Building a website used to mean hiring a developer or spending weeks learning to code. Today, that’s no longer the case; you can build a professional site in just a couple of hours. The easiest website builders on the market make it possible with just a few clicks of your mouse.
We’ve reviewed the most popular website builders to find which ones truly deliver on the promise of being easy to use while still looking professional. And we’ve found that the gap between amateur-looking DIY sites and professionally designed websites has virtually disappeared.
- Modern website builders eliminate the need for coding knowledge while delivering professional results.
- The best platforms offer drag-and-drop editing, industry-specific templates and built-in marketing tools.
- Costs range from $4 to $29 monthly for most small businesses, with mid-tier plans offering the best value for essential features.
- Matching your website builder to your specific business type—whether service-based, retail or restaurant—dramatically improves your results.
- Any business owner can achieve professional website design elements like custom domains, mobile optimization and consistent branding by using the right tools.
5 easiest website builders for small businesses
1. Wix (and Vista x Wix): Versatile and beginner-friendly
Wix is widely known as the most beginner-friendly website builder, and its partnership with VistaPrint makes getting started even easier. With exclusive templates specifically designed for small businesses, Vista x Wix addresses the unique needs of those who want professional results without the learning curve needed to create a website.
Why Vista x Wix is one of the easiest website builders
- Drag-and-drop editor: Click and edit any element directly on the page. What you see is what you get.
- Beginner-friendly, visual design: Designed for non-tech users, the editing experience feels natural, even if it’s your first time building a site.
- Massive template library: Access 900+ professionally designed templates, including options for restaurants, consultants, fitness studios, online stores and more.
- Trusted by millions: Wix powers over 8 million websites and its editor earns high ratings for its ease of use.
Cost
- Free plan available
- Paid plans start at $17/month
Create your small business website with Vista x Wix
2. Squarespace: Beautiful templates for service-based businesses
If your business depends on strong visuals—like photography, design, restaurants or creative consulting—Squarespace makes your work look polished from the start. The templates showcase excellent typography and spacing that make even simple content look polished and authoritative.
While slightly less intuitive than Wix for absolute beginners, most users find they can create a professional business website within a weekend.
Why Squarespace is one of the easiest website builders
- Designer-quality templates: Clean typography, balanced spacing and modern layouts give your site a professional, high-end feel.
- Mobile-optimized and visually consistent: Every design is mobile-friendly out of the box, so your content looks great on any screen.
- Flexible tools for editing: Features like the Fluid Engine and AI enhancements make layout adjustments easier once you get familiar with the interface.
- Ideal for portfolios and testimonials: Great for showcasing services, client feedback and credentials—especially useful for professionals like architects, designers or consultants.
Cost
- 14-day free trial
- Paid plans start at $16/month
Build a strong visual-based website with Squarespace
3. Shopify: Purpose-built for online stores
If your main focus is selling products online, Shopify is the gold standard. The platform was built specifically with e-commerce in mind. This focus shows in everything from inventory management to shipping label integration. Shopify’s integrated approach means inventory, orders, payments and shipping work together seamlessly rather than requiring multiple separate tools.
Why Shopify is one of the easiest website builders
- Built for e-commerce from the ground up: Shopify integrates inventory, payments, shipping and fulfillment into one platform, reducing the need for third-party tools.
- Trusted by millions globally: As of 2024, Shopify powers over 1.7 million businesses in more than 175 countries.
- AI tools to streamline operations: Features like Shopify Magic automate tasks like writing product descriptions and setting up discounts.
- Scales with your business: From small startups to major retailers, Shopify supports businesses of all sizes with flexible plans and features.
Cost
- Most paid plans cost $1/month for your first three months
- Costs then start at $29/month after that
Build an e-commerce website with Shopify
4. GoDaddy: Fast setup for basic business needs
If you need to get your business online yesterday, GoDaddy offers a fast, beginner-friendly solution. By trading in advanced customization options for simplicity, GoDaddy offers guided setup that can get you online in under an hour.
This approach works best for straightforward business needs—service providers, local businesses and consultants who need a site without complex functionality.
