Best Small Business Website Builders in 2024: Top 11 Compared
1. Wix
Best for looking for design ease with 800+ customizable templates and drag-and-drop simplicity.
Wix is one of the best website builders for small business owners looking for a user-friendly platform that supports all stages of business development, from initial branding with a business name generator and logo maker to launching a fully functional online store.
A user comment says, “If you can use PowerPoint, you can create a professional-looking website with Wix,” and we couldn’t summarize Wix’s ease of use better.
🔝 Top Features of Wix for Small Businesses:
- Logo & Branding: Wix includes logo and branding tools that allow you to design your logo, customize your brand colors and fonts, and easily manage your branding elements. It simplifies the process of creating a consistent and professional brand identity for small businesses.
- Automated Campaigns: Wix helps small businesses save time and money with this feature. This lets you automatically send emails and chat messages based on what your customers do on your site.
- Built-in SEO Features: Wix enhances a small business's online presence with a suite of SEO tools. From a tailored setup checklist and customizable SEO settings to site inspections and URL management, Wix covers the essentials. It simplifies site verification and sitemap generation, ensuring search engines properly index your site.
🟩 Pros:
- It offers over 800 fully customizable business templates and drag & drop functionality.
- Provides free, secure web hosting.
- Offer custom domain names and matching business emails.
- Built-in tools for payments, tracking, inventory, and marketing.
- Built-in SEO tools like SEO Setup Checklist for better visibility.
- Add-ons available, such as Wix form builders.
- Specialized ecommerce features are available.
🟥 Cons:
- No domain personalization with free plans. (i.e., accountname.wixsite.com/siteaddress).
- Only one person can edit at a time.
🌟 Wix G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Pricing: Wix has five plans; Free plan at $0/mo, Light at $17/mo, Core at $29/mo, Business at $36/mo, and Business at $36/mo.
You can Get Started with Wix for free.
2. Shopify
Best for small businesses seeking an all-in-one ecommerce solution.
Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce platform that is particularly suitable for small businesses due to its ease of use, scalability, and wide range of integrated tools and features that support a business's online and offline sales needs at an affordable cost.
🔝 Top Features of Shopify for Small Businesses:
- Customization: With access to various themes and templates of Shopify and the ability to customize them, small businesses can create a unique brand experience online.
- App Integration: Shopify offers over 8,000 apps that can extend the functionality of an online store, from product sourcing to advanced analytics.
- Marketing Automation: It allows small businesses to engage with customers efficiently through personalized communication, increasing sales while saving time and resources. You can say hello to your new visitors with welcome automation, return your customer with a cart abandonment email, send order confirmation, and more…
🟩 Pros:
- No need for technical expertise due to intuitive website builder tools.
- Scalability for growing businesses with various plan options.
- Secure and reliable with integrated payment and fraud analysis.
- Excellent for dropshipping.
- Integration of online and in-store sales with POS system.
🟥 Cons:
- Customization beyond the basics may require knowledge of HTML/CSS or hiring a developer.
- Monthly costs can add up, especially when using multiple paid apps.
- There are transaction fees if you are not using Shopify Payments.
🌟 Shopify’s G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Pricing: Shopify offers four main plans, with the Basic plan at $24/month for solo entrepreneurs, the Shopify plan at $69/month for small teams, the Advanced plan at $299/month for scaling businesses, and Plus starting at $2,300/month for more complex business needs.
3. GoDaddy
Best for small businesses with an urgent need to launch a website quickly.
GoDaddy is a website builder that allows small businesses like yours to establish and grow their online presence effortlessly.
With features like free website creation, easy customization, integrated ecommerce capabilities, SEO tools, social media integration, professional email, and flexible upgrade options, GoDaddy simplifies the digital journey for small business owners like you, enabling you to thrive in the competitive online landscape.
🔝 Top Features of GoDaddy for Small Businesses:
- Ecommerce Capabilities: GoDaddy's Commerce plan includes features tailored for online stores, like listing physical and digital products, various payment processor options, and the ability to link product listings to major online marketplaces. It also provides flexible shipping options.
