buy.
- Harder to grow. Adding bookings, ecommerce, or integrations to a rigid template can end up costing more than building it properly.
If your website is a real source of leads or sales, a design built around your business usually pays back. See AI website builder vs professional web development and web design cost.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find free web design templates?
The WordPress.org theme directory, Kadence and Astra starter templates, Shopify’s free themes, Webflow’s free templates, Figma Community, and HTML libraries such as HTML5 UP, Start Bootstrap, and TemplateMo.
Can I use free website templates for a business website?
Usually yes, but check the licence. Some require a credit link in the footer, and a few free licences, such as BootstrapMade’s, restrict commercial or client use.
Can I use a free template to build a website for a client?
It depends on the licence. WordPress.org themes (GPL), Start Bootstrap (MIT), and TemplateMo allow client work. Webflow’s free licence covers one client per licence. BootstrapMade’s free licence does not allow client work.
Do I have to keep the credit link in the footer?
Only if the licence requires it. HTML5 UP and Figma Community files require credit, and BootstrapMade’s free licence requires its footer credit. WordPress.org themes and Start Bootstrap do not.
Are free website templates bad for SEO?
Not automatically, but many include unused code that slows the site, and none are set up for your keywords. Clean up the template, test speed, and set up titles, headings, and structure properly.
Should I use a free template or hire a web designer?
A free template is fine for a simple site or to get started. If your website needs to generate enquiries or sales, a custom design usually performs better on speed, SEO, and conversion.
The bottom line
There are plenty of good free web design templates, from WordPress and Shopify themes to Webflow, Figma, and HTML libraries. The most important step is reading the licence, especially for credit links and client work. Clean the template up properly before launch, and when your website becomes a key source of customers, move from a template to a design built around your business.
Ready to move beyond a template? Talk to MediaPlus Digital about web design and development, and claim a free RM300 audit.
