12 Best Website Builder for Small Business in 2023
When one thinks of the best website builder for small business, there are many things to consider from ease of use to affordability.
A website can help you reach a wider audience, establish credibility, and improve your customer experience. However, building a website from scratch can be a daunting task, especially for those who don't have technical skills.
That's why website builders have become increasingly popular, offering a user-friendly and cost-effective solution to building a website.
In this blog post, we will be reviewing the best website builders for small businesses.
We have researched and tested several website builders to help you choose the right one for your business needs.
Keep reading to find the best website builder for your small business.
Top Website Builder Software for Small Business
1. Wix - Best for building websites for small businesses
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.
Whether you’re a designer, or a photographer looking to promote your business, or a content marketer seeking for an easy way to create a personal blog and showcase your portfolio, Wix offers a wide range of features you can use to grow your business.
You can choose from 900+ online store templates, connect a custom domain and customize your eCommerce website in no time.
Additionally, this website builder offers an extremely easy-to-use yet robust drag-and-drop editor that simplifies website building for novices and experts alike.
Pros:
- Scores out most website builders with its ease of use.
- One of the most intuitive drag-and-drop builders.
- Self-explanatory: no need to understand coding or technicalities.
- A wide range of design options and templates, even with the free version.
- Add-ons available such as Wix form builders.
- Top-notch customer support.
- 24/7 infrastructure monitoring.
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
Top Industries Using Wix: Marketing and Advertising, Computer Software, Information Technology & Services, Design, Non-Profit Organization Management.
Pricing: E-commerce: $16.17/mo - best for small businesses Unlimited: $12.45
2. HubSpot - Best for growing and scaling businesses
HubSpot provides a free content management system and drag-and-drop website builder for small businesses to create professional and engaging websites.
Connected to their all-in-one CRM platform, businesses can control their website content, marketing, sales, and customer service efforts all in one place.
You can build a tailored and optimized website that engages your visitors and drives conversions with ease.
Marketers can easily edit and create pages without technical expertise with a user-friendly platform, while visitors enjoy a secure and personalized experience.
Pros:
- Drag and drop builder with no coding needed.
- Built-in content delivery network.
- Pre-installed security measures like web app firewalls, malware detection, etc.
- Connected to HubSpot’s CRM to store customer and website visitor information.
- Great for companies looking to grow and scale their business campaigns.
Cons:
- Premium features and paid plans are a bit expensive.
- Inability to add custom code or integrate with other third-party tools.
- Might be overwhelming for newcomers.
Top Industries Using HubSpot: Computer Software, Information Technology and Services, Marketing and Advertising, Financial Services, Education Management.
HubSpot’s G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Price: There is a 14-day free trial if you want to try it out first. CMS Hub Starter plan starts at $25/mo.
3. Framer - Bests for professionals
Framer helps you make a bold announcement about your product with ease without requiring a large marketing team and extensive preparation time.
It’s great for especially small businesses as you can effortlessly launch landing pages in a matter of days with a small team.
Once you've launched your website, maintaining and updating your site is very easy as well. Publishing new changes takes mere seconds.
Pros:
- Exceptional customer support.
- Ability to track everything with built-in analytics, Google Analytics and more.
- Catapult your idea with a sleek presentation.
- Fair pricing.
- Plugins to connect desired services.
- Clean-looking code that works really fast!
Cons:
- Not too many customization options for big businesses.
- Might look confusing at first.
- Might need basic coding from time to time.
Top Industries Using Framer: Marketing and Advertising, Computer Software, Information Technology and Services, Financial Services, and Education Management.
Framer’s G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Price: There is a free plan that you can use for hobby projects that includes a design editor and framer banner.
Depending on your country, the Mini plan is $5/mo per site, including landing pages, home and 404 pages, custom domain, and 1,000 visitors/mo.
4. Pixpa - Best for creatives
Pixpa is a no-code website builder for photographers, artists, and designers.
It helps creators easily build and manage a beautiful, professional website with a built-in online store, blog, and client galleries.
You don't need to have any coding skills to get started, simply connect your custom domain name, and you're ready to go.
