how to choose the best website builder - WordPress & Front-end Developer

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How to Choose the Best Website Builder in 2024 (Expert Guide)

Building a website is a crucial step for any individual or business in today’s digital world. Whether you’re starting a blog, showcasing your portfolio, launching an online store, or creating a business presence, a website is your digital storefront. With countless website builder options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’re not alone.

As an experienced web professional with over 15 years in the industry, I’ve seen the rise and fall of many website builder platforms. I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of choosing the right tool. My mission is to guide you through this process, ensuring you make an informed decision that empowers you to build a successful online presence.

This comprehensive guide will delve into everything you need to know to select the best website builder for your unique needs. From ease of use to pricing, design, features, support, and beyond, I’ll break down the key factors to consider and provide expert insights to help you navigate the world of website builders with confidence.

Understanding Your Website Needs

Before diving into the world of website builders, it’s essential to understand your website’s purpose and requirements. Ask yourself these key questions:

What is the primary purpose of your website?

Blog or personal website: To share your thoughts, experiences, or expertise.
Business website: To showcase your company, services, products, or contact information.
Portfolio website: To display your creative work, skills, or projects.
Ecommerce website: To sell products or services online.

What features are essential for your website?

Blogging functionality: For writing and publishing blog posts.
Contact forms: To collect inquiries or feedback from visitors.
Ecommerce features: For selling products, managing inventory, and processing payments.
Social media integration: To connect with your audience on social platforms.
SEO tools: To optimize your website for search engines.
Analytics: To track website traffic and user behavior.

What is your budget?

Free website builders: Offer limited features and may display ads.
Paid website builders: Offer more advanced features and usually come with a monthly subscription fee.

What is your technical expertise?

Beginner-friendly website builders: Offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and require minimal coding knowledge.
More advanced website builders: May require some coding experience for customization or advanced functionality.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder

Now that you have a clear understanding of your website needs, let’s dive into the key factors to evaluate when comparing different website builders.

1. Ease of Use

Your website builder should be user-friendly, even if you have no prior experience with web design. Look for:

Drag-and-drop interface: Allows you to easily move and arrange elements on your website without writing any code.
Intuitive design tools: Makes it easy to customize colors, fonts, images, and layouts.
Pre-built templates: Provides a starting point for your website design, saving you time and effort.
Mobile responsiveness: Ensures your website looks great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

2. Pricing

Website builders offer a range of pricing plans, so it’s crucial to find one that fits your budget. Consider:

Free plans: Offer limited features and may display ads. Great for testing a platform or for basic websites.
Paid plans: Offer more features and typically come with a monthly subscription fee. Choose a plan that provides the features you need without overspending.
Hidden fees: Some website builders may have additional fees for things like domain names, SSL certificates, or eCommerce features. Be sure to research these costs upfront.

3. Design and Features

Your website’s design and features are crucial to attracting visitors and achieving your goals. Look for a website builder that offers:

Professional templates: Choose from a wide variety of high-quality templates that match your website’s style and industry.
Customization options: Allow you to personalize your website’s design, including colors, fonts, images, and layouts.
Essential features: Include contact forms, social media integration, SEO tools, and analytics.
Advanced features: May include eCommerce features, membership areas, or marketing automation tools.

4. Customer Support

Having reliable customer support is essential, especially when you’re new to website building. Look for a website builder that offers:

24/7 support: Provides assistance whenever you need it, even outside of business hours.
Multiple support channels: Allows you to contact support via email, phone, or live chat.
Comprehensive knowledge base: Offers helpful articles, tutorials, and FAQs to answer your questions.

5. Data Ownership and Portability

This is a crucial aspect often overlooked by beginners. Ensure you have full control over your data and can easily move it if you decide to switch platforms. Look for:

Open source software: Allows you to access and modify your website’s code, giving you complete control.
Data export options: Enables you to download your website’s content, including text, images, and other files.
Clear terms of service: Ensure you understand the terms related to data ownership and usage.

Top Website Builder Platforms: A Detailed Comparison

Now, let’s delve into the top website builder platforms available in the market. I’ll provide a detailed comparison based on the factors discussed above, including my personal insights from years of experience.

1. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress)

WordPress.org, often referred to as self-hosted WordPress, is the world’s most popular website-building platform. It’s a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that empowers you to create any type of website.

