Find The Best Website Builders of 2024

Top Website Builder Platforms

Are you looking to build a website but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, there are many great website builder platforms available that make it easy for anyone to build their own site.

Starting work on a new website is massively exciting and a great way to grow your business, connect with new customers and publicise the goods or services on offer.

However, if you don't have the budget to hire an independent developer or need to get your website up and running lightning fast, a website builder is by far the easiest option.

From drag-and-drop editors, to coding tools and more, these platforms offer a wide range of features and options that can help you create the perfect website.

What Is A Website Builder?

A website builder is a tool that helps people create their own websites.

It could be for a personal website, a small business website, or one for a larger business, and it has features like drag-and-drop, which makes it easy to design your site and add content.

You can also get help from other users in the same platform.

Main Website Builder Features To Look Out For

Free Version

The allure of website builders often begins with their attractive free version offerings.

Providing users with a free option to design and launch a website, these free plans are perfect for individuals or small businesses testing the digital waters.

They typically come with a set of basic design templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and sufficient hosting capabilities to get a starter site up and running.

However, it's worth noting that the free tier may come with limitations, such as the presence of the builder's branding, a subdomain name, or capped features that unlock with paid plans.

Despite these restrictions, the free version serves as an essential stepping stone for many into the world of web presence.

Drag and Drop Website Tools

One of the most user-friendly features offered by website builders is the drag-and-drop design tools.

This intuitive system allows even the most non-technical users to create beautiful, functional websites simply by dragging elements like text boxes, images, and multimedia right onto their desired location on a page.

This no-code approach to web design democratizes the process, removing the need for coding knowledge and making website creation accessible to a broader audience.

The drag-and-drop functionality not only accelerates the design process but also encourages experimentation, allowing users to easily try out different layouts and design elements until they find the perfect look for their site.

Web Hosting Service

Website builders typically streamline the complex task of web hosting by offering integrated hosting solutions.

These hosting plans vary from basic to advanced options, each tailored to accommodate different levels of traffic and site functionality.

For startups, small business and personal websites, basic hosting packages are often sufficient, providing reliable uptime, security, and decent speeds.

Medium to large businesses may opt for more robust plans that include features like custom domains, increased storage, bandwidth, and advanced security protocols.

Some website builders also offer specialized e-commerce hosting to support online stores with capabilities for payment processing and inventory management.

Overall, these integrated hosting plans aim to offer a hassle-free path to maintaining an online presence, allowing creators to focus on their content rather than the intricacies of web hosting technology.

Template Libraries

The best website builders offer extensive template libraries, catering to a plethora of styles, industries, and purposes.

These templates are designed with a user-friendly approach in mind, ensuring that even individuals with no prior design experience can create visually appealing websites.

Each template serves as a foundational framework that users can customize extensively, adapting colors, font styles, and layout to fit their unique brand identity.

With responsive design as a standard feature, these templates guarantee that websites will appear seamlessly on devices of all sizes, from desktops to smartphones.

Whether for a professional portfolio, a corporate site, or a personal blog, the diversity in template choices empowers users to establish an online presence that resonates with their vision and audience preferences. Switch templates quickly and easily until you find the right one for your project.

Ecommerce Features

Website builders facilitate robust e-commerce features that simplify the process of setting up and managing online stores.

These platforms support myriad functionalities, such as product listings, inventory tracking, easy tax and shipping integration, as well as secure checkout systems that accept various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and other online transaction services.

Business owners can also leverage integrated marketing tools designed to enhance customer engagement through SEO practices, email campaigns, and social media integrations.

This comprehensive e-commerce toolkit enables entrepreneurs to create a seamless shopping experience for customers, which is pivotal in driving sales and fostering brand loyalty in the competitive digital marketplace.

Free Domain Name

Additionally, many website builders enhance their appeal by offering a free domain name with their subscription plans.

This allows businesses and individuals to establish a professional web presence without the extra cost associated with purchasing a domain separately.

A custom domain not only adds credibility but also aids in brand recognition and search engine optimization (SEO).

