This guide ranks the best small business website builders, based on hundreds of hours of real-world testing and personal experience.
✅ Over 80 website builders tried and tested
✅ 400+ hours of testing
✅ Expert advice and insight
✅ More than 7 years of testing website builders
Wix earns the top spot, offering one of the best website builders on the market, powerful AI tools, a simple interface, and an all-in-one solution for small businesses. Plans start at just $17/mo.
My top 3 best small business website builders
Small business website builder comparison
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Wix | Hostinger | Shopify | Squarespace | Weebly | Hubspot | GoDaddy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best for | All small businesses | Great value for money | Building online stores | Brand conscious small business | Businesses with limited time and budget | Access to other small business tools | A comprehensive solution |
Free plan/trial | Limited free plan | 7-day free trial | 3-day free trial, then 3-months for $1/mo | 14-day free trial | Limited free plan | Free plan | 30-day free trial on most plans |
Paid plans starting at (paid annually) | $17/mo | $2.99/mo for first 48-months, renews at $11.99/mo | $29/mo | $16/mo | $10/mo | Website builder is free. Paid tools start at $20/mo | $10.99/mo for first 12 months. Renews at $12.99/mo. |
Ecommerce functionality | Yes - on the Core plan and above | Yes - on the Business Website Builder plan | Yes - on all plans | Yes - on Business plan and above | Yes - on all plans | Yes | Yes - on the Commerce plan |
Support | 24/7 support available | 24/7 live chat support | 24/7 chat support, phone support on highest tier plan | 24/7 customer support | Chat, email, and forum support on all plans, phone support on higher tiered plans | Forum only | 24/7 support |
Marketing features | Email, SEO and social marketing tools | Basic SEO tools | SEO, email and social marketing tools | SEO, email and social marketing tools | SEO and social marketing tools | Integrates with HubSpot's dedicated marketing platforms | SEO tools and access to marketing suite |
Ease of use | Easy | Easy | Moderate | Easy | Very easy | Moderate | Easy |
Expert review |
Best small business website builder overall
Editor's verdict
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Wix offers the most comprehensive set of website building tools on the market. It combines an intuitive interface with deep customization options. You also get access to a bunch of marketing and business tools, helping take your small business to the next level.
I use Wix every day. It's what I recommend to most people, most of the time.
Tools and features
Wix comes with a huge range of features and tools. Here are the ones typically most helpful to small businesses:
- Full AI website builder
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Built-in business tools (ecommerce, bookings, dropshipping, reservations)
- Powerful AI tools (image and text editors, SEO tools)
- Large app store
- Helpful speed optimization tools
Plans and pricing
Plan | Paid monthly | Paid annually |
|---|---|---|
Free | $0/mo | $0/mo |
Lite | $24/mo | $17/mo |
Core | $36/mo | $29/mo |
Business | $43/mo | $36/mo |
Business Elite | $172/mo | $159/mo |
- Unlock ecommerce features with the Core plan
- Free plan unsuitable for serious businesses
Wix alternatives
Wix ticks most of the boxes for more user, but here are two worthy alternatives to consider:
Hostinger: With plans starting at $2.99/mo (intro rate), Hostinger offers a similar platform at a fraction of the price. See how each AI website builder compares in our Wix AI vs Hostinger AI website builder guide.
Squarespace: Squarespace and Wix are close in terms of functionality, but Squarespace offers better templates and tools for design conscious small businesses. Read our Wix vs Squarespace comparison to learn more.
Learn more
Read our Wix website builder review.
Best website builder for small businesses with limited budget
Editor's verdict
Hostinger perfectly balances a comprehensive feature set with affordability, making it ideal for small businesses. You can launch quickly using its AI website builder and grow your business with helpful business and marketing tools.
Tools and features
Small businesses will benefit most from the following tools:
- Full AI website builder
- Over 150 responsive templates and drag-and-drop editor
- Helpful ecommerce tools and dropshipping integration
- Built in security and site speed, including a free SSL
- Advanced AI assistant (Kodee)
Plans and pricing
Plan | Introductory offer (48 months) | With our exclusive promo code* | Renewal rate |
Premium Website Builder | $2.99/mo | $2.69/mo | $11.99/mo |
Business Website Builder | $3.99/mo | $3.59/mo | $13.99/mo |
- A large jump after intro rate runs out (still good value)
- Advanced AI tools only available on most expensive plan
- 7 day free trial, 30 day money back guarantee, but no free forever plan
- Use code TECHRADAR for an extra 10% off
Hostinger alternatives
Wix: Wix offers a free plan which can be a great way for small businesses to get started. Wix's premium plans cost a little more than Hostinger, but come with more features.
