We conducted a test on nine of the top website builders for small businesses. We determined the optimal builder for each type of business and ranked them according to usability, design, and customizability.
What’s great is that all of our preferred website builders provide a free trial allowing you to test out your favorites.
However, not every website builder is suitable for all businesses. Therefore, in order to determine the most suitable website builder for your business, we will thoroughly analyze and review various options.
What Is a Website Builder?
An online tool known as a website builder is specifically created to assist individuals and businesses in developing their own websites, eliminating the necessity for advanced coding skills. It provides a comprehensive package that simplifies the process of website launching, ensuring convenience, effectiveness, and affordability.
How Does a Website Builder Work
Website builders simplify the process of creating a site, particularly for beginners, by offering pre-made templates and user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces. Additionally, they provide various tools for customizing the appearance of your site, including options for color schemes and typography.
It is now possible for anyone to create a professional website without the requirement of technical skills in website design best practices and development.
Most website builders typically come with a range of features, such as search engine optimization (SEO) tools, mobile responsiveness, and integration with third-party platforms.
Users are able to improve their website’s visibility on search engines, enhance user experience, and effectively engage with their audience with the help of these features.
Website builders place a significant focus on responsive design as a vital aspect. With the increasing prevalence of mobile internet usage, the mobile optimization of a website plays a crucial role in determining its performance and rankings.
Most website builders have a feature that automatically makes your website mobile-responsive, which involves adapting its layout to fit various screen sizes.
Different Types of Website Builders
There are different types of website builders, each with their own advantages and things to consider. The three most common types are template-based, drag-and-drop, and CMS-based website builders. Furthermore, website builders can be generally classified as either online or offline.
Website builders that use templates for creating websites.
Template-based website builders are in high demand, especially for individuals who desire to establish a professional website without commencing from the beginning. These builders offer a variety of pre-designed templates.
Each website type – blogs, portfolios, eCommerce stores, and others – is created specifically for their respective purposes.
To rephrase the given text step by step, while maintaining the same meaning, we can say: 1. First, you choose a template that appeals to you. 2. Next, you replace the temporary content with your own. 3. Occasionally, you may adjust specific design elements like fonts and colors. However, the general layout of the template remains unchanged.
Website builders that use the drag-and-drop method
Drag-and-drop site builders provide a greater level of flexibility in comparison to their template-based counterparts. These builders have a user-friendly interface in which you can select various pre-made elements, including text boxes, images, and contact forms.
Users have the ability to use the website creator to drag and drop these elements onto the web page, allowing for further customizations such as resizing and repositioning.
This method allows you to create a website as you imagine it, without needing to code. It is perfect for individuals who desire complete creative authority over the appearance of their site.
Website builders that are based on content management systems.
CMS-based website builders provide the utmost flexibility and scalability, offering the highest level of these features. Platforms such as WordPress enable users to construct a website through a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) builder or directly modify the site’s code.
You have the ability to create almost any type of website and incorporate various features, such as eCommerce capabilities, forums, membership sections, and additional functionalities.
Although CMS-based builders require more effort to learn, they are an excellent option for individuals seeking a website that can expand alongside their requirements.
Comparing online and offline website builders step by step.
Based on their accessibility and usage, website builders can be categorized as either online or offline.
Online website builders are web-based applications that can be accessed through your web browser. This eliminates the need to download or install any software on your computer, as long as you have an internet connection. The key advantage of using an online website builder is its user-friendly nature. It provides users with a wide range of templates and customization choices, facilitating the creation of a high-quality website with ease.
Online builders are typically subscription-based and encompass web hosting services within the price. This form of builder is well-suited for novices and individuals desiring the ability to modify their website remotely.
Hostinger Website Builder, Wix, and Squarespace are among the popular online website builders.
Offline website builders function similarly to downloadable software programs that require installation on a computer when compared.
First, you have the option to construct the website on your device without an internet connection. Afterwards, you can transfer the completed website to a web hosting provider. Offline builders provide increased dependability as they eliminate concerns about your internet connection while building.
If you are a seasoned web developer or designer who desires complete authority over all aspects of your site and favors working without an internet connection, this can be an excellent choice. However, opting for an offline site builder can be slightly more challenging because you will have to search for a web host and manually upload your files.
