It’s 2024, and folks are still struggling to create high-quality, functional websites – the horror! We get it. It’s hard to get started with website building, especially when you are grappling with trust issues and don’t know which website builder to bet on! It’s like handing over your baby to a stranger and having undue faith in their competence not to drop them. Very random analogy, but you get the point!
Website building can actually be a fun process when you are supported by a reliable website builder. We know, we know! Not everyone can afford premium platforms. This made us think!
What does one really want from a website builder, especially when it comes to business websites? You want a website builder that offers creative freedom and features that make your website run like a smooth engine and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Is that too much to ask? No!
Today, we are assembling the best website builders in the market that will not drop your baby! Don’t take our word for it! Check out their offerings and pricing, and then decide which one is the right fit for you!
What are you waiting for? All you need is to have your foot in the door! This blog is that door for you! Get in before it’s too late!
How to Build a Business Website?
Before we hunt down the best website builders in the market, it behooves us to understand how to build a business website. Newbies, pay attention! This is where you will face the most hurdles – the “getting started” part! We have broken it down into simple steps; just follow them, and you will get halfway through the process easily.
Define your goals
What do you really want your website to achieve? It could be selling bespoke products and services. Maybe you are running after some good leads! Whatever your goals are, clearly outline them, as this will shape the design and functionality of your website.
Choose a Domain and Hosting
You will need to get a domain and a hosting service for your enterprise. Your domain is your website’s address, e.g. www.yourcompany.com. If you want to ensure that your website is accessible online and functions well, website hosting is a must. Certain website builders offer hosting services as well; we’ll cover more on that later. Once your objectives are delineated, conduct research on domain registrars and web hosts that align with your requisites.
Select a Website Builder
Here comes the highlight of the show! There are two ways you can go about it – hire a professional web designer/developer or opt for the best website builders that are way more kinder to your pockets. These builders are efficient in what they do, allowing you to create a professional site yourself using templates and drag-and-drop editors.
Design and Build
Once you have locked in a website builder, pick a suitable template. You can also start from scratch to design your layout. Next, add pages, integrate e-commerce functions if needed, optimise for mobile, and incorporate your branding elements.
Populate With Content
Fill your website with useful information by creating page content like an About section, service/product details, contact info, and a blog section if applicable. You can make your website more visually engaging by using aesthetic images and interactive videos.
Promote and Launch
With content ready, it’s time to test your website thoroughly to fix any technical hiccups. Once everything is good to go, hit that live button. The best way to promote your website is through social media.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
Rome was not built in a day; and let us tell you – building a website is no less than building a city from the ashes! The time required depends on factors like complexity, chosen website builder, and personal experience.
Simple informational websites built with website builders can reasonably take 1-2 weeks. E-commerce sites or custom-coded sites will likely need 1-3 months. Larger, more complex business websites can span 3-6 months from planning to launch. Consistency and regular maintenance are key after launch to ensure your business website remains updated and effective over time.
Also Read: Best Website Builders to Help You Grow Online in 2024
What Are Some of the Best Website Builders for Small Businesses?
1. Squarespace – Aesthetic and Unique Templates
Squarespace is one of the best website builders for bloggers and writers. It offers hundreds of aesthetic templates, a user-friendly interface, and blogging tools. Features like social media consolidation and invoice scheduling lend it a competitive edge against its peers. It’s also easy on the pockets, with plans starting at just £12.87/mo. Try the Business and E-commerce plans that offer more e-commerce features at premium pricing.
2. Wix – A Great Option For Newbies
Wix is easily one of the best website builders in the market. To build a website on Wix, you just have to answer a few questions – more like your preference for colours, design, types of pages, and more. The site builder, based on your responses, will create an aesthetically pleasing and unique template in a few minutes. You can also create your design from scratch with their built-in editor. One feature you cannot miss out on is the Wix App Market, which offers various add-ons to help you enhance the functionality of your website. With 4 different pricing plans, you can get started with as little as £9/mo.
3. Hostinger – Create Quality Websites on a Budget
If you are a beginner looking for an affordable all-in-one solution, then Hostinger’s AI website builder will be perfect for you! Design an SEO-friendly template and get help from AI to draft a copy for the site. They also offer various e-commerce features like managing orders, accepting payments and more. Not to forget the robust analytics that enhances your performance, making this one of the best website builders. You can get started with their most affordable plan, Hostinger Premium, for just £2.59/mo.
4. Bluehost – Perfect For WordPress Website Hosting and Creation
Bluehost seamlessly integrates with WordPress to help you build a highly functioning website. With 300+ templates, easy customisation, and customer support, you are pretty much covered. Their marketing features are also worth appreciating! For business/ecommerce websites, Hostinger has an Online Store Solution that comes with features like WordPress, WooCommerce, and YITH plugins. The Bluehost Basic Plan starts at £2.33/mo.
