The best website builder for your small business should increase your customer engagement and facilitate growth. However, choosing the best website builder for your business involves more than just picking the most popular option.
If you’re a small business owner, you know that you need a website that is easy to use, affordable, and customizable to fit your brand. You might be lacking in technical skills or have a tight budget, or you might need a ton of design flexibility and the ability to expand your website as your business scales.
Each business is unique and with different requirements. This guide will help you find the best website builder for small business owners that suits your specific needs. Let’s dive in.
The Best Website Builders for Small Businesses 2024
GoDaddy - Solid Customer Support Network For Small Business Owners That Need A Bit Of Extra Help
Squarespace - Stylish, Beautiful Templates, Perfect For The Artist Or Creative Small Business Owner
BigCommerce - Unlimited Product Listings & Multi-Channel Selling For Businesses Expecting To Scale
The Best Website Builders for Small Business Options
- Wix: Most user-friendly website builder for beginners
- GoDaddy: Best small business website builder for its customer support channels
- Squarespace: Best small business website builder for creatives and bloggers with beautiful design features
- Shopify: Best e-commerce website builder for small business
- Weebly: Best free website builder for small business
- Hostinger: Most affordable AI website builder for small business needs
- BigCommerce: Most scalable e-commerce site builder for small businesses with unlimited product listings and multi-channel selling
- Show Full Guide
The Best Small Business Website Builders Reviewed
We focused on essential criteria like features, pricing, and template options but also looked at unique selling points these website builders offer to help your business. Let’s dive into our detailed reviews of the best website platform for small business owners.
1. Wix– Most User-Friendly Website Builder for Small Business
Best For | Most User-Friendly Small Business Website Builder |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Drag-and-drop interface ● Wide range of templates ● Advanced SEO tools |
Storage and Bandwidth | Free plan: 500MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth Paid plans: 100 GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $17/month |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Wide selection of templates and apps
- Advanced SEO features and mobile optimization
Cons
- The free plan displays Wix ads
- Limited flexibility with template switching
- Higher plans can be pricey compared to alternatives
2. GoDaddy – Best Website Builder for Customer Support
Best For | Small Businesses Needing Extra Customer Support |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Comprehensive website builder and marketing suite ● Social media integration ● 24/7 customer support |
Storage and Bandwidth | Storage ranges from 25 GB to unlimited Unlimited bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $10.99/month |
Pros
- Advanced marketing tools
- User-friendly interface
- 24/7 excellent customer support
Cons
- Limited customization options
- E-commerce features are basic in lower-tier plans
- Security tools attract extra charges
3. Squarespace – Best for Creatives & Bloggers With Plenty Of Beautiful, Stylish Templates
Best For | Creatives and Bloggers with Small Businesses |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Designer-made, customizable templates ● Advanced marketing tools like email campaigns and SEO ● Comprehensive e-commerce solutions for creators |
Storage and Bandwidth | Unlimited storage and bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $25/month |
Pros
- Well-designed templates
- Robust built-in tools for SEO
- User-friendly interface
- Reliable customer support
Cons
- Less flexibility for deep customization without coding
- Higher price plans compared to competitors
- Limited third-party integrations
- It does not offer a free plan
4. Shopify – Best Ecommerce Website Builder for Small Businesses
Best For | Small E-commerce Businesses |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Comprehensive e-commerce tools ● Robust integration capabilities ● Extensive template and app marketplace |
Storage and Bandwidth | Unlimited bandwidth and storage |
Price | Starting from $29/month |
Pros
- Extensive e-commerce features
- Seamless integration with multiple sales platforms
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools
Cons
- Higher cost compared to other website builders
- Transaction fees apply unless using Shopify Payments
- Limited design flexibility
5. Weebly – Best Free Website Builder
Best For | Small Businesses Looking for a Free Website Builder |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Multiple video hosting options ● Integrated payment processing with Square ● Comprehensive e-commerce tools |
Storage and Bandwidth | Storage starts from 500MB and goes up to unlimited in higher plans.