Weebly: Hostinger only offers ecommerce tools on its most expensive plan, but you can sell on Weebly for free.
Squarespace: Squarespace's AI website builder and templates are a little more polished than Hostinger's. You can see how these website builders compare in our Squarespace vs Hostinger guide.
Learn more
Read more: Hostinger website builder review
Best website builder for small ecommerce businesses
Editor's verdict
Purpose built for online stores, Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platforms on the market. Along with everything you would expect from a website builder, you get advanced inventory management, cross-platform selling, and ecommerce marketing features.
I've used Shopify to launch successful online stores and strongly recommend it.
Tools and features
Shopify focuses on supporting online growth for stores, with tools and features including:
- Advanced retail tools (inventory/shipping/order management)
- Dedicated payment processing (+ alternatives)
- AI assistants for automation and marketing
- Omnichannel selling (online, in person, and social)
- Vast analytical insights
Plans and pricing
Plan | Paid annually | Paid monthly |
|---|---|---|
Basic | $29/mo | $39/mo |
Shopify | $79/mo | $105/mo |
Advanced | $229/mo | $399/mo |
- Three day free trial and first three months for $1
- 2% charge on transactions not using Shopify Payments
- Basic Point Of Sale (POS) included, advanced costs an extra $89/mo
Shopify alternatives
Shopify is perfect for dedicated online stores, but other small businesses may benefit from these Shopify alternatives:
Wix: Wix offers a huge range of free templates and a bunch of built in features, whilst still providing advanced ecommerce tools. However, you'll need the Core plan ($29/mo) to sell online.
Hostinger: With plans starting at $29/mo, Shopify isn't cheap. Hostinger offers some great features, including ecommerce functionality on its Business Website Builder plan that starts at $3.99/mo.
Learn more
Read more: Shopify review
Best website builder for design-conscious small businesses
Editor's verdict
With a design focused AI website builder, market leading templates, and powerful design tools, Squarespace is the obvious choice for businesses where design is of paramount importance.
Although Squarespace doesn't quite offer the same features as Wix, I've found most businesses find everything they need on the platform.
Tools and features
Squarespace is a design-first website builder, but also comes with all the tools and features you would expect:
- Full, design-focused, AI website builder
- Easy drag and drop website editor
- Integrated bookings and reservation tools
- Comprehensive marketing tools (SEO, email marketing, analytics)
Plans and pricing
Plan | Paid monthly | Paid annually |
|---|---|---|
Basic | $21/mo | $16/mo |
Core | $32/mo | $23/mo |
Plus | $48/mo | $39/mo |
Advanced | $119/mo | $99/mo |
- Free domain for the first year
- 14-day free trial
- Additional 2% online transaction fee on Basic plan only
Squarespace alternatives
Wix: Offers a slightly larger feature set at a similar price point, but it isn't as well known for design.
GoDaddy: If a lack of phone support is an issue, GoDaddy offers it on all website builder plans.
Hostinger: Provides many of the same tools and features as Squarespace, but at a lower price.
Learn more
Read more: Squarespace review
Best website builder for start ups
Editor's verdict
Weebly aims for simplicity with its website builder. This can help start ups and other small businesses get online fast.
However, Weebly's feature set is becoming a little dated with a noticeable lack of AI tools. Expect to trade features and flexibility for speed and simplicity.
Tools and features
With Weebly, you get all the core features you need to build, manage, and grow your website:
- Very easy drag-and-drop editor
- Large app library to extend functionality
- Built in SEO tools
- Basic and advanced ecommerce features
Plans and pricing
Plan | Billed annually | Billed monthly |
|---|---|---|
Free | $0/mo | $0/mo |
Personal | $10/mo | $13/mo |
Professional | $12/mo | $16/mo |
Performance | $26/mo | $29/mo |
- Sell online, even with the free plan
- Phone support only available from Professional plan and above
Weebly alternatives
Weebly is notably lacking in some areas. Here are some worthy alternatives:
Wix: If you want an advanced website builder, AI features, and helpful business tools, Wix is our top pick, but expect to pay more.
GoDaddy: This website builder offers a more comprehensive support package, with phone support available on all plans.