Pros:

Complete control: You own your website and data, giving you maximum flexibility and customization options.
Vast ecosystem: Thousands of free and premium WordPress themes and plugins are available, allowing you to create unique and feature-rich websites.
Powerful SEO tools: WordPress is incredibly SEO-friendly, making it easy to optimize your website for search engines.
Strong community support: A large and active community of users and developers provides extensive support and resources.
Scalability: WordPress can handle websites of any size and complexity, making it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.

Cons:

Learning curve: WordPress requires some initial setup and learning, which may feel daunting for complete beginners.
Ongoing maintenance: You need to update WordPress core, plugins, and themes regularly to ensure security and compatibility.
Hosting costs: You’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting, adding to the overall cost.

Pricing:

WordPress itself is free, but you’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting. Hosting plans can range from $1.99/month to $20/month or more, depending on your needs and traffic volume.

For WPBeginner readers, I’ve negotiated a special deal with Bluehost, an official WordPress-recommended hosting provider. You can get started for just $1.99 per month with a free domain name and SSL certificate, providing an affordable and reliable foundation for your WordPress website.

Recommended for: Bloggers, businesses, and individuals who want complete control over their website and are willing to invest time in learning.

2. Wix

Wix is a popular cloud-based website builder that offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of templates. It’s known for its ease of use and powerful AI features.

Pros:

User-friendly interface: Simple drag-and-drop functionality makes website creation accessible to everyone.
Wix ADI: AI-powered website design tool that creates a website based on your answers to a few questions.
Free plan: Allows you to test Wix for free without providing credit card information.
Mobile-friendly templates: Websites built with Wix are automatically optimized for mobile devices.
App market: Offers a wide selection of free and paid apps to enhance your website’s functionality.

Cons:

Limited customization: Wix’s drag-and-drop interface can limit your ability to customize website designs.
Difficult migration: Moving your website away from Wix can be challenging due to its proprietary platform.
Ads on free plans: Free plans display Wix-branded ads on your website.

Pricing:

Wix offers a free plan with limited features, along with paid plans starting at $17 per month. eCommerce plans start at $29 per month.

Recommended for: Beginners, small businesses, and individuals who need a simple and easy-to-use website builder.

3. Web.com

Web.com is a long-standing website builder platform popular among small businesses. It offers affordable pricing, user-friendly tools, and helpful customer support.

Pros:

Beginner-friendly: Web.com’s drag-and-drop interface is straightforward and intuitive, making it accessible to non-technical users.
Thousands of templates: A wide selection of professional website templates are available to choose from.
Free domain name: All plans include a free domain name, saving you money.
Unlimited support: Web.com offers unlimited chat and phone support, ensuring you have assistance whenever you need it.
Affordable pricing: Web.com offers competitive pricing for basic and eCommerce website plans.

Cons:

Limited features: Web.com lacks some of the advanced features found in other platforms, like WordPress or Shopify.
Proprietary platform: Moving your website away from Web.com can be challenging due to its closed system.

Pricing:

Web.com’s pricing starts at $1.95 per month for basic website plans, with eCommerce plans starting at $9.95 per month.

Recommended for: Small businesses and individuals who need a straightforward and budget-friendly website builder with good customer support.

4. HubSpot Website Builder

HubSpot Website Builder is a powerful platform designed for marketers and small businesses. It combines a user-friendly website builder with integrated marketing automation tools and CRM features.

Pros:

Marketing automation: HubSpot seamlessly integrates with its marketing automation and CRM tools, allowing you to track leads, send emails, and automate marketing workflows.
Conversion optimization: HubSpot provides tools for A/B testing and adaptive testing, helping you optimize your website for conversions.
Free plan: Offers a free plan with access to basic website builder features and some marketing automation tools.
Personalized experiences: Leverage customer data from HubSpot CRM to create personalized website experiences.
Comprehensive analytics: Track website traffic, user behavior, and marketing campaign performance through HubSpot analytics.

Cons:

Limited eCommerce functionality: HubSpot is primarily focused on marketing and CRM, so eCommerce features are not as extensive as other platforms.
Complex platform: HubSpot offers many features, which can be overwhelming for beginners.

Pricing:

HubSpot’s paid plans start at $15 per month for the Content Hub Starter plan, providing access to website building, marketing automation, sales, and business operation tools.

Recommended for: Marketers, small businesses, and individuals who want to integrate their website with marketing automation and CRM tools.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce platform built on top of WordPress. It’s an open-source solution that provides comprehensive eCommerce features and a vast ecosystem of extensions.

