When considering setting up a website as a small business owner, there are numerous website builders to choose from, each with their own strengths.
In order to assist you in saving time, we have assembled a compilation of the most commendable options for you to consider.
Best website builders for small businesses
1. Durable
Our top recommendation for a website builder is Durable.
In just 30 seconds, with Durable, you can create a website for your small business that includes copy and images.
Durable makes it easier to face and handle the difficulties of starting and running a small business.
We’ll demonstrate how this 30-second AI website builder works.
- Head to the homepage, click “Generate your website.”
- Durable automatically locates where you’re based. You might see a pop-up on the left top of your browser asking for you to grant location access. Click “Allow.”
- Next, click “Get Started.”
- Enter the type of business you’re building (click on “See some suggestions” if you’re unsure).
- Enter your business name (If you don’t have one, click “See some suggestions”).
- The website automatically generates.
- To edit the content or anything else, you just need to sign up.
Durable’s most prominent characteristic is its AI website builder that is capable of generating a fully equipped website, including images and content, within a span of 30 seconds.
By following a step-by-step approach, this technology significantly minimizes the time and effort required for website creation. Small businesses can swiftly establish an online presence without dedicating extensive periods to website development.
Features and benefits
AI website builder
Durable’s main highlight is its AI website builder, capable of generating a full website including images and content within a span of 30 seconds.
By following a step-by-step approach, this technology significantly decreases the time and energy required for website creation. Small businesses can swiftly establish an online presence, avoiding the need to allocate days or weeks to website development.
Comprehensive AI suite
By utilizing AI-driven tools like a CRM, invoicing system, and AI assistant, you can secure a comprehensive solution that addresses different operational requirements.
Durable offers a comprehensive method for managing an online business, which includes handling customer interactions using the CRM and ensuring effortless invoicing.
Onboarding simplicity
With Durable, the onboarding process is straightforward as it leads you through homepage interaction and assists in website generation with only a few uncomplicated steps.
By providing a frictionless onboarding experience, you can immediately start benefiting from the platform without the need for any technical knowledge.
2. Wix
Wix website builder provides a wide range of tools, including Wix Bookings, specifically tailored for small businesses.
With Wix, you have the option to select from over 900 free professionally designed templates or utilize the user-friendly drag-and-drop interface to create your own design.
In addition, Wix provides various features and tools that cater specifically to businesses, including capabilities for e-commerce, bookings, subscriptions, and marketing.
Wix also offers a vast range of apps in its market, which enables you to enhance your website with additional features and capabilities.
Features and benefits
Easy sign-up and seamless user experience
To create an account, all you have to do is sign up using your email and password. The process is simple and straightforward.
Once you have signed up, Wix presents a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, which enables you to create and design your website even if you have no coding expertise.
Versatile design templates
Wix offers a variety of over 900 templates, which have been categorized according to different industries.
By offering a range of templates, you have the ability to design a website that suits your brand image and possesses a distinctive, professional appearance, without the need to employ a professional designer.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is frequently chosen as the top website builder for creative businesses due to its emphasis on design and aesthetics.
It provides a variety of visually appealing templates that are tailored to present the work of artists, photographers, designers, and other creative professionals in a unique way.
The platform provides a range of features and tools specifically designed for creative businesses.
- Portfolio pages
- Image galleries
- e-commerce functionality
Creating a professional website is made easy by the drag-and-drop interface of the platform.
Features and benefits
Aesthetic appeal
Squarespace is known for its visually impressive and minimalist designs.
The term “Minimalist” is used to describe a design style that gives priority to the fundamental aspects of a website. Consequently, the website becomes uncomplicated and straightforward to navigate.
Accelerated mobile pages (AMP)
Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a technology that generates optimized versions of web pages with reduced weight, enabling faster loading on mobile devices.
Squarespace offers AMP support for blog posts, which aids in enhancing the mobile browsing experience for your site visitors.