5. GoDaddy – Best Pick For Small Businesses
If you are a small business, then GoDaddy is one of the best website builders for you. It has a unique offering that you won’t find anywhere else – the Website + Marketing solution. It essentially allows you to use the basic features for free for as long as you want. You can upgrade to paid plans anytime you want. The platform also offers hosting services, bringing everything under one roof. Their 24/7 support team is quite commendable as well.
6. IONOS – Great Offerings for E-Commerce Websites
IONOS AI website builder is an intuitive platform that allows you to build your site with the help of AI or use ready-made templates for inspiration. It’s easy to use, so beginners can relax and enjoy its easy interface. Use AI Text Generator and Text Improver to curate crisp copy. The platform also has multilingual support, making it one of the best website builders. Get started with this AI builder at £6 /month for 6 months excl. VAT.
7. Friday – A Premium Platform for Quality Services
Friday AI web builder is a premium platform as it offers a single pricing plan capped at £39.59/month. You can access every single tool and service within this single solution. From custom domains and security tools to unlimited bandwidth SEO tools, grab everything at £39.59 per month. Some of their other features include blogging tools, various payment gateways, analytics, and more.
8. Web.com – Best Pick for Folks Seeking Professional Services
The Web.com AI website builder offers a wide variety of templates, from simple to complex. The interface is easy to navigate and allows for quick customisation. Users can grab AI assistance for writing, logo designing, and more. The customer support team is great, and they have a quick response time. You can get started with Web.com at just £3.92/month
9. Duda – Popular Platform for Agencies and Professionals
Duda is an excellent AI website builder, especially for professionals and agencies. The platform’s editor is more intuitive and thorough than any of its competitors. For large-scale requirements, Duda is one of the best website builders. Other features like SSL certificates, multilingual support, and unlimited storage will definitely help in the long run. Get started with Duda at £15.05/mo for a single website.
10. Elementor – Pick if You Need Maximum Customisation Capabilities
Elementor offers one of the most seamless editors in the market. Their live editor allows you to customise your website and see the changes in real time. Though it’s not exactly a website builder, it’s a popular WordPress plugin that acts as a website builder, more or less. It allows for easy WooCommerce integration so you can tap into the e-commerce features. Get started with Elementor at just £46.74/annually for a single website.
11. Canva – Top Pick For Graphic Design and Visual Content Creation
Just like Elementor, Canva is not exactly a website builder but a graphic design tool. Though, you have to agree how excellent it is when it comes to designing a website. From thousands of templates and elements to easy editing – you can design the website of your dreams. The interface is also intuitive, making it easy to navigate for beginners. Canva is free to use, but you will get limited features. Upgrade anytime for access to more features.
12. Jimdo – Popular Among Small Businesses and Local Entrepreneurs
Jimdo is a free website builder with premium plans for advanced users. One of its stand-out features is that it harmonises the colours of your site as per the images you upload. With hundreds of professional templates, you are sure to find one that meets your needs. They also offer impressive and quick support to users, earning them some brownie points. Get started with Jimdo for free or get the base plan for £9.40/month.
13. Weebly – Easy Pick For Portfolios and Personal Websites
When it comes to the best ecommerce website builders, you can’t miss Weebly. The platform offers extensive editing tools like the drag-and-drop editor and custom fonts. You can also do custom HTML/CSS & Javascript to give a unique look. Enjoy their mobile-friendly design with various SEO tools, blogging features, post-scheduling features and more. Get started with their free plan or commit to the Weebly Professional Plan at £11.96/month.
14. Webflow – A Goldmine For Developers and Web Designers
If you are a developer or web designer who wants code-level control of your website, then Webflow is one of the best website builders for you. Make use of their Webflow Apps and collaboration features if you have a big team and want seamless functioning. They also offer SEO tools and multi-language support, which are great features for a website. And if you face any hurdle, just refer to their extensive crash courses. Get started with Webflow for free, or sign up for the Webflow Basic plan at just £11.96/mo.
Conclusion
There you go! These best website builders are unique in their offerings and features. Before you commit to a platform, make sure to compare the features properly. See if they have enough customisation and e-commerce capabilities. Also, check additional features like SEO tools, performance tools, and more. Price is another important factor, so make sure you sign up for a plan that offers maximum value. With these best website builders, you will never run out of options. For such updates, visit Nowandlive.
FAQs
How does a website builder work?
A website builder helps you create your website without any coding. It offers professional templates that you can easily customise with a drag-and-drop tool. Some even allow you to build your website from scratch, as per your design preferences.
What to consider in a website builder?
Picking a website builder for your site is an important decision. Some things you must look for include template selection and customisation capabilities. Look for other add-ons like security features, AI tools, SEO tools and more that enhance the functionality of your website.
Which website builders have AI tools?
If you are looking for the best AI website builders, then try Squarespace, Hostinger, IONOS, and Friday. They mainly offer features like Text Generator, Text Improver, Logo Builder and more.
English 
Deutsch 