Pros:

Complete eCommerce control: You have complete control over your online store, with extensive customization options.
Wide range of extensions: Thousands of free and premium extensions are available to enhance your online store’s functionality.
SEO-friendly: WooCommerce is built on WordPress, which is highly SEO-optimized.
Flexible payment options: WooCommerce integrates with various payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, and many others.
Scalability: WooCommerce can handle stores of any size and complexity.

Cons:

Learning curve: WooCommerce requires some initial setup and learning, especially for beginners.
Ongoing maintenance: You need to update WooCommerce, plugins, and themes regularly to ensure security and compatibility.
Hosting costs: You’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting, adding to the overall cost.

Pricing:

WooCommerce itself is free, but you’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting. Hosting plans can range from $2.99/month to $20/month or more, depending on your needs and traffic volume.

I recommend using SiteGround’s Startup plan for WooCommerce, starting at $2.99 per month. This plan includes WooCommerce pre-installed, a free SSL certificate, daily backups, a free CDN, auto-updates, and enhanced security, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for your WooCommerce store.

Recommended for: Businesses and individuals who need a robust and customizable eCommerce platform with a large community and extensive plugin support.

6. Hostinger Website Builder (formerly Zyro)

Hostinger Website Builder, formerly known as Zyro, is a powerful and affordable website builder known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and AI features.

Pros:

Easy-to-use: Hostinger Website Builder provides a simple and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create websites.
AI-powered website builder: Hostinger’s AI can automatically create a professional website based on your input.
Affordable pricing: Hostinger offers competitive pricing for website plans, starting at $2.69 per month.
Free hosting: All Hostinger website builder plans include free hosting.
Ecommerce plans: Hostinger offers eCommerce plans for selling products online.

Cons:

Limited template selection: Hostinger’s template selection may not be as extensive as other platforms.
No free plan: Hostinger does not offer a free plan to test their platform.
Limited customization: Hostinger’s drag-and-drop interface can limit customization options for advanced users.

Pricing:

Hostinger Website Builder plans start at $2.99 per month, with discounts available for longer-term subscriptions.

Recommended for: Beginners, small businesses, and individuals who need a budget-friendly website builder with AI features.

7. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular hosted eCommerce platform designed for businesses that need a scalable and feature-rich solution for their online store.

Pros:

Fully hosted: BigCommerce handles all technical aspects, including hosting, security, and updates, allowing you to focus on your business.
Scalability: BigCommerce is built to handle high-volume traffic and sales, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Native WordPress integration: BigCommerce seamlessly integrates with WordPress, combining the flexibility of WordPress with the power of BigCommerce’s eCommerce features.
No transaction fees: BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees for using their payment gateways, saving you money.
Conversion optimization features: BigCommerce provides built-in tools for cart abandonment recovery, improved product search, and more.

Cons:

Higher pricing: BigCommerce’s plans are more expensive than some other website builders.
Limited customization: BigCommerce’s platform is less customizable than WordPress or WooCommerce.

Pricing:

BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial for all plans. Their paid plans start at $29 per month, with more advanced plans available for $79 and $299 per month.

Recommended for: Businesses that need a fully hosted, scalable, and feature-rich eCommerce platform with strong integration with WordPress.

8. Shopify

Shopify is a leading hosted eCommerce platform that simplifies online store creation and management. It’s a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, offering a wide range of features and tools.

Pros:

Easy-to-use: Shopify’s intuitive interface makes it simple to create and manage an online store.
Full eCommerce features: Shopify provides all the tools you need to sell products online, including inventory management, payment processing, and marketing tools.
Mobile app: Shopify’s mobile app allows you to manage your store on the go.
App store: Offers a wide selection of apps to extend your store’s functionality.
Customer support: Shopify provides 24/7 customer support via email, phone, and live chat.

Cons:

Transaction fees: Shopify charges a transaction fee if you use a third-party payment gateway.
Limited customization: Shopify’s platform is less customizable than WordPress or WooCommerce.
Higher pricing: Shopify’s plans are more expensive than some other website builders.

Pricing:

Shopify offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $29 per month, with higher plans available for $79 and $299 per month.

Recommended for: Businesses that need a fully hosted and user-friendly eCommerce platform with excellent customer support and a wide range of features.

9. WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a hosted version of WordPress that simplifies website creation and management. It’s a good choice for bloggers and individuals who want a user-friendly experience without the hassle of self-hosting.

Pros:

Easy setup: WordPress.com is simple to set up, making it ideal for beginners.
Hosting included: No need to purchase hosting or worry about technical details.
Free plan: Offers a free plan with limited features, allowing you to try WordPress.com before committing to a paid plan.
Themes and plugins: Access to a selection of free themes and plugins.
Automatic updates: WordPress.com handles all updates automatically, ensuring security and compatibility.

Cons:

Limited customization: WordPress.com offers less customization than self-hosted WordPress.
No access to all plugins: You can’t install all WordPress plugins on WordPress.com.
Higher pricing for advanced features: You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to access more advanced features, including eCommerce functionality.

Pricing:

WordPress.com offers a free plan with limited features. Paid plans start at $4 per month, with higher plans available for $8, $25, and $45 per month.

Recommended for: Bloggers and individuals who want a user-friendly and hosted WordPress experience without the complexities of self-hosting.

10. Squarespace

Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its beautiful templates and user-friendly interface. It’s a good choice for businesses and individuals who want a visually appealing website with an emphasis on design.

Pros:

Stunning templates: Squarespace offers a wide variety of beautifully designed templates that are responsive and mobile-friendly.
Easy to use: Squarespace’s drag-and-drop interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy to create and customize websites.
Built-in eCommerce features: Squarespace offers eCommerce plans for selling products online.
Good SEO features: Squarespace includes tools for optimizing your website for search engines.
Reliable hosting: Squarespace provides secure and reliable hosting for your website.

Cons:

Limited customization: Squarespace offers less customization than WordPress or WooCommerce.
Fewer integrations: Squarespace has fewer integrations with third-party services compared to other platforms.
Higher pricing: Squarespace’s plans are more expensive than some other website builders.

Pricing:

Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $16 per month, with higher plans available for $23, $28, and $52 per month.

Recommended for: Businesses and individuals who prioritize design and ease of use and are willing to pay for a premium platform.

11. Weebly

Weebly is a user-friendly website builder known for its simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide selection of templates. It’s a good choice for beginners who need a straightforward way to create a website.

Pros:

Easy to use: Weebly’s drag-and-drop interface is intuitive and easy to learn.
Free plan: Offers a free plan with limited features, allowing you to try Weebly before committing to a paid plan.
Mobile-friendly templates: Weebly’s templates are responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
Built-in eCommerce features: Weebly offers eCommerce plans for selling products online.
Good customer support: Weebly provides customer support via email, phone, and live chat.

Cons:

Limited customization: Weebly’s drag-and-drop interface can limit customization options for advanced users.
Proprietary platform: Weebly’s platform is less customizable than WordPress or WooCommerce.
Ads on free plans: Weebly’s free plan displays ads on your website.

Pricing:

Weebly offers a free plan with limited features. Paid plans start at $10 per month, with higher plans available for $12 and $26 per month.

Recommended for: Beginners, small businesses, and individuals who need a simple and affordable website builder with a user-friendly interface.

12. DreamHost Website Builder

DreamHost Website Builder, also known as Liftoff AI Website Builder, is a unique platform that leverages AI to simplify website creation. It’s a good choice for beginners who want to quickly build a website using AI-powered features.

Pros:

AI-powered: DreamHost Website Builder uses AI to generate website templates and content based on your input.
Fast website creation: DreamHost Website Builder can create a basic website within minutes.
Affordable pricing: DreamHost offers website builder features as part of its hosting plans, starting at $2.59 per month.
WordPress integration: DreamHost Website Builder is built on top of WordPress, providing you with a familiar platform.
SEO features: DreamHost Website Builder includes built-in SEO tools for optimizing your website.

Cons:

Limited customization: DreamHost Website Builder’s AI-powered features can limit customization options for advanced users.
No free plan: DreamHost does not offer a free plan to test their platform.

Pricing:

DreamHost’s hosting plans, which include the DreamHost Website Builder, start at $2.59 per month.

Recommended for: Beginners who want to quickly create a website using AI-powered features and who are comfortable with WordPress.

13. GoDaddy Website Builder

GoDaddy Website Builder is a simple and easy-to-use website builder offered by one of the largest domain registrars and web hosting providers. It’s a good choice for beginners who need a straightforward way to create a basic website.

