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The best 4 website builders for small business
We compare 4 of the best website builders on the market to help you find the right platform to create an awesome online presence
Building a professional website is essential for any small business looking to establish a strong online presence. However, with so many website builders available, finding the right one can be overwhelming.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down the top four website builders that offer the best features, ease of use, and flexibility specifically for small businesses. Whether you need e-commerce functionality, customisable templates, or seamless integration with other business tools, these website builders are designed to help you create a stunning and functional website with minimal effort.
What Are Website Builders?
Website builders are online tools or platforms that allow individuals and businesses to create, design, and publish websites without needing advanced technical or coding skills. These platforms offer drag-and-drop editors, pre-designed templates, and built-in functionality, making it easy for anyone to build a professional website in a matter of hours. Website builders typically come with a variety of features such as hosting, domain registration, SEO tools, and e-commerce capabilities, all packaged in one solution.
They are an ideal choice for small businesses looking for an affordable, time-saving, and user-friendly way to establish a presence online. With the flexibility to design and manage a website from a single platform, website builders eliminate the need to hire developers or learn web design, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Why Should You Consider a Website Builder for Your Small Business?
For small businesses, having a professional website is essential to staying competitive in today’s digital world. A website builder can help you create and maintain an online presence quickly and cost-effectively, without the need for technical expertise. By using a website builder, you can take advantage of customisable templates, easy-to-use interfaces, and built-in tools for SEO and e-commerce, all designed to help you grow your business.
Website builders allow you to focus on what matters—your products and services—while ensuring that your site looks polished and professional. Whether you're launching an online store, showcasing a portfolio, or simply creating an informational site, a website builder provides the tools you need to get online and reach new customers. Moreover, many platforms offer scalability, allowing your website to grow alongside your business as your needs evolve.
Tools in this ranking
- SquarespaceElegant website builder with a focus on design and aesthetics.
- WeeblyEasy-to-use website builder with drag-and-drop functionality.
- WixSimple website builder with customizable templates and design tools.
- WordpressFlexible CMS for building websites and blogs with extensive plugins.
1.
Squarespace
Why Squarespace Made the List
Squarespace is a top website builder for small businesses that prioritize design and aesthetics. Known for its sleek, customizable templates and all-in-one platform, Squarespace allows small businesses to create visually appealing websites without needing advanced technical skills. Its robust e-commerce tools and built-in marketing features make it ideal for businesses looking to sell products or services online while maintaining a professional and modern website.
Things We Like About Squarespace (Pros)
- Beautiful Templates: Offers a wide range of professional, mobile-responsive designs.
- All-in-One Platform: Hosting, domain management, and design tools all in one place.
- E-commerce Ready: Built-in online store functionality for easy product management.
- Strong SEO Features: Includes tools to optimize your site for search engines.
- Built-In Analytics: Access to traffic data and insights without needing third-party tools.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Reliable, around-the-clock help through live chat and email.
Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)
- Limited Customization: Although customizable, the design flexibility is not as extensive as some competitors.
- Learning Curve: Takes time to fully master the platform, especially for beginners.
- No Free Plan: Unlike some website builders, Squarespace only offers a 14-day free trial, with no free plan available.
Pricing (in Euros)
- Personal Plan: Starting at €14/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: Starting at €23/month (billed annually)
- Basic Commerce Plan: Starting at €27/month (billed annually)
- Advanced Commerce Plan: Starting at €42/month (billed annually)
Squarespace is perfect for small businesses that want a visually stunning, professional website, particularly those focused on e-commerce and brand-building. With competitive pricing and strong built-in tools, it’s a great option for growing businesses looking to establish a sleek online presence.
2.
Weebly
Why Weebly Made the List
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that caters to small businesses looking for an easy and efficient way to create a professional website. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it simple for users of all skill levels to build and customize their sites quickly. With robust e-commerce features and a variety of templates, Weebly enables small businesses to launch their online presence with minimal hassle.
Things We Like About Weebly (Pros)
- Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simplifies the website building process for beginners.
- E-commerce Features: Built-in tools for setting up online stores, including inventory management.
- Mobile-Responsive Templates: Ensures your website looks great on all devices.
- Affordable Pricing: Competitive pricing plans suitable for small budgets.
- SEO Tools: Includes features for optimizing your site for search engines.
Things that could be improved (Cons)
- Limited Customization: Design options can be restrictive compared to competitors.
- Less Flexibility for Advanced Users: May not meet the needs of businesses requiring extensive customization.
- Storage Limits: Some plans come with storage caps that could restrict larger sites.
Pricing (in Euros)
- Free Plan: Basic features with Weebly branding (limited functionality).
- Personal Plan: Starting at €6/month (billed annually)
- Professional Plan: Starting at €12/month (billed annually)
- Performance Plan: Starting at €20/month (billed annually)
Weebly is ideal for small businesses that need an easy-to-use website builder with essential e-commerce features, making it a solid choice for those just starting out or looking for straightforward solutions.
3.
Wix
Why Wix Made the List
Wix is one of the most popular website builders available, offering a highly customizable platform ideal for small businesses. With its extensive library of templates and advanced design capabilities, Wix empowers users to create unique and visually appealing websites without any coding knowledge. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of businesses, from e-commerce to portfolios and blogs.