Squarespace: Weebly comes with limited design options; Squarespace is renowned for offering great design options and flexibility.
Learn more
Read more: Weebly review
Best website builder for marketing your small business
Editor's verdict
Small businesses that are using HubSpot's CRM or marketing tools can benefit from smooth integration with the HubSpot website builder. You can connect a custom domain, even on its free plan, and leverage some helpful AI tools.
It's ideal for those looking for a simple website, but its feature set can lack depth for small businesses that need their website to work hard for them.
Tools and features
HubSpot specializes in inbound sales, with its website builder offering plenty of helpful tools to support this:
- Seamlessly integrate with HubSpot CRM and marketing platforms
- Helpful conversion tools (smart content, forms, A/B testing, CTAs)
- Built in SEO and blogging features
- Connect a custom domain (even on free plan)
- AI assistants for automations and content creation
Plans and pricing
Plan | Billed annually |
|---|---|
Free | $0/mo |
Starter | $9/per seat |
Professional | $450/mo |
Enterprise | $1500/mo |
- Prices can increase quickly based on number of seats
- Real value unlocked when CMS is paid with a paid Marketing or Sales plan
HubSpot website builder alternatives
HubSpot comes with its limitations. Here are some great alternatives to consider:
Wix: If you want a more comprehensive website builder and editor, Wix is worth checking out.
Shopify: HubSpot doesn't offer native ecommerce tools, small online stores would be better suited to Shopify's dedicated ecommerce platform.
Learn more
Read more: Hubspot website builder review
Best AI website builder for small businesses
Editor's verdict
GoDaddy's Airo platform is a great option for small businesses looking for an all-in-one solution, helping you create a website and a host of marketing materials in record time.
GoDaddy excels in simplicity and offers excellent support. It's easy to manage, but may lack the control and feature set that some businesses want.
Tools and features
GoDaddy focuses on helping small businesses quickly build and launch online businesses:
- Airo AI tools help rapidly build websites, content, logos, other marketing materials
- 24/7 phone support on all plans
- Built in business tools (appointments, email marketing, graphic design, CRM)
- Easy ecommerce features
- Simple, intuitive website editor
Plans and pricing
Plan | Paid monthly | Intro rate (paid every 1-3 years) | Renewal rate (paid every 1-3 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
Basic | $16.99/mo | $9.99/mo | $16.99/mo |
Premium | $29.99/mo | $14.99/mo | $29.99/mo |
Commerce | $34.99/mo | $20.99/mo | $34.99/mo |
- Free plan is available, but is limited
- To sell unlimited products online you'll need to Commerce plan
- To sell services and take paid bookings you'll need to Premium plan
GoDaddy website builder alternatives
GoDaddy not right for you? Here are some great alternatives:
Squarespace: If you want a more visually pleasing website, Squarespace offers a design focused AI website builder and a host of stunning templates.
Weebly: Selling online with GoDaddy can be pricey. Weebly lets you sell online on its free and cheaper plans.
Wix: If you want to unlock a much greater level of website functionality, it is worth checking out Wix.
Learn more
Read more: GoDaddy website builder review
Meet the Editor
Owain has been leading on all website builder content at TechRadar for over a year. Over the last decade Owain has started several small businesses including a marketing agency, martial arts school, and online a Scandi-inspired homeware store. He has spent 7+ years testing website builders, building his own small business websites, and writing about small business and marketing topics.
How to choose the best small business website builder for you
The top website builder for small business will depend on your precise digital requirements, but there are some key site-building features which everyone needs to consider.
Ease of use
Ease of use is important for every level of user, but it's made up of many ingredients. The best services have quality templates to get you started right away, a simple drag-and-drop editor and in-depth knowledge base with simple explanations on how to create and run your site.
Read more ▼
Design capabilities
Different website builders offer different approaches to designing websites. Which is right for you will depend on your confidence in design and how much time you have.
For example, some website builders offer a drag-and-drop approach to website building, allowing you to customize your site based on a number of predesigned sections and pages. Others offer full templates which can be edited to meet your needs. There are also several AI website builders that use information you provide to create a bespoke website in seconds.
Of course, many website builders offer a combination of all three of these approaches.
Marketing tools
Marketing tools help you engage your audience, bring more visitors to your website, and generate more sales. When looking for a website builder, look at which type of marketing tools they have on offer.