- Social Media Integration: It offers integrations with Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to synchronize posts across both platforms. Additionally, with GoDaddy Studio, you can create branded content, including videos or ads, that can be shared on social media.
- Email Marketing: All GoDaddy plans come with email marketing capabilities. You can send 1.000 emails in 1 month with its free plan. This feature lets you send promotional emails, welcome emails, and newsletters directly from the dashboard.
🟩 Pros:
- Drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and customizable sections.
- Access a free website option and budget-friendly pricing plans.
- Email and social media marketing solutions are available in the free plan.
- Built-in ecommerce tools, including product listings, secure payment gateways, and shipping options.
- Built-in SEO tools, such as the SEO Wizard, to optimize website content for search engines.
- Domain-matching email addresses are provided free for the first year.
🟥 Cons:
- Domain renewals and premium plans’ pricing can be pricey for some users.
- GoDaddy is missing a few key ecommerce capabilities.
🌟 GoDaddy’s G2 Rating: 3.9/5
Pricing: GoDaddy has four plans; Basic at $10.99/mo, Standard at $16.99/mo, Premium at $22.99/mo, and Ecommerce at $26.99/mo.
Bonus: Wix and Godaddy make it difficult to choose between the two due to the various features they offer to small businesses, so you can get more details and analyze which one is a good option for you by checking out "Wix vs. GoDaddy: Deciding the Ideal Website Builder in 2024".
4. Pixpa
Best for small businesses, particularly those in creative industries like photography, design, and art.
Pixpa is a website builder that offers a suite of specialized tools that cater to visual-centric businesses, including a wide range of professional, mobile-friendly templates that put imagery front and center.
Pixpa's integrated ecommerce functionality, which allows for the sale of physical items, digital products, and services without charging transaction fees, is particularly advantageous for businesses looking to sell products or services.
🔝 Top Features of Pixpa for Small Businesses:
- Client Galleries with SEO Control: Pixpa lets you create client galleries with options for SEO customization to manage visibility on search engines, enhancing client privacy and discoverability of their work.
- Ecommerce Integration for Prints and Downloads: Pixpa supports seamless ecommerce integration, particularly for selling images as prints or digital content, which includes secure payment processing and product management features tailored for creatives.
- Template Variety and Customization: With a wide range of fully responsive and customizable templates, Pixpa enables small businesses to ensure their website design is attractive and functional on all devices.
🟩 Pros:
- Over 150 professional templates.
- Ecommerce tools allow for direct sales without transaction fees.
- Offer a proofing system that allows clients to review and select images.
- Built-in SEO and social media widgets.
- Ability to create personalized mobile gallery apps for clients.
- Supports multiple languages.
🟥 Cons:
- You cannot add any contributors.
- If content marketing is part of your strategy, the Basic plan won't support it.
- Custom domain names must be purchased from a third party.
🌟 Pixpa’s G2 Rating: 4.7/5
Pricing: Pixpa offers a 15-day free trial + four plans; the Basic plan at $8/mo, the Creator plan at $15/mo, the Professional plan at $20/mo, and the Advanced plan at $25/mo.
5. Hostinger
Best for small businesses seeking an affordable, integrated solution for both website building and hosting.
Hostinger’s website builder is a dynamic platform tailored for small businesses and ecommerce platforms alike.
This website builder makes it easier to create eye-catching visual content with its drag-and-drop elements without needing specific design skills.
Moreover, Hostinger stands out for its integration of AI-driven tools that streamline the creation of SEO-friendly content and images, thereby enhancing the online visibility of small businesses.
🔝Top Features of Hostinger for Small Businesses
⚠️ Hostinger does not offer a trial or free plan for users to explore its features.
- Automated Website and Email Setup: Hostinger's platform is designed for ease of use, with automatic wizards for setting up websites, emails, domains, and VPS services, making it ideal for beginners.