Multiple contributors and access levels
Squarespace allows you to invite multiple people to log in and work on your site by adding them as contributors. You can assign each contributor different permissions, depending on their role and responsibilities.
Included in the permission levels are:
- Owner
- Administrator
- Website Editor
- Scheduling Editor, and more
4. WordPress.org
One the best open-source platforms for creating custom websites is WordPress.org, which is included in our list due to its flexibility, potent features, and extensive community of users and developers.
With intuitive editing, flexible design tools, and powerful features, WordPress.org enables you to create a custom site and efficiently manage it.
Furthermore, with over 60,000 plugins at your disposal, you have the ability to enhance your website’s features to cater to specific requirements.
If you are not confident in managing your hosting and domain, you might consider setting up and maintaining a WordPress.org site to be too challenging due to the learning curve involved.
Features and benefits
Open-source software
The fact that the source code is freely available to the public is what being open-source means, as it fosters collaboration and ongoing enhancements.
By thinking step by step, you can rephrase the text while retaining its meaning without adding or removing any information. This method provides great flexibility in website development, preventing users from being tied to a limited range of customization options on a specific platform.
Extensive blogging features
WordPress began its journey as a blogging platform and, in consequence, incorporates a broad range of robust blogging functionalities.
It enables distinguishing between posts and pages, provides a user-friendly editor, organizes content by means of tags and categories, and allows for moderation of user comments.
Complete monetization freedom
When you use WordPress.org, there are no limitations on the ad networks that you can utilize.
As a website owner, you have the freedom to seamlessly incorporate various ad networks, such as Google AdSense or Mediavine, which enables you to explore multiple avenues for monetization and potential sources of revenue.
5. Webflow
Websites that have visual editing software that can be accessed through a browser.
With Webflow, you are in control of creating customized websites that give you full authority over user experience.
With Webflow, it is possible to:
- Design content-rich layouts
- Establish unique e-commerce platforms
- Generate revenue from exclusive member content
- Curate captivating experiences through dynamic interactions and animations
Feature and benefits
Visual designer
Webflow’s standout feature is its ability to allow you to engage in real-time visual building, giving you the opportunity to witness your designs coming to life as you create them.
This interactivity and flexibility are designed to be most suitable for various types of websites, removing the limitations of traditional coding methods.
Customization
With Webflow, you have the option to choose from its appealing templates or begin building a website from scratch, enabling each website to convey its own distinctive narrative that mirrors the creator’s individuality.
Collaboration
When using Workspace plans, it is easy for teams to collaborate and combine their ideas, resulting in a unified digital masterpiece.
6. Weebly
Weebly, which is now part of the Square family, offers an interface that is easy for beginners and is also affordable.
It enables even individuals with limited technical knowledge to make their digital vision a reality.
Weebly stands out due to its intuitive design and functionality.
Weebly offers versatility through its dual editor system, consisting of the classic site builder and the e-commerce builder, allowing you to create simple websites or more intricate e-commerce platforms based on your preferences and requirements.
Features and benefits
E-commerce upgrade
By utilizing Weebly, you can conveniently transform your site into an e-commerce content management system, enabling you to directly sell products or services from your website.
Various apps and integrations
If there is no integration available, you can utilize numerous apps on Weebly.
If there is an integration you need that is not included in Weebly, it is highly probable that there is an app available that will resolve your issue.
Your website is provided with flexibility and customization options.
SEO and marketing tools
Weebly has incorporated tools for search engine optimization (SEO), lead generation, and statistical analysis.
It is especially advantageous for businesses that desire to grow their online presence and enhance conversion rates.
7. GoDaddy – Best for integrated tools
Ideal for small businesses looking to effortlessly create a website, online store, or domain-based email.
GoDaddy holds the second highest percentage of the market among website builders, which is 27.9%.
With an intuitive website builder, GoDaddy prides itself on its platform embedded with tools that make the process of building a website easier.
When considering your options, you have the choice of utilizing GoDaddy’s Artificial Design Intelligence editor or selecting from a wide range of design templates. These templates can be customized to your preference by using a drag-and-drop editor.