Things We Like About Wix (Pros)
- Vast Template Library: Hundreds of designer-made templates to choose from.
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: User-friendly interface that allows for easy customization.
- App Market: Access to various third-party applications to enhance website functionality.
- Robust E-commerce Tools: Comprehensive features for running an online store.
- SEO Capabilities: Tools and resources for optimizing search engine visibility.
Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)
- Higher Cost for Advanced Features: Some essential features require more expensive plans.
- Template Limitations: Once chosen, templates cannot be switched without starting over.
- Loading Speed: Some users report slower loading times compared to competitors.
Pricing (in Euros)
- Free Plan: Basic features with Wix branding (limited functionality).
- Combo Plan: Starting at €10/month (billed annually)
- Unlimited Plan: Starting at €14/month (billed annually)
- Pro Plan: Starting at €19/month (billed annually)
- VIP Plan: Starting at €29/month (billed annually)
Wix is perfect for small businesses looking for a flexible website builder that allows for creative freedom and diverse functionality, making it a great option for those wanting to stand out online.
4.
Wordpress
Why WordPress Made the List
WordPress is the world's most popular content management system (CMS) and is an excellent choice for small businesses seeking to create a fully customizable website. Its flexibility and extensive library of themes and plugins allow businesses to tailor their websites to fit their specific needs, whether for blogging, e-commerce, or showcasing portfolios. With a strong community and a wealth of resources, WordPress empowers small business owners to manage and grow their online presence effectively.
Things We Like About WordPress (Pros)
- High Customizability: Thousands of themes and plugins for limitless design and functionality options.
- SEO-Friendly: Built with SEO best practices in mind, making it easier to optimize your site.
- Large Community Support: An extensive community offers support, tutorials, and resources.
- Ownership and Control: Full control over your website and data when self-hosted.
- E-commerce Capabilities: Integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce for online stores.
Things That Could Be Improved (Cons)
- Learning Curve: May be overwhelming for beginners unfamiliar with web design or coding.
- Maintenance Required: Regular updates and maintenance are necessary to ensure security and performance.
- Hosting Costs: Self-hosted WordPress requires separate hosting fees, which can add up.
Pricing (in Euros)
- WordPress.com Free Plan: Basic features with WordPress branding (limited functionality).
- Personal Plan: Starting at €4/month (billed annually)
- Premium Plan: Starting at €8/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: Starting at €25/month (billed annually)
- eCommerce Plan: Starting at €45/month (billed annually)
- Self-Hosted WordPress: Costs vary based on hosting provider (average €3-€10/month) plus domain registration (around €10-€20/year).
WordPress is an ideal solution for small businesses looking for a powerful and versatile platform that can grow alongside them, providing the tools necessary to build a unique and professional online presence.
5.
Tool
Pros
Cons
Pricing
- Beautiful, professionally designed templates
- All-in-one platform (hosting, domains, design)
- Great for e-commerce and SEO
- 24/7 customer support
- Limited customisation compared to others
- Higher learning curve for beginners
- No free plan, only a 14-day trial
- Personal Plan: €14/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: €23/month (billed annually)
- Basic Commerce Plan: €27/month (billed annually)
- Advanced Commerce Plan: €42/month (billed annually)
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Great for beginners
- Built-in e-commerce features
- Affordable pricing plans
- Mobile-responsive templates
- Limited design customization
- Basic plan only suitable for very small websites
- Limited scalability for larger businesses
- Free Plan: Limited features with branding
- Personal Plan: €6/month (billed annually)
- Professional Plan: €12/month (billed annually)
- Performance Plan: €20/month (billed annually)
- Huge template library
- Simple drag-and-drop editor
- Extensive App Market for third-party integrations
- Strong e-commerce features
- SEO-friendly tools and built-in marketing options
- Some important features require higher-priced plans
- Can’t switch templates once chosen
- Loading speeds can be slower compared to competitors
- Free Plan: Limited features with Wix branding
- Combo Plan: €10/month (billed annually)
- Unlimited Plan: €14/month (billed annually)
- Pro Plan: €19/month (billed annually)
- VIP Plan: €29/month (billed annually)
- Highly customisable with thousands of plugins and themes
- SEO-friendly
- Full ownership and control of the website
- Strong e-commerce integration with WooCommerce
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires ongoing maintenance and updates
- Separate hosting costs for self-hosted WordPress
- Free: Limited features with WordPress branding
- Personal Plan: €4/month (billed annually)
- Premium Plan: €8/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: €25/month (billed annually)
- eCommerce Plan: €45/month (billed annually)
- Self-Hosted: €3-€10/month (hosting fees)
- Highly customisable with thousands of plugins and themes
- SEO-friendly
- Full ownership and control of the website
- Strong e-commerce integration with WooCommerce
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires ongoing maintenance and updates
- Separate hosting costs for self-hosted WordPress
- Free: Limited features with WordPress branding
- Personal Plan: €4/month (billed annually)
- Premium Plan: €8/month (billed annually)
- Business Plan: €25/month (billed annually)
- eCommerce Plan: €45/month (billed annually)
- Self-Hosted: €3-€10/month (hosting fees)