In today’s digital age, having a website is crucial for the success of small businesses. A well-designed and user-friendly website not only helps establish an online presence but also enables businesses to connect with their target audience, showcase their products or services, and ultimately drive sales. The good news is that you no longer need to hire a designer to build a sleek website. You can do it yourself, even if you’re a complete beginner. The best website builders are affordable, easy to use, have lots of visually appealing templates, and let you scale your online presence as your business grows. In this article, we’ll review and compare the top 10 website builders on the market to help you pick the one that truly fits your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Wix offers a wide range of templates and robust customization options.
- Hostinger Website Builder includes generative AI tools to save time.
- Shopify is ideal for e-commerce businesses with its extensive sales features.
- WordPress provides flexibility and a vast plugin ecosystem for various needs.
- Squarespace is known for its stunning design templates and ease of use.
1. Wix
Wix is a versatile and top website builder for small businesses, best known for its ease of use and wide range of design options. It serves more than 220 million users worldwide, making it one of the most popular choices for creating a website.
Key Features
- Over 800 professionally-designed templates
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Natively integrated payment platform
- Responsive support team
- Free and paid themes
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
| Free | $0/month |
| Premium | From $16/month |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large selection of templates
- Intuitive interface
- Robust e-commerce tools
- Excellent uptime
Cons:
- Free plan includes ads
- Cannot switch templates after site launch
Wix is perfect for small businesses that want to build their online presence without involving experienced designers.
2. Hostinger Website Builder
Hostinger Website Builder is a user-friendly solution that allows you to create stunning websites effortlessly. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and extensive feature set, this tool stands out from the competition.
Key Features
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Best for: Site owners who want an all-in-one solution
- Price: Starts at $3.99/month
Why We Picked It
Hostinger’s website builder has a growing list of new features and welcome improvements that help it stand out in the crowded space. For example, you can easily drag and drop elements to make attractive pages and functional e-commerce shops. We also appreciate the included extra touches, such as its logo maker, free SSL certificate, and photo repository for uploaded images. Just note that there is no free tier.
Hostinger is recognized for its blend of user-friendliness and powerful features. It offers a platform for small businesses keen on establishing a robust online presence. It caters to many industries and is ideal for businesses looking for simplicity and functionality in their website builder.
3. Shopify
Shopify is an all-in-one solution and the premier choice for business owners selling products online. The platform was made for online sales, offering access to user-friendly design and e-commerce tools without sacrificing functionality. Shopify powers millions of businesses and is known for its affordable pricing, beautiful website designs, and helpful marketing tools.
Key Features
- Payment gateway integration: Shopify integrates with over 100 payment gateways, allowing users to accept customer payments easily.
- Order management: Shopify allows users to manage their orders, including tracking shipping and fulfillment. It also includes refunds, cancellations, and order editing.
- Marketing tools: Shopify includes various marketing tools to promote an online store, including email campaigns, discount codes, and social media integrations.
Pricing
Shopify offers pricing plans starting at $29 per month, with additional transaction fees for some plans.
| Plan | Price per Month | Transaction Fees |
| Basic | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Shopify | $79 | 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Advanced | $299 | 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction |
Customer Support
Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone.
Shopify stands out as a robust solution designed to streamline the online selling process for e-commerce businesses of various sizes. With its user-friendly interface and powerful built-in features, Shopify can significantly contribute to your online business’s growth and operational efficiency.
4. WordPress
WordPress is a powerful content management system (CMS) that offers extensive flexibility with thousands of plugins and themes. It creates website builders from blogs to e-commerce stores. Its open-source nature means you have full control over your site’s functionality and design.
Key Features
- Thousands of plugins and themes
- Open-source platform
- Full control over site functionality and design
Pros
- Highly flexible and customizable
- Suitable for any type of website
- Strong community support
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to other builders
- Requires more hands-on management
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
| Free | $0 |
| Personal | $4/month |
| Premium | $8/month |
| Business | $25/month |
WordPress.com is a user-friendly website builder that caters to both beginners and experienced users, offering a simple drag-and-drop interface for creating and editing your website.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is renowned for its sleek templates and design-forward approach, making it a favorite among creatives and entrepreneurs. Its user interface is super intuitive, allowing users to maintain control over the website creation process without sacrificing customization options.
Key Features
- Fluid Engine: Allows users to resize and reposition content blocks easily, providing greater flexibility.
- All-in-One Platform: No need for advanced technical skills, making it ideal for artists and boutique shops.
- Responsive Design: Ensures your website looks great on mobile screens.
- E-commerce Capabilities: Deep e-commerce functionalities for serious users.
- Custom Code: Offers the ability to add custom code for more advanced features.
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
| Personal | $16/month |
| Business | $26/month |
| Basic Commerce | $30/month |
| Advanced Commerce | $46/month |
Best For
Squarespace is best for monetizing websites and is particularly suited for creators and small business owners seeking a blend of style and functionality.
Squarespace offers a range of clean, modern templates for creating professional-looking websites. Its unique Fluid Engine feature provides greater flexibility in design, making it a favored choice for those aiming to create an aesthetically pleasing online presence.
6. Webflow
Webflow is an innovative and visual-oriented website builder designed for businesses and individuals. It distinguishes itself by combining a comprehensive CMS with powerful design capabilities, ready to cater to a broad spectrum of needs, from simple blogs to intricate e-commerce platforms.
Key Features
- eCommerce tools: Webflow offers eCommerce tools, including payment integrations and inventory management.
