6 Best Small Business Website Builders For Online Growth

Website builders allow entrepreneurs to create professional-looking sites without needing coding skills or expensive developers. But with so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Some excel at eCommerce, while others shine in marketing, design, or affordability. The good news? We’ve researched for you!

In this guide, we’ll break down the 6 best small business website builders that can help you grow your business online. Let’s dive in!

Why Every Small Business Needs a Website in 2025

Having a website isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity for small businesses. If you’re still on the fence about creating one, here’s why 2025 is the year to make it happen.

Your Customers Expect It

Before making a purchase or booking a service, most consumers turn to Google. If your business doesn’t have a website, potential customers might question your legitimacy or, worse, choose a competitor that does. A professional, well-structured site builds trust and gives visitors the information they need to choose you confidently.

Expand Your Reach Beyond Local Customers

A physical storefront limits you to foot traffic, but a website makes your business accessible 24/7. Even if you serve a local market, having an online presence boosts visibility through search engines and local listings. Your website can generate more leads, inquiries, and conversions than any flier or billboard ever could with the correct SEO tactics.

Cost-Effective Marketing That Works

Traditional advertising can drain your budget quickly, but a website is a long-term, cost-effective marketing tool. Without using pricey advertisements, you may draw in, interact with, and convert clients with SEO, content marketing, and social media integration. A website acts as a hub for all your marketing efforts, whether it’s blog content, lead magnets, or customer testimonials.

Engage Customers and Improve Communication

The primary purpose of a website extends beyond transactions to offer useful service to customers. The combination of FAQs along with blogs and contact forms allows you to offer answers and valuable information thanks to your website without manual intervention. Businesses who want to improve their operations ought to think about this. Having a live chat feature with chatbots instantly helps visitors which results in better customer satisfaction and increased trust.

Verdict

A website isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for small businesses in 2025. It builds credibility, increases visibility, helps you market smarter, improves customer engagement, and unlocks new revenue opportunities. If you’re serious about growing your business, investing in a website is one of the best decisions you can make.

Quick Comparison of Top Choices

Top 6 Small Business Website Builders

1. Shopify: The Best for Product Sales

E-commerce businesses can successfully use Shopify to meet their requirements because it functions as an exceptional solution for retailing products through the internet. Shopify maintains popularity among leading commercial brands, Gymshark and Kylie Jenner, while offering comprehensive sales capabilities with high-level third-party connections alongside artificial intelligence capabilities for optimized online business operations.

Affordability

Although Shopify costs more than comparable website builders, its cost is commensurate with its sophisticated retail features:

• Basic – $39/month (billed annually)
• Shopify – $105/month (billed annually)
• Advanced – $399/month (billed annually)
• Plus - $2,300+/month (billed annually)

Unlike Wix or GoDaddy, Shopify does not offer a free plan, and its free trial lasts only three days.

Read more: Shopify Pricing Plans

E-commerce Capabilities

Shopify is designed to maximize online sales with a wide range of e-commerce tools:

• Abandoned cart recovery to re-engage potential customers
• Seamless multi-channel selling on social media, marketplaces, and in-person retail
• Shopify Bundles & Subscriptions for flexible purchasing options
• Inventory management across multiple locations
• Automatic tax calculations for different regions

SEO & Marketing Tools

Shopify comes with integrated marketing tools to help you increase search engine results and drive traffic:

• SEO-friendly URLs and metadata editing
• Integrated blogging platform (though limited in customization)
• Email marketing campaigns directly from Shopify
• Discount codes and gift cards to boost sales
• Advanced reporting and analytics capabilities for data-driven choices

Reliability & Support

Shopify offers one of the best support systems among website builders:

• 24/7 customer service by email, phone, and live chat
• Comprehensive help center with guides and tutorials
• Shopify Experts marketplace for hiring professionals
• 99.99% uptime and built-in security features

Scalability

• Scalable pricing plans that support startups to enterprise-level businesses
• Custom enterprise solutions through Shopify Plus
• Global selling capabilities with multi-currency and multi-language support

Ease of Use

While not the most beginner-friendly platform, Shopify provides features to make store management easier:

• Dashboard and analytics for real-time insights
• Easy product management with bulk import/export tools
• AI-powered Shopify Magic for generating website templates
• Pre-designed themes (though limited free options)
• A mobile app for on-the-go store management

2. WooCommerce: The Best for Customization

The open-source eCommerce plugin WooCommerce operates on WordPress and thus serves well both existing and planned WordPress users in small businesses. WooCommerce stands out because it gives users complete control of their store through its customizable process and wide range of plugin options and solid SEO accessibility. WooCommerce provides a free service but business owners need to consider expenses for hosting platforms together with theme and plugin acquisitions.