Furthermore, having a free domain that aligns closely with a brand or personal identity makes it easier for visitors to remember and revisit the site, laying the groundwork for increased traffic and, ultimately, success online.

Blog Functionality

Beyond the practicalities of e-commerce, many website builders are equipped with sophisticated blog functionalities that serve as powerful tools for content marketing and customer engagement.

This feature allows businesses to publish relevant articles, updates, and news — fostering a community and keeping the audience informed and connected.

With integrated blog systems, content can be easily optimized for SEO, which increases visibility and assists in driving organic traffic.

Additionally, these platforms typically offer customizable templates and multimedia incorporation, which can greatly enhance the storytelling aspect, visually engage readers, and promote sharing across social networks.

Through these blogging capabilities, website builders empower users to not only sell online but also to tell their brand story and establish thought leadership in their respective fields.

Social Media Tools

Website builders often boast extensive template libraries that lay the foundational design for an array of websites tailored to different industries and personal styles.

These template libraries offer a diverse selection of customizable, pre-designed layouts that make crafting a professional-looking website accessible even to users with no previous design experience.

The templates are not only visually appealing but also responsive, ensuring that the website maintains its functionality and aesthetics across various devices, from desktop computers to smartphones.

Moreover, the use of templates significantly speeds up the development process, streamlining the website creation journey from conception to launch and allowing users to focus on fine-tuning content and functionalities to suit their specific needs.

Marketing and SEO Tools

Website builders often come equipped with comprehensive marketing features and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools that are essential for online visibility and audience acquisition.

These tools include customizable meta tags for titles and descriptions, which are crucial for improving a website's SEO rankings.

Email marketing functionalities are also frequently built-in or available as add-ons, which enable businesses to create, launch, and analyze email campaigns directly from the builder interface.

These marketing and SEO features help ensure that a website not only looks great but is also optimized to attract and engage the right audience.

What Are The Different Types Of Website Builders

Website builders come in three main categories: hosted platforms, open source software, and online website builders.

‍Hosted platforms are services that provide hosting, along with the tools to create your site. They usually have drag-and-drop tools to make designing your site easy.‍

Open source software is free to use, but it requires some coding knowledge and a web hosting plan. It also allows for more customization than hosted platforms.‍

Online website builders are tools that you can access from your browser without needing to install any special software or use a web hosting plan. These are usually the best website builders for small businesses and smaller projects.

They usually come with drag and drop tools, templates, and other features to make site building easy.

Whether you want a basic one page blog or an ecommerce store with multiple pages, there is something out there for everyone.

With these platforms, you don’t need any prior experience or technical knowledge – just pick a template, customize it with your content and images, add some plugins for extra functionality, and launch your site in no time.

Plus, they all come with helpful support teams who can answer all of your questions along the way.

Here, we will explore the best website building platforms and their features so you can make an informed decision when choosing the right platform for your needs.

What Does Your Own Website Need To Do?

Creating a website for your small business is an essential part of reaching potential customers and engaging with them.

There are many different types of websites that businesses can turn to, depending on their needs.

The most common types of websites include:

• blogs
• ecommerce stores
• informational websites

Each type has its own unique advantages and considerations for businesses looking to create and maintain a website.

Blogs

Blogs are one of the most popular and easy-to-use website types for businesses.

Blogs allow businesses to easily share their news, stories, and updates with customers.

They can also be used to provide helpful advice or information that potential customers can use.

Additionally, blogs provide great opportunities for businesses to engage with customers through comments and discussions.

Ecommerce Stores

Ecommerce stores are perfect for businesses looking to sell their products or services online. With ecommerce stores, businesses can easily set up a website where they can showcase their products and accept payments from customers.

Many platforms offer ecommerce features such as coupon codes, inventory tracking, and shipping options.

Informational Websites

Informational websites are great for businesses that want to provide a lot of information about their company and the services or products they offer.

These types of websites generally consist of static content such as business hours, contact info, pricing, and FAQs.

They are typically used to showcase the business’s products and services, as well as provide detailed information about the company.

