With numerous site builders available, it’s important to find the one that suits your needs and your future website. You desire a simple yet aesthetically pleasing solution that is also affordable and efficient. You seek the ideal combination of speed, affordability, and quality. Is it truly possible to have all three? Our thorough testing enables us to present you with the finest site builders available.
What is a Website Builder?
A website builder is a helpful tool for creating a website, which can serve as an effective platform for sharing information, displaying products or services, and building a community. With it, one can develop various types of websites, including online stores, blogs, or art galleries.
A website builder is intended for individuals without training or expertise in web design and development, eliminating the need for coding knowledge or design experience. By selecting a template, adding content, and utilizing drag-and-drop tools for customization, users can effortlessly create a professional-looking website. The website builder takes care of the remaining tasks, ensuring that the website not only appears aesthetically pleasing but also functions according to the user’s preferences. This efficient approach allows for the swift creation of a fully functional website.
5 Best Drag and Drop Website Builders in 2023
1. Wix: Currently (and for the Foreseeable Future) the Best of the Best
For a considerable time, Wix has consistently held the top spot on our site builder lists. The reason behind this is that Wix is incredibly difficult to rival when it comes to features, functionality, and value for money, regardless of the currency used.
It is inexpensive, it offers a wide variety of templates and features, and it has a dedicated user community. Additionally, there are numerous supplementary applications such as the Wix Logo Maker, a multitude of marketing tools, and others.
Features
- Over 800 templates. That’s right, over 800 templates designed for every conceivable purpose and industry. And if you really want to, you can even choose a blank template to design your site from scratch.
- Exceptional app store. With over 300 apps to choose from, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to add the exact features you want, whether that’s pricing tables, maps, fancy image galleries, or even online bookings.
- Robust e-commerce. Wix Stores is technically… well… an app. But that doesn’t mean it’s not powerful, and fully featured with inventory management, tax and shipping calculation, and pretty much everything else you’d need for a small- to medium-sized online store.
- Wix SEO Wiz. One of Wix’s side services is an SEO tool that literally uses machine learning to do most of your SEO work for you. It’s free, too. Hard to argue with that.
2. SITE123: Probably the Simplest Site Builder
SITE123 is named to reflect its philosophy of quickly setting up a fully-fledged website. The aim is to have you up and running within minutes with a site that is reasonably comprehensive. In case you don’t have your text and images prepared, you can utilize SITE123’s free resources like images, videos, and icons to create a website that exudes professionalism.
If you are looking for a simple and hassle-free way to create a website for your business, portfolio, wedding announcement, blog, or CV without putting too much effort into the design, this website builder is perfect for you. Additionally, if you wish to incorporate an online store, SITE123 can handle that as well.
The only catch is that SITE123’s free plan lacks some features, but it’s a great opportunity to become familiar with the builder. It does include useful features such as a schedule booking tool and links for social media and audio/video streaming. The paid plans offer even more impressive features, making them a worthwhile investment.
Features
- Extremely simple site building. This site builder, like many others, allows you to add pre-made blocks of content to your page, and focuses on quick and easy edits. It’s not very flexible and you don’t get total control over your design, but it’s fast.
- E-commerce and marketing features. You can build a simple store and process your payments through Stripe, PayPal, Square, Amazon Pay, and other services. You can also send up to 10,000 marketing emails per month. You’ll need the Professional or Gold plan to do this, but it’s worth it if you plan to do a lot of business online.
- Useful apps. The app market contains third-party tools for things like building forms, inserting pricing tables, enabling bookings, etc. But a lot of the most popular apps are for services like Google Analytics, Hotjar, Zendesk and Facebook Chat, and other third-party business tools.
- Multilingual sites. This is a feature you don’t see in every site builder. If you’re operating in multiple countries, or even just shipping products internationally, a multi-language site is a must.