Affordability

WooCommerce itself is free, but costs arise from:

• Web Hosting: Starts at $5–$25/month (varies by provider)
• Domain Name: Around $10–$15/year
• Premium Themes: $50–$100 (one-time fee)
• Extensions & Plugins: Ranges from free to $299+

E-commerce Capabilities

• Sell physical, digital, and subscription-based products
• Unlimited product listings
• Built-in payment processing (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
• Inventory and order management
• Tax calculation and shipping options

SEO & Marketing Tools

• Seamless integration with Yoast SEO and Rank Math
• Built-in blogging for content marketing
• Email marketing via Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and more
• Social media and Google Shopping integration
• Discount codes and promotions

Reliability & Support

• No official WooCommerce support team, but vast community forums
• Help is available through WordPress developers and third-party providers
• Regular updates for security and performance
• Hosting reliability depends on the provider chosen

Scalability

• Ideal for small to large businesses
• Customizable hosting solutions for high-traffic
• Supports multiple storefronts and multi-vendor marketplaces
• Extensive API for custom integrations

Ease of Use

• Requires WordPress installation
• The setup wizard simplifies the initial store setup.
• Drag-and-drop page builders (e.g., Elementor, Divi) are available
• Plugin-based functionality requires occasional updates.

3. Wix: The Best for Marketing

Founded in 2006, Wix is an Israeli software company that provides cloud-based web development services, allowing users to create HTML5 websites and mobile sites through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Wix is an all-in-one solution catering to small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs looking for an easy way to build a professional website.

Affordability

• Free: $0/month (Includes Wix branding and ads)
• Lite: $17/month (Removes branding, allows a custom domain)
• Core: $29/month (Adds e-commerce capabilities)
• Business: $36/month (More storage, advanced tools)
• Business Elite: $159/month (Best for scaling businesses)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

E-commerce Capabilities

Wix supports online stores through its Core plan and above, enabling users to sell products, accept payments, and manage inventory. It includes features like abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling, and customizable product pages. However, it lacks some advanced e-commerce scalability compared to Shopify.

SEO & Marketing Tools

Wix is a strong contender for marketing thanks to built-in SEO tools, email marketing, and integrations with Google Ads and social media. It also includes a robust app marketplace for extended functionality, allowing users to add social media streams, automated posting, and more.

Reliability & Support

• 24/7 phone support and live chat
• Extensive Help Center with tutorials and guides
• AI chatbot for onboarding assistance

Scalability

Wix is a great option for marketing-focused websites and small businesses, but it might not be the greatest option for major corporations or specialized industries that need certain functionality.

Ease of Use

• Drag-and-drop editor with AI-assisted website creation (Wix ADI)
• Hundreds of pre-designed page sections and templates
• Intuitive dashboard for managing content and marketing campaigns

Wix is an all-in-one website builder best suited for small businesses looking for an intuitive platform with strong marketing features. Its user-friendly design tools, an extensive app marketplace, and built-in SEO capabilities make it a great choice, but its pricing and scalability limitations may not suit all businesses.

4. Squarespace: The Best for Design

The site-building technology Squarespace provides users with strong capabilities through elegant modern design templates coupled with user-friendly webpage creation tools. Creative professionals particularly find value in using Squarespace since it excels at visual narrative. This platform appeals especially to photographers along with artists and fashion or lifestyle brands. The drag-and-drop interface of Squarespace links to backend integration while enabling users to develop website designs without technical skills.

Additionally, Squarespace offers built-in tools for booking appointments and invoicing, making it a great choice for service-based businesses. However, it lacks strong multilingual support, which may not be ideal for international businesses.

