10 best website builders for small businesses

Nowadays, having a website for your business is not just an option but a crucial marketing strategy that helps attract customers and keep them engaged. According to statistics, 97% of customers say websites influence their purchases. Also, small businesses with websites can experience a growth in revenue ranging from 15% to 50%. 

However, building and maintaining a website may be beyond the budget of a small business. On average, developing a website can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $150,000, with monthly maintenance fees ranging from $35 to $5,000, not to mention the time and effort required. A more cost-effective option would be a DIY solution, also known as a website builder, which allows you to create your business website in a few hours. For example, with a website builder like Workee, you can have your website up and running in five minutes or less.

We have sieved through the variety of website builders available to make your search easier. Here are our top 10 best website builders that we believe can help you build a professional and customized web presence that reflects your brand and engages your audience.

Things to consider before choosing a website builder for your small business

First, many website builders are out there, and finding the right one can be overwhelming. You want your small business website to be functional, visually appealing, and user-friendly. So, let's talk about the key factors you should consider:

• Ease of use: A user-friendly interface is essential. You probably don't have many technical skills, so you'll want a website builder that doesn't require a Ph.D. in web design. Look for drag-and-drop features and intuitive navigation.

• Customization: Your business is unique, so your website should reflect that. Check if the website builder allows you to customize templates, fonts, colors, and layouts to match your brand identity. The best website builder for small businesses should offer ample customization options.

• Mobile responsiveness: With a growing number of smartphone users accessing websites, your site must look and function well on mobile devices. Most top website builders offer mobile optimization, but it's crucial to test it.

• SEO friendliness: Your website won't do much good if people can't find it. Ensure the website builder provides SEO tools and features like meta tags, alt text, and easy URL customization to improve your website's ranking.

•  E-commerce capabilities: If you plan to sell products or services online, choose a website builder with robust e-commerce features. 

• Scalability: Think about your long-term plans. Will the website builder be able to grow with your business? Ensure it offers scalability and the ability to add more features as your business expands.

•  Pricing: Different website builders have different pricing models. Some offer free plans with limited features, while others have monthly or yearly subscription fees. Consider your budget and the features you need when evaluating the cost.

• Customer support: Reliable customer support is essential. Look for website builders that provide various support channels like chat, email, or phone support, especially if you're not tech-savvy.

• Third-Party integrations: Depending on your business needs, you may want to integrate third-party tools like payment processors, email marketing, or analytics. Make sure the website builder supports these integrations.

• Reviews and recommendations: It's always a good idea to read reviews and ask other small business owners for recommendations. Hearing about real experiences can give you valuable insights.

• Security: Ensure the website builder offers security features such as SSL certificates and regular backups to protect your and your customer's data.

If you’re an independent professional, you should check this post on the best personal website to give you some ideas on how to get started.

Ten best website builders for small businesses

1. Workee

The Workee website builder is an all-in-one digital platform designed to make establishing and managing a professional online presence as straightforward and stress-free as possible. It's not just a tool for creating a website; it's a comprehensive solution that integrates various aspects of a professional's digital footprint, from personalized website creation and appointment scheduling to payment processing, all from one place.

Key features

Key features of the Workee website builder include:

• Free Domain Name: Businesses can distinguish themselves online with the help of Workee, as all of their plans include a free domain name.

• No-Code Website Creator: Businesses can create professional-looking websites without the technical know-how or time typically required to build a website from scratch. Therapists can collect customer information, receive payments, and share their website links across social media platforms to increase visibility and reach potential clients.

• Customization and personalization: Workee offers a range of sleek and modern templates tailored to fit any business's specific needs and branding.

• Drag-and-Drop editor: Therapists without coding skills can easily design and customize their websites using Workee's intuitive interface.

• SEO optimization: Workee provides built-in SEO tools to help your website rank higher on search engines, making it easier for potential clients to find you.

• Appointment Booking and Scheduling: Workee includes a booking and scheduling feature that allows small business professionals to set their availability timeslots and establish pricing directly from their website. It simplifies booking by automatically detecting clients' time zones to avoid confusion and scheduling conflicts.

• Client management: Workee helps you simplify your client management process by consolidating your client information in one place. You can integrate your Google Contact to enable you to access the contact information of each client and their project history. This way, you can efficiently keep track of all your clients in a more organized manner.

• Payment and invoicing: Workee eliminates the need for external payment systems by incorporating Stripe and PayPal solutions, enabling secure, reliable, and immediate transactions directly on the platform. It also facilitates the automatic generation and receipt of invoices, making the payment process seamless for both the professional and the client.

• Integrations: Workee can be synced with your favorite third-party tools like Google Contacts, Calendar, Stripe, PayPal, Zoom, etc. This gives you access to the functions of these tools right from your website.

• Video Embedding: Integrate video content directly into your site to introduce your business.

• Compliance: Workee has built-in SSL certification, HIPAA, and PCI compliance, ensuring that data exchanged between the therapist and clients is encrypted and secure.

• AI-powered assistant: With Workee AI, therapists can easily generate therapy sessions, meeting plans, or notes quickly and efficiently within a few minutes. You only need to specify the content type, and Workee AI will generate it.

• Workee Space: An online digital marketplace where you can connect with other small business owners and reach potential clients.

Pricing

• Workee offers a free plan with basic functionality.

• The Workee Pro is billed at $29 a month, or $290 annually. You save 20% on the annual subscription.

Shortcomings

• The Workee Starter plan may be free, but it offers basic functionality compared to Workee Pro features.