Why GoDaddy is one of the easiest website builders
- Fast setup: According to GoDaddy, 68% of users published their site within an hour of starting their free trial.
- Guided onboarding: The builder asks for your business type and auto-generates a site with relevant layouts and images, which you can customize.
- Reliable uptime: GoDaddy offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, ensuring your site stays online.
- AI-powered tools: The AI Builder can generate a website, logo and marketing materials based on your business details.
Cost
- Paid plans start at $9.99/month
Build a website quickly with GoDaddy
5. WordPress.com: Most flexible for growth and customization
If you’re looking for a website builder that balances ease of use with long-term scalability, WordPress.com might be the best solution. WordPress.com is the middle ground between an ultra-simple website builder and completely custom websites. While the initial learning curve is slightly steeper than Wix or Squarespace, the trade-off is almost unlimited growth potential as your business evolves.
Why WordPress.com is one of the easiest website builders
- Global dominance: As of June 2025, WordPress powers 43.5% of all websites, underscoring its widespread adoption and reliability.
- User-friendly for beginners: WordPress.com provides managed hosting, security and backups, simplifying the setup process for those without technical expertise.
- Scalable customization: With access to thousands of themes and plugins, businesses can start simple and expand functionality as needed.
- Ideal for content-rich sites: WordPress.com supports diverse content needs with its robust CMS capabilities.
Cost
- Free plan available
- Paid plans start at $4/month
Build a website from the ground up with WordPress.com
What to look for in a beginner-friendly website builder
Beyond the basic “drag-and-drop” editor, look for features that make ongoing website management easier. Visual editing eliminates guesswork and reduces frustration. Content blocks for easy formatting let you create professional layouts without any design know-how.
Consider what built-in tools you might need, depending on your business. For example, built-in image editing saves time and money. These seemingly small features add up to hours saved, especially when you need to make quick updates while managing other business responsibilities.
Mobile responsiveness is also critical: Over 62% of website visits now come from mobile devices, according to Statista. The best website builders handle this automatically, so your site looks professional on every device.
Free website builders vs. paid plans: What’s the difference?
Free plans are a great way to get started, but they do come with limitations. For example, most free plans display ads or a watermark for the website builder. They may also restrict you to a subdomain (like yoursite.wixsite.com instead of yoursite.com), and limit storage for images and pages.
Free plans are usually a great way to get started, especially if your business is brand new. Eventually, you will likely want to upgrade to a paid plan as removing the website builder’s branding will make your page look more authoritative and professional.
How to pick the best website builder for your business
Choosing the righ site builder depends on what type of website you want to create, what you sell and how customers interact with your business. Here’s a quick suggestion guide:
- Service-based businesses (consultants, cleaners, salons)
- Look for built-in appointment booking and contact forms
- Best picks: Wix or Squarespace
- Restaurants
- Prioritize easy-to-navigate menus, hours and location info
- Best picks: GoDaddy or Wix
- Physical product retailers
- Need strong inventory, shipping and tax tools
- Best pick: Shopify
- Digital product sellers
- Benefit from content-friendly platforms that support blogs and downloads
- Best picks: Squarespace or WordPress.com
FAQs about the easiest website builders
How long does it take to build a small business website?
Most sites can be built in just a few hours! If you’re adding e-commerce functionality or custom features, expect closer to a day or two of work. Having your content and images ready speeds things up.
Do I need any coding knowledge to use a website builder?
No coding needed for the website builders on this list. All of them have simple drag-and-drop tools and beginner-friendly interfaces. Even domain setup is guided step-by-step.
How much does it cost to have a website?
Some website builders offer a free plan to get your site up and running, though it may have limited features. Paid plans start around $4-$17/month. E-commerce or advanced features can raise that to $20-$40/month.
Do all of these website builders have e-commerce functionality?
Yes, but features vary. Shopify is the best option for a full-scale e-commerce website. Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy and WordPress.com could work well for smaller stores.
What’s the difference between a website builder and traditional web hosting?
Website builders bundle hosting, design and maintenance all into one convenient package. It’s the perfect solution for beginners or anyone who isn’t super tech-savvy. Traditional hosting is more flexible but requires technical skills and separate tools.