Benefits Of Using A Website Builder

Building a website from scratch is no small feat, and it can be intimidating for people who lack technical coding knowledge.

Fortunately, there are now a variety of website building platforms available that make it easy for virtually anyone to create a stunning website without the need for coding or design expertise.

These platforms offer a range of features and benefits that provide users with the tools they need to create a professional website.

The main benefits of using a website builder platform include:

Quick & Easy Setup

Many platforms provide simple, step-by-step instructions that make setting up a website fast and straightforward.

With just a few clicks, users can have their site up and running.

Professional Designs

Website building platforms usually offer a variety of templates that can be customized to suit any user's needs. This makes it easy for users to create a professional-looking website without the need for design experience.

Customization Options

Most website builder platforms provide users with a range of customization options, allowing them to make their website look and feel exactly how they want it.

From fonts and colors to page layout, users can tailor their site to fit their exact needs.

Built-In Features

Many platforms offer a range of built-in features such as blogs, contact forms, ecommerce stores, and more.

This makes it easy for users to add extra features to their website without having to write code.

SEO Optimization

Website builder platforms often have built-in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools that make it easy for users to optimize their website for search engine rankings.

This can help ensure that the site is seen by as many people as possible.

Support & Resources

Most website builder platforms provide support and resources that make it easy for users to troubleshoot any issues they may encounter.

This makes it easier for users to get their site up and running quickly.

Analytics Tools

Analytics tools within website builders are essential for understanding visitor behavior and optimizing the website for better engagement and conversion rates.

They offer insights into metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, page views, and the average time spent on the site.

Furthermore, they can track the journey of a visitor throughout the website, revealing which pages are the most popular and which may require improvement.

These tools are invaluable for any website owner looking to refine their content, improve user experience, and ultimately, drive success for their online presence.

Responsive Features

Responsive design is a staple in modern website creation, ensuring that sites look flawless on mobile devices as well as desktop.

Website builders prioritize this feature, offering a variety of templates and tools that automatically adjust layout elements to fit different screen resolutions.

This adaptability guarantees that all users have a seamless browsing experience, crucial for retaining engagement and minimizing bounce rates in a world where mobile internet usage continues to soar.

Customer Support

Customer support is a crucial aspect of any website builder service, acting as the lifeline for users when they encounter challenges or have questions.

A robust support system usually includes a variety of channels such as live chat, email support, knowledge bases, and community forums, ensuring users have access to assistance whenever they need it.

This level of support is not only reassuring but also enables users to make the most of the website builder's features, contributing to a smoother and more efficient website creation experience.

The 7 Best Website Builder Platforms

In today's world, having a website is essential to get yourself noticed in the digital space.

Whether you need a great service website for your small business, help to create a high-impact blog, or want to construct a full-service retail checkout, you need a great platform to get you started on the right track! Here's our pick of the best.

Also bear in mind, all of them offer a free trial to begin with.

1. Squarespace

The Squarespace website builder is one of the most popular available for people looking to create a website. Squarespace offers a wide variety of features and tools to help users build professional-looking websites quickly and easily.

The intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for anyone to create a stunning website, even for those with no prior coding experience. Squarespace also offers a wide range of templates, so users can find the perfect look and feel for their website.

Another great feature of Squarespace is its powerful e-commerce tools. Users have access to built-in payment processing, order tracking, inventory management, and more. This makes it easy for anyone to quickly launch a secure online store.

Additionally, Squarespace offers an array of features designed to help users optimize their website’s SEO performance. This includes tools like Google Analytics integration, detailed analytics reports, and automated sitemaps.

Finally, Squarespace is known for its premium customer service. They offer 24/7 customer support, so users can get help anytime they need it.

All in all, Squarespace is an excellent website builder platform for anyone looking to create a website quickly and easily. With its intuitive drag-and-drop website interface, powerful e-commerce tools, optimization features, and reliable customer service, Squarespace is the perfect choice for anyone looking to build their own website.