3. Squarespace: The Professional Site Builder for Beginners (And Semi-pros)
In my personal opinion, I have a strong liking for Squarespace. If I wasn’t so fixated on handling my own server and constructing websites from the beginning to achieve the sense of being a Genuine NerdTM, I would choose Squarespace.
It’s for professionals that want a sleek website, but don’t feel like paying tens of thousands of dollars for it.
Features
- A great-looking online store – Squarespace’s commitment to beautiful design extends to its full suite of online store features. As long as you have even a few decent photos of your product, whatever you sell is going to look high-end. Plus you get inventory management, tax and shipping fee calculation, selling via social media, and PayPal/Stripe/Square integrations. The practical stuff is all there.
- Solid blogging features – The blog system has all the features you’d expect – categories, tags, multiple authors, post scheduling, and more. What I really like is that you edit your blog posts the same way you edit the rest of your site: in the site builder. As you write, you’re actually seeing exactly how your post will look when you publish it.
- Third-party integrations – Squarespace doesn’t have an “app store” as such, but it is integrated with a whole bunch of third party platforms by default. You can easily add Google Maps, an OpenTable restaurant booking form, Google AMP, Google Ads, Google Analytics, Dropbox image sync, and even Flickr. (Remember Flickr?)
- Marketing, SEO, and scheduling tools – Squarespace has a built-in email marketing platform, SEO features, social sharing buttons, and even an analytics tool of its own. Everything’s right there in the same dashboard as the site builder, so you can market your content with minimal effort.
4. Webador: A Quick and Easy Builder for Simple Websites
Upon registering for a Webador account, you will be prompted to indicate whether you are interested in creating a website, webshop, or blog. This step can be skipped if desired, allowing direct access to Webador’s contemporary and mobile-ready templates. Once a template is chosen, the user will discover that the user-friendly editor facilitates the design process, even for individuals lacking experience.
To adjust the colors, text layout, and background of your template, click on “Design.” Then, go to the “Editor” to add images, videos, slideshows, text, forms, social media buttons, and more to your site using drag and drop. All your changes will be visible in real time. Remember to click on the green “Save” button if you are satisfied with your modifications, as Webador does not save them automatically.
Although Webador lacks an app market, it does provide a decent range of integrations for popular add-ons such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and popular payment gateways. Additional remarkable features to improve your site include a built-in HD video player and the ability to upload MP3 audio, which are only accessible on its paid plans.
Webador was created to provide a remarkably simple platform, meaning that it lacks complete design freedom and some advanced functionalities. Nevertheless, it serves as a suitable choice for smaller businesses, blogs, and personal websites.
Features
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth. Webador doesn’t limit the number of pages, storage (images and text) or visitors your website attracts – great for portfolios and blog sites.
- Statistics to improve search ranking. Your website’s Statistics page gives you an overview of your site’s performance. It updates each day.
- All-in-one online store. Weber’s online store is built into every template. All you have to do is upgrade your plan to start adding products, accepting payments, and fulfilling orders. The features and tools you need are there.
- Switch templates. If you’re not happy with the template you picked, you can select a new one at any time without losing your work. Webador will automatically upload your images, text, and other content to the new template.
5. IONOS: The Fastest Builder for Modern & Responsive Designs
MyWebsite Now by IONOS is a builder that enables the creation of trendy, modern websites in just minutes. The editor is user-friendly, efficient, and yields a fully responsive website that loads quickly.
IONOS’ editor functions in a similar manner to Squarespace’s. It provides a collection of pre-made sections that can be customized to accommodate various types of content. Additionally, you have the option to incorporate new sections into any portion of the page. Should you desire to modify the website’s design (such as colors or fonts), there is a specific menu available that enables you to apply global alterations, or you can choose to edit each section separately if that aligns better with your preferences.
Although MyWebsite Now is not the most customizable builder on this list, this is intentionally done. If you require additional editing features, you have the option to upgrade to MyWebsite Now Plus. This upgrade significantly enhances creative freedom and includes numerous additional features. With MyWebsite Now Plus, you will have the ability to organize elements within pre-built sections, incorporate custom HTML, expand your stored content by five times, and enable visitors to schedule appointments through a built-in online booking tool.
