Best Website Builders of 2024
Updated March 22, 2024 at 11:33 am
Sooner or later, everyone needs a website. It could be a new business you started or a blog you have founded. Maybe you need one for work, or you are creating a site for your child’s soccer team. Whatever the reason, there comes a time when a website is necessary. The problem is that not all of us are so tech-savvy.
That is where the best website builders come in. With these tools, you don’t need to have experience building websites. There is no coding to learn or remember, and the entire process can be completed in a fraction of the time, thanks to ready-made templates. When you need the best web building software, look to these best web builders to help you create your new website.
Methodology To compile this list, we reviewed the top services on the market, compared the specs and features and created a short list of the top website builders. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews, ratings and hands-on experience to find the best website builders for each category.
Our Picks - Best Overall: Wix
- Best for Agencies: Duda
- Best for Marketing: GoDaddy
- Best Straightforward: HostGator
- Best Affordable: Zyro
- Best for Designers: Jimdo Creator
- Best for E-Commerce: Shopify
- Best for Personal Websites: Site123
- Best for Businesses: Square Online/Weebly
- Best for Creatives: Squarespace
10 Best Web Builder Sites of 2024
Best Overall
Wix
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Wix is the best website builder site you can use with a drag-and-drop format that is easy for both beginners and pros. It works well for both personal and professional needs, with plenty of templates to get you started.
Key Features:
- 900+ free templates for customization
- Blog integration
- Online store
- Appointment booking
- Community event scheduling
Pros
- Affordable
- Google Analytics available
- User-friendly
Cons
- One currency accepted
- Website might have slow loading times
Best for Agencies
Duda
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Duda is the best website builder for serious users, making it a great fit for agencies and SaaS companies. No coding is needed, and with 99.9% uptime, it is reliable, too.
Key Features:
- AWS hosting
- Client billing
- Team management tools
- Email support
- Client branding
Pros
- Free trial
- Custom templates
- Unlimited bandwidth
Cons
- Pricey
- Domain purchase required
- Mediocre SEO
Best for Marketing
GoDaddy
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
GoDaddy is the best website builder when marketing is your priority, giving you access to business listings, social postings and email marketing. The 30-day money-back guarantee adds extra peace of mind.
Key Features:
- Mobile-friendly design
- SSL security
- Marketplace and social selling
- Website and marketing analytics dashboard
- Payment processing
Pros
- Custom site builder tool
- Easy online payments
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Basic security tools
- Lacks advanced e-commerce features
- Expensive
Best Straightforward Website Builder
HostGator
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
HostGator is the best website builder for user-friendly websites. A host of free tools and features are available, plus free site transfers to get you started.
Key Features:
- 150+ mobile-optimized templates
- Built-In blog
- Free private domain registration
- Appointment scheduling
- Online payments
Pros
- Free SSL certificate
- 99.9% uptime
- Complimentary domain for one year
Cons
- Pricey monthly plans
- Sluggish customer support
Best Affordable
Zyro
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Zyro is the best website builder when you are on a budget. Enjoy a free domain with your choices of weekly or daily backups with the added benefit of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Key Features:
- Designer templates
- Free web hosting
- Live chat
- SSL certificate
- AI branding
Pros
- Three-month free trial
- Multiple server locations
- Free SSL
Cons
- Limited storage
- No dedicated IP
- Lacks phone customer support
Best for Designers
Jimdo Creator
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Jimdo Creator is the best website builder for customization, allowing you to create a free logo with your website. It makes it easy to access tons of templates, build a blog and create photo galleries.
Key Features:
- Complimentary domain
- Image library
- SEO tools
- HTTPS security
- Business listings
Pros
- Easy mobile optimization
- Free logo design
- E-commerce feature
Cons
- No free domain
- Limited number of pages
- Must pay to transfer site
Best for E-Commerce
Shopify
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Shopify is the best website builder for e-commerce when you want an online store. Manage your inventory, sell across multiple platforms and enjoy SEO tools to make your website shine.
Key Features:
- Up to 1,000 inventory locations
- Shopify plan
- Payment processing
- Product shipping
- Team management
Pros
- Discounted pricing for first three months
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Easy app integration
Cons
- Transaction fees may apply
- Premium themes require customization
- Not as much customization as other sites
Best for Personal Websites
SITE123
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
SITE123 is the best website builder for your personal website, allowing for free hosting without the need for any coding. Use a template or create an online store with an easy, intuitive platform that takes the heavy lifting out of building a website.
Key Features:
- Cloud hosting
- eCommerce features
- Translation tools
- Live support
- Email accounts
Pros
- Ready-made templates
- Free domain registration
- Multiple contract lengths
Cons
- Custom domain for a fee
- Limited storage
- Subscription required for online store
Best for Businesses
Square Online
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Formerly known as Weebly, Square Online combines its powerful payment processor with the best website builder for businesses. Customers can shop your site easily on a mobile phone with simple order tracking and payment profiles.
Key Features:
- Mobile optimization
- Video hosting
- SEO tools
- Team management
- SSL security
Pros
- Free plan
- Multiple sales tools
- Subscription feature
Cons
- Not so customizable
- Transaction fees apply
- Limited customer support
Best for Creatives
Squarespace
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
As the best website builder for creatives, Squarespace offers pre-made templates with easy drag-and-drop functionality. With unlimited storage and bandwidth, you also get access to tons of apps that are all available for easy integration.
