Best Website Builders for Small Businesses
Over 140 website builders and hosting providers were carefully tested by the Forbes Advisor Small Business team. They spent over 100 hours, assessing 25 website builders. They used 45 measures and collected 900 data points to make their assessments. This detailed process makes it easier for you to choose the best professional website builder for your small business.
Key Takeaways
- The Forbes Advisor team evaluated 25 website builders using 45 different metrics.
- A total of 900 data points were collected over more than 100 hours of software testing.
- 140 website builders and hosting providers were reviewed to determine the best options for small businesses.
- Wix offers comprehensive tools starting at $12 per month with over 800 templates available.
- Shopify excels in ecommerce with robust inventory management and marketing tools.
- GoDaddy provides expert guidance and unmetered storage with budget-friendly plans.
- Hostinger is noted for its affordability and user-friendly AI support.
Introduction to Website Builders
Website builders break the myth that you need coding skills to make a website. They are tools that let anyone, from a blogger to a small business, build their online home. With drag-and-drop editors and ready-to-use templates, they make the process fun and straightforward. For those starting out or looking to save money, these platforms are a dream come true.
Choosing the right platform is key for a small business to thrive online. WordPress.com, Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace are top picks. WordPress is the most popular, but Wix isn’t far behind, earning high marks with its users. Meanwhile, Shopify excels at selling products online, famous for its many payment options and extras like recovering abandoned carts.
Shopify starts from $29 a month. A special welcome is a $1 offer for the first month and a free trial. Being able to sell through multiple popular channels like TikTok or Amazon is a game-changer for many. Plus, they take security seriously, which is always a good thing for businesses and their customers.
On the other hand, Wix is so easy to use, even if you’re just starting. Squarespace, known for its beautiful designs, also stands out. Both offer strong customer support, making sure you get the help you need to make your website look fantastic. This support is especially crucial for small businesses wanting to make a big impact online.
| Platform | Key Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Multichannel Selling, 100+ Payment Gateways, Security Features | 4.9/5 |
| Wix | Design Templates, AI Builder, SEO Support | 4.4/5 |
| Squarespace | Stylish Templates, Mobile-Responsive Design | Not Specified |
| WordPress.com | Code-Free Editor, Easy Management | N/A |
Choosing the best platform means understanding what your business needs. It’s about finding a sweet spot between what you want to achieve and what you can afford. When you get this balance right, your online journey becomes a whole lot smoother.
Key Features Small Businesses Need in Website Builders
Small businesses have special needs when it comes to their online presence. Therefore, choosing the right e-commerce website builder is key. We’ll look into features that are especially nice for small businesses.
Sales Features
For shops and online services, good sales tools are a must. Shopify is known for this, serving over 4.5 million sites. But, it’s wise to check the cost before jumping in. Shopify’s basic plan is $32 a month, with extra charges for apps and sales commissions. These extra costs can add up as your business grows.
Marketing Capabilities
Reaching your audience well is vital. Platforms with strong marketing tools can help you out. Wix, for example, offers plans from $17 to $159 a month. These plans vary in features and storage but can meet different business needs. It also uses AI to help create websites quickly, which is great for busy small business owners.
Design Options
Having lots of design choices helps keep your brand’s look unique. Squarespace lets you pick from over 160 templates, and a 14-day free trial lets you test them out. Their prices range from $25 to $72 a month, fitting various business budgets. They are well-known for their sleek and functional designs.
Dependable Support
Good support ensures your site runs smoothly and problems get fixed fast. Sadly, one out of 10 small businesses gets hit by cyberattacks each year. This makes reliable support key. WordPress is a major player, supporting 43.4% of all websites. It has a lot of help resources available, making problems easier to solve.
Finding a website builder with these features can make managing your site less stressful. This is a big concern for 33% of small businesses. Additionally, a good website builder can boost your online presence. This is important for 43% of businesses looking to grow, who understand the value in gaining their customers’ trust.
Shopify: Best for Ecommerce
Shopify is known as the top e-commerce platform for stores needing lots of items. It has nearly perfect reviews at 4.8 out of 5. This makes it a favorite for many businesses.
Comprehensive Sales Features
Shopify offers a wide range of sales tools. It includes systems for in-store sales and custom checkout options. This makes it great for businesses managing many products. It starts at $29 a month, meeting the needs of many types of stores.
Multichannel Integration
Shopify’s ability to connect to many sales channels is impressive. It lets businesses sell on social media, marketplaces, and in physical locations. This helps companies reach more customers, increasing their chances of making sales.
| Platform | Starting Price per Month | G2 Rating | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29 | 4.4/5 | 3 Days |
| BigCommerce | $29 | 4.2/5 | 15 Days |
| Squarespace | $27 | 4.4/5 | 14 Days |
| Wix | $27 | 4.2/5 | — |
| WooCommerce | Free | 4.4/5 | — |
Wix: Best for Overall Versatility
Wix is great for building websites that need to be flexible. It’s perfect for small businesses that want easy-to-use tools. Wix is known for its many options and features that cover a wide range of needs.
