Designing your website can feel like a big deal. After all, it’s your online home where visitors, customers and fans will come to see what you’re all about. Whether you’re building a personal blog, launching a small business site or planning a massive e-commerce store, choosing the right web page design software can make or break your experience.
With so many options, from drag-and-drop builders to full-fledged developer environments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But never fear; this guide will walk you through your choices and help you find the best match.
- There’s a wide range of software for website creation available—some cater to beginners, while others are perfect for professional designers or developers.
- Keep your budget, design goals and tech skills in mind when making a choice.
- Software homepage design tools can include drag-and-drop functionality, code-based editing and built-in e-commerce features.
- Trendy, modern solutions like AI-driven design tools are changing the way sites get built.
Best web page design software for your needs
Below, we’ll run through the top web page design software picks across different categories. For easy comparison, we list each software’s price range, pros and cons, standout features and ease of use.
Source: Vista x Wix
Vista x Wix: Best all-rounder
Vista x Wix excels as an all-in-one software for website design. It lets you build anything from a personal portfolio to a bustling online store without having to learn a line of code. You can design your website from scratch or start with a template.
Price: Free basic plan. Premium plans start around $16/month (pricing varies based on location and promotions).
Pros:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- Hundreds of design templates
- Built-in SEO guidance
Cons:
- Free plan includes Wix branding
- Some advanced features require pricier plans
Standout features:
- ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) tool that creates a site based on your preferences
- Extensive app marketplace for integrations
Ease of use: Excellent, especially for beginners. You’ll find it easy to rearrange elements and customize your pages.
Source: Squarespace
Squarespace: Best for beginners
If you need a quick start and love beautiful, ready-made templates, Squarespace is a top choice. It’s especially popular among creatives and small businesses looking for easy, professional design results.
Price: Starting at $16/month with an annual plan.
Pros:
- Sleek, modern templates
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Built-in analytics and SEO tools
Cons:
- Less template variety than some competitors
- Can be pricier than other platforms
Standout features:
- Award-winning, design-focused templates that look fantastic on any device
- Simple blogging interface and social media integrations
Ease of use: Straightforward site builder that’s intuitive for users with minimal design experience.
Source: AdobeXD
AdobeXD: Best for professional designers
Adobe XD is often the go-to solution for design agencies, freelancers and those who want pixel-perfect control over their website layout before handing it off to developers.
Price: Part of Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (free starter plan available with limited features).
Pros:
- Ideal for high-fidelity mockups and prototypes
- Seamless integration with other Adobe apps like Photoshop or Illustrator
- Realistic interactive previews
Cons:
- May have a steep learning curve for beginners
- Requires an Adobe Creative Cloud account for full features
Standout features:
- Vector-based design for crisp, scalable mockups
- Collaboration tools for real-time feedback
Ease of use: Great for pros used to Adobe’s ecosystem, less friendly for non-designers.
Source: Figma
Figma: Best for real-time collaborative design
If you’re working with a team or simply love the idea of multiple people iterating on the same design document in real-time, Figma is your friend. It’s perfect for brainstorming web design ideas together.
Price: Free starter plan. Paid plans begin at $12/editor/month.
Pros:
- Real-time collaboration from any browser
- Version history and easy commenting
- Cloud-based with minimal device requirements
Cons:
- Internet connection required
- Limited offline functionality
Standout features:
- Multiplayer editing so teams can design simultaneously
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
Ease of use: Simple interface for design pros, but may be overwhelming to complete beginners.
Source: Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code: Best for developers
Visual Studio Code is ideal for those who want full control over the code. While it’s definitely not beginner software for website design, developers love its flexibility, speed and customizability.
Price: Free and open-source
Pros:
- Powerful, extensible code editor
- Built-in Git integration
- Huge marketplace of extensions
Cons:
- Requires coding knowledge
- Not a drag-and-drop builder
Standout features:
- Intelligent code completion (IntelliSense)
- Debugging capabilities
Ease of use: Straightforward if you’re comfortable with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. A learning curve otherwise.