All plans have unlimited bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $0/month |
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square’s payment systems
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Flexible pricing plans that accommodate business growth
- Comprehensive e-commerce tools for extensive business operations
Cons
- Advanced e-commerce features are only available on higher-tier plans
- Weebly and Square branding on the free plan
- Basic SEO tools that may not suffice for competitive niches
- Limited template variety compared to competitors
6. Hostinger – Most Affordable AI Website Builder
Best For | Small Businesses Needing an Affordable AI Website Builder |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● AI-driven website creation ● Extensive template selection ● Comprehensive integration options (e.g., Google Analytics, e-commerce) |
Storage and Bandwidth | 100GB SSD to 300GB SSD storage Unlimited bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $2.99/month |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing
- Reliable uptime and performance
- AI website builder
Cons
- Limited advanced options for high-traffic sites
- Domain renewal cost
- No dedicated hosting
7. BigCommerce – Scalable E-commerce Website Builder for Small Businesses
Best For | Small Businesses Looking to Scale |
---|---|
Free Trial | ✅ |
Top 3 Features | ● Native B2B and B2C functionality ● Headless commerce integrations ● Robust security standards (ISO/IEC 27001:2013 & PCI DSS 3.2, Level 1 certified) |
Storage and Bandwidth | Unlimited storage and bandwidth |
Price | Starting from $29/month |
Pros
- Scalable across various business sizes
- No transaction fees
- Extensive multi-platform integration capabilities
- Advanced security features, including PCI DSS compliance
- Wide range of customization options through APIs and SDKs
Cons
- Not overly beginner-friendly
- Higher cost compared to some other site builders
- Limited free theme options
The Best Website Builders for Small Businesses Compared
We’ve compared the best e-commerce website builders below, focusing on essential aspects like pricing, features, and e-commerce capabilities.
Website Builder | Free Trial | Cheapest Paid Plan (annually) | Top Features |
---|---|---|---|
Wix | 14 days | $204 | Drag-and-drop editor, SEO tools, Wide range of templates |
GoDaddy | 30 days | $119.88 | Comprehensive website and marketing suite, Social media integration, 24/7 customer support |
Squarespace | 14 days | $192 | Designer-made, customizable templates, Advanced marketing tools like email campaigns and SEO, Comprehensive e-commerce solutions for creators |
Shopify | 3 days | $288 | Comprehensive e-commerce tools, Robust integration capabilities, Extensive template and app marketplace |
Weebly | 7 days | $120 | Multiple video hosting options, Integrated payment processing with Square, Comprehensive e-commerce tools |
Hostinger | 30 days | $35.88 | AI-driven website creation, Extensive template selection, Comprehensive integration options (e.g., Google Analytics, e-commerce) |
BigCommerce | 15 days | $348 | Native B2B and B2C functionality, Headless commerce integrations, Robust security standards (ISO/IEC 27001:2013 & PCI DSS 3.2, Level 1 certified) |
How We Review And Test Website Builders
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular website builders on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Template Variety and Quality: We evaluate the range and quality of pre-designed templates offered by each website builder, considering factors like aesthetics and customization options.
- Mobile Responsiveness: We test the responsiveness of websites created with each builder to ensure they display correctly and function smoothly on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
- Customization Options: We examine the level of customization available within each website builder: layouts, fonts, colors, custom CSS or HTML code.
- Ease of Use: We assess the user interface and overall usability of each website builder to determine how intuitive and beginner-friendly the website builder is.
- Speed and Performance: We measure the load speed and performance of websites built with each website builder, considering factors such as page load times, image optimization, and caching options.
- SEO Features: We analyze the built-in SEO tools and features offered by each website builder, including meta tags, sitemaps, URL structures, and integration with analytics platforms.
- E-commerce Functionality: We evaluate the e-commerce capabilities of each website builder, assessing product listings, inventory management, payment gateways, and order processing.
- Integrations: We look at the integration capabilities of each website builder, including compatibility with third-party tools such as email marketing software, CRM systems, and social media networks.
- Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and availability of customer support offered by each website builder, such as available support channels, response times, and user satisfaction ratings.
- Scalability and Flexibility: We evaluate the scalability and flexibility of each website builder, considering factors such as the ability to add new pages, features, and functionality as the website grows and evolves.
- Security Features: We review the security features of each website builder, including SSL encryption, malware scanning, and regular security updates.
- Analytics and Reporting: We examine the analytics and reporting capabilities of each website builder, including the availability of built-in analytics tools, integration with external analytics platforms.
What Is A Website Builder?
A website builder is an online platform that allows anyone, even those without technical skills, to create a website. A website builder simplifies the website creation process and typically lets you pick a template that suits your needs, add drag-and-drop elements like text, images, and buttons, and customize the design to your liking.
For small businesses, website builders come with some big features that can make a difference to your success. They often include templates tailored to different industries, e-commerce tools for selling products online, and SEO tools to help your site rank better in search engines. Additional features might include integration with social media, analytics to track your site’s performance, and mobile optimization to ensure your site looks good on any device.
These tools help small business owners create a professional online presence without needing to hire a developer, so you’re saving money, too. Building your own website can help you get really granular and specific about your business offerings and better understand your audience, their pain points, and their unique needs.
What Features Should a Website Builder For a Small Business Have?
A website builder for a small business should have features that ease the creation and management of a professional online presence. These key features include a practical drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates. The platform should also provide robust SEO tools to help improve visibility and e-commerce capabilities.
Additionally, it is vital to have analytics to track website performance, customer behavior, and social media integration to enhance engagement and reach. A good website builder should cater to these needs with scalable options as the business grows, all while being cost-effective and user-friendly.
Free Website Builders Vs. Paid Website Builders — Which is Better?
Choosing between a paid or free website builder for small business use largely depends on the business’s specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.
A free website builder can be an excellent starting point for new businesses or those with limited funds. However, free website options often have limitations, such as advertisements on your site, less customization, lower bandwidth and storage, and lack of domain name ownership.
Paid website builders offer more advanced features crucial for effectively growing and scaling a business. Additionally, paid plans often include more excellent security features like SSL certificates, which protect sensitive information and help build trust with your customers.
Ultimately, a paid website builder is the better choice if you want to build a solid online brand and expand.
How To Choose the Best Website Builder for Your Small Business
Your business needs and requirements determine the best website builder for you. These are the things to look out for when choosing a website builder:
Consider what you need from a website builder, such as the type of website (e-commerce, portfolio, blog, and more) and the scale of your traffic expectations.
Also, consider any specific tools you might require, like SEO, social media integration, or email marketing. Clarifying these requirements will help you choose a builder that perfectly aligns with your business objectives.
You should assess the total ownership cost. This includes setup fees, monthly or annual subscription fees, and potential upgrades. Also, compare costs and features to find the best value website builder within your budget.
If you lack technical skills, look for a platform with easy-to-use design tools and a smooth learning curve. This will enable you to make changes and updates quickly and efficiently.
Ensure the website builder supports all the key features essential to your business’s online strategy. These could include responsive designs, e-commerce tools, SEO management, and social media integrations.
The ability to customize templates to suit your specific needs can significantly impact the visitor’s experience and enhance your brand identity. Consider a website builder that offers an extensive range of templates and customization options that reflect your brand’s aesthetics and values.
Reliable support can be crucial, especially when encountering issues or needing assistance with website functionalities. Opt for website builders that offer multiple support channels, such as live chat, phone, and email.
You can also consider website builders that provide comprehensive resources like tutorials, forums, and blogs.
FAQs
What is the best website builder for small business?
How do I start a small business website?
Is Shopify or Wix better?
Is WordPress or Wix better for a small business?
References
- Guide to SSL for Small Businesses (Hubspot)
- Third-Party API Integration (WordPress.org)
- SEO Benefits of Responsive Design (Search Engine Journal)