Easy-to-Use AI Builder
Wix’s Wix ADI is a powerful, AI-driven tool. It’s a drag-and-drop builder that asks you simple questions to start. Then, it designs a custom site for you. This makes creating a professional website simple, even if you don’t know about web design.
Also, sites made with this tool load fast. This is key for small businesses. Fast-loading sites can attract and keep more visitors.
Personalized SEO Support
Getting your site seen on search engines is important. Wix helps with that by offering personalized SEO tools. These include ways to make your site more visible online. You don’t need to be an SEO expert to use these tools. They’re made with small businesses in mind.
Since many people visit websites on their phones, Wix ensures your site looks good on mobile devices too. This helps you offer a good experience to all your visitors.
Wix has different payment plans. You can start for free, but there are also plans with more features. This lets you pick what works best for you. Their customer support is available through various ways, like phone and email. So, you won’t be on your own if you need help.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hosting Provider | Cloud-based platform ensuring secure, fast, and accessible websites. |
| Templates | Over 500 designer-made templates for various industries. |
| Pricing Plans | Free and premium options ranging from $16 to $59 per month. |
| SEO Features | Customizable meta tags, URL optimization, alt tags, and automatic sitemaps. |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, knowledge base, and community forum. |
| E-commerce Capabilities | Robust e-commerce features and integration with popular payment providers. |
Squarespace: Stylish Designs and Templates
Squarespace is known for its visually appealing designs and up-to-date website templates. These are perfect for making a great online impression for any business. It focuses on easy customization and designs that look good on phones, making it ideal for small companies wanting a standout website.
Templates and Customization
Squarespace offers a wide range of modern templates for various business types. They make it super easy to create a good-looking website fast. Users can easily tweak these templates to match their brand using simple tools.
It’s great for businesses big or small, online shops, and more. You can change how your site looks, what it says, and how it’s organized. For shops, there are tools for keeping track of products, payments, and shipping. This makes starting and running your site a breeze.
Mobile-Responsive Design
Your website needs to look good and work well on different devices today. Squarespace is top-notch in making this happen with designs that adapt to any screen size. That means your site will be just as appealing and easy to use on a phone as it is on a computer.
This focus isn’t just about looks; it also helps with how often your site shows up in searches and how long visitors stay. Squarespace comes with built-in tools that make your site more visible in search engines. It also easily connects to Google My Business for managing your info and locations online.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Modern Website Templates | Quickly set up professional websites tailored to your industry. |
| Responsive Website Design | Ensure your website looks and functions well on all devices. |
| SEO Tools | Improve your search engine rankings and visibility. |
| Customization Options | Easily align website design with your brand’s image. |
Plus, Squarespace helps you sell in-person too. You can connect a Square reader to keep your online and offline sales info in one place. It also offers features for sending emails, promoting on social media, and scheduling appointments. This makes Squarespace a great all-around choice for those owning small businesses who want an effective website builder.
GoDaddy: Best for Expert Guidance
GoDaddy is a top choice for creating business websites. It offers expert web development guidance. This ensures you follow a smooth and structured process.
It’s great for those new to web building. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use platform helps small businesses look professional online.
Step-by-Step Guidance
GoDaddy is excellent at guiding you step by step to create a website. Even if you’re new, their AI assistant can set up a basic website in two simple steps in less than 30 seconds.
You can choose from over 200 templates. Each can be customized in a lot of ways. This makes sure your website looks just how you want.
The AI also helps with quick setup. This means you can get your website up and running fast, even if you’re not an expert.
Great Value for Money
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Discounted Annual Term | Renewal Cost (Annual) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10.99 | 15% Discount | $155.88 | Mobile-friendly, 100s of templates, marketing dashboard |
| Premium | $14.99 | 34% Discount | $275.88 | 25,000 email marketing sends/month |
| Commerce | $20.99 | 22% Discount | $323.88 | 100,000 email marketing sends/month |
GoDaddy’s pricing is not just attractive, it’s great value. Prices start at $10.99 a month. With special discounts for yearly plans, it’s budget-friendly. Even with renewal, the costs are competitive.
All GoDaddy plans come with key features. These include a mobile-friendly site, many templates, a marketing dashboard, and more. Small businesses get a lot for their money.
If you want your business website to be easy and affordable, GoDaddy is a smart pick. It gives you a solid start, making your online journey smoother.
GoDaddy: Best for Expert Guidance
GoDaddy is a top pick for small businesses needing expert guidance to make a website. It’s trusted by more than 20 million customers all over the world. With a great 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 100,342 reviews, it’s clear GoDaddy helps users create their online home easily.
Step-by-Step Guidance
GoDaddy’s platform is known for being easy to use, guiding users every step of the way. This is helpful for those without lots of tech knowledge. They provide lots of support from their team to help with any issues or changes.
Setting up online stores with GoDaddy is both flexible and easy, especially with tools like WordPress and WooCommerce. Plus, there are tons of templates to make your website look good on computers and phones.
Great Value for Money
GoDaddy’s prices are competitive, making it a great option for small businesses. It offers a lot, like unlimited storage, data, AI tools, and support services. While the cheaper plans don’t have e-commerce support or much customization, they are great for marketing and SEO.
