Top Website Builders: Which Platform is Right for You?

Choosing the right website builder can be tough with so many options out there. Whether you're starting a blog, an online store, or a business site, picking the right platform is key. This article will help you find the best website builder for your needs by looking at the top ten options. We'll cover their main features, benefits, and any downsides to help you make a smart choice.

Key Takeaways

WordPress.org offers unmatched flexibility and is great for any type of website.
Wix is user-friendly and perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use platform.
Squarespace provides beautiful design templates ideal for creatives and artists.
Weebly offers a good balance of ease of use and advanced features.
Shopify is the best choice for building an online store, with powerful e-commerce tools.

1. WordPress.org

WordPress.org is a self-hosted content management system (CMS) that is highly popular and powerful. It is known for its flexibility and scalability, making it a top choice among the top 10 website builder services. This platform is especially suitable for those who don't mind getting into the technical details.

WordPress.org allows users to extend its capabilities through plug-ins and themes. This means you can customize your site to fit your specific needs, whether it's a blog, an online store, or a portfolio.

Key Features

Flexibility: You can create any type of website with WordPress.org, from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce site.
Customization: With thousands of plug-ins and themes available, you can tailor your site to your exact specifications.
Control: Since it's self-hosted, you have full control over your website and its data.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Highly customizable with plug-ins and themes
Full control over your site and data
Large community and extensive documentation

Cons:

Requires some technical knowledge to set up and manage
Can be time-consuming to maintain

If blogging and site transferability are important to you, WordPress.org is a great option. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the ropes.

Pricing

WordPress.org itself is free to use, but you will need to pay for hosting, which can vary in cost. Additionally, some premium plug-ins and themes may come with a price tag.

Conclusion

WordPress.org is a robust and flexible platform that offers a lot of control and customization options. It's ideal for those who are willing to invest some time in learning how to use it effectively.

2. Wix

Wix is one of the top 5 website builder services for small businesses in 2023. It is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to create stunning websites. With over 500 design templates, users have a wide variety of choices to fit their needs. However, it's important to choose your template wisely because once your site is launched, you can't switch templates.

Wix offers a freemium model, which means you can start for free but will have to display ads on your site. If you want to remove ads and get a custom domain, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Despite its somewhat cluttered interface and slower loading times, Wix remains a popular choice for many.

Why Choose Wix?

Wix stands out for its comprehensive booking capabilities and straightforward site builder tools. From the platform, you can chat with potential clients, automate marketing tasks, and manage staffing. The step-by-step tutorials are very helpful, and you can request a callback any time of day if you have questions.

Ease of Use

Wix is straightforward enough for most beginners to get started on. However, its somewhat cluttered interface and comparatively slow loading times resulted in us knocking down its ease of use score from 4.4/5 to 3.9/5 in our last round of testing.

Features

Wix provides over 500 design templates on the drag-and-drop interface. However, choosing your Wix template wisely is important since once your site is launched, switching templates is not possible.

Bottom Line

As far as website builders go, Wix remains top-tier because it has all the qualities most people look for in a site builder. From sophisticated templates to how easy it is to use, if it's your first time building a website, we suggest you strongly consider Wix.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is a well-known platform for creating professional websites with ease. It is especially good for those looking to monetize their websites. With a starting price of $16 per month, it offers a range of clean, modern templates that are perfect for any business or personal site.

Key Features

Fluid Engine: This unique feature allows users to resize and reposition content blocks easily, providing greater flexibility.
E-commerce Capabilities: Squarespace supports selling digital downloads and other products, making it a strong choice for online stores.
Custom Code: Advanced users can add custom code to further personalize their sites.
Blogging Tools: Schedule posts and manage your blog with ease.
Free SSL Certificate: Ensures your site is secure.
Unlimited Storage: All plans come with unlimited storage and monthly data transfers.

Pros

Beautiful, responsive designs that look great on mobile screens.
Intuitive design experience thanks to the Fluid Engine.
Enterprise-grade infrastructure for secure and robust hosting.
Excellent help and analytics tools.

Cons

Slightly higher starting price compared to some competitors.
Limited customization options for advanced users.

Squarespace is ideal for those who want a user-friendly platform with powerful tools for web design and e-commerce. Its top website services can elevate your online presence with ease.

4. Weebly

Weebly is a popular choice for many because its site editor is very easy to use. You can even swap templates without losing your content, which is a big plus. Weebly is also affordable and flexible, making it a great option for both personal and business sites.

Weebly offers SEO tools and email marketing, though these come at an extra cost. You can sell products even on its free plan, which is a nice feature. The themes are clean but a bit plain, and while the drag-and-drop functionality is simple, finding certain features can be tricky.

Weebly is best for people who value convenience. You don't need to tinker with themes to create a good-looking website. It's one of the few builders that let you switch themes without having to rebuild your site. Plus, it offers unlimited monthly data transfers.

Weebly is a fully hosted platform, so you don't need to install or manage any software. They take care of hosting and all the backend software management.

5. Shopify

Shopify is a top choice for e-commerce brands due to its scalability. As your sales grow, you can lower transaction costs, making it a cost-effective option in the long run. However, the seamless global selling capabilities come at a price—Shopify plans are more expensive than competitors like Squarespace or Wix.

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.

Standout Feature

Shopify Starter costs $5 per month and allows you to add a buy button to a site you already own, your social media, or sell in person with the Shopify point-of-sale mobile app.

Who Should Use It?

Only serious e-commerce small businesses should consider Shopify. It’s meant for building online stores, not just websites. It’s an ideal solution for brick-and-mortar businesses that want to sell inventory online too.