IONOS doesn’t offer a wide selection of templates either, but if you’re looking for a straightforward builder that can still produce impressive outcomes, it’s worth taking a closer look at IONOS.
Features
- Online stores available at any moment. Unlike other builders, IONOS doesn’t have a separate plan for online stores. Instead, you can add e-commerce functionalities at any moment for a little extra.
- Incredibly fast websites. Not only does the IONOS builder let you create websites fast, it also lets you create fast websites. Websites made with IONOS load almost immediately.
- Immediately mobile responsive. Any changes you make to the desktop version of your site are automatically reflected in the mobile version.
- Personal customer service consultant. IONOS offers a dedicated customer service agent to every customer free of charge. Your personal consultant will help you make the most of your online presence.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Website Builder in 2023
When you are building a website, there are a few factors that you need to take into account.
User-friendliness
To begin with, it is important to consider the level of ease associated with the website builder. Is it user-friendly and suitable for individuals with varying technical skills? Does it provide a tutorial or help section to assist users with the fundamental aspects? It is crucial to avoid encountering difficulties in learning how to utilize the website builder. Therefore, search for a builder that offers a user-friendly interface, capable of enhancing the experience of your website users, and provides numerous tutorials and support options.
Features
Furthermore, it is important to take into account the features offered by the website builder. Can it provide templates to assist in the initial setup? Does it allow for customization of the website’s design and layout? Does it incorporate SEO features? Assessing these features in combination will assist in determining the website builder’s utility for your specific needs.
Pricing
First, examine your budget. There are certain website builders that are free, while others necessitate a paid plan if you desire additional features. Ponder the financial impact and evaluate your choices to determine the most suitable option for your budget. Depending on your requirements, you might contemplate selecting a paid alternative, as it might offer superior features and customer service. Alternatively, you may opt to remain with a free plan.
Customization Options
Consider the level of control you desire for the design and content of your website. Different platforms vary in their degree of control, therefore, if you seek greater flexibility and personalization, it is advisable to select a builder that provides such features.
Support
When considering the support provided by a website builder, it is important to think about the type of assistance available. These days, cloud-based support is a commonly chosen alternative. In the event of any issues, it is crucial to ensure quick access to help, which can be through live chat, email, social media, or a chatbot. It is advisable to verify if the website builder provides customer service or a knowledge base containing useful information.
Aside from the aforementioned factors, it is important to take into account the features provided by the website builder. These features may include analytics, SEO optimization, e-commerce capabilities, and security features. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the ease of scalability for your website. If you foresee growth in the future, ensure that the chosen website builder is capable of accommodating such expansion.
How to Research for the Best Website Builders
Before beginning, it is essential to ask yourself a series of questions in order to narrow down your search. What kind of website do you intend to create? What specific functionalities are you seeking? Are you interested in having the ability to personalize the design? After acquiring the necessary insights, you can initiate your research on the various accessible website builders.
Check out reviews
To get an idea of which website builders are the most popular, start by researching reviews of different options. Pay attention to what other users are saying about features, design choices, customer service, and usability.
Visit their website
To have an understanding of the features and resources offered by the website builder, it is advisable to visit their official website.
Read up articles
By approaching the task methodically, you can also seek out blog posts and articles that offer comparisons of various website builders. This approach will assist you in narrowing down your options and gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the features provided by each website builder.
alk to an existing customer
In conclusion, it is advisable to seek feedback from individuals who have utilized the website builder. Their firsthand accounts can provide insights into their user experience, preferred features, and encountered issues. Such feedback aids in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the website builder’s functionality and suitability for your needs.
Free Trial
When signing up, prioritize the ones you have the most confidence in and test out their free plans. Evaluate their user-friendliness and ease of navigation during the testing process.
You can make an informed decision and find the right website builder for you by taking the time to research and compare different ones.
