Before diving into the world of website building, it’s necessary to grasp what a website builder is.

If you’re not familiar, a website builder is a handy tool that helps you create a website without needing to know coding. Even if you’re new to coding, it handles most of the hard work for you. It’s a wonderful way for individuals and businesses to take charge of their online presence without needing to hire a designer or developer. With easy-to-use drag-and-drop editors, a variety of templates, and lots of customization options, it becomes simple and enjoyable to craft a professional-looking website quickly.

Why should I use a website builder?

Quick set up

You don’t need an ROI calculator to tell you that having no online presence can cost you both customers and revenue. And with the average turnaround time for a professional website being two months, it’s easy to see why website builders are making an impact.

Website builders simplify and streamline the creation process by providing pre-designed templates, pre-populated web pages, and ready-to-use applications.

No need to code

As a small business owner, time is a valuable commodity, and learning to code can be a lengthy process. Thankfully, the best website builders are tailored to users with little to no technical knowledge.

With user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop technology, website builders eliminate the need for coding altogether. Essentially making the website creation process a breeze. And best of all, you won’t face any coding errors along the way!

Affordable web design

With WebFX research pricing professional web design between $5,000 and $55,000 (that’s not even including maintenance costs!), hiring a professional can eat into your budget. Lisian Ajroni, CTO of Ajroni Website Design Agency, says that hiring a professional web design agency is costly, however, the completed websites are always better, faster, and more converting.

Thankfully, website builders offer a cost-effective alternative with price points ranging from free to a manageable $5-$40 per month, so you won’t have to break the bank. Also, you won’t need to hire a designer to add additional content and updates.

Criteria to consider when choosing a website builder

When you’re building a website, making it easy to use should be your top priority. Look for a website builder with simple, intuitive editing tools that can help you create the perfect site in just a few clicks. Features should enable a smooth user experience, making it effortless to change colors, add new elements, and upload content. Since about 92.6% of internet users access the web via smartphones, it’s really important to ensure your website is mobile-friendly.

The best way to do this is by choosing a responsive website builder that automatically adjusts its layout to look great on any screen size. Take a moment to consider what you want to achieve with your website, and look for a builder that offers the right features for your goals. Think about things like multilingual support, SEO tools, customization options, and integrations with other platforms.

For example, if you’re running a subscription service, integrating with third-party tools like Upscribe can really improve how you manage subscriptions. It can boost purchase frequency through excellent email campaigns and help you manage and scale your subscriptions easily.

The best website builders for you

With so many options available, choosing the right website builder for your needs can be overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the best website builders, complete with key features, pricing, and pros & cons. Let’s get started:

1. Design.com

Design.com is the best AI website builder for anyone who wants a professional website fast without any coding. The platform automatically generates a website that matches your brand style, including colors, fonts, and layout. You can easily edit sections, swap images, and update content using simple drag-and-drop tools. It’s perfect for small businesses, freelancers, and creators who want a polished site in minutes.

Key Features

• AI-powered website builder that auto-matches your brand style
• Professional templates for business, portfolio, and service sites
• Drag-and-drop editor for easy content updates
• Integrated branding tools like logos, social posts, and business cards
• Mobile-ready layouts optimized for all devices
• Fast setup with no technical skills required

Pricing

• Free plan available with basic features
• Paid plans start at $12/month for additional templates, a custom domain, and advanced branding tools

Pros

• Quick and beginner-friendly setup
• Consistent branding across website and marketing assets
• Mobile-ready templates

Cons

• No native mobile or desktop app yet
• More suited for simple website projects rather than complex builds

2. BrandCrowd

BrandCrowd is a top website builder designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a clean, ready-to-go website quickly. After creating or selecting a logo, the platform generates a website that aligns with your brand style. You can adjust colors, layout, and content easily without dealing with complex technical settings.

Key Features

• Automatic website design based on your logo
• Clean templates for portfolios, services, and small business sites
• Easy customization for colors, sections, and text
• Built-in brand assets for social media posts, banners, and marketing
• Mobile-friendly pages that load quickly
• Beginner-friendly interface for fast setup

Pricing

• Free preview of your website available
• Paid plans start at $10/month for full access to templates, hosting, and advanced branding features

Pros

• Fast and easy website creation
• Keeps brand visuals consistent across site and marketing materials
• Works well for non-technical users

Cons

• Fewer advanced integrations for developers
• Collaboration features may feel lighter compared to enterprise platforms

3. Shopify

With over 1.7 million merchants, Shopify is one of the most popular online website builders. With its focus on small to medium-sized businesses, if you’re looking to sell products online, Shopify’s advanced ecommerce features put it head and shoulders above the rest.

Key features

• Streamlined sales processes: Shopify offers a variety of ecommerce features such as inventory management, payment processing, and tracking customer behaviors. Shopify’s scalability enables you to sell on multiple channels, including social media platforms and marketplaces.
• Easy third-party integration: Shopify’s app store has over 8,000 apps and integrations that boost your site’s functionality. Tools like Upscribe help deliver a unique customer experience via subscription management, Shopify loyalty programs, and automated email communications.
• Simple customization: Shopify is an entirely customizable platform boasting 70 slick templates. All templates can be easily adjusted to match your brand.

