The Best Website Builders For Small Business In 2022

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If you’re a small business owner, then you know that having a website is essential in order to reach new customers and grow your business. But what’s the best way to go about creating a website? There are many different website builders out there, but which one is right for you? In this article, we will take a look at the best website builders for small businesses in 2022. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each builder, so you can decide which one is right for you!

With that said, let’s get to the list!

Best website builder for small business #1 – Wix

Best Website Builder Small Business Wix Homepage
Best easy website builder – Wix.com

Wix is one of the most popular website builders out there, and for good reason! It’s very easy to use and offers a wide variety of templates to choose from. You can also easily add custom content and create pages without having any coding experience. Wix is free to use, but you will need to pay for a subscription if you want to remove Wix branding from your website or use a custom domain name.

Related: 45+ Stunning Websites Made With Wix

Small business owners know that getting a quality website is either going to cost money, time, (or both!) That’s why a site builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface is perfect. This way, you don’t need to pay a web developer or be one. Instead, just click where you want to add text and start typing your message. The same goes for adding images. Just upload your own images and place them where you want with the drag and drop editor.

What I love about Wix is just how easy it is to design a website. And not just a boring one that looks like all others. No, you can really get creative and make your site just how you like it.

Editor’s note: Click to read my full Wix review.

A potential negative, however, is how Wix handles blog posts. In the past, there were issues with blog posts being ranked in Google search results. Reportedly, Wix has made a lot of improvements to their SEO practices. But I just want to give a fair warning here that if blogging will be central to your business website, I would avoid Wix and head straight over to the blogging champ – WordPress.

But don’t let this automatically deter you from signing up for Wix. On the contrary, most small businesses will probably be just fine with the platform. Instead of using the blog function, simply make a new webpage for any important article or page you want guaranteed to show up in Google. For instance, instead of creating a blog post for tips on how to best trim hedges and bushes, create a unique webpage for that content.

By the way, I haven’t heard of any issue whatsoever with any normal web pages created with Wix not showing up in Google. In other words, yes, your Wix website will rank highly in Google as long as you follow standard search engine optimization (SEO) practices!

Pros:

– It’s simple to use

– Wide variety of templates to choose from

– No coding experience is necessary

– Create your own small business website with just a few clicks

Cons:

– Free version includes Wix branding on your website

– You’ll need to pay for a subscription to remove Wix branding or use a custom domain name

Pricing:

Free for a website with ads at a generic subdomain, plans with no ads cost $8.50, $12.50, and $24.50 a month.

Bottom Line: Wix is a great option for small businesses who want an easy-to-use website builder with plenty of features. However, you will need to pay for a subscription if you want to remove Wix branding or use your own domain name.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use website builder, then Wix is a great option! Click here to try Wix for free.

Best website builder for small business #2 – Squarespace

Best Website Builder Small Business Squarespace Homepage
Best stylish website builder – Squarespace

Squarespace is another popular website builder, and it offers a sleek and modern design interface. It’s simple to use but doesn’t have as many features as some of the other website builders on this list. However, Squarespace does offer a wide variety of templates to choose from, so you can find one that fits your business’s needs. Squarespace is also a bit more expensive than some of the other website builders on this list, but it does offer a free trial so you can try it before you buy.

The appeal of using Squarespace comes down to a couple of factors. To start, there are hip and modern themes to choose from. This will be great for any brand that wants a clean and fresh aesthetic. You won’t need to pay a web designer but it may look like you did. Squarespace themes are perfect for showcasing photo galleries, restaurant menus, or just a simple website.

Check out my full Squarespace review here.

The Squarespace backend interface is pretty intuitive compared to some other website builder software. The learning curve is not steep here. There are some advanced features, such as email campaign integration and marketing analytics.

Pros:

– Sleek and modern design interface

– It’s simple to use

– Wide variety of templates to choose from

Cons:

– Less features than some of the other website builders on this list

– More expensive than some of the other website builders on this list

Pricing:

– Personal plans start at $19, business plans with e-commerce and other features start at $33 and go up to $65 a month.

Bottom Line: Squarespace is a good option for small businesses who want a sleek and modern design interface. However, it doesn’t have as many features as some of the other website builders on this list, and it’s a bit more expensive.

If you’re looking for a sleek and modern design interface, then Squarespace is a good option! Click here to try Squarespace for free.

Related: 11 Step Guide On How To Create A Freelance Writing Portfolio Website

Best website builder for small business #3 – GoDaddy

Best Website Builder Small Business GoDaddy Homepage
Best website builder for small business #3 – GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a popular website builder that offers a wide variety of features. It’s simple to use and you can easily create pages without having any coding experience. GoDaddy also offers a wide variety of templates to choose from, so you can find one that fits your business’s needs. However, GoDaddy is more expensive than some of the other website builders on this list.

The GoDaddy Website Builder is another drag-and-drop builder that’s easy for creating small business websites. Small business owners will appreciate having one provider for many of their website needs. These include purchasing your domain, using the site builder (a drag and drop editor), the ability to set up an online store, as well as access to some marketing and SEO tools.

Editor’s note: Click to read my full GoDaddy website builder review.