- Interactions and animations: Webflow provides an advanced animations feature, allowing users to create dynamic and engaging website experiences.
- Collaboration: This website builder platform allows for collaborative website building, enabling multiple team members to work on a website simultaneously.
Webflow Stats
| Feature | Details |
| Rating | 4.4/5 |
| Best for | Intermediate to advanced users |
| Price | Freemium |
Design and Coding
Webflow offers a blend of visual design tools and the ability to write and edit HTML/CSS code directly. It also has an edit-only mode that copywriters and bloggers can use to change the text on a page without worrying about messing up design elements.
Webflow continues to stand out as one of the leading website builders in 2024, offering an impressive blend of functionality, flexibility, and user-friendly design. This powerful website-building tool allows you to bring your creative visions to life with ease.
7. Square
Square, which merged with Weebly, offers a user-friendly experience with its easy drag-and-drop editor, making it accessible even for beginners. Square Online is a versatile website builder that empowers users to create professional and customizable online stores with ease. With its user-friendly interface and intuitive tools, Square Online enables individuals and businesses to design visually appealing websites tailored to their brand identity.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Responsive design capabilities
- Integration with Square for payments
- Real-time shipping and coupons
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
| Free | $0 |
| Professional | $12/month |
| Performance | $26/month |
| Premium | $72/month |
Best For
Square Online is best for eCommerce, especially for those who are just starting out or looking to expand their online presence. The platform’s integration with Square for payments makes it a strong choice for online sellers.
With responsive design capabilities, websites built with Square Online are optimized for various devices, enhancing accessibility for customers.
8. Duda
Duda is a powerful website builder founded in 2009, designed for budding web professionals, agencies, and freelancers. It offers multiple features for website builders including white labeling, client management tools, and tons of integrations to make the website more useful and seamless.
Duda Stats
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Best for: Web agencies
- Price: Starts at $14/month
Key Features
- Personalized content capabilities for dynamic user experiences
- Team-based tools for streamlined collaboration between designers, developers, and clients
- Professional templates and a drag-and-drop interface for easy website creation
Pros
- White-label options for building client websites
- Extensive client management tools
- Numerous integrations for enhanced functionality
Duda is a great option for agency owners who want to quickly build professional websites for clients that are neat, well-organized, and filled with features.
9. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a widely recognized domain registration and web hosting brand that extends its services to website building, tailored specifically for small businesses looking for a robust online presence. GoDaddy Website Builder shines with its simplicity and integrates seamlessly with GoDaddy’s robust web hosting services.
Key Features
- User-friendly interface
- Various design templates
- E-commerce solutions
- Marketing tools
- Customizable themes
- SSL security
- Mobile responsive
- SEO tools
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
| Website Builder – Basic | $9.99/mth |
| Website Builder – Premium | $14.99/mth |
| Website Builder – Commerce | $16.99/mth |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great 24/7 tech support
- Affordable subscription plans
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Limited fonts and layout adjustments
- Inflexible templates
GoDaddy is best for beginners and those who have already purchased a custom domain from GoDaddy. It stresses ease of use without abandoning essential website functionalities.
10. Jimdo
Jimdo is a user-friendly website builder perfect for beginners. Its intuitive platform makes professional website creation easy, with a slight learning curve at the start. This builder shines in mobile optimization, delivering fast page load times and mobile-responsive templates, ensuring a positive user experience on mobile devices.
Jimdo Stats
- Rating: 4.0/5
- Best for: Beginners
- Price: Freemium
Top Features of Jimdo
- Professional templates
- Social media integration
- SEO tools
- Mobile optimization
Ideal User Demographic
Best for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses that need a basic online presence.
Pricing Structure
Jimdo has a free basic plan, with premium plans that offer more features.
If your site prioritizes imagery, Jimdo might just be the website builder you need. The option to have unlimited storage space is there also, which helps photography sites.
Conclusion
In today’s digital landscape, having a robust online presence is essential for small businesses to thrive. The top 10 website builders we’ve reviewed offer a variety of features, pricing plans, and customer support options to cater to diverse business needs. Whether you’re looking for e-commerce capabilities, user-friendly design tools, or advanced marketing and SEO features, there’s a website builder out there that can help you achieve your goals. By evaluating your specific requirements and budget, you can select the best platform to streamline your online presence and drive your business forward. Remember, the right website builder can make all the difference in establishing a successful online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does A Website Builder Work?
A website builder is a tool that allows users to create a website without needing to write code. It typically features drag-and-drop functionality, templates, and various customization options to help users design their site.
Do I Need Technical Skills to Use a Website Builder?
No, most website builders are designed to be user-friendly and cater to individuals with little to no technical skills. They offer intuitive interfaces and pre-designed templates to make the process straightforward.
Can I Use My Own Domain Name with a Website Builder?
Yes, most website builders allow you to use your own domain name. You can either purchase a domain through the builder or connect an existing domain that you own.
Are There Free Website Builders Available?
Yes, there are free website builders available, but they often come with limitations such as ads, limited storage, and fewer customization options. Premium plans offer more features and greater flexibility.
Can I Switch Website Builders Later?
Switching website builders can be challenging and may require rebuilding your site on the new platform. It’s important to choose a builder that aligns with your long-term needs to avoid complications.
How Important is Customer Support for Website Builders?
Customer support is crucial, especially if you encounter technical issues or need assistance with your site. Look for website builders that offer robust customer support options, including live chat, email, and phone support.