Pricing

Squarespace pricing plans range from $12/mo for the Personal plan to $40/mo for the Advanced Business plan, which includes unlimited storage, product and order management, as well as access to advanced analytics.

Squarespace also offers domain registrations starting at $20/yr and a wide selection of design themes that users can customize to their liking.

2. Webflow

Webflow is designed to make the process of creating a website easy and accessible to everyone, no matter what their level of experience may be.

With Webflow, users can easily build a website with no coding knowledge required.

This powerful website builder provides a wide range of features to help users create the website they envision. With its drag-and-drop visual editor, users can easily add content and customize their layout.

Webflow also offers design elements such as forms, buttons, and media galleries that allow users to create stunning webpages quickly.

Additionally, it provides an intuitive Code Editor for those who wish to use their coding knowledge to further customize the look and feel of their website.

Webflow provides users with advanced analytics capabilities which can help them better understand how visitors are interacting with their website.

It enables users to track page views, time on page, clicks, sources of traffic, and more.

This helps users identify areas of their website that may need improvement.

Finally, Webflow provides users with a variety of hosting options to ensure their website is always up and running.

It offers reliable hosting plans at competitive prices, ensuring users can keep their website accessible to visitors.

In addition, it provides security features to protect user data and keep websites safe from malicious attacks.

Overall, Webflow is one of the best website builders out there. With its intuitive design elements, advanced analytics capabilities, and reliable hosting options, users can easily build a stunning website without coding knowledge required.

It is an excellent choice for those looking to create a professional-looking website quickly and affordably.

Pricing

Pricing for Webflow is based on the plan chosen, with a free trial available to users who want to try out the platform before committing.

The Basic Plan costs $12/month and includes basic elements like hosting, analytics, and customer support. It also includes up to two CMS (Content Management System) collections and up to 3 sites.

The Pro Plan costs $16/month and includes all the features of the Basic Plan, plus unlimited CMS collections and up to 10 sites.

For larger projects and teams, Webflow also offers a Business Plan which costs $35/month and includes all the features of the Pro Plan as well as priority customer support, billing automation, and more.

3. Shopify

Shopify is one of the best website builders for those looking to build their own online store. Shopify provides users with a wide variety of features and tools that allow them to easily create beautiful, professional websites.

One of the key features of Shopify is its easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor. The drag-and-drop editor makes it simple to design your website with professional templates, or create an entirely custom layout. With the drag-and-drop builder, you can quickly add images and text, adjust font sizes and colors, add page sections, and more.

Shopify also provides its users with a wide array of apps that can be used to extend the functionality of their websites. With these apps, users can add features such as payment processing, product page customization, email marketing campaigns, and more.

Shopify also offers 24/7 customer support for those who need assistance with setting up and managing their website. This includes a live chat function where users can get help from Shopify experts in real-time.

Finally, Shopify offers its users a secure checkout process for their websites that is PCI-compliant and encrypted with industry-standard SSL encryption. This helps protect customers' information when making purchases on the website. It also allows businesses to accept payments from all major credit cards and payment methods such as PayPal and Apple Pay.

Overall, Shopify is a great choice as it provides an easy-to-use platform with powerful features, a wide array of apps to extend functionality, 24/7 customer support, and secure checkout process.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Shopify offers a range of plans that are designed to meet different needs.

The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month and includes all the essential features you need to get started, such as unlimited products, an integrated shopping cart and fraud analysis.

For those looking for more advanced features, the Advanced Shopify plan is available for $299 per month and includes gift cards, professional reports, advanced report builders and abandoned cart recovery.

Finally, Shopify also offers an Enterprise plan for businesses that need even more powerful tools. This plan is available for $2000 per month and includes access to dedicated account managers, custom solutions and unlimited staff accounts.

4. Site123

Site123 is a powerful website builder platform. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, as well as a template library full of stunning designs for all types of websites. With Site123, users can create a professional website in just minutes and start their online store, website or blog with minimal effort.