Affordability

Squarespace offers four pricing plans, all billed annually:

• Basic: $25/month (billed monthly)
• Core: $36/month (billed monthly)
• Plus: $56/month (billed monthly)
• Advanced: $139/month (billed monthly)

E-commerce Capabilities

• Suitable for small to mid-sized online stores
• Supports product and service sales
• Built-in branded invoices for a professional experience
• It is not ideal for large businesses with complex inventories

SEO & Marketing Tools

• Mobile-responsive, visually appealing templates
• Basic SEO features (meta titles, descriptions, and clean URLs)
• Social media integration and marketing tools
• Slower site speed may impact SEO performance

Reliability & Support

• Strong uptime and security features
• 24/7 customer service via email & live chat
• Extensive help center and community forums

Scalability

• Ideal for small businesses and creatives
• Works well for service-based businesses
• It may not be the best option for businesses requiring multilingual or complex inventory management

Ease of Use

• Drag-and-drop editor for intuitive design
• No coding is required to create a stunning website
• Pre-built sections for easy customization
• Smooth backend interface for managing content

5. GoDaddy: The Best for Skilled Advice

GoDaddy is a user-friendly website builder best suited for beginners and small businesses looking for a quick and easy online presence. It stands out for its affordability, AI-powered site generation, and exceptionally fast customer support—reportedly responding in under 10 seconds.

Entrepreneurs with limited technical knowledge will appreciate GoDaddy’s two-step AI site builder, which can create a website in less than 30 seconds—even faster than Wix’s AI-powered tool. However, while the speed is impressive, AI-generated sites can sometimes lack originality and require manual customization for a more polished look.

Affordability

GoDaddy offers four budget-friendly plans, all billed annually:

• Basic:  $9.99/month (first year) & $14.99/month (afterward)
• Premium: $14.99/month (first year) & $29.99/month (afterward)
• Commerce: $20.99/month (first year) & $34.99/month (afterward)

E-commerce Capabilities

• Suitable for small, local businesses selling online
• Built-in marketing tools for social media and email campaigns
• Limited scalability—only one e-commerce plan is available

SEO & Marketing Tools

• Built-in email marketing—send hundreds of promotional emails monthly
• Social media integration for local business promotion
• Simple SEO tools for search engine optimization

Reliability & Support

• Fast and responsive customer service—help available in under 10 seconds
• Secure hosting with reliable uptime
• Knowledge base and community support

Scalability

• Best for small and new businesses
• Limited growth potential for large e-commerce stores
• Lacks advanced customization for creative professionals

Ease of Use

• Fast setup with AI-powered site generation
• Beginner-friendly dashboard
• Drag-and-drop functionality for easy editing
• No mobile editing support, which can be restrictive.

6. Hostinger: The Best for Supplementary Income

Hostinger is a low-cost, AI-powered website builder made for small enterprises and entrepreneurs searching for an inexpensive solution to get their name out there. It offers an AI-driven site builder, making it easy to generate a functional website in minutes. While it’s not as feature-rich as Shopify or Wix, it’s a solid option for freelancers, small business owners, and those looking to create a side hustle website.

Affordability

Hostinger stands out for its low-cost pricing, but keep in mind that these are introductory rates—meaning they apply only for the first term when you sign up for a long-term plan.

• Premium Website Builder – $1.99/month (48-month contract)
• Business Website Builder – $2.99/month (48-month contract)

After the initial term, renewal prices are higher, so it’s important to check the fine print before committing.

E-Commerce Capabilities

Clients who use Hostinger can create simple online storefronts although the platform offers limited e-commerce options compared to Shopify or WooCommerce. The platform functions adequately to handle small product sales yet shows limited potential for developing an online store that grows.

SEO & Marketing Tools

• AI-driven content generation helps with SEO-friendly content creation
• Basic meta title and description editing for SEO
• No built-in email marketing or automation tools
• No app store for third-party marketing integrations

Reliability & Support

• 99.9% uptime guarantee ensures stability
• Free SSL certificate and Cloudflare-protected nameservers for security
• 24/7 live chat support, but no phone support

Scalability

Hostinger is great for small websites but not the best for businesses planning to scale aggressively. The limited customization and e-commerce features make it less suitable for fast-growing brands.

Ease of Use

• AI-powered website creation – Generates a website in minutes
• Simple drag-and-drop editor – Beginner-friendly but less flexible than Wix
• AI-generated text and images – Saves time for non-designers
• No coding required – Ideal for small business owners with no technical experience

Free vs. Paid Website Builders: Which is better?

When choosing a website builder for your small business, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a free or paid option. While both have their advantages, the best choice depends on your budget, business goals, and the level of customization you need. Let’s break down the key differences.