The platform also comes with built-in SEO tools to help you rank well on search engines, ensuring that your website is easily discoverable by potential customers.
It allows you to showcase, share & sell your work online and grow your business.
Pros:
- Wide range of modern responsive templates.
- Offers the option for using custom CSS and HTML code for advanced customization.
- Simplified client proofing workflow for photographers.
- Extensive and integrated SEO and marketing features.
- Compatible with over 50+ third-party integrations.
- Pixpa charges zero commissions on sales made through your website.
Cons:
- No free plans. Pixpa is a paid service.
- Custom domain names must be purchased from a third party.
- Creating a multilanguage site might be complicated.
- There may be a slight learning curve when mastering some of the more intricate aspects of the interface.
Top Industries Using Pixpa: Photography, Arts and Crafts, Design, Computer Software, Writing and Editing.
Pixpa’s G2 Rating: 4.7/5
Price: There is a 15-day trial, no credit card is required, and you can subscribe anytime with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The basic plan is $6/mo, billed annually including essentials to create your personal website. The most popular plan is Professional plan which is $18/mo, billed annually.
5. Canva - Best for simple, visually appealing websites
The famous design tool Canva is here to help you create your one-page website now!
You can announce business events or boost your personal branding with Canva Website Builder’s sleek templates and user-friendly editor in minutes.
Canva Website Builder can give you the start you need with its custom, mobile-responsive one-page website templates that can serve various purposes.
If you are technically challenged and have no coding knowledge but 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 just a side hustler creating your portfolio, Canva Website Builder has something to offer you.
Pros:
- Designed to be user-friendly and accessible for people with little to no technical experience.
- Offers a wide variety of templates that users can customize to suit their needs.
- Drag and drop builder.
- Includes built-in design tools, such as adding text, images, videos, and other elements to a website.
Cons:
- Fewer features and functionalities than other website builders or custom-coded websites.
- Some features are available when you upgrade to Canva Pro.
- Less design flexibility than coding a website from scratch.
- It may not be suitable for larger, more complex websites.
Canva’s G2 Rating: 4.7
Top Industries Using Canva: Marketing & Advertising, Technology, Higher Education
Price: There is a forever free plan if you want to try out Canva Website Builder first. It’s totally free for Canva users.
6. Squarespace - Best for modern designs
Squarespace is a website building and hosting platform that allows users to create and manage their own websites without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Squarespace provides users with a variety of customizable templates, drag-and-drop tools, and integrated features, such as e-commerce capabilities, to help them create a professional-looking website.
The platform also offers hosting, domain registration, and 24/7 customer support, making it a one-stop solution for creating and maintaining a website. Squarespace is often used by small businesses, photographers, artists, and individuals who want to establish an online presence.
Most users will agree that among major website builders, Squarespace is the most aesthetically pleasing one. It is also very easy to implement (second to Wix.)
Pros:
- Modern and elegant templates.
- Perfect for photographers and visual artists.
- Drag and drop feature and variety of design options.
- All-in-one platform that can handle blogs, e-commerce, domain hosting, etc.
- Domain transfer.
- SEO tools.
-
Cons:
-
It requires a business plan to access powerful features like custom code. Being able to add custom codes is essential to add elements like event countdown timers.
-
Lacks multi-language approach from out of the box.
-
There are fewer add-ons and apps than similar tools.
-
Its e-commerce capabilities cannot compete with similar tools that offer plugins and more features.
Squarespace G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Top Industries Using Squarespace: Marketing and Advertising, Design, Non-Profit Organization Management, Photography, Writing and Editing.
Price: Personal plan is $16/mo if you pay annually, including templates to fit every need and mobile-optimized websites.
7. Shopify - Best for e-commerce
If you’ve been researching online store builders, you might have noticed that the most popular one is Shopify.
Shopify stats show that with 1.7M merchants using Shopify to sell online, it is one of the largest e-commerce platforms.
Since this platform has a sharp focus on selling online, it comes with more advanced e-commerce features than most other website builders. Shopify is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
If you are just starting out your business, you could go for other website builders for small businesses that offer a free or cheaper plan.
