
Finding the right website builder can be confusing. There is no one best.
I personally prefer WordPress to build websites.
WordPress is the best choice for professional website designers or bloggers who are just starting a blog.
WordPress is the most popular platform for professionals to build their websites. This gives you the best options, and allows you grow your website.
Not all website builders are professionals.
Website hobbyists may have different needs.
42% of all blogs use WordPress. It can be confusing and difficult to use the editor and manage content.
The Best Web Builders
Based upon my experience with many web builders, I can say that some work well for most people.
- Wix – Best Overall
- Best Beginner Website Builder — Wix
- Squarespace’s Top Template Designs
- WordPress.com is the Best for Professional Bloggers
- WordPress.com – Best WordPress Builder
- Best eCommerce Website Builder — Shopify
Other Top Rated Ratings
Best web hosting | Best WordPress Hosting | Best Website Builder | Best Domain Registrar |
Wix
Get Started For Free
My rating: 9.0/10
Online selling of
No
No cost domain
Templates: 850
Wix Review
Wix Pricing
Plan | Combo | Unlimitable | Pro | VIP |
Price | $14.00/mo. | $18.00/mo. | $23.00/mo. | $39.00/mo. |
Storage | 3 GB | 10 GB | 20 GB | 35 GB |
Bandwidth/month | 2 GB | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered |
Email accounts | – | – | – | – |
Domain Name Design | ||||
No cost domain name | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
SSL Free | ||||
Display ads | ||||
Analytics |
Get More Information about Wix
Best for
Wix is great for small businesses and hobby bloggers who want a quick and easy way to create websites.
Strengths
Wix is a website builder that creates professional-looking websites with no need for a designer. Wix has over 800 premade templates.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) was a weak point for the service. Wix made this a major focus in recent years. It offers many options for professionals and beginners.
Wix lets you build a website and also allows you to sell products using their eCommerce website builder.
Weaknesses
Web developers are not a good choice for graphic designers who want to build a website.
Wix does not have extensibility. Wix, however, has many more plugins.
WordPress.com
Get Started For Free
My rating: 8.0/10
Yes, eCommerce Capability
No
No cost domain
Templates: 141
WordPress.com Review
WordPress powers around 41% of all websites. WordPress.com makes using the most popular CMS easy and without any hassles.
WordPress.com is a CMS you’ve probably come across if you did any research. You’ll need to either manage your website or hire a web hosting company.
WordPress.com allows you to create websites in a similar way to Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly.
WordPress.com Pricing
Plan | WordPress Free | WordPress Pro |
Price* | $0.00/mo. | $15.00/mo. |
Websites | 1 | 1 |
Storage | 1 GB | 50 GB |
Visitors/month | 10,000 | 100,000 |
No cost domain name | 1 Year | |
SSL Free | ||
CDN | ||
dedicated | ||
Daily Backups |
* Prices per month for 12-month subscription
Learn More About WordPress.com
Best for
Bloggers that don’t want plugins or themes to be managed.
WordPress.com’s main benefit is its ability expand and move the self-hosted option as needed.
Strengths
It works in the same way as the open-source version. It makes it easier for editors and writers to find WordPress.com users.
Weaknesses
WordPress self-hosted installs allow you to select from thousands of themes or plugins.
Squarespace
20% Off Promo Code APRIL20WB
My rating: 8.5/10
Yes, eCommerce Capability
No cost
No cost domain
Templates: 144
Squarespace Review
Squarespace was founded in 2004. Squarespace was established in 2004.
Squarespace Pricing
Plan | Personal | Business | Basic Commerce | Advanced Commerce |
Price | $16.00/mo. | $26.00/mo. | $35.00/mo. | $54.00/mo. |
Yearly price (discount). | $12.00/mo. | $18.00/mo. | $26.00/mo. | $40.00/mo. |
Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Visitors/month | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered |
Email accounts | – | – | – | – |
Domain Name Design | ||||
No cost domain name | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
SSL Free | ||||
Display ads | ||||
Analytics |
Learn More About Squarespace
Best for
Squarespace is a great platform for website designers. However, it is not for everyone. Squarespace is not for everyone. Some website builders may outgrow it.
Strengths
Squarespace is a professional-looking website.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) was a weak point for the service. Wix made this a major focus in recent years. It offers many options for professionals and beginners.
Wix lets you build a website and also allows you to sell products using their eCommerce website builder.
Weaknesses
There aren’t as many third party Squarespace extensions for self-hosted WordPress blogs than there are for third-party Squarespace ones.
Squarespace currently lists 28 extensions. Squarespace hosts thousands of WordPress plugins.
Squarespace costs more than self-hosted WordPress options.