- Custom Control Panel (hPanel): The hPanel is Hostinger's custom-built control panel, designed to be user-friendly. It allows you to manage your hosting account, including your website files, databases, and email accounts, from one place.
- Free Website Migration: Hostinger provides a website migration service, allowing small businesses to easily transfer their existing websites to Hostinger's platform without technical complications.
🟩 Pros:
- Including a free domain (valued at $9.99) and email hosting provide significant value.
- Drag-and-drop interface & over 150 templates.
- AI-powered tools, like logo makers and content generators, add value without extra cost.
- Free SSL certificate enhances website security.
- Useful photo repository to visually enhance the website.
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth cater to growing business needs.
- Affordable ecommerce options with zero transaction fees.
🟥 Cons:
- Inability to switch templates after your site goes live.
- Live chat and email support are available, but there's no phone option.
- Hostinger does not offer a trial or free plan for users to explore its features.
🌟 Hostinger’s G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Pricing: Hostinger has two plans; Premium Website Builder at $2.99/mo ($7.99/mo when you renew) and Business Website Builder at $3.99/mo ($8.99/mo when you renew), including the first three months free.
6. Webador
Best for small businesses that are budget-conscious and need quick online setup.
Small businesses that want to go online quickly without worrying about technological issues can use Webador. Its unique feature is that, with the help of an easy-to-use and responsive editor, you can create a functional website in less than 10 minutes.
🔝Top Features of Webador for Small Businesses:
- Easy Product Management: Webador offers a straightforward system for adding and managing products in an online store, supporting up to four product variations like color or size, which is ideal for small business inventory management.
- Basic SEO and Analytics: Webador includes essential SEO settings for pages and products to help improve search engine visibility. Coupled with basic analytics, small businesses can track visitor behavior and optimize their sites accordingly.
- Basic Marketing Features: The platform provides essential marketing tools such as discounts and sales price settings, helping small businesses run promotions and effectively encourage sales.
🟩 Pros:
- 50+ mobile responsive templates and drag-and-drop functionality.
- Multi-language support for international businesses.
- Even after the initial discount period, Webador's plans remain budget-friendly.
- Allows for direct interaction with customers, from feedback to locating physical stores.
- Built-in SEO tools
- Includes ecommerce features for product management, order tracking, and tax settings
- There are no transaction fees with its e-commerce tools.
🟥 Cons:
- Templates are versatile but not industry-specific.
- E-commerce tools are suitable for basic stores but not for large-scale online retailers.
🌟 Webador’s Capterra Rating: 3.9/5
Pricing: Webador has four plans; the Free plan available at no cost, the Lite plan at $5/mo, the Pro plan (bestseller) at $9/mo, and the Business plan at $18/mo.
7. Siter.io
Best for small businesses looking for real-time collaboration features and seamless Figma integration.
Siter.io is a no-code website builder that allows small businesses to create and manage their websites easily.
It offers a user-friendly design process with easy-to-understand and use tools, even for those without technical skills.
The platform provides various design options, including a large selection of free icons and high-quality images from Unsplash, making it simple to create a professional-looking site.
🔝 Top Features of Siter.io for Small Businesses:
- Real-Time Collaboration: Siter.io lets your team work on the website at the same time. This means everyone can share ideas and make changes together, speeding up the process and ensuring everyone's on the same page.
- Figma Integration: If you use Figma for creating designs, Siter.io makes it easy to move those designs over and turn them into a real website. No need to juggle between different tools.
- Custom Code Insertion: Even though Siter.io is all about making things simple, there's room to add your own code if there's something specific you want to do with your site. This is great if you have unique needs that go beyond the basics.
🟩 Pros:
- Offers a no-code intuitive interface and a freehand editor.
- Free domain option.
- Supports real-time teamwork, enabling efficient collaboration across various roles within a business.
- Includes thousands of free icons, integration with Unsplash, and the ability to embed videos.
- Built-in e-commerce features like product displays, carts, and checkout processes.
- The Figma plugin and the ability to import designs directly.