GoDaddy includes marketing tools to boost your brand and manage ads on social media and emails. And if you need help, you can hire pros from GoDaddy to build your online shop. This shows how GoDaddy goes the extra mile to help its users.
Hostinger: Best for Affordability and AI Support
Hostinger is a top pick for small businesses on a budget. It scores 4.9/5 and starts at $3.99 a month. What makes it stand out is the use of AI tools for website building, which include an AI website development suite, AI Builder, AI Heatmap, AI Logo Maker, and AI Writer.
It’s easy to make a mobile-friendly store on Hostinger, letting you list up to 500 items. You can choose from 20 payment methods and 25 ways to ship. This flexibility is great for people new to online business as well as seasoned entrepreneurs.
Hostinger also connects well with important tools like Google Analytics and Facebook. This helps with managing your site and tracking how it’s doing.
In terms of support, Hostinger offers help 24/7 through its customer service team. It gives you key features for free, such as a domain name, SSL certificate, and help moving your site. Plus, you get protection through Cloudflare for your website.
But the good pricing isn’t the only perk. Hostinger’s AI tools, such as the AI SEO Tool and AI Heatmaps, can make your site more visible on search engines. The starting price of $2.99/month is quite a deal for anyone wanting effective tools without spending a lot.
If you go for a longer Premium Web Hosting plan (12, 24, or 48 months), Hostinger throws in a free domain for the first year. This mix of low cost, strong AI support, and user-friendly features makes Hostinger a great choice. It helps small businesses succeed online without a big investment.
Free and Affordable Website Builder Options
Building a website for your business on a small budget is now easier. Many best free website builders are out there. And other low-cost web tools can help. We’ll look at some top picks. These are great for different needs and keep quality high.
Google Sites
Google Sites is great for businesses that need a free, simple platform. It’s not focused on advanced features like SEO. But you can make a basic site easily. It lets you drag and drop elements to create your web presence fast.
Yola
If you want something basic and affordable, Yola is an excellent choice. It has a free plan that includes Yola ads and a specific domain. You can pay to remove the ads. Yola’s block editor makes designing easy. This makes it perfect for those who want a simple, clean look.
Webnode
Webnode is known for its AI features. They help both in building the site and making it unique. It’s a good option for businesses that care about design and saving money. Webnode offers efficient tools for customization. This helps you create a site that stands out while keeping costs low.
Why Best Website Builders for Small Businesses is Crucial
Picking the right website builder is key for small business growth. A professional site can change how people see your business. It helps you reach new customers. Shockingly, 1 in 3 small businesses doesn’t have a website or a landing page to help them online.
About 20% of small businesses without a website only use social media, which can hold them back. Using website builders like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and WordPress is a smart move. They come with many price points and features. They let small businesses shine online. For instance, Wix’s prices go from $16 to $32 monthly. On the other hand, Shopify’s range is $39 to $105 a month for more options.
Below is a table to show you what each option offers:
| Website Builder | Starting Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Wix | $16/month | Drag-and-drop functionality, SEO support |
| Squarespace | $23/month | Stylish templates, versatile CMS |
| Shopify | $39/month | E-commerce solutions, third-party apps |
| WordPress | $9/month | Customizable plugins, popular among creatives |
| GoDaddy | $18.95/month | Expert guidance, value for money |
Studies show that small businesses do better with well-built websites and good domain names. Catchy domain names make your brand stand out. They boost trust, which is vital for small business growth. Also, websites with key keywords in their domains often show up higher in online searches. This visibility brings more visitors to the site.
Easy-to-use website builders like Wix and WordPress let you make your site look just right. They have lots of design options. E-commerce platforms like Shopify are known for their strong features. They make it easy for small businesses to sell online. The right website builder can really help a small business do well online.
Conclusion
Choosing a website builder is critical for small businesses. They need to select the best one for their goals and budget. Some options include Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, and BigCommerce. Each one offers unique features for different needs.
Wix stands out with its 800+ customizable templates. You can also see how your site looks on mobile devices as you build it. Squarespace is great for sleek designs and includes a free domain in the first year of an annual plan. It’s a budget-friendly option. BigCommerce shines in online stores, with plans from $29.95 to $299.95 a month. It combines free and paid templates. WordPress is also impressive, thanks to its large community and template selection.
Having a website is hugely beneficial for a business. It helps create an online image, builds trust, and shows off products. A good website also engages customers, boosts sales, and attracts new business. Thus, selecting the right builder is key to business success online.
The best builder will be easy to use, customizable, and affordable. It will also have great customer support and useful features. Small businesses should carefully consider these points. This way, they can make their online presence match their brand’s image and goals.
FAQ
What are the best website builders for small businesses?
What makes a website builder the best for small businesses?
Are there any easy website builders for small business owners with no technical experience?
How important are sales features in a professional website builder?
Do these website builders provide tools for online marketing?
Can I customize my website design on these platforms?
Why is mobile-responsive design important?
What makes GoDaddy a good choice for small businesses?
Is there an affordable website builder that also uses AI?
Are there any free options for small businesses looking to create a website?
Why is choosing the right website builder crucial for small businesses?
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