Website Builders for Businesses: WordPress, Wix, Squarespace + 4 More

Are you ready to build a custom online showcase and marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More machine for your business? With 73% of small businesses already owning a website, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. With so many options available, choosing the right website builder can be overwhelming… but don’t worry, I’ve simplified the process for you.

Keep in mind the best website builder is the one that works for the specific needs of each team. It may not be any of the platforms mentioned here and a website may not be needed at all. Different businesses require different features. A recording artist doesn’t need the same website as a medical consultant and an experienced coder doesn’t need the same features as a novice. A smart link or social media profile may be enough to start.

Know what’s needed to launch a website, then review this practical comparison of the seven most popular website builders for small businesses. It includes estimated pricing to help make a decision once and for all. Just keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and the minimum cost does not include the same features across each web builder. If you want to learn more, dive deeper by comparing the features and pricing of just 2 or 3 to find the best option for your needs.

WordPress: The OG CMS

Starting around $4/month

First up is WordPress, the OG of content management systems (CMS). It’s perfect for those ready for full control over their website. With its vast array of plugins and themes, WordPress has been the go-to choice for bloggers and website owners for over a decade. Even I wasn’t a fan of WordPress at first (shout out to my Joomla fans) but it’s like the wise old sage of website builders, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience. 

Unfortunately, like any wise, experienced sage, WordPress can also be a bit finicky and temperamental. It can be tricky to navigate for novices and might take some time to get the hang of, especially for website builders more experienced with drag-and-drop builders like Wix or Squarespace. It also requires a bit more technical know-how than the other platforms, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with a website that looks like a ransom note made by a fairly gifted toddler. 

Still, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn the ropes, WordPress can be a powerful tool for any entrepreneur. Plus you can now add plugins for drag-and-drop editing for quick updates. 

Wix: The Crowd Pleaser Streamer

Starting around $14/month

In contrast, Wix, is often touted as the “easy” platform for DIY business owners but while it may be more intuitive than WordPress it still has its learning curve. In addition to being fairly user-friendly, Wix is reasonably priced for a “fashion” builder. So it’s a good investment for those who want a website that looks like it was made by a professional but don’t have the budget. Or for those looking for a drag-and-drop interface with no setup to get their website up and running quickly. It’s like the fast food of website builders – it may not be the cheapest or healthiest option, but it’s certainly convenient and popular.

Just like fast food, Wix can leave you feeling unsatisfied in the long run though. Its limited customization options and reliance on pre-made templates can make your website look a bit generic, and its SEO capabilities can be lacking so we avoid it altogether. It can also be a bit overwhelming for beginners and might take a bit longer to get the hang of. Still, if you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, Wix may be the way to go.

Squarespace: The Fast-Fashion Fancy Pants

Starting around $16/month

Then, we have Squarespace, the platform that’s often seen as the “designer” option. With its sleek, modern templates and intuitive interface, Squarespace is perfect for anyone who wants a relatively affordable website that looks like it was made by a professional. It’s like the Tesla of website builders – stylish and sophisticated, but with a price tag to match. 

Squarespace can be a bit more expensive than the other platforms, and its learning curve is steeper than Wix’s. However, if you’re willing to invest the time and money into learning yourself or hiring a professional website consultant, Squarespace can give your website a level of polish that the other platforms can’t match. Just be sure to go the expert route if you want a lot of customization because this “fancy-pants” can get a bit temperamental about changes.

Weebly – The Reliable Family Friend

Starting around $6/month

Weebly is a simple and user-friendly web builder. While it doesn’t get much attention, it has an average page load time of 1.3 seconds, which is faster than the industry standard. Weebly also has a 99.98% uptime guarantee, which means your website will be up and running almost all the time. As an SEO enthusiast, I’m certainly impressed. I use Weebly for my booking website via Square and I love its speed.

Still, some have reported that Weebly websites can be slow to load on mobile devices so try it for yourself.

Shopify – The Shopaholic Seller

Starting around $29/month

Shopify is an e-commerce web builder that’s designed specifically for online stores. It has an average page load time of 1.9 seconds, which is also faster than the industry standard but not nearly as fast as Weebly (used by Square’s e-commerce platform). Still, it’s a fan favorite for its variety of simple print-on-demand and shipping options.

It also has the same 99.98% uptime guarantee as Weebly and others, which means your online store will be up and running almost all the time so a few extra seconds to load may be worth the extra product options. Just keep in mind Shopify can be expensive, with some features only available on higher-priced plans. If you’re going to get started, use our guide and start with a 30-day free trial to make sure it’s worth it for your team.

GoDaddy – The Classic Rock Jock

Starting around $10/month

GoDaddy is an old-school web builder that’s all about performance. It has an average page load time of 1.8 seconds, so it’s a bit faster than Shopify and it beats its uptime guarantee at 99.9%. However, GoDaddy’s CMS was built as an afterthought. As an add-on product itself, it can be a bit aggressive with its upselling tactics. Plus users have reported slow page load times on mobile devices.

SiteBuilder – The New Kid for New Kids

Starting around $11/month

SiteBuilder is a simple and user-friendly web builder that’s perfect for beginners but it has an average page load time of 2.4 seconds, which is much slower than most other platforms. However, unlike some other platforms, it does allow you to optimize your website for speed with tools like image compression and caching. Plus SiteBuilder has a 99.99% uptime guarantee, which is one of the highest in the industry so its great for DIYers just starting out.

So, which web-building platform is right for you?

Again, that depends on your individual needs and preferences. Are you willing to put in the time to learn WordPress’s ins and outs, or do you just want to get something up quickly with Wix? Are you willing to invest some money in Squarespace’s sleek design, or do you prefer to be frugal?

Of course, if all else fails, you could always just hire a web developer and have me do all the heavy lifting for you *wink*. Yes, I’m heavily biased on this one but it is like hiring a personal trainer – sure, you could try to get in shape on your own, but wouldn’t it be easier to have someone guide you through the process? Especially someone fun and amazing like me (hint – choose me!).  

But seriously, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total newbie, there’s a website builder out there for everyone. We even have a website starter guide for the DIYers. Still, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace all have their strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the proud owner of a website that’s as sleek as a Squarespace site, as user-friendly as a Wix site, and as powerful as a WordPress site. You know, like this one 🙂