Free Website Builders: Budget-Friendly but Limited

Free website builders, such as Wix (free plan), Weebly, and WordPress.com, are great for small projects, personal blogs, or businesses just starting out. The biggest advantage is zero cost, but it comes with several trade-offs:

• Limited Customization: Free plans offer basic templates and restrict design flexibility. You may not be able to align your website with your brand fully.
• Lack of Professionalism: Free website builders often display ads on your site, which can make it look less professional. Additionally, you’ll likely have a subdomain (e.g., yourbusiness.wixsite.com), which can impact credibility.
• Basic Features Only: Most free website builders lack e-commerce, advanced SEO tools, and marketing integrations, making it harder to grow.
• Lower Performance & Support: You may experience slower website speeds and limited customer support, which can be frustrating if issues arise.

Paid Website Builders: More Features, More Growth Potential

If you’re serious about your small business, a paid website builder is the better investment. Platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, Wix (Premium), and GoDaddy offer premium plans that unlock a range of benefits:

• Full Customization & Branding: With a paid plan, you can use custom domains (yourbusiness.com), remove ads, and fully control your website’s design.
• Advanced Features: Access to e-commerce, online booking, memberships, SEO tools, and analytics helps drive business growth.
• Better Security & Performance: Paid plans include SSL certificates, faster load times, and better hosting, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Dedicated Customer Support: Need help? Most paid website builders offer 24/7 support, so you’re never left stranded.

Which Should You Choose?

• FREE website builder: You need a basic website, are testing an idea, or don’t mind ads and subdomains.
• PAID website builder: You want a professional, scalable website with full branding, better security, and advanced features.

A well-designed website is critical to the expansion of any business. While free options work for some, a paid website builder provides long-term value by offering the tools needed to stand out, attract customers, and increase revenue.

How To Choose The Right Website Builder for Your Business

Currently numerous website building tools are on the market which results in an overwhelming task of selecting the correct one for your business needs. The platforms operate differently since some target e-commerce needs while others excel at email marketing software but most emphasize simple designs as their priority. When business needs are identified, they may be matched with the best platform.

1. Define Your Goals

Every website needs a specific goal to reach before choosing a website builder. Ask yourself:

• Is your website primarily for showcasing content, selling products, or booking services?
• Will text or images be the main focus?
• Do you require sophisticated services like online payments, client accounts, or appointment scheduling?

Defining these goals helps narrow down your options and ensures you pick a platform that aligns with your business model.

2. Assess Value for Money

Price is an important factor, but it’s not just about choosing the cheapest option. Instead, consider:

• What features come with each pricing plan?
• Do the available tools help you save time and increase profits?
• Will an upgraded plan provide valuable automation or essential integrations?

While a less expensive plan can restrict your company's ability to grow, a somewhat more expensive plan might have features that greatly help your company.

3. Consider Ease of Use

Usability plays a crucial role in website management. Think about:

• Do you prefer a drag-and-drop editor or a more technical setup?
• Will you edit your website primarily on a desktop or mobile device?
• Does the builder allow mobile-specific customizations?

Most website builders offer intuitive interfaces, but some have a learning curve. Choosing a platform that matches your technical comfort level will save you time and frustration.

4. Plan for Future Growth

Your business might start small, but scalability matters. Consider:

• Will the website builder support advanced features as your business expands?
• Can you add more products, integrate third-party tools, or enhance SEO capabilities?
• Are there limitations that could force you to switch platforms later?

While you can always migrate to a new platform, doing so can be expensive and time-consuming. Choosing a scalable solution from the start ensures long-term success.

5. Take advantage of free trials

Most website builders offer free trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to test out features before committing.

For example, Shopify lets you use it for free for the first 3 days of opening your store. If you’re still undecided after 3 days, you can pay $1 for the Shopify 1 dollar for 3 months plan to test out any Shopify plan (Advance plan, Shopify plan, Basic plan).