This may include email tools to help you design and send powerful marketing emails to SEO tools that help you rank your website higher on search engine result pages. Some of these may be built into the platform, or be included as an optional integration.
Integrations
Business integrations allow advanced users to link their websites to all kinds of essential business-oriented services. Common options include Google or Facebook analytics to track your visitors, Mailchimp for email marketing, or Social Stream to display social media streams on your site.
Check each website builder to see which integrations are on offer. Having these bundled into your website builder package can save you money (if you were going to pay for them anyway).
Ecommerce features
Ecommerce features are vital if you're hoping to sell online, but these vary hugely between website builders and plans. Make sure your preferred provider can handle the number of products you want to sell, and includes the payment, shipping and other tools you need.
Additional costs
It is also important to pay close attention to additional fees. For example, some website builders may offer ecommerce functionality on their cheaper plans, but charge a transaction fee on each sale. This can eat away at profits overtime, so is especially important for small businesses to consider.
Security
Website security is often overlooked, yet is an essential element to consider when picking a website builder. So, it is important to take some time to research what level of security is offered with your website builder.
Greater levels of security can help build authority and trust with your website visitors and protect your business from potential attacks.
Price
Pricing is important, but be careful when you're making comparisons. Some providers may offer good-looking deals, but only if you sign up for years, and sometimes costs soar on renewal. Read the small print carefully to be sure you understand what you're getting before signing up.
How we test the best small business website builders
We take reviewing website builders seriously, applying a tried and tested methodology alongside special considerations. When creating this buying guide we have considered the unique needs and challenges faced by small businesses
Sign up process
When testing website builders our reviewers start by signing up and purchasing plans from website builders. They then go through the same process any small business would when creating a website for the first time.
Read more ▼
Creating a website
We cannot get a good idea of how good a website builder is unless we use it to build a website. So, our experts go through the process of creating a website, following the same steps that any small business user would.
Assessing features and tools
Our reviewers then work through each feature and tool available. They assess how easy it is to use, how good the results are and how important they might be to a small business looking to build, manage, and grow a website.
Pricing
Small businesses are often required to achieve impressive things with not-so-impressive budgets. We take the time to assess the pricing plans on offer, looking at what you get for the money and which plans may be most applicable to small businesses.
We also look out for free trials and free plans that will allow small business users to test what is on offer before committing.
Weighing up
Because nothing can be 100% perfect, we made sure to dig out the positives and negatives of each website builder so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect.
Want to learn more about our testing process? Discover how we test website builders now.
Best small business website builders FAQs
Does my small business really need a website?
All businesses can benefit from a website.
Why? Because a website can help potential new customers find your business online, act as an extension of your brand, and provide a central location where visitors can find all the information they may need such as where you are located, what you offer, and how they can buy your products and services.
Many small businesses can also use their website to sell directly to their customers, opening up an entirely new revenue stream.
Should I build my own website or hire a web designer?
Here are some key questions to consider when deciding whether you should build your own website or hire a web designer:
1. What is your budget?
Using a website builder will typically be a lot cheaper than working with a web designer or an agency. After all, you will be paying for the time, expertise, and experience that the designer brings to the table.
Ongoing costs will also need to be considered. Designers and agencies will typically charge an ongoing cost for maintenance along with a retainer or hourly rate for any updates you need to make. On the other hand, website builders offer a more predictable and usually more affordable monthly fee.
All things considered, if your budget is relatively low, a website builder is likely to be a better choice.
2. How much time do you have?
For busy small business owners, time can be a luxury. This is where working with a designer can be appealing. Although you will need to work with a designer to communicate your website needs and vision, they can work seamlessly behind the scenes whilst you get on with your day-to-day responsibilities.
Website builders, although easy to use, are going to take up more of your time as you work things out and get your website looking and working exactly as you want. However, with new AI tools that can automate everything from design to content writing, the time you have to spend on building your website is getting shorter.
3. What are your website goals?
What you want your website to achieve will help you decide whether a website builder or a designer is the best choice for you.
For example, those looking for a simple online store or a place to host information about their business would certainly only need the functionality offered by a website building platform. However, those who are looking for more advanced functionality, say an immersive shopping experience or bespoke design elements, may need to work with a designer to achieve this.
As website builders evolve, the gap between what they offer and what designers can achieve is getting smaller. So, even if you think you need something advanced for your website, it is worth checking whether it can be achieved via using a website builder before opting to hire a professional designer.