For those looking to sell products online, Shopify is the best e-commerce website builder on the market, providing a dedicated platform for online stores to get started and expand.

6. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a well-known name in the world of website builders, especially for beginners. Its ease of use is impressive, scoring 4 out of 5 in our tests. This makes it a great choice for those new to website creation.

GoDaddy offers a variety of pre-made themes, which are simple to use for building a basic website. However, these templates can be quite inflexible, with limited fonts and layout adjustments. This might not be ideal for users who want more control over their website's design.

Key Features

Rating: 4.1/5
Best for: Beginners
Price: Freemium
SSL Security: Yes
Ecommerce Plan: Yes
Mobile Responsive: Yes
SEO Tools: Yes

Pricing

Plan	Price
Website Builder Basic	$9.99/m
Website Builder Premium	$14.99/m
Website Builder Commerce	$16.99/m

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Great 24/7 tech support
Affordable subscription plans
Easy to use

Cons:

Inflexible templates
Limited design customization

GoDaddy is a solid choice for those who need a quick and easy setup. While it may not offer the most flexible design options, its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support make it a reliable option for beginners.

7. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a well-known eCommerce website builder that helps you create an online store that can grow with your business. It's packed with essential features, so you can keep costs low and profits high.

Pros

Fully hosted solution: No need to worry about website speed, security, or updates.
Sell on multiple channels: Facebook, Pinterest, eBay, and Amazon.
Scalable: Ideal for businesses of all sizes.
Great choice of themes.

Cons

Can be complex at times.
No native mobile app.

BigCommerce is a strong choice for any business or individual looking to build a large online store. With nearly 15 years in the eCommerce industry, it offers a comprehensive list of features including online store creation, SEO, hosting, marketing, and security.

8. Zyro

Zyro, now known as Hostinger Website Builder, is a user-friendly and budget-friendly option for beginners. It features a simple drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create a website without any coding skills. One of its standout features is the free hosting included with all plans.

Key Features

Drag-and-drop builder
Free hosting
Affordable premium plans

Pros

Easy to use
Cost-effective
Includes hosting

Cons

Limited customization options
Fewer templates compared to competitors

If you're just starting out and need a simple, affordable way to get online, Zyro is a great choice.

9. Strikingly

Strikingly is a great choice for those who want to manage multiple brands or services online. It's one of the most affordable options for creating several websites, especially when compared to platforms like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace. The platform offers 24/7 customer support, built-in marketing tools, and scalable plans, making it easier to maintain your site and build multiple income streams on a budget.

Strikingly's website builder is straightforward and user-friendly. It doesn't overwhelm you with too many page elements, which is perfect for business owners who want to keep things simple. You can create a Simple Store to focus on one product or service or manage multiple sites from a single dashboard.

Strikingly is ideal for solopreneurs who need an online presence for various brands or services without breaking the bank.

Key Features

Affordable plans for multiple websites
24/7 customer support
Built-in marketing tools
Scalable plans for growing businesses

Expert Opinion

Our experts rate Strikingly highly for its value for money, essential features, and responsive customer support. While it may not be as well-known as some competitors, it meets most customer expectations and offers excellent design tools for managing multiple brands.

10. Web.com

Web.com is a powerful yet user-friendly website builder that has been around since 1999. It offers a range of features that make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users. One of its standout features is the AI-powered website designer, which helps you get your site online quickly and easily. You can also use Web.com to track customer information or run social media and email marketing campaigns.

Value

Web.com offers significant first-year discounts, with prices starting as low as $1.95 per month for the starter plan. However, these rates increase to between $19.99 and $24.99 monthly upon renewal. Annual prepayment can save you up to 70%, making it one of the best deals available.

Features

Ecommerce functionality
Site Booster and Visitor Analytics
Free domain
Unlimited bandwidth

Support

Web.com provides a free hour of setup assistance and 24/7 phone and chat support, making it easy for local businesses to showcase their services online.

Web.com is an excellent choice for those who need a reliable and easy-to-use website builder with robust features and great support.

Web.com offers a range of services to help your business shine online. From web design to search engine optimization, they have everything you need to boost your online presence. Don't miss out on the chance to make your business visible on the internet. Check out their services today!

Conclusion

Choosing the right website builder can seem like a big task, but it doesn't have to be. By thinking about what you need, like budget, design options, and features, you can find a platform that fits you perfectly. Remember, some builders come with hosting, while others don't, so keep that in mind as your site grows. We've looked at some of the best options out there to help you make a smart choice. With the right tools, you'll be able to create a great website in no time. Happy building!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between WordPress.org and other website builders?

WordPress.org is a powerful and flexible platform that requires you to have your own web hosting. Other website builders like Wix and Squarespace include hosting but may offer less customization.

Is Wix good for beginners?

Yes, Wix is very user-friendly and perfect for beginners. It offers drag-and-drop features that make building a website easy.

Does Squarespace offer good design options?

Absolutely! Squarespace is known for its beautiful and professional design templates, making it a great choice for creatives.

Can I use Shopify for a small online store?

Yes, Shopify is excellent for small to large online stores. It has many features tailored for e-commerce, making it easy to manage products and sales.

Is GoDaddy a reliable website builder?

GoDaddy is a solid choice for those who need a straightforward website quickly. It offers easy-to-use tools and reliable hosting services.

What makes BigCommerce different from Shopify?

BigCommerce is designed for larger e-commerce businesses and offers more built-in features. Shopify is easier to use but may require additional apps for advanced functionalities.