Figma, Dreamweaver, and Mobirise are among the offline site builders that are widely used.
Before making a decision, carefully consider your needs, technical comfort level, and the specific features you are seeking, as the type of web builder you choose should be based on these factors. It is important to note that each type of web builder has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The best website builders for small business owners
1. Wix
Despite facing strong competition, Wix came out as the definite victor in our website testing. This website builder, which allows users to drag and drop elements to create their own website, possesses a wide range of desirable features: it is user-friendly, produces visually appealing websites, and permits extensive customization options. Remarkably, we granted it the highest scores for usability, design, and customizability. Furthermore, it offers excellent security measures to ensure the safety of both your website and your customers while online.
In addition, a significant development is that Wix has collaborated with Deepcrawl to introduce tailored SEO tools for its users, which is a remarkable achievement as these tools are exclusively designed for the Wix app store.
Naturally, Wix may not be suitable for every small-business website as one builder cannot meet the needs of all individuals. Although its prices are reasonable, they are not the lowest, and it lacks the most plugins and the best ecommerce store tools. Thus, if you have a very limited budget or intend to sell a large quantity of percale cotton sheet sets regularly, you may prefer to consider other builders from our list.
Wix remains the top website builder for most individuals due to its quality and versatility, despite its limited drawbacks.
2. WordPress
WordPress has the ability to accomplish almost anything. It offers a wide range of themes suitable for building any type of website you desire. In addition, it boasts excellent built-in blogging features, and by adding a couple of plugins, it can offer robust ecommerce solutions that rival top ecommerce website builders. However, choosing WordPress means that you will need to invest more effort and possess web design expertise.
We do not recommend WordPress to businesses that only need a small, simple website due to its steep learning curve and time-consuming customization process. If you do not plan on utilizing WordPress’s full capabilities, which require the Business plan, it would be more practical to use a simpler website builder.
If you desire control and numerous features, WordPress is the best choice. It offers a wide range of customization options and SEO tools that are ideal for daily bloggers. Additionally, online sellers can benefit from numerous ecommerce plugins. By utilizing the various plugins and templates available, WordPress allows small businesses to create attractive websites with abundant features.
3. Wix Ecommerce
Our top choice for ecommerce is Wix Ecommerce due to its unmatched features such as unlimited products, customer accounts, and excellent security features (including a free SSL certificate) that enable you to effortlessly launch your online store while enjoying everything we appreciate about Wix.
We also appreciate the fact that Wix provides Wix Payments, a built-in payment processing solution.
The only thing we didn’t love is the pricing and plans. We believe that certain features, such as subscriptions, advanced shipping, and the ability to sell across multiple sales channels, should be accessible to all online stores. However, the pricing is reasonably affordable, and when you subscribe for a year or more, the Unlimited and VIP plans offer a 50% discount.
Wix Ecommerce combines the best features of Wix and tailors them for any online business. It is worth mentioning that Wix Payments, a convenient built-in payment processing solution, is also available. Whether you own a retail store, bed-and-breakfast, or restaurant, Wix Ecommerce is suitable for your needs.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace provides everything necessary for a smaller online store. It has integrated capabilities for accepting credit card payments, monitoring customers, generating gift cards, and numerous additional functions. In contrast, other builders would necessitate the use of plugins to accomplish these tasks.
By acquiring certain plugins, you can enhance Squarespace’s ecommerce functionality even further. These plugins enable the addition of fabric swatch previews to clothing products, tracking of inventory, and highlighting of specific products.
If you run a smaller e-store, Squarespace provides all the necessary tools for creating a visually appealing and functional website. It is particularly suitable for bath bomb boutiques or cosplay supply stores. However, larger online stores with numerous monthly orders may prefer a dedicated ecommerce builder.
5. GoDaddy
If you are looking to save time on website building, GoDaddy could be the ideal platform for you as it provides an effortless site builder that allowed us to create a completed website in just 38 minutes.
Despite its ultra-fast build time, GoDaddy does have limitations, including the most limited customization options compared to our recommended builders. Its web design can be better described as “perfectly competent” rather than “stunning.” Therefore, if your food blog is your main business, you may prefer a more customizable option. Similarly, if your literature-inspired T-shirts are selling well, you would want a small business website builder that offers stronger ecommerce capabilities.