Features and benefits
E-commerce and business tools
In addition to the usual features for building websites, GoDaddy provides assistance in boosting your online sales through its guidance on creating product descriptions that connect with potential customers.
To distinguish oneself in the competitive e-commerce industry, this guidance highlights the significance of incorporating storytelling aspects and showcasing distinctive value propositions.
The structure of the website builder on the platform is designed in a step-by-step manner.
- Facilitate online sales
- Manage appointments
- Integrate social media
- Execute email marketing campaigns
GoDaddy bookkeeping
This tool is designed for users operating e-commerce websites to easily manage their books even without any accounting expertise.
Some of the main features of GoDaddy Bookkeeping include:
- Automatic creation and sending of invoices.
- Current-year business reports, including profit and loss.
- Ability to accept payment via credit or debit card on a mobile device.
24/7 support
GoDaddy stands out from the competition by providing distinct customer support options, such as SMS, call, and email.
8. Zyro
Zyro and Hostinger are two separate platforms that are related to each other.
Zyro caters to individuals looking for a fast, effective, and easy-to-use platform for website creation, without the need for extensive coding or advanced design skills.
Zyro’s pricing is competitive, enabling small businesses and solopreneurs with limited budgets to afford it.
Feature and benefits
Flawless templates
Zyro provides a wide selection of website templates, totaling over 100, that can be customized to meet your specific needs. These templates are professionally designed to ensure a visually appealing and user-friendly website, allowing you to quickly launch your online presence.
Easy editing
Zyro’s drag-and-drop editor simplifies the customization process of your website’s layout. You have the ability to rearrange elements on the page, alter colors, fonts, buttons, text, and images to construct an individualized appearance for your website. The editor is user-friendly and easy to grasp, eliminating the necessity of possessing design or coding skills in order to produce an attractive website.
AI tools
Zyro provides innovative AI tools that aid in website construction and expansion. An instance of this is the AI Writer tool, which can produce website content by utilizing your provided information. This can prove beneficial for individuals with limited writing skills or uncertainty about what to include on their website, as it saves time and effort.
9. Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that aims to provide businesses of all sizes, including budding startups and well-established operations, with the tools to succeed.
Shopify’s main focus is on simplifying the process of selling products online, extending to web, mobile, and physical stores.
Businesses can reach larger audiences and benefit from multiple revenue streams due to its integration capabilities with social media platforms and various online marketplaces.
Features and benefits
Unified commerce platform
With Shopify, it is possible to bring together all your commerce activities in one place.
By consolidating, you can simplify the management of multiple tools and have a unified solution for all your business needs.
Shopify POS
Shopify’s Point Of Sale (POS) feature enables you to carry out offline product sales by using a card reader. As a result, you can sell your products in person at events, pop-ups, or within a retail store setting.
With the integration of the POS system with your online store, you have the ability to handle your inventory and sales in a single location.
Out-of-the-box SEO tools
Shopify’s CMS is expertly designed by SEO professionals to enhance your website’s search engine rankings.
By optimizing your website for search engines during its creation, you can attract more organic traffic without requiring any extra effort on your part.
10. 10Web
Similar to Durable, 10Web also utilizes AI to create a complete website including content and images. However, it is worth noting that 10Web solely serves as a website builder, whereas Durable offers a range of tools specifically designed to assist in establishing and growing a small business.
With ease and precision, 10Web enables you to bring your vision to life on the web.
Features and benefits
AI assistant
With 10Web’s AI Assistant, additional features are provided for major WordPress plugins to help you create superior content.
By following a step-by-step approach, it is possible to utilize artificial intelligence in order to generate premium content for your website even if you lack writing abilities. The AI assistant provided considerably diminishes the time and energy required for crafting website content, facilitating significant savings.
Backup and restore
To contemplate the loss of valuable website data is intimidating, but 10Web addresses this worry with its strong backup and restore capabilities.