- Advanced features like SVG editing and interactive state switching.
🟥 Cons:
- Integration capabilities should be improved.
- The template gallery might not be sufficient for everyone, and it should be enriched.
🌟 Siter.io’s G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Pricing: Siter.io offers four plans; the Start plan is available at no cost, the Solo plan at $7/mo, the Plus plan at $12/mo, and the Pro plan at $24/mo.
8. HubSpot
Best for small businesses focusing on inbound marketing and seeking to integrate website building with a CRM system.
HubSpot’s drag-and-drop website builder is a straightforward platform that allows small businesses to construct their websites effortlessly. HubSpot’s “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) editor allows business changes to appear in real-time, just as they will on the live site.
Starting is quick with ready-to-use themes, and adding a custom business domain is free. HubSpot further supports business growth with built-in tools for customer interaction and search engine optimization.
🔝 Top Features of Hubspot for Small Businesses:
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Allows for easy page construction with various content elements without needing coding skills.
- Theme Customization: Offers over 170 themes with extensive customization options, including colors, fonts, and spacing, ensuring brand consistency across all pages.
🟩 Pros:
- HubSpot's WYSIWYG interface simplifies visual site-building.
- Over 170 professional templates available for customization.
- Allows free domain name addition to your site.
- Integrated tools like live chat and meetings enhance customer interaction.
- SEO analytics included to increase site visibility, and actionable SEO recommendations are provided.
🟥 Cons:
- Premium features and paid plans are a bit expensive.
- Some users may find limitations in terms of advanced customization options.
- Website Pages is limited with 25.
🌟 HubSpot’s G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Pricing: HubSpot's CMS Hub offers four plans; a Free plan at $0/month, a Starter plan at $20/month per seat, a Professional plan starting at $500/month for three seats, and an Enterprise plan from $1,500/month for five seats.
9. Framer
Best for small businesses and entrepreneurs who value design freedom and ease of use in a website builder.
Framer is a dynamic web design tool that streamlines the process of creating websites for small businesses, offering an array of features that facilitate design, prototyping, and collaboration.
It helps you make a bold announcement about your product with ease without requiring a large marketing team and extensive preparation time.
🔝 Top Features of Framer for Small Businesses:
- Animated Content: This feature enriches the user experience with engaging animations that can make key information on services and products stand out, potentially increasing user interaction and retention.
- Localization: Framer's localization feature enables businesses to tailor their websites for a global audience by adding multiple language options.
- Robust CMS for Content Optimization: Framer's CMS is particularly advantageous for small businesses that frequently update content such as blogs, product listings, or services, providing a user-friendly interface for swift updates and modifications.
🟩 Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop feature.
- Unlike the rigid box model, it features a free positioning design for enhanced creative freedom.
- Figma compatibility for direct design import.
- There are plenty of tutorials and guides for quick learning.
- Collaborative features for team projects.
- Basic CMS tools for effective content handling.
🟥 Cons:
- Limited ecommerce features.
- Using a custom domain name without the "framer.website" extension incurs additional fees.
🌟Framer’s G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Pricing: Framer offers four plans; the Free plan at $0, the Mini plan at $5/mo, the Basic plan at $15/mo, and the Pro plan at $30/mo.
10. Canva
Best for entrepreneurs and individuals seeking one-page websites for various needs.
Canva Website Builder can give you the start with its custom, mobile-responsive one-page website templates that can serve various purposes.
You can announce business events or boost your personal branding with its sleek templates and user-friendly editor in minutes.
If you want to create a simple one-page website, Canva Website Builder might be an excellent choice for you.
Whether you're an entrepreneur creating an online menu, a content creator working on event pages, or a side hustler building your portfolio, Canva Website Builder has something to offer.
🔝 Top Features of Canva One-Page Website Builder for Small Businesses:
- Free Domains: Canva provides the option to publish to the web for free with a Canva-branded domain, which can be a cost-effective solution for small businesses or startups.