Pros:
- There is a wide range of Shopify apps in the Shopify App Store, in different categories like email marketing or sales.
- Cover almost every feature and more that is needed for a small business.
- Excellent for dropshipping.
- Provides SSL, so you don’t have to worry about your website’s security.
Cons:
- It might be costly for most small businesses, but if your store is growing and needs more features, Shopify is the best.
- Very few themes.
- If you are looking for heavy customizations, Shopify isn’t the one for you. Open source platforms like WordPress.org would be better However, it requires coding and designing skills.
Shopify’s G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Top Industries Using Shopify: Retail, Apparel & Fashion, Marketing and Advertising, Consumer Goods, Internet.
Price: The most popular plan, Basic plan, is $24/mo billed yearly, including basic reports, up to 1,000 inventory locations and 2 staff accounts.
You can also try Shopify for free for 3 days.
8. Square Online (formerly Weebly) - Best for simple editing
Square E-commerce, formerly known as Weebly, is a website builder platform for small businesses.
Although not as advanced as Shopify, Square Online makes it easy for starters to build a website from scratch.
The platform offers features such as personalized ordering, advanced item settings, and self-serve (QR code) ordering to help businesses grow their online presence.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Provides a lot of building blocks.
- A large number of templates are available.
- There is a free plan.
- The ability to change a template without having to upload the content again.
Cons:
- The drag-and-drop feature provides ease but there’s no option for moving elements to precise places on the website as Wix provides.
- The editor doesn’t allow moving elements freely.
- Limited SEO capabilities.
Square Online’s G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Top Industries Using Square Online: Marketing and Advertising, Information Technology and Services, Retail, Food & Beverages, Real Estate.
Price: A free plan is available with a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Plus plan starts at $29/mo, billed annually with a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
9. BigCommerce - Best for growing businesses
Next on our list of the best website builders for small businesses is BigCommerce.
Just like Shopify, BigCommerce focuses on e-commerce. This platform empowers small business owners and merchants to build their websites without coding.
It offers features such as customizable templates, website design tools, product management, order management, and integrated payment processing.
Additionally, Bigcommerce offers robust security features and 24/7 support to help businesses grow their online presence and provide a smooth shopping experience for their customers.
Pros:
- BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees to use one of the provided third-party payment gateways.
- Ability to sell in different currencies.
- It can integrate with many marketplace platforms.
- The platform offers comprehensive features in its entrance-level item choices.
Cons:
- The standard price plan doesn’t include abandoned cart functionality. Cart abandonment studies show that roughly 70 of every 100 potential customers leave their cart without purchasing. That means such features are essential for recovering revenue loss.
- Design and editing capabilities are limited.
- It requires a few seconds to load the page content.
BigCommerce G2 Rating: 4.2/ 5
Top Industries Using BigCommerce: RetailApparel & Fashion, Marketing and Advertising, Health, Wellness and Fitness, Consumer Goods.
Price: There is 15-day free trial if you want to try it out first.
Standard plan is $29.95/mo, billed annually with no transaction fees if you choose one of the 55 payment gateways.
10. Gator Website Builder - Best for e-commerce
Another tool we’ll mention in our list of the best website builders for small business is Gator Website Builder.
This tool is developed by the hosting company HostGator. It provides an all-in-one website building and hosting solution.
Note: Gator is a simple solution and lacks advanced features. If you’re going to launch an e-commerce store or if you want to add more functionality to your site, Gator is not the best choice for you.
Pros:
- You don’t have to worry about hosting when using Gator since it's a fully hosted platform.
- 200+ professional design templates.
- Provides access to a built-in stock photo library.
- Your first year of domain registration is free.
- If you already have a website, site transfer is free.
- 99.9% uptime guarantee.
Cons:
- It doesn’t offer a free plan or a free trial.
- Gator is a simple website builder, so it doesn’t have the advanced features that other solutions on our list have.
- UI could be improved.
Gator G2 Rating: 3.6/5
Top Industries Using Gator: Marketing and Advertising, Information Technology and Services, Computer Software, Internet, Consumer Goods.
Price: Hatchling Plan introductory offer is $2.75/mo with a single website and chat support only.