Source: Webflow
Webflow: Best for advanced custom web design
Webflow straddles the line between design tool and development platform, making it a fantastic choice for those who value design freedom but aren’t afraid to dig deeper.
Price: Free starter plan. Paid plans start at $12/month (site plan).
Pros:
- Fully customizable design without needing to code from scratch
- Advanced animations and interactions
- Built-in CMS for dynamic content
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Pricing can add up for bigger projects
Standout features:
- Visual editor that writes clean HTML/CSS for you
- Hosting, CMS and e-commerce features in one platform
Ease of use: More complex than simple drag-and-drop builders, but very powerful once you get the hang of it.
Source: GoDaddy
GoDaddy: Best for small business owners
GoDaddy’s website builder is perfect for small businesses that want a no-fuss, integrated experience. You can purchase a domain, set up hosting and build your site all under one roof.
Price: Plans start at $9.99/month.
Pros:
- Very straightforward setup process
- Built-in marketing tools
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility
- Some users find the editor too basic
Standout features:
- Setup wizard helps you go live quickly
- Domain registration and hosting services in one place
Ease of use: Extremely user-friendly, especially if you have little tech experience.
Source: Weebly
Weebly: Best for simple, budget-friendly websites
Weebly’s strength lies in simplicity. If you need a small, clean website and don’t want to break the bank, it’s an excellent solution for a quick launch.
Price: Free basic plan. Paid plans start at $6/month.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Good e-commerce features for small shops
Cons:
- Limited template variety
- May feel basic if you want advanced customization
Standout features:
- User-friendly builder with pre-designed sections
- Easy linking to payment processors for online stores
Ease of use: One of the easiest platforms to master, making it great for first-timers.
Source: Shopify
Shopify: Best for e-commerce
If selling online is your main priority, Shopify’s platform is optimized for managing products, payments and shipping all in one place. It’s a go-to for those who want to design a website for e-commerce without worrying about back-end complexities.
Price: Plans start at $29/month. Advanced options available for high-volume stores.
Pros:
- Complete e-commerce solution with secure checkout
- Extensive app store
- Great for dropshipping and integrated shipping
Cons:
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments
- Costs can accumulate quickly
Standout features:
- Simple inventory management
- Built-in analytics, reports and marketing tools
Ease of use: Smooth setup for online selling, even for beginners.
Source: Big commerce
Big Commerce: Best for large-scale e-commerce
BigCommerce is perfect for retailers or businesses scaling up. If you need advanced features, no transaction fees and the ability to handle thousands of products, BigCommerce shines.
Price: Plans start at $29.95/month. Enterprise solutions available for larger stores.
Pros:
- Robust, enterprise-level e-commerce tools
- No transaction fees
- Can handle high sales volumes
Cons:
- Complexity may overwhelm smaller sellers
- Design options can be less intuitive compared to Shopify
Standout features:
- Flexible product management for high-volume stores
- Strong SEO features for large catalogs
Ease of use: Requires some know-how, but BigCommerce offers great support.
Source: Google Sites
Google Sites: Best free website builder
If you need a quick site that looks neat and is absolutely free, Google Sites will do the job. It’s not the most sophisticated builder, but it gets you online with minimal fuss.
Price: Free with a Google account.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Seamless integration with Google Drive
- Simple collaborative editing
Cons:
- Limited customization
- Restricted functionality
Standout features:
- Easy to embed Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
- Quick sharing and permission controls
Ease of use: Incredibly easy. Perfect for simple personal or internal business sites.
How to choose the right web page design software for you
Now that you’ve seen the top picks, let’s talk about what matters most when comparing software for website design.
Source: Website graphic via Depositphotos
Features
Look for features like responsive design (so your site layout looks good on any device), a wide range of templates and integration with crucial marketing or business tools. For instance, does the software allow you to easily embed forms, social media feeds or email marketing pop-ups? Also, consider collaboration tools if you’re working with a team. Finally, check whether you can export your site or design in various formats if you switch platforms later.