Typical Errors to Avoid When Developing Your Website

Building a website is an exciting step for any business, but certain mistakes can hinder its effectiveness. You'll save time, money, and frustration if you steer clear of these mistakes. Here are the most common mistakes to watch out for:

Poor User Experience (UX)

• Complicated Navigation: Your website should be simple to use and intuitive.  Users will depart if they are unable to locate necessary information.  Menus should be orderly, succinct, and easy to understand.
• Lack of Mobile Responsiveness: Since mobile devices account for the bulk of online traffic, your website needs to be responsive.
•  Potential clients may become irate if mobile friendliness is neglected.
• Slow Loading Speeds: A sluggish website drives visitors away. Optimize images, minimize excess code, and invest in reliable hosting to improve load times.
• Cluttered Design: Too many elements on a page can overwhelm users. To facilitate users' easy navigation of your website, use white space, a simple structure, and a visual hierarchy.

Content Issues

• Low-Quality Content: Typos, grammatical errors, and poorly written content can damage your credibility. Invest in high-quality writing and editing.
• Lack of Clear Messaging: Visitors should instantly understand what your website is about and why it matters. A strong value proposition and clear messaging will keep them engaged.
• Missing Calls to Action (CTAs): Whether it's contacting you, buying something, or subscribing to your email, every page should entice visitors to take action.  Make use of compelling CTAs.
• Ignoring SEO: Potential clients might never see your website if your content isn't search engine optimized.  Use meta descriptions, improve headers and images, and do keyword research.

Technical Errors

• Security Vulnerabilities: Neglecting security measures exposes your website to cyber threats. Use SSL certificates and strong passwords, and update your website’s software regularly. 
• Lack of Testing: Websites may appear differently across various browsers and devices. Regular testing ensures a consistent and error-free experience for all users.
• Ignoring Website Accessibility: Your website should be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use alt text for images, enable keyboard navigation, and ensure proper color contrast.

Strategic Oversights

• Undefined Target Audience: Your website won't successfully satisfy your audience's wants if you don't know who they are. Know your audience to determine how you should adapt your content.
• Lack of a Clear Strategy: Without a well-defined goal, your website may lack focus. Establish clear objectives, whether it’s increasing sales, generating leads, or building brand awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Website Builder?

A website builder is a platform/tool that lets people design and create websites without knowing how to write code. It typically provides drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and built-in features like contact forms, eCommerce tools, and SEO settings. Website builders make it easy for businesses, bloggers, and individuals to build a professional-looking site without hiring a developer. Popular website builders include Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com.

2. Can I switch website builders later?

Switching to a different website builder later can be tricky. Many website builders don’t make it easy to transfer your site’s design, features, or customer data.

While you can always cancel your current account and sign up with a new platform, you might have to rebuild your site from scratch. If you think you may want to switch in the future, check how easily your chosen website builder allows for migration before committing.

3. Website builder vs web design software?

An online application called a website builder enables you to design and administer a website right from your computer browser.  With its straightforward drag-and-drop editor and typical web hosting, it makes it simple for novices to create a website in a matter of minutes.

Web design software, like Adobe Dreamweaver, lets you build a website offline on your computer. It gives you more control over the design and functionality but requires some technical skills.

4. Do website builders use Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Many website builders now use artificial intelligence (AI) to help users create websites faster and easier. AI can assist with things like:

• Generating images and making edits
• Writing website content
• Improving SEO (helping your site rank better on Google)

Popular AI-powered website builders like Shopify, Wix, Hostinger, and GoDaddy let you create a customized website just by answering a few questions. This makes it a great option for small business owners who want a professional site without spending too much time or effort.

5. Can agencies and freelancers use website builders?

Website builders were originally designed for businesses that wanted to create their own websites without hiring a freelancer or agency. This meant companies had two main choices:

• Make a basic website yourself by using a website builder.
• Hire a professional to build a more advanced website.

However, website builders have improved over time and now offer more advanced tools. Because of this, freelancers and agencies have started using them to build sites for clients.

Some website builders, like Wix and Duda, even offer special features for professionals, making it easier to manage clients and create custom websites with more control.

Our Verdict & What is the Next Step?

The selection of an ideal website builder constitutes the cornerstone for achieving success in online business. Each platform we reviewed has its strengths, Shopify excels in e-commerce, WooCommerce offers flexibility, Wix is great for marketing, Squarespace stands out in design, GoDaddy simplifies the process for beginners, and Hostinger provides an affordable starting point.

You need to take action since you now have a complete understanding of your options. Determine your company goals together with all necessary website builder characteristics prior to starting. Most of these builders offer free trials or money-back guarantees, so test out your top choice before making a final commitment. Your firm can expand more quickly if you get started early.

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