11. Duda - Best for integrating SaaS platforms
Duda is a web design platform that is well-suited for web professionals, agencies, and businesses of all sizes.
It has robust collaboration and client management features that make it ideal for creating and managing websites on a large scale.
The platform offers the ability to create websites with a range of features optimized for different devices, such as desktops, tablets, and mobile phones, and ensures that they meet Google PageSpeed optimization standards.
Pros:
- Exceptional customer support.
- Duda doesn’t charge an additional commission fee.
- Drag and drop builder.
- Cost-effective: offers a lot for a cheaper price compared to the market, which makes it excellent for small businesses.
Cons:
- Tools like Wix and Webflow offer a more comprehensive set of design controls.
- More native integrations are needed.
- The website builder can be slow at times.
Duda’s G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Top Industries Using Duda: Marketing and Advertising, Design, Internet, Graphic Design, Computer Software.
Price: Basic plan is $14/mo including 1 Site & AWS hosting. $19/mo or $171/yr is charged per additional website.
12. WordPress.com - Best for complete control
WordPress.com is often confused with WordPress.org.
The key difference between the two is hosting. With WordPress.org, you host your site, while WordPress.com includes hosting and makes it easier to start your website.
WordPress.com is a website-creating platform as well as a CMS (content management software.)
It gives you a simpler way to create websites, forums, membership sites, resumes, portfolios, blogs, and more.
Pros:
- Intuitive design capabilities and drag and drop feature.
- A huge number of themes and plugins to help you deploy any kind of website without programming skills.
- Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools.
- Integrations with top shipping carriers.
Cons:
- For complex customization, you may need web development skills.
- Possible plugin conflicts and plugin versions sometimes don't align with the WordPress version.
- A steep learning curve, but you can always keep things as drafts and not publish before it’s complete.
WordPress G2 Rating: 4.4/ 5
Top Industries Using WordPress: Marketing and Advertising, Computer Software, Information Technology and Services, Internet, Writing and Editing.
Price: There is a free plan if you want to try it out first.
Personal plan starts at $4/mo, billed yearly with a free domain for one year and removal of WordPress.com ads.
Before You Leave…
Building a website for a small business can be challenging, but with the right website builder, it can be an easy and seamless process.
The website builders discussed in this post are some of the best options available in the market.
Each has unique features and pricing plans that cater to the specific needs of small businesses.
Ultimately, the best website builder for a small business will depend on its specific needs and goals.
Whether it's design, user-friendliness, e-commerce, or a combination of these factors, the website builders mentioned in this post will provide small businesses with the tools they need to create a professional and successful online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Create a Website for Free?
Yes, it is possible to build a website for free, but if you need a professional website, the answer would be no.You can find free website builders, but when you look closer, you still need a budget to get things up and running because in free versions:
You can’t have your own domain.
Website builders don’t allow full control over your website.
You’ll need to pay to access themes, templates, and add-ons.
Your website will be crammed with ads.
What is the Best Website Builder for Small Businesses?
The best website for small businesses depends on several factors, including the type of business, target audience, and specific needs.Here are a few popular options:
While WordPress is a popular website builder that offers a wide range of customizable templates and plugins, Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that is user-friendly and offers a variety of templates for various industries.
Similarly, Squarespace is a website builder known for its stylish templates and easy-to-use interface whereas Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform specifically designed for online stores and businesses selling products.
How Much does a Small Business Website Cost?
On average, website builders for small businesses cost around $12-30 per month.If it doesn’t include a hosting solution, hosting platforms’ prices range between $15 and $240 depending on the hosting type (shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, etc.)
Which Website Builder is Easiest to Use?
Wix is the easiest website builder to navigate through and create professional-looking websites from scratch with a breeze.What is the Best E-commerce Website Builder for Small Business?
It can be said that the best e-commerce website builder for small business is Shopify because of the wide array of features and capabilities it provides.Checked These Out!
- Shopify SEO Checklist: How to Rank Your Store #1
- 8 Shopping Deals Popups That’ll Bring You More Money
- Top 12 Landing Page Optimization Tools