By thinking step by step, you can rephrase the following text without adding or removing any information: This ensures the preservation of your website data and guarantees the continuity of your business even in the event of unforeseen setbacks.
The feature is crucial for e-commerce websites and blogs as they deal with significant amounts of data.
Cloud hosting
With the use of Google Cloud, 10Web’s cloud hosting guarantees rapid loading of websites, delivering a smooth browsing experience to users and visitors.
If you want to strengthen your online presence, it is important to consider fast load times as they have an impact on search engine rankings.
11. 1&1 IONOS MyWebsite Now
1&1, which has been in the web hosting industry for a long time (refer to our 1&1 IONOS review), primarily caters to small businesses globally. Additionally, its web builder platform, MyWebsite Now, is also reliable and trustworthy.
All packages come with a complimentary domain and a professional email address. Based on our experience, the interface is extremely user-friendly, offering a plethora of options cleverly tucked away in popup boxes to avoid clutter. There are over 400 templates available for selection, searchable by topic or keyword. Additionally, the option to incorporate an integrated online store with various payment and shipping choices is also provided.
This service is highly suitable for small businesses. It is slightly pricier compared to other website builders on this list, but it does provide 24/7 phone and email support. The support team tends to respond promptly, although there is no live chat available. Although there is no free trial, users are offered a 30-day money-back guarantee.
12. Strikingly
If you’re interested in creating a one-page website, Strikingly is a compelling choice. This is particularly beneficial if you’re starting a small creative business. Strikingly provides a beginner-friendly editor and site creation tools designed specifically for landing pages and one-pagers.
There are ecommerce and blogging functionalities that can be added with simple online store and blog modules. Your choices are limited to only 29 templates, which keeps things nice and simple.
If you want to begin with a strikingly.com domain, there is an available free plan. However, paid plans have competitive prices and start at a minimum. While the basic Limited plan allows selling only up to five products, this limit can be expanded with the Pro and VIP plans. These plans also provide additional features and eliminate transaction fees entirely for VIP plan users.
13. Gator
If you do not have an interest in ecommerce or the aesthetics of your website, but are solely looking to create a simple and cost-effective site efficiently, then we have a highly recommended option for you.
In addition to offering excellent web hosting services, Hostgator also provides its own Gator website builder, which utilizes a drag-and-drop interface. Our evaluation determined that Gator is a reliable and straightforward service that offers all the essential features required by small businesses, such as support for password-protected pages and the option to incorporate an online store.
We were somewhat disappointed by the limited customization options available for our online store. Additionally, we found the SEO tools to be subpar and the templates to be quite similar. Moreover, the absence of email marketing tools, the inability to schedule blog posts, and the lack of visitor commenting capabilities were further drawbacks.
If you are not bothered by any of those factors, it is a good option. Particularly because there is reliable 24/7 assistance available via live chat, phone, and email in case you require any help.
14. Bluehost
The website builder services we have mentioned thus far are user-friendly, but lack significant customization options. If you desire a tailored online representation for your creative business, you should contemplate utilizing Bluehost’s web builder. While there is no free version or trial, the prices are quite competitive.
Bluehost operates on top of WordPress, providing a wide range of choices to enhance your website with the vast array of available WordPress plugins. During our assessment, we observed its user-friendly nature, significantly easier compared to constructing a WordPress site from the ground up. Additionally, we valued the accessibility of round-the-clock customer support, as well as the inclusion of exceptional tools for email marketing and analytics.
The only downside was the page load speed. During our tests, a page we made on Bluehost took an average of 2.63 seconds to load, whereas a simple WordPress website developed on DreamHost loaded in just 139ms. This could be enhanced by utilizing options for configuring content delivery networks and other optimizations, but it can be a bit cumbersome.
Despite some minor drawbacks, Bluehost Website Builder is an excellent choice for creating a WordPress-based website.
Does my business need a website?