If you are in need of a basic website for your lawn service business or a small online store to sell wildlife-themed jewelry, GoDaddy is the ideal choice due to its exceptional speed and user-friendly interface.
6. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a website builder specifically designed for ecommerce. It is equipped with a wide range of tools for your online store. With numerous built-in functions and additional options through apps, BigCommerce is capable of managing all your sales and products effectively.
With all the right features, this ecommerce website builder is effective and worth investing in. It is ideal for expanding your business as it offers plans that increase in price and features. Additionally, it provides numerous POS and shipping integrations.
However, there are some disadvantages. The platform lacks positive feedback from customers and does not offer a free plan. Therefore, if you intend to establish a new ecommerce business, we suggest exploring free platforms initially.
It’s likely worth it for large online stores, even though all that will cost you a significant amount with plans beginning at $29 per month.
7. Shopfiy
Shopify, which is another ecommerce builder, provides numerous resources for business owners who are creating their first website. These resources include name generators, logo makers, and tutorials, all of which can assist you in launching your online store. However, prepare yourself for some frustration, as Shopify can be costly ($39 per month as a starting fee), difficult to navigate, and requires additional apps and paid themes to fully utilize its capabilities.
Website Builder Pros and Cons
To make an informed decision, it is important to understand the advantages and drawbacks of website builders, as they can be an excellent tool for easily creating professional-looking websites.
Website Builder Pros
There are several significant benefits provided by website builders.
Simpleness of operating
The main reason people are drawn to website builders is because they are easy to use. The top website builders are the ones that allow anyone, even those with limited technical knowledge, to create a website.
The majority of website builders offer a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to effortlessly choose items such as text boxes, images, and videos, and position them anywhere on your webpage. This user-friendly approach also applies to functionalities such as setting up a contact form, including a map, or even generating a blog.
Website builders can be used by users who cannot use HTML or CSS. Creating a website is possible for those who can use a word processor.
Options for customization
Website builders usually offer numerous free professional website templates that you can personalize. You have the option to modify various aspects such as the color scheme, font styles, overall layout, and structure of the website.
Additionally, numerous website builders provide a collection of complimentary images and seamlessly connect with free stock image websites, enhancing your range of personalization choices. This enables you to exhibit social media icons or incorporate various visual components into your website without the need for designing them anew.
By following a step-by-step approach, you can use customizable website builders to create a distinctive and polished website, thus expediting the entire development procedure.
Please rephrase the text while maintaining the same meaning: Ensuring that a website is compatible and displays properly on mobile devices.
With the increasing number of individuals utilizing smartphones for internet browsing, it is crucial to have a website that appears visually appealing and functions effectively on mobile devices. The majority of website builders provide templates that incorporate a responsive website design, ensuring an excellent appearance across different screen dimensions.
Mobile-friendly website builders eliminate the need for additional effort on your part to ensure your site functions on various device types, as this process is automated.
Website Builder Cons
Although website builders have many advantages, there are certain restrictions that come with their use.
Flexibility is limited.
While website builders provide numerous customization options, their capabilities are still constrained when compared to custom-built websites. Several of the most well-liked website builders have a closed ecosystem, resulting in the need to operate within the limitations imposed by the template and the website builder’s framework.
Online website builders may not allow for the implementation of certain design elements or features.
Most website builders suitable for beginners come with various templates and numerous options for customization, allowing the creator to exercise their creativity and develop a distinct website.
Relying on the Provider
If your website builder experiences server downtime, your website will be offline because you rely on the service provider for its operation and maintenance.
If the provider decides to stop supporting the site maker service you used or shuts down their service, you may need to rebuild your site completely.
It is crucial to select a dependable website builder and hosting provider to guarantee optimal performance of your website consistently.
Scalability is limited.
Website builders are an ideal option for small to medium-sized websites, although they might not be the most suitable choice for large sites with intricate structures or advanced functionalities. As your website expands, you might encounter the necessity of incorporating additional features and pages that demand more resources.
To address this situation, search for site builders and web hosting services that provide advanced features such as cloud hosting to cater to your evolving requirements and preferences.