- Password Protection: For internal teams or classroom communications, website can be password protected, which adds a level of security for sensitive content.
- Insights and Analytics: Canva's Website Insights feature allows tracking of traffic and engagement, which is crucial for understanding audience behavior and optimizing the website.
🟩 Pros:
- Integrated with Canva's design platform, providing access to millions of images, icons, graphics, and templates.
- Offers site personalization with custom fonts, colors, and images.
- Allows custom domains and SEO optimization.
- Includes built-in analytics for traffic and engagement tracking.
- Supports teamwork with collaborative features.
🟥 Cons:
- Fewer features and functionalities than other website builders or custom-coded websites.
- Some features are available when you upgrade to Canva Pro.
- It may not be suitable for larger, more complex websites.
🌟 Canva’s G2 Rating: 4.7/5
Pricing: Canva offers four plans; the Canva Free plan at $0/year for one person, the Canva Pro plan at $119.99/year for one person, the Canva for Teams plan at $120/year per person (minimum 2 people, so $240/year), and details for the Canva Enterprise plan are available upon request.
11. Web.com
Best for budget-conscious small businesses seeking AI efficiency, an all-in-one web solution.
Web.com is an AI-driven website builder suited for small businesses looking to build a strong online presence. It offers easy-to-use design, naming, content creation tools, industry-specific templates, and SEO support.
With its built-in hosting and ecommerce solutions, Web.com provides a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for small businesses to thrive online.
🔝 Top Features of Web.com for Small Businesses:
- AI-Powered Tools: Web.com integrates AI-driven tools to enhance the website-building experience. This includes an AI website builder, an AI domain name generator, an AI logo builder, and an AI writer.
- Professional Web Design Services: For businesses needing a more hands-on approach, Web.com offers web design services like QuickStart and Designed by an Expert, providing personalized assistance in website creation.
🟩 Pros:
- It incorporates AI in its tools, such as AI Builder, AI Domain Name Generator, AI LogoBuilder, and AI Writer.
- The AI Writer tool and professional SEO experts work together to generate SEO-friendly content.
- Provides a vast array of industry-specific website design templates.
- It has ecommerce features like product management, sales notifications, and more.
- Provides built-in web hosting.
- Offers 2 million free stock images and YouTube & Vimeo embeds.
🟥 Cons:
- The initial offer for the first year is at a lower rate, but the renewal prices are significantly higher.
- Before using the builder, you need to purchase a domain, costing $4.95 per month.
- The SSL certificate is free for only 1 month in the basic plan.
🌟 Web.com's Capterra Rating & Reviews: 3.7/5 | 128
Pricing: Web.com has three plans; Website at $4.95/mo, Website + Marketing at $7.95/mo, and Ecommerce at $13.95/mo.
Conclusion: How to Choose the Best Small Business Website Builder?
Wrapping up, choosing the right website builder for your small business is a pivotal decision that shapes your online journey.
Whether you're crafting your first website or looking to upgrade your digital storefront, the right tool can make all the difference.
The features you prioritize will set the stage for your business's online narrative, from drag-and-drop simplicity to custom domains, from SEO tools to dynamic ecommerce capabilities.
Here are the key features you should look for in website builders as a small business owner:
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality: This allows you to easily design websites by moving elements around on the page.
- Pre-designed Templates: These allow you to choose a template that suits your business and customize it according to your needs.
- Custom Domain: The ability to have your own domain name, such as www.yourbusinessname.com, instead of www.buildername.com/yourbusinessname, which looks more professional.
- SSL Certificate: This is crucial for any website today. It secures connections to your website, and Google also prioritizes websites with SSL in their search results.
- Website Backup and Restore functionality: In the event of data loss or damage, this feature allows you to restore your website to a working state.
- Form Builder: To collect leads or any other information, the website builder should include an easy-to-use form builder. If it is unavailable or does not meet your desired requirements, you can integrate Popupsmart with your website builder and easily collect your leads with popups.
- Social Media Integration: The ability to integrate with social media platforms to expand your reach.