What is the best small website builder for ecommerce?
Shopify is the best website builder for small businesses looking to start an ecommerce store. Although all of the platforms on this list offer ecommerce capabilities, Shopify has been purpose built for online stores and its dedicated tools and features reflect this.
Starting at $29/mo, it isn’t the cheapest way to start selling online. But for series online sellers, it is the perfect pick.
Are there any hidden costs when using a website builder?
There are some additional costs you should be aware of when picking a website builder. For small business on a budget these costs can add up over time and impact overall profit.
Although many website builders come with a domain for one year, this will come at an additional cost from year-two and beyond, typically costing around $10 - $20 a year. You may also need to pay for additional functionality with app subscriptions, these can set you back anywhere from $5 to $200+ a month depending on the apps you choose to use.
If you are selling online, you will also want to be aware of transaction fees, payment processing fees, and potential chargebacks.
Finally, if you are looking for specialist design, functionality, or marketing support, you may need to employ an agency, freelancer, or consultant, which can also add to your website costs.
Can I use AI to build my small business website?
Yes, almost all of the website builders we list above, including GoDaddy, Wix, Hostinger, and Squarespace, offer an AI website builder.
AI website builders allow you to either make multiple choice selections or explain the website you are trying to build. The AI then takes the information you provide and translates that into a website, complete with pages, text, and images.
As you might expect, the results offer a good starting place, but you will need to heavily edit the content to make it suitable for representing your brand online.
Some of these platforms also offer stand alone AI-powered tools such as AI image editors and AI SEO tools that can be used to help populate and grow your website.
What is the average cost of a small business website?
The needs of small businesses vary widely, which means the cost of building a small business website can also vary.
For example, where one small business may need a simple one page website that communicates some key business information, another small business may need a full online store with stock management and advanced marketing features.
Some of the website builders on this list, including Wix and Weebly, offer limited free plans. However, most small businesses will need a paid plan to unlock the features they need to create a successful website.
You can start building a small business website with Hostinger from $2.99/mo, although this cost will increase to $11.99/mo after the initial term of your subscription. Weebly offers the next lowest plan at $10.99/mo.
Additional costs should also be considered. For example, you will often need to go for a higher priced plan to unlock ecommerce features. You may also need to pay for a custom domain, although many premium plans come with a domain for the first year.
What is the best website hosting for a small business?
All the website builders we list on this guide come with built in website hosting. However, if you decide to custom build your website you will need to find the best hosting option for your small business.
In our guide to the best small business website hosting you will find all the advice you need to find a hosting option that meets your needs. For example, Hostinger comes out top as ‘best for beginners’ and DreamHost earns the title of ‘Best cheap’ by offering a super affordable option.
What is a website builder?
The answer to the question "What is a website builder?" is simple. A website builder is a tool that lets you build a website without any coding experience.
Typically you'll start by browsing a library of pre-built website designs, typically called 'templates.' A template might include common pages such as About, Services and Contact, for instance, with stylish stock images you could use right away.
Next, you'll use an editor to add new pages, and customize any content to suit your needs. Inserting your own text can be as easy as clicking in a box and starting to type, and usually you're able to add new types of content - forms, maps, videos, more - by dragging and dropping.
How long does it take to build a website for small business?
Estimating the time it might take to build your site is difficult, because it depends on so many factors: the website builder, its editor, the available templates, the features you're aiming to include, and more.
If your needs are simple and you have the main copy and images already, perhaps from an existing website, you could have something ready to go in two or three hours.
When you see what the best small business website builders have to offer, though, you might extend the site with more features: maps, product videos, image galleries, whatever works for you. Although these are easy to add, you might spend an hour or two learning how to produce the best results for a specific feature.
Web stores usually make for the most time-consuming of projects, extending into weeks or even months. Most of that is tied up in creating a product catalog, sorting out payment support, shipping and so on; the best small business website builders can still create a workable main store in as little as a day or two.
Can I create a small business website for free?
Yes, it is possible to create a website for free, but this won't typically be suitable for small business use.
Even the best free website builders typically have fewer features, for instance, more restrictions, as well as loads of ads, and no option to use your own domain. That could create such an unprofessional impression with potential customers that you'd be better off having no website at all.
Don't rule out free tiers completely, though. Wix has a free plan, and although it's not a patch on the paid offering, it's a great way to try before you buy and see if the service is right for you.