Some of the key features of Site123 include:

• Easy to use drag-and-drop editor.
• A library full of beautiful templates to choose from.
• An intuitive user interface with helpful tutorials and tips.
• Marketing and SEO tools that help optimize your website for search engines.
• Built in hosting options, so you don’t have to worry about finding a web host.
• SSL security certification for added protection and assurance.
• Support for multiple languages, so you can create websites with global reach.
• The ability to add custom code and plugins if needed.

These are just some of the features that make Site123 a great choice. With its easy to use interface and powerful features, it’s no wonder that Site123 is better than most of the top website builders on the market.

If you’re looking for a platform that will allow you to create a beautiful website with ease, then Site123 is the perfect choice.

Pricing

Site123 offers an array of pricing plans to suit the needs of different users. For individuals and small businesses, there is a free website builder package that is completely free of charge. This plan includes a free domain name, access to Site123's website builder as well as hosting for up to three pages. It also provides users with basic web analytics, a contact form and the ability to register for a custom domain name.

For users who need more features or have larger websites, Site123 also offers several paid plans. These plans include all the features of the free plan but add in additional storage space, access to premium designs, e-commerce capabilities and more comprehensive analytics.

The Pro plan, which is the most popular choice for small business owners, starts at $11.80 per month and comes with a free domain name and unlimited hosting while the eCommerce plan starts at $17.20 per month with more advanced features such as product pages, digital downloads and secure checkout.

5. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the best website builders for people looking to build their own website. It offers a range of features that make it an ideal choice for those looking to make a site from scratch or with minimal coding knowledge.

The platform’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create content, and its intuitive design allows users to customize the look and feel of their website without having to resort to complicated coding or design.

GoDaddy also offers a range of features designed specifically for those who are just getting started with building websites, such as its easy-to-follow video tutorials that teach everything from creating content to adding plugins and customizing the look of a website.

Additionally, the platform has an extensive library of customizable templates and themes, allowing users to quickly create a visually appealing site that reflects their brand.

GoDaddy also makes it easy to keep track of progress by offering a comprehensive dashboard which displays all aspects of the website building process in one place.

This includes analytics and tracking tools to monitor website performance, as well as options to manage hosting, domain names, and email accounts associated with a particular website.

Finally, GoDaddy is one of the most cost-effective website building platforms on the market. The platform offers affordable plans for those just starting out, making it an ideal choice without breaking the bank.

Overall, GoDaddy’s range of features, intuitive design, and affordability make it one of the best for those looking to create their own site from scratch.

Pricing

As one of the top website builders, GoDaddy offers a wide array of packages and pricing plans that are designed to fit the needs of any customer.

The most basic plan, known as the GoDaddy Website Builder, costs $9.99 per month and includes access to the GoDaddy site builder, hosting, a domain name for the first year, and access to online support.

This plan comes with all the basics needed to create a website, but it does not include any add-ons or additional features. The next tier of pricing is the GoDaddy Pro Plan which costs $19.99 per month and includes additional features such as Google Adwords credits, SEO tools, and more.

Finally, the GoDaddy eCommerce plan costs $29.99 per month and includes features such as PayPal integration, advanced website analytics, product listings with up to 10 images in the photo gallery per listing, and much more. This plan is ideal for people who are looking to build an online store or marketplace.

6. Wix

Wix is a great choice for those just starting out as it has an easy-to-use drag and drop editor, so you don't have to have any coding knowledge or experience in order to design the site of your dreams.

Furthermore, Wix offers hundreds of professionally designed templates that can be tailored to your exact needs, so you can make sure your website looks exactly the way you want it to.

Additionally, Wix is packed full of features designed to enhance your website and make it easier than ever for you to get up and running quickly. These include:

• Mobile optimization – ensuring that no matter what device your visitors are using, they will be able to view your website optimally
• SEO tools – helping you improve your website’s visibility on search engines such as Google and Bing
• Apps marketplace – with over 200 apps, you can add enhanced features to your website with just a few clicks
• eCommerce capabilities – allowing you to easily create an online store and start selling your products or services
• Website hosting – Wix provides a reliable and secure hosting service with all of its website plans, so you don't have to worry about finding an external host.