- Blogging Tools: If you want to include a blog on your website, look for blogging tools. "How to Make Money Blogging from Scratch in 2024?" In this blog, we have explained the best tools for blogging in detail.
- Content Management System (CMS): For easy content posting and updating.
- Live Chat Option: This could be beneficial in providing instant support to your customers. You can also use third-party AI chatbot and integrate them with your site.
- Ecommerce Capabilities: Providing secure processing and checkout of online transactions is crucial, including shopping cart functionality and integration with popular payment gateways to support online purchases.
- Multi-Language Support: If your business operates in multiple countries, having a multilingual site could be an advantage.
- Images and Video support: The ability to easily upload images and videos to enhance your content.
- SEO optimization tools: Keyword support, meta tags, and sitemap creation are some of the SEO tools a good website builder should include.
- Email Marketing: To keep in touch with your customers, the inclusion of an email marketing service would be beneficial.
In conclusion, selecting a website builder for a small business involves identifying key features that suit your operations, enhance your brand, and simplify your customer engagement. Look for a builder offering drag-and-drop design, pre-designed templates, custom domains, and SSL certificates. Ensure it includes website backup and restore options, form builders, and social media integration.
Extras like blogging tools, a CMS, live chat, ecommerce capabilities, multilingual support, image and video support, and SEO tools can also prove advantageous. Making the right choice will aid in your business's online success.
Benefits of Using a Website Builder for Small Businesses
Using a website builder is beneficial for small businesses wanting to establish themselves online. These easy-to-use platforms help improve online visibility, increase customer interaction, and make sales processes more efficient, all at a reasonable cost.
Let's review these advantages:
- Increased visibility and organic traffic: Built-in SEO tools can help your website rank higher in search results, leading to more potential customers finding your business online. This translates to increased brand awareness and a wider customer reach.
- Improved customer engagement: App marketplaces allow you to add functionalities that directly enhance customer interaction. Appointment scheduling, live chat, and online ordering streamline the customer journey and make it easier for them to do business with you.
- Cost-effective marketing and sales: Mobile-friendly websites ensure you reach your audience wherever they are. A/B testing allows you to optimize your website for conversions, potentially leading to more leads, sales, or sign-ups without additional marketing spend.
- Simplified online store management: Ecommerce functionality within website builders allows you to establish an online store with minimal technical expertise. This translates to a new sales channel and potentially increased revenue without the complexities and costs of larger ecommerce platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Free Website Builders for Small Businesses?
Free website builders for small businesses provide essential tools to create and launch a website without upfront costs. Among the options listed in the previous table, Wix, GoDaddy, Webador, Siter.io, HubSpot, Framer, and Canva offer free plans. These platforms cater to various needs, from ecommerce and professional branding to simple one-page sites. While free plans include basic features suitable for getting started online, they often come with limitations such as provider branding on the site, restricted access to advanced features, and limited customer support.
Small businesses might start with these free options and consider upgrading as their needs evolve for more comprehensive features and greater customization.
What is the Best Website Builder for Ecommerce?
Among the website builders listed, Shopify is the premier choice for ecommerce, thanks to its specialized focus on online store functionalities and scalable solutions.
However, if Shopify doesn't meet your needs, Wix is another ideal option.
Known for its versatile design capabilities and an extensive range of customizable templates, Wix also offers robust ecommerce features, making it a great Shopify alternative for businesses aiming to combine aesthetic flexibility with solid online sales features.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website for a Small Business?
The cost of building a website for a small business using listed builders can vary greatly based on the platform, features, and business size. Prices can start at $0/mo with free plans from Wix, GoDaddy, and others, but these come with limitations.
For more advanced needs, costs can rise to $2,300/mo with platforms like Shopify Plus offering extensive customization and support. Thus, costs can range from $0 to $2,300/mo, depending on the business's specific needs and growth stage.
Further Reading
12 Best Drag and Drop Website Builder to Use in 2024
How to Create Popup Forms for Your Website (2024 & Free)
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