Pros:

Simple interface: GoDaddy Website Builder is easy to use, with a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built blocks.
Affordable pricing: GoDaddy Website Builder offers competitive pricing for website plans.
Mobile-friendly templates: GoDaddy Website Builder’s templates are responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
Built-in image library: Access to a library of professional images from Getty Images.
Good customer support: GoDaddy provides customer support via email, phone, and live chat.

Cons:

Limited features: GoDaddy Website Builder lacks some of the advanced features found in other platforms, like WordPress or Shopify.
Difficult migration: Moving your website away from GoDaddy Website Builder can be challenging due to its closed system.

Pricing:

GoDaddy Website Builder plans start at $10.99 per month, with higher plans available for $14.99 and $20.99 per month.

Recommended for: Beginners who need a simple and affordable website builder for basic websites.

Conclusion

Choosing the best website builder requires careful consideration of your needs, budget, and technical skills. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to weigh your options before making a decision. Remember, a good website builder should be user-friendly, affordable, offer the features you need, and provide reliable customer support.

If you’re seeking complete control, flexibility, and a vast ecosystem of tools, WordPress.org is an excellent choice. If you prioritize ease of use, AI features, and affordability, Wix or Hostinger Website Builder are great options. For businesses focused on eCommerce, WooCommerce, Shopify, or BigCommerce are powerful platforms. And if you need a simple and straightforward website builder for basic needs, Weebly or GoDaddy Website Builder are good choices.

Don’t hesitate to explore the free plans offered by many platforms to test their features and see which one best suits your preferences. And remember, you’re not limited to just one platform. If you outgrow a platform or find that it’s no longer meeting your needs, you can always switch to another one later. The key is to start with a platform that empowers you to build a successful online presence.

If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.

FAQs

Are website builders worth it?

Yes, website builders are generally worth it, especially for beginners and small businesses. They offer a cost-effective way to build a website without hiring a developer. Website builders are user-friendly and provide a wide range of features to get your website up and running quickly. They can save you time, money, and hassle.

Which website builder software do professional web designers use?

Professional web designers often use website builders like WordPress, as it provides flexibility and a vast ecosystem of themes and plugins. They can create custom websites for clients with ease and efficiency using WordPress. While some designers may still use hand-coded websites, website builders have become a popular choice for their convenience and capabilities.

Is it better to code your own website than use a website builder?

While coding your own website can give you complete control, website builders are generally the more efficient and accessible option for most users. Website builders have become incredibly powerful and user-friendly, eliminating the need for extensive coding knowledge. They offer a range of pre-built templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and built-in features that make website creation much easier.

Can I switch my website builder software later?

It’s generally possible to switch website builders, but it can be challenging, especially if you’ve chosen a proprietary platform. WordPress is the exception, as it’s open-source and allows for easy migration. However, switching from platforms like Wix or Squarespace can be complex and time-consuming.

Is WordPress really free? What’s the catch?

WordPress.org is free, but you’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting. These are essential components for any website, not just WordPress. So, while the software itself is free, you’ll incur ongoing costs for domain registration and hosting, which can vary depending on your chosen provider and plan.

How can I create my own website for free?

You can create a basic website for free using platforms like HubSpot Website Builder or Wix. These platforms offer free plans with limited features, allowing you to test their functionality before committing to a paid plan. Keep in mind that free plans may display ads on your website and have limitations on storage space and bandwidth.

How can I get a free domain name?

Many website builders offer a free domain name as part of their paid plans. For example, Bluehost, Hostinger Website Builder, DreamHost Website Builder, and Web.com all include a free domain with their hosting packages. This is a great way to save money on your website’s initial setup costs.

Do I need a custom domain to build a website?

While you don’t technically need a custom domain to build a website, it’s highly recommended. A custom domain (e.g., yourname.com) looks more professional and builds credibility for your online presence. Free website builders often provide a subdomain (e.g., yourname.wix.com), which may not be as desirable.

Do I need to buy web hosting to build a website?

Yes, all websites need web hosting. Web hosting is where your website’s files are stored and accessible to visitors. When you use a website builder, you’re essentially purchasing hosting from them as part of your plan. As your website grows and traffic increases, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate the increased demand.

Are there any hidden costs to building a website?

There can be hidden costs associated with building a website, such as addon services, premium plugins, eCommerce transaction fees, or higher renewal rates for domains and hosting after the initial year.

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