Squarespace’s SEO capabilities are not well-known. Squarespace is not known for its SEO abilities. You should look at other options if you want to get good results.
This website builder comparator quiz covers all the common concerns. This includes top website builders that offer eCommerce options.
Take this quiz to determine which plan is best for you.
Shopify
Get a Free
My rating: 9.5/10
eCommerce Capability
No cost
No cost domain
Templates: 91
Shopify Review
Shopify can be described as an all-in-one commerce platform. Scott Lake and Tobias Lutke created Shopify to sell snowboard gear online.
Shopify powers over 1.6 million eCommerce sites worldwide. SHOP is Shopify’s stock symbol and is traded publicly on the NYSE stock exchange.
Shopify is my favorite eCommerce platform because of its flexibility and extensibility.
Read my review to learn more about Shopify.
Shopify Pricing
Shopify offers four plans. Shopify Lite allows you to host products and add Shopify’s “buy now” button.
Plan | Lite | Basic | Shopify | Advanced |
Price | $9/mo. | $29/mo. | $79/mo. | $299/mo. |
Products | – | Unlimitable | Unlimitable | Unlimitable |
Employee Accounts | 1 | 2 | 5 | 15 |
Stock locations | – | 4 | 5 | 8 |
Reporting | – | – | Standard | Advanced |
Rates for Online Credit Cards | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.6% + $0.30 | 2.4% + $0.30 |
In-Person Credit Cards Rates | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.5% | 2.4% |
Non-Shopify payment fee | 2.0% | 2.0% | 1.0% | 0.5% |
Domains that are specific for a country | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Shopify for 14 days
Best for
Shopify is the best platform to create an online storefront. If your products are digital, however, you might want to consider other eCommerce platforms.
Strengths
Shopify makes setting up an online store simple. Shopify lets you create product pages that are both SEO-friendly and easy to maintain.
Weaknesses
There are other options available if you want to create blog content. Shopify’s blog capabilities are the weakest link of its product line.
Vendor lock in is another issue that comes with any service. Shopify is great for small businesses without any technical knowledge.
Other web builders
There are many website builders on the Internet. These are other top-rated website builders that I have used.
GATOR Website Builder
HostGator is a traditional web hosting company that offers many options. Excellent onboarding and pricing with self-hosting.
Read my GATOR Website Builder Review.
Get GATOR Website Builder Plans.
GoDaddy GoCentral
This is a limited option, but it’s very useful. It seamlessly integrates with GoDaddy small business domains.
Read my GoDaddy Website Builder Review.
GoDaddy website building plans.
Blogger
This website builder was the first. Google now has them. However, they are still available to those who need a blog.
Read my Blogger review.
Have a look at Blogger’s plans.
Jimdo
Jimdo has become a very popular European website builder. While the builder seems solid, there are some issues.
Read my Jimdo review.
Check out Jimdo plans.
Duda
Duda, a website developer, focuses on software agencies and providers. This builder can also be sold or bundled with other products. It is very solid and can be used independently.
Check out my Duda review.
Have a look at Duda’s plans.
SITE123
SITE123 can be used to build a site. While the options are limited, the builder is easy to use.
Check out my Site123 review.
Site123 plans available.
Creator of Website
Website Creator is an “overlay tool” for self-hosted WordPress. It allows you to use self hosted WordPress with all of its control benefits. It has the drag-and-drop design of traditional web builders.
If you are interested in self-hosted WordPress, you can check out the How to Try WordPress for Free article.
Check out my Website Creator review.
Have a look at the Website Builder plans.
What should you look for in a web builder
There are many web builders, but it all depends on your needs.
Think about your needs when shopping for a vehicle.
Ecommerce Options
Ecommerce options are inventory, shopping carts and the ability to pay. I suggest that you take the eCommerce platform quiz.
Pricing & Budget
You can be free, but it’s not always cheap. A salesman with a budget of $20,000 will not be able to buy a Ferrari.
Drag & Drop Functionality
Website builders almost always begin with a template or theme as their design foundation.
Pre-made templates
Premade templates are another part of drag and drop. Some templates are professionally designed.
Configuration Options
Great websites don’t need to be complicated.
Length for the Project
Your website should last for a long time. If you are looking for a website builder, they should be able to offer you options.
Migration options
Another point: If you don’t have the option, you can still optimize your system for speed and convenience.
SEO & Marketing Options
Website owners want their site to be found. ).
Blogging Functionality
A blog is simply a collection of web pages that are listed in reverse chronological order. Website builders who don’t offer strong blogging capabilities focus on creating static pages.
Customer Support
This is a simple question: Do you prefer to email or call someone if you’re stuck? You can also search online for the answer. But remember that customer service is costly.