2. Wix

Wix is often touted as one of the best website builders for small businesses, and for good reason. It offers a highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to create a professional-looking website quickly. With a wide range of customizable templates and a robust app marketplace, Wix is suitable for various industries. However, its free plan displays Wix ads, and some users might find its pricing slightly higher than other options.

Key Features:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor.

• A vast library of customizable templates.

• Extensive app marketplace for added functionality.

• Reliable hosting and security features.

Pricing

Wix offers various categories and price points. The prices can vary based on your region and any Wix pricing updates.

Shortcomings

• Limited SEO customization compared to some competitors.

• Wix also offers add-ons like domain names, professional email addresses, and additional applications that can influence the total cost of the tool.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is renowned for its stunning design templates and elegant aesthetics, making it ideal for businesses that prioritize visual appeal. Its responsive designs ensure your site looks great on any device. However, it may not be as beginner-friendly as some other website builders, and the pricing can be a bit steep for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Professionally designed templates.

• Robust e-commerce features.

• Integrated blogging platform.

• Excellent mobile responsiveness.

Shortcomings:

• Limited third-party integrations.

• Features available on the free plan are quite limited compared to other alternatives.

• Slightly higher pricing.

Pricing

• Depending on the plan, it ranges from $11 to $36 a month.

4. Weebly

Weebly is a straightforward website builder known for its simplicity and ease of use. It offers a variety of pre-designed layouts and a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder. While it may lack some advanced features in other platforms, it excels in helping small businesses establish an online presence quickly.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder.

• Mobile-responsive templates.

• Affordable pricing plans.

• Solid e-commerce capabilities.

Shortcomings:

• Fewer template options compared to competitors.

• Limited scalability for larger businesses.

Pricing

• It ranges from $29 a month.

5. WordPress.com

WordPress.com, not to be confused with the self-hosted WordPress.org, is a user-friendly platform that combines the power of WordPress with simplicity. It's an excellent choice if you want more control over your website's design and functionality. However, customization might require technical know-how, and it's not as user-friendly as other website builders.

Key Features:

• Extensive plugin library for customization.

• Blogging capabilities.

• SEO-friendly options.

• Scalable for growing businesses.

Shortcomings:

• Learning curve for beginners.

• Limited design flexibility without coding.

• Ongoing maintenance costs for WordPress websites can be up to $15,000 per year.

Pricing

$75 to $115,000 per year.

6. Shopify

If your small business focuses on e-commerce, Shopify is the go-to website builder. It offers a comprehensive suite of e-commerce tools, making setting up and managing an online store easy. However, it's primarily tailored for online selling, so you might find it less suitable if you're not selling products.

Key Features:

• Advanced e-commerce functionality.

• User-friendly interface.

• Secure and reliable hosting.

• Extensive app store for additional features.

Shortcomings:

• Monthly fees for transaction processing.

• Limited non-e-commerce features.

• Costs can add up with premium apps.

Pricing

From 38 euros to 384 euros a month.

7. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another top-notch e-commerce website builder designed to help small businesses succeed online. It offers robust features and customization options for online stores. However, its pricing may be higher for small businesses with limited budgets.

Key Features:

• Powerful e-commerce features.

• Flexible design customization.

• Secure and reliable hosting.

• Excellent SEO capabilities.

Shortcomings:

• Higher pricing compared to some competitors.

• Learning curve for beginners.

• Limited template selection.

Pricing:

Standard ($39/month), Plus ($105/month), Pro ($399/month) and Enterprise plans with pricing based on a customer's online sales

8. Webflow

Webflow is popular among designers and developers for its powerful design capabilities. It allows for precise control over every aspect of a website's design and interactions. However, it has a steeper learning curve and may not be the best option for those without design or development experience.

Key features

• Allows you to create responsive websites that adapt to different screen sizes and devices.

• Offers a robust CMS that allows you to create dynamic content-driven websites

• Advanced users can add custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to their Webflow projects.

• Offers a library of pre-designed elements templates.

Shortcomings

• While there is a free plan, Webflow can become relatively expensive for premium features.

• It can be a little complex, especially for beginners with no technical skills.

• Does not have as many features as dedicated e-commerce platforms.

Pricing:

From $14 to $39 a month.

9. Jimdo

Jimdo is a user-friendly website builder that focuses on simplicity. It's a solid choice for small businesses that need a basic online presence without the complexity of other platforms. However, its templates might not be as visually appealing as some competitors.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder.

• Affordable pricing plans.

• Reliable hosting and security.

• Mobile-responsive designs.

Shortcomings:

• Limited template selection.

• Fewer advanced features.

• It is not ideal for businesses with complex needs.

Pricing:

From $0 to $39 a month.

10. GoDaddy

GoDaddy Website Builder is a user-friendly platform that comes with domain registration services. It offers a variety of templates and features, like a built-in photo library and SEO tools. On the downside, its design flexibility is limited compared to some competitors, and it may not be the best choice for highly customized websites.

Key features

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor.

• Mobile-responsive templates.

• Built-in SEO tools.

• Reliable hosting and 24/7 customer support.

Shortcomings:

• Limited template customization compared to some competitors.

• Fewer design options for advanced users.

Pricing:

From $5.48 to $11.99 a month.

Why every small business needs Workee

Workee is a comprehensive website builder and business management platform perfect for small businesses. With its no-code professional website templates, SEO optimization, and seamless YouTube video integration, creating an attractive and functional website has never been easier. Workee also offers business management solutions, including scheduling, client management, payment and invoicing, and video conferencing, making it an ideal choice for those who handle all their businesses online. Boost your online presence business today with Workee and experience the difference for yourself!