Pricing

Shopify offers a range of attractive pricing options for their website hosting and ecommerce features, starting at $29 and going up to $299 per month. While the prices may seem steep for those on a budget, its exceptional features fit the needs of any small business.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• First-rate range of apps and extensions

• Superior SEO tools like Google Analytics and social media integration

• Free online templates are available

• Dropshipping options available
• Free trial

Cons:

• Most templates require an extra cost

4. Appy Pie’s AI Website Builder

Appy Pie’s AI Website Builder is a hub for budding entrepreneurs, allowing users to utilize the power of AI to create a website within minutes. The platform lets you describe your website idea in text or speech format and generates a fully completed website with basic website pages in no time. It also provides a plethora of website templates and tools to choose from, depending on your website niche. 

Key Features

Scope for Integration- The AI Website Builder excels in its ability to seamlessly integrate with software like Livechat and Chatbot, helping customers receive customer support 24/7. 

Website to App Conversion- Appy Pie stands out by offering its premium users the unique opportunity to transform their website into a fully functional mobile app at no additional cost. This app mirrors the website’s features and offers the same smooth performance expected from any high-quality application, bridging the gap between web and mobile experiences.

User-Centric Design- Appy Pie’s approach to website design focuses on creating layouts that users find intuitive and easy to use. This user-centric design philosophy ensures that visitors can effortlessly find what they’re looking for, making for a more enjoyable and effective online experience.

Pricing

Appy Pie provides a sophisticated pricing plan without making it complex and confusing for customers to select from, starting from a ‘START’ plan with $xyz per month to advanced plans like ‘GROW’ that can reach up to $xyz per month. While the initial free option offers a great starting point for newcomers, the premium plans unlock additional features and capabilities, catering to everyone from startups to larger enterprises. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No-Code Development
• Customizable Templates
• Cost-Effective
• Mobile Optimization
• Real-Time Updates
• 24/7 Customer Support

Cons

• Limited Design Templates
• Limited Customization
• Dependency on the Platform

5. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a website builder that uses A.I.-powered insight to help build your online presence and extend your reach. Requiring zero technical skills, GoDaddy includes web hosting, domain name registration, and online marketing tools.

Key features

• Website wizardly: From booking appointments to selling products, GoDaddy has you covered. Plus, the platform’s smooth interface makes managing your products hassle-free.
• Uses AI for quick design: GoDaddy has over 100 eye-catching caliber templates to choose from. GoDaddy InSight helps you build the website of your dreams with drop-down menus and click-and-drag capabilities.
• Responsive design: Even on the small screen, GoDaddy automatically converts your site to adapt to any mobile device.

Pricing

If you’re a start-up with a smaller budget, GoDaddy’s pricing is incredibly accessible. Ranging from $9.99 to $16.99 per month, GoDaddy’s basic plan includes features like 24/7 support and SSL security. As you upgrade, prices include SEO tools and scalability.

Pro & Cons

Pros

• Powerful SEO tools for branding

Cons

6. Wix

Wix is an in-demand website builder designed with the end user in mind. If you want to boost your Google rankings, Wix has all the necessary tools in its back pocket. From high-quality SEO keywords to Google Analytics, Wix will expand your reach in no time.

Key features

• SEO tools: With Wix’s recent partnership with Semrush, users can access Semrush’s first-rate SEO keyword data through Wix’s dashboard.
• Customizable templates: Wix’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface works with its 800+ website templates, making it perfect for beginners. Additionally, Wix also includes a one-page website that’s entirely free.
• Large app market: choose from over 200 apps and services, from shipping features to communication and financial tools.

Pricing

Wix includes four price plans for non-ecommerce websites and four ecommerce-specific plans. All price plans contain 24/7 support, however, unless you upgrade, you miss out on subscriptions, advanced shipping, and selling on marketplaces.

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

• No SEO tools available on low-tier plans

• Additional apps are costly

7. Squarespace

Squarespace’s aesthetically appealing designs help users rise above the crowd. From artists to entrepreneurs, Squarespace’s modern and elegant templates are ideal for users in the creative field. So if you’re looking for style as well as substance, Squarespace is for you.

Key features

• Sensational, modern designs: If you need more convincing about Squarespace’s creativity, the website builder has won awards for its design capabilities. Crafted by pro designers, its templates are minimalistic and eye-catching.
• User-friendly editor: With over 100 stunning templates, its user-friendly back-end experience makes changing your website as easy as ABC.
• Ecommerce tools: Squarespace integrates excellent analytics and reporting features like traffic overview, engagement levels, and top products.

Pricing

Squarespace offers a relatively simple pricing structure, with all plans including mobile-optimization. Unfortunately, Squarespace doesn’t offer a free plan but a 14-day free trial is available. For small businesses, a $23 per month Business plan would be your best option.

Pros & cons

Pros

• Stunning, award-winning design

• Integrated with ShipStation

• User-friendly editor
• Ideal for small businesses

Cons

• Customizability is limited

• Site speed can be affected due to heavy designs

8. Weebly

With Weebly, small and midsize businesses can access a free website with customizable web page designs and tools. Weebly also offers ecommerce solutions, complete with shopping cart and inventory management.

Key features

• Easy to use: With Weebly, users can choose a design based on their industry or pick a template for themselves. It’s also super easy to make changes and add chatbots.
• SEO tools: Weebly lets you edit your meta titles and customize your URLs.
• Full ecommerce suite of features: These include inventory tracking and filtered product search so customers can find specific items easily. Plus, the ability to sell all manor of products, including physical and digital products, and subscriptions.

Pricing:

With a free plan available, signing up for Weebly is a no-brainer. In terms of value for money, Weebly ranks highly. For just $12 per month, you can access pro features that include unlimited storage and the option to accept payments through third-party providers.

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

• Designs aren’t as eye-catching
• The basic plan is required to access apps