Pricing

Wix is an incredibly popular website builder that offers a wide range of features to help people build a website.

The platform charges users based on the type of plan they choose, with prices ranging from $14/mo for the basic Connect Domain Plan to $49/mo for the VIP plan, which includes unlimited bandwidth and storage.

With Wix, users can also purchase domain names for as low as $4.50/yr and use add-ons such as G Suite and Wix Stores to take their website’s functionality even further.

7. WordPress

WordPress is widely considered one of the best website building platforms for people looking to build a website.

It is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use and customize, and there are no licensing fees associated with using it.

The WordPress dashboard is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it simple for anyone to start building a website.

WordPress also offers hundreds of plugins and themes to customize your website, as well as a wide selection of widgets that can be added for additional functionality.

Additionally, WordPress is regularly updated with new features and security patches, making it the ideal platform for any budding webmaster.

Other key features include integration with major search engines, reliable hosting, and comprehensive support services. With WordPress, anyone can easily build a professional-looking website with minimal effort.

Pricing

For a basic website, the WordPress site builder offers three different plans

• Personal ($4/month)
• Premium ($8/month)
• Business ($25/month)

The Personal plan includes 3GB of storage, custom domain name and access to basic themes and plugins.

The Premium plan adds 13GB of storage, advanced design customization tools, Google Analytics integration and access to premium themes.

Finally, the Business plan offers unlimited storage, web hosting with a dedicated IP address, automated backups and priority support from the WordPress team.

For those looking to add eCommerce functionality to their Wordpress website, there is an additional fee of $45/month.

This includes access to all the same features as the Business plan, as well as a WooCommerce plugin that makes selling products on your website easy and secure.

WordPress also offers enterprise plans for larger businesses, with pricing depending on the features and services you require.

How To Choose Your Website Building Platform

So, what's the difference between a basic website builder with a few templates to choose from and an all-singing, all-dancing service allowing full website customisation?

When deciding which type of site builders are best for you, it’s important to consider your skillset, budget, and the features you need for your site.

If you’re a beginner, for example, a hosted platform might be the best option as they provide hosting and easy-to-use tools.

If you want more customization options, an open source software like WordPress could be the right choice.

It’s free to use, but you’ll need a web host and basic coding skills. Webflow is a great option here, too.

Here are a few of the factors to consider when you're deciding which service to sign up for:

Ease of Use

This is probably the biggest priority! Great platforms offer drag and drop functionality, eCommerce integrations, contact forms and in-built SEO features.

Trial Accounts

A great option if you want to play around with your website design without forking out before you're ready to go live.

SEO Optimisation

SEO is a huge consideration to gain online traction. Website builders with social media features, SEO scoring and analysis, can make a crucial difference to your online visibility.

Pricing

Most site builders offer a rolled-up subscription, including hosting and domain names, but you need to know what you’re paying for (and what's an added extra!).

Whichever option you choose, it’s important to make sure that the platform will fit all of your needs. You should also look at user reviews before committing to any service or tool.

This will give you a better idea of the features and support offered.

What Are The Best Free Website Builders?

All the website builders featured here offer a range of tools to help users build a website without any upfront costs.

Some of the most popular free website builders include platforms like Wix, Weebly, WordPress.com, and the Hostinger website builder, which provide user-friendly interfaces, pre-designed templates, and drag-and-drop features.

While these free versions come with certain limitations such as having the builder's branding on your site, or limited customization options, they are still great starting points for personal projects, small businesses, or those just beginning to explore the world of website creation.

In Conclusion

Overall, there are a variety of website building platforms to choose from. When deciding which one is best for you, it’s important to consider your skillset, budget and the features that will be most beneficial for your site.

Every website builder offers something different in terms of ease-of-use, pricing structure, SEO optimization capabilities and trial accounts.

Doing some research into user reviews can also help you make an informed decision about which service or tool fits all of your needs.

No matter what route you take when creating your website, having the right platform makes all the difference between success and failure online!