What are website builders
If you desire an online presence for your small business, website builders are typically required as they enable the construction of a website without the need for manual code.
You have the option to work offline by downloading software and creating the website on your computer, or you can choose to work online by building and editing your website on the company’s server.
Builders can be easily used by even those who are not technologically inclined or have no coding knowledge. This is possible due to the user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces, an extensive range of templates, and features like contact forms and media galleries. Your website can be customized and personalized according to your preferences.
How to choose a website builder
As you narrow down your options, bear in mind that all the website builders we mention are dependable choices.
- Customization options: Can you change the look and feel of a template or add your own code?
- Ease of use: Is the navigation intuitive with built-in tools, such as an in-app photo editor?
- Value: Can you get a free plan or trial to give the builder a test drive? Are there extensive features on paid plans that justify the cost?
- Security: What does the website builder do to keep your site and your customers’ data safe?
- Templates: Are the templates attractive, updated, and generally high quality? Can you find many to choose from?
- Support: Can you get help when needed, whether it’s from a human or support center articles?
- Recent improvements: Has the builder done anything lately to step up its offerings?
Best website builders
1. Wix – Best overall website builder
The score for Wix Ease of Use is 4.4.
In our testing, Wix emerges as our preferred website builder and receives high ratings in all areas. Getting started with Wix is extremely fast, and creating a website using its exceptional templates is remarkably straightforward.
Creating a website from scratch is incredibly daunting, especially for beginners. Fortunately, Wix has more than 800 templates on offer which will give you the perfect steer to create your site rather than starting from beginning. Once you’ve picked your favorite template, you’re then free to customize as you see fit with almost total control of all the elements and colors on your pages.
If the task seems overwhelming, Wix offers its artificial design intelligence (ADI) system as an alternative. With the ADI system, you will be prompted with general inquiries regarding your desired website, including its name and the industry it will cater to. By providing these answers, Wix will generate a customized website template designed to meet your specific requirements.
Users can access SEO keyword data directly through the web builder’s dashboard, thanks to Wix’s partnership with keyword database Semrush. With Wix’s new SEO settings, users have more control over important technical SEO set-up on a granular page level, solidifying Wix’s position as the top builder for advanced search engine optimization.
Once you have completed the initial setup of your website, you will be able to utilize numerous apps and features that will allow you to create various types of websites. These websites can range from a stylish online store to a straightforward promotional website or even a personal blog.
Adding these apps and features is a simple process, much akin to downloading a mobile app, but for a website instead. Additionally, Wix continuously enhances its offerings, with our research giving its features a record high score of 4.8/5 due to superior blogging tools and internationalization.
Is Wix easy to use?
Wix received a rating of 4.4/5 stars for “ease of use” in our testing, which was the same as Squarespace, the top scorer in that category. The distinction between Wix and Squarespace is minimal yet discernible. While Wix offers more features, Squarespace surpasses it in terms of design functionality, earning a 4.5/5 compared to Wix’s 4.1/5 in our research.
Wix allows you to create a unique website without the need for experience in website builders or web development. Its editing system is simple yet detailed, eliminating stress and ensuring a distinct and highly branded online presence for your business.
Adding words, images, and videos is made simple by the easy menus and user-centric principles that create a straightforward experience.
With Wix’s drag-and-drop editor, changing or moving elements on the page is very easy. However, it’s important to note that once you have selected a Wix template and published your site, you cannot switch to a different template.
Although Wix is generally user-friendly, during our own testing, we discovered that certain aspects of the builder can be more challenging. An instance of this would be the SEO Hub, which may appear overwhelming if you are not well-versed in search engine optimization. This is because the platform does not automatically format subheadings or provide reminders to include alt text.
2. Web.com
Best drag-and-drop
- Template variety
- E-commerce features
- Easy customization
Summary
- Starting price$1.95 per month
- Why it’s bestA variety of templates, drag-and-drop design options, an hour of expert design support
With the aim of keeping its services up to date with the latest technologies, Web.com has done an impressive job as one of the pioneers in offering website-building options. By utilizing a convenient drag-and-drop system, it allows users to create their websites faster and more effortlessly compared to other alternatives.
Web.com is a platform designed for entrepreneurs who aim to create their website with online credibility to represent their brands. It offers enhanced freedom and flexibility to differentiate themselves and establish customer relationships. The starting price for the most affordable plan is $4.95. Additionally, its website builder includes hosting capabilities, ensuring quick website loading and backup functionalities.
Pros
- Sales and market tools
- Easy-to-use interface
3. Squarespace
Best templates
- Professional templates
- E-commerce features
- Quick start-up
Summary
- Starting price$16 per month
- Why it’s bestThis popular service offers easy and quick setup for anyone looking to build a website quickly
With over 60 high-quality templates available, Squarespace offers a wide selection of professional-looking options that are fully optimized for mobile devices. This platform has also successfully established a strong reputation, making it popular among users.
Squarespace provides a free trial that does not require a credit card. Additionally, it offers hosting services for your website, eliminating the need to find your own. Although it may be pricier than other alternatives, it delivers exceptional services, particularly for e-commerce sites, at a monthly cost of $14 for the most basic plan.
Pros and cons of Squarespace
Pros
- Free trial
- Quick start-up