Key Features:
- Mobile optimization
- Template library
- SEO integration
- Squarespace AI
- eCommerce option
Pros
- Free trial
- Ready-made templates
- Helpful e-commerce tools
Cons
- No free plan
- Limited customization
- Lacks phone support
Website Builder Introduction
There are many reasons to have a website: you may have a business, you may be creating a blog or you may be a creative person wanting to share your work. Whatever the reason, there are many website builders that can make it simple to build your website in no time at all.
What Is a Website Builder?
It is not always so easy to get started when creating a new website. That is where a website builder comes in. A website builder is a specific tool that is designed to help you build a website. It skips the need for coding and allows beginners and novices to create professional-looking websites quickly.
How Does Web Builder Software Work?
Website builders often use a drag-and-drop or similar model to build your website one section at a time. Behind the scenes, this drag-and-drop functionality is converted to proper code, creating a professional-looking website for your visitors. The best website builders offer a selection of templates that you can use to customize your site. Many of the details, like the design and text, can be changed, allowing you to customize the details of your website.
Who Is a Web Builder Site Best For?
Not everyone is a tech expert, but the good news is that you don’t have to be. You don’t have to have any experience building websites, and there is no need to hire a professional to do any coding. Even novice users can easily and quickly create a website when using a web builder. You can also use these tools to manage and update your site later.
Types of Web Building Software
- Online Site Builders: An online site builder is a web-based website builder that allows you to work directly on the builder’s server. There is no need to download any software because the website builder hosts the site itself. Examples of the best web-building software include Duda and Squarespace, which use their servers to host your site.
- Offline Site Builders: An offline site builder does not use an external site to host your website. Instead, you must download software to your computer in order to design your website. The best web builder software can produce a beautiful website, but the extra step of downloading software is not ideal for many when online site builders are readily available.
How To Choose a Website Builder
There are certain factors that can help you find the best website builder site for your needs.
Ease of Use and Compatibility With Other Programs
It is important to look for a website builder that works with your level of skill. Some website builders like Wix and Site123 make it easy to get started, while others like Duda and Jimdo Creator may be best for those with a little more experience. If you plan to incorporate custom elements, be sure to confirm that your chosen website builder will work with your software to prevent any compatibility issues now or in the future.
Customization Features
Even though the best website builders come armed with templates to get you started, there are still changes you will likely want to make to your website. You start with a theme you like, and then you can typically change key features like the layout, background, font and color.
SEO Features
Many of the best website builders also come with SEO tools to help your website rank better on Google. These builders often incorporate SEO optimization, allowing you to optimize everything from your text to your images to the layout of the site itself.
Customer Service and Resources
It helps to know that help is available if you hit a snag, especially if you are a business owner experiencing issues during off-hours. Before you choose the best website builder for your needs, consider when customer service is available and how they can be contacted.
Other Website Builder Alternatives
WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular website builders out there, proudly claiming to support 43% of the web. It offers premade layouts with over 50,000 plug-ins and themes so you can find just the right look and feel for your website. From blogs to stores, WordPress handles it all with drag-drop-and-draw editing. You can also use the Jetpack app to create and edit your site on the go. To get started, there is a free plan, or you can upgrade to one of the many plans available to add extra features and tools to your custom website builder.
Bluehost
Bluehost is the best WordPress website builder, giving you the option to do it yourself or upgrade to its design service for a full-service web design. Enjoy access to Google Workspace tools for more efficient editing, plus extra marketing and security tools to uplift and protect your site. If you have a business, you also have the option of adding an online store. Plans start at just $2.95 a month for hosting with a one-year commitment and are based on the number of sites you have. As a bonus, you get a free domain for your first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Website Builders for Small Businesses?
Small businesses are likely to enjoy strong e-commerce tools along with their website builder. The best website builders for small businesses include options like Wix and GoDaddy, which incorporate an online store. Business owners can also gain access to valuable sales and marketing tools like inventory tracking, discount codes, abandoned cart recovery and sales channel promotions.
Is There a Free Website Builder?
Many website builders require a monthly plan, but some of the best free website builders include Jimdo Creator, Site123 and Square Online/Weebly. Even if a website builder does not offer a free plan, you may still be able to benefit from a free trial or money-back guarantee, which will allow you to take the service for a test drive without a large financial commitment.
Is the Wix Website Builder Worth It?
Wix is one of the best website builders you can use today, thanks to its generous suite of features. Since no coding is necessary, it is extremely easy to use, and there are tons of templates to choose from, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Advanced SEO tools help to ensure better rankings on Google, so you get a well-designed, high-ranking site at a low monthly price.
Are GoDaddy Websites Any Good?
GoDaddy is the best website builder site for marketing with online sales tools, popular social integrations and built-in SSL. GoDaddy’s own GoDaddy Studio makes designing your website a breeze, while marketing tools help you manage things like your online business listings, social media postings and email sign-ups. When you integrate an online store, you can use your site to accept payments and schedule appointments. There is also 24/7 customer support for around-the-clock support.
What’s the Most User-Friendly Website Builder?
The best website builders all feature excellent tools that can make them an attractive choice, but the most user-friendly option is Site123, with its ready-made layouts, simplified templates and e-commerce features. All sites come with free hosting, as well as SEO tools for better optimization. There is even a free plan with a 14-day money-back guarantee to get you started.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