Categories
Generally, web page design software falls into four main categories:
- Drag-and-drop builders: Easy, visual tools like Vista x Wix and Squarespace let you assemble a site by moving elements around with your mouse. Ideal for small businesses, personal blogs or anyone new to web design.
- Professional design tools: Sites like Figma and Adobe XD are made for detailed wireframing and prototyping. They’re best suited for designers who want complete control over look and feel.
- Code-based editors: Tools like Visual Studio Code and Webflow are perfect for anyone who either loves to code or wants a platform that automatically converts visual elements into clean code.
- E-commerce specific: Shopify and BigCommerce specialize in online selling, with built-in features for inventory, payments and shipping.
Other considerations
Pricing can vary widely. Some tools are totally free, while others charge premium monthly fees for business features. Think about flexibility (do you want to code, or do you prefer drag-and-drop?), ease of use (how tech-savvy are you?), customer support (is 24/7 phone support a must?) and SEO options (does the platform make it easy to rank on search engines?).
Emerging trends in web design automation
As technology marches forward, we’re seeing exciting changes in software for website design. Here are some trends worth watching:
AI-driven design tools
Interested in AI that automatically picks website color schemes or rearranges your layout based on user preferences? These tools can save you tons of time, handling repetitive or complex tasks in a snap. They also suggest design enhancements that fit your brand.
No-code/low-code platforms
Building a website without writing code is becoming the new normal. Webflow, Bubble and Glide are popular examples, bridging the gap between hardcore programming and simple drag-and-drop. For those who want more advanced sites but don’t want to become a full-blown developer, no-code/low-code is the sweet spot.
Voice and chat-driven website creation
As voice assistants and chatbot technology evolve, it’s increasingly possible to build a site by simply having a conversation with an AI assistant. While this is still in its early stages, it’s not far-fetched to imagine telling a chatbot the type of website you want to build and seeing the initial design generated in real-time.
Source: Robot hand via Depositphotos
Continuous testing and monitoring
Automated testing helps check your site’s performance across different browsers and devices. Tools that integrate performance checks, usability analytics and SEO audits right into the design software are becoming more common, saving you time and ensuring that you’re always delivering the best experience to your users.
Choose the best website creator for your needs
Choosing the best web page design software all comes down to your goals, budget and technical comfort level. If you’re a total beginner, drag-and-drop tools like Vista x Wix or Squarespace might be just the ticket. If you’re a developer, Visual Studio Code or Webflow provide robust customization. And if e-commerce is your game, Shopify and BigCommerce are hard to beat.
Whichever path you choose, remember to focus on the basics: a strong website layout, clear navigation and brand alignment. By picking the right platform for your needs, you’ll be able to bring your web design ideas to life quickly and easily.
FAQs about web page design software
What is web page design software and why is it important?
Web page design software is an application that helps you create and manage the look, functionality and content of a website. It’s important because a solid website is often the first impression people have of your brand, whether that’s a personal blog or a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Good design software makes it simpler to create a polished site that’s easy to navigate and looks great on any device.
What are the best web page design software options for small businesses?
If you’re a small business owner, you want something easy to set up, with plenty of support and built-in marketing tools. GoDaddy is a great all-in-one solution, while Vista x Wix offers creative freedom. Weebly and Squarespace are also strong contenders if you value simplicity and a modest budget.
Do I need coding skills to use web page design software?
Not necessarily! Many platforms, especially drag-and-drop builders, require zero coding knowledge. However, if you want advanced customization or plan to become a web developer, code-based editors like Visual Studio Code or higher-level platforms like Webflow will serve you well.
What features should I look for in homepage design software?
A user-friendly interface, responsive templates, SEO tools, integrated marketing features and reliable customer support are key. Make sure your chosen platform has an intuitive builder and enough customization options to stand out from the crowd.
Is there free web page design software available?
Absolutely. Google Sites is a straightforward, free solution, although limited to simple design. Vista x Wix, Weebly and Webflow also offer free plans, though they have platform branding or restricted bandwidth. If you’re just getting started and want to experiment, a free plan can help you dip your toes into the world of software for website creation without an upfront investment.