In 2023, it is essential for nearly all businesses to have a digital presence, even for those operating in physical locations. Currently, there is a growing trend of people shopping and conducting research for their purchases through online platforms. Therefore, if you lack an online presence, you are missing out on chances for potential customers to discover and avail your products or services.
Many small creative businesses opt for using social media, such as Instagram, as a quick and convenient approach (refer to our guide on selling on Instagram). While this is a step in the right direction, it also implies that you may be overlooking a substantial number of potential customers and hindering your capability to effectively sell online and manage transactions. It is advisable to have a website in addition to Instagram to fully utilize its potential. This will enable you to effortlessly add products to your Instagram shop.
If you have your own website, you have greater control over various aspects such as appearing in Google search results, running ad campaigns, and providing customers with a unique URL to easily find you online. Moreover, having your own website lends a more professional appearance and boosts customer trust in financial matters.
Do I need to hire a web designer?
In the past, creating a website for a business required either learning code or hiring a web designer, both of which were time-consuming and expensive. Fortunately, nowadays there is an alternative: utilizing a web builder, which is exactly what we specialize in.
Web builder platforms are affordable, usually priced at a few dollars per month, and offer a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating and managing your website. All you need to do is select a template and effortlessly add your own images, text, and videos by dragging and dropping them. Additionally, these platforms often include a domain name and hosting for your website as part of the package.
What should a small business website include?
The content of a small business website can vary depending on the specific company, as every business is unique. Nevertheless, it is generally necessary to have a homepage where visitors can find information about the nature of your business and the services or products it provides. Additionally, visitors will typically anticipate finding an ‘About us’ page with more thorough details about the company, as well as a ‘Contact us’ page providing information on how to get in touch. This page should include an address, telephone number, and email, along with links to any pertinent social media accounts.
You may also want to consider including other pages on your website, such as pages that showcase your products and/or services, an online store, a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, a testimonials/reviews page, a page with links to press stories about your company, and a blog or ‘latest news’ page. However, if you choose to include a blog or news page, it is important to consistently update it; otherwise, it will give your website a disorganized and outdated appearance.
What’s the best website builder for small business?
We have chosen Wix as the top website builder for small businesses mainly due to its affordability, user-friendly interface, and clear emphasis on small business needs. The website building process is extremely straightforward and intuitive, even for individuals without technical skills. In terms of design options, there are over 500 templates specifically designed for various types of enterprises, including finance, law, farming, and gardening. However, if you intend to incorporate an online store into your website, you might find Weebly more cost-effective in this aspect of pricing.
What’s the best website builder for a creative business?
When it comes to creative businesses like design shops, photography studios, or illustration practices, the attractiveness of your website is crucial as it influences instant judgments. Price and ease of use are not the sole determinants. Therefore, you may consider investing a bit more for visually appealing templates. You can find recommendations for the best website builders for photographers on our list.
When considering the best website builder for creative businesses, our top recommendation is Squarespace due to its visually appealing templates created by top designers. These templates are optimized for various devices such as laptops, desktop computers, phones, and tablets. In addition, Squarespace provides a user-friendly interface, excellent SEO tools, and affordable options for adding an online shop.
What’s the best free website builder for small business?
Although web builders often provide a free forever plan, it is generally constrained in terms of storage and bandwidth, and it will usually display the provider’s name in the URL and include ads on the site. Nevertheless, this option allows you to establish a basic online presence for your business and test it out. Consequently, you can explore without any financial commitment. If you discover that having an online presence is beneficial for generating income, then you can contemplate upgrading to a paid plan, which might have a minimal cost.
Currently, the most advantageous free website builder for small businesses is the free plan provided by Wix. However, it is important to note that this plan only includes 500MB storage and 500MB bandwidth. While this is sufficient for a basic website, it will restrict the number of images you can add and does not support video content.
As previously stated, Wix will include its own advertisements on your homepage and provide you with a URL that features their branding. However, if you can tolerate these aspects, you can indeed create a website for free, which has its benefits, especially if you simply want to experience having your own site.