Need proof that a website built with GoDaddy can be good enough? Just check out tennis superstar, Naomi Osaka’s GoDaddy-powered Kinlo website.

Pros:

– Simple to use

– No coding experience is necessary

– Wide variety of templates to choose from

Cons:

– Website builder is not quite as intuitive as others on this list

Pricing:

Basic plans start at just $6.99. Add online store functionality and pay just $14.99 a month for the first year.

Bottom Line: The GoDaddy website builder is a good option for small businesses that want a wide variety of features at a great price.

If you’re looking for a website builder with a wide variety of features, then GoDaddy is a good option! Click here to try GoDaddy for free.

Best website builder for small business#4 – Weebly

Best Small Business Website Builder Weebly Homepage
Best small business website builder #4 – Weebly

Weebly is another great website builder for small businesses. The platform has been around for years but was recently incorporated into the Square payment processor brand. It’s simple to use and offers a wide variety of templates to choose from. You can also add custom content without having any coding experience. Weebly is free to use, but you will need to pay for a subscription if you want to remove Weebly branding from your website or use a custom domain name.

Editor’s note: Click to read my full Weebly review.

Pros:

– Simple to use

– Wide variety of templates to choose from

– No coding experience is necessary

Cons:

– Free version includes Weebly branding on your website

– You’ll need to pay for a subscription to remove Weebly branding or use a custom domain name

Pricing:

There is a free plan for a website with ads and without a custom domain. For $12 a month you get a pro plan that has online store functionality.

Bottom Line: Weebly is a great option for small businesses who want an easy-to-use website builder with plenty of features. However, you will need to pay for a subscription if you want to remove Weebly branding or use your own domain name. Click here to try Weebly for free.

Best website builder for online stores #5 – Shopify

Best Small Business Ecommerce Website Builder Shopify Homepage
Best small business eCommerce website builder – Shopify

Shopify is a popular eCommerce website builder that allows small businesses to create an online store. It is simple to use and offers a wide variety of templates to choose from. You can also add custom content without having any coding experience.

Read my full Shopify review here. 

Where does Shopify excel? To put it simply, if you want a full-featured option to sell online, you’ll most likely want Shopify. The reason is functionality and the ability to connect extra apps and services to your store. For instance, there are many third-party apps to handle things like inventory control, email marketing, and search engine optimization.

In my opinion, Shopify is hands down the best platform for e-commerce for anyone serious about taking their online store to the next level.

Pros:

– Simple to use

– Powerful eCommerce features

– Wide variety of templates to choose from

– No coding experience is necessary

– Allows small businesses to create an online store

– A large number of third-party apps that add functionality

Cons:

– There is a moderate learning curve to mastering the backend

– Most good templates cost around $100

– Add-on apps can increase your monthly expenditure

Pricing: Plans start at just $29 a month for a fully-functional store. Pay $79 for increased features.

Bottom Line: Shopify is the best eCommerce website builder for most small businesses that want to create an online store. However, the subscription fee costs more than most other options on this list. Click here to try Shopify for free.

Best website builder for blogs #6 – WordPress with DreamHost

Best small business website builder for blogging – WordPress.org

WordPress is a popular website builder that offers a wide variety of features. WordPress also offers thousands of templates to choose from, so you can find one that fits your business’s needs. However, WordPress is more complicated to set up as it requires separate hosting and some degree of technical know-how.

Out of all the website builders on this list, WordPress is unique in that it is an open-source platform that isn’t owned by one company. This means that you will need to choose from the many web hosting services and pay for hosting. Then, install the WordPress software before you can start creating your site. You will then need to familiarize yourself with the quirks of using WordPress.

There is a learning curve here, folks! In fact, there is a thriving market for professional web designers just working with WordPress. This is because it can be difficult to figure out how to do some of the basic tasks. However, once you get the hang of using this content management system (CMS) you’ll find it very easy. Complete website customization is possible, but you’ll need some level of coding knowledge.

WordPress is a very powerful tool but because of the learning curve, it is not for every small business. That is unless you have a knack for lifting up the hood and tinkering with some code. For blogging as well as many other kinds of businesses, this is the best platform available.

Best small business WordPress hosting – DreamHost

As I said, you will need to pay for your own WordPress hosting. But thankfully, there are some great hosting providers out there. I personally recommend DreamHost and this is the company I use for hosting this site you’re reading right now. They have been nothing but easy breezy to deal with. And the times that I’ve needed help with something, I was able to chat with someone immediately (in the middle of the night US time!) I’ve used several hosting providers over the years and DreamHost ticks all my boxes for a great web host.

WordPress setup is a snap with DreamHost. Just sign up for a WordPress hosting plan and they will guide you through the easy process of installing WordPress. It takes just a couple of minutes to get going.

Pros:

– Thousands of templates to choose from

– Highly customizable

– Can be very affordable

Cons:

– Requires web hosting

– Learning curve may put off those without the time or inclination to learn

– Can cost thousands of dollars to have a full website designed by a professional

Pricing: As low as a few dollars per month with cheap hosting and a free theme. Upgrade to better hosting and a paid theme as well as third-party apps for increased functionality.

Bottom Line: WordPress is a good option for small businesses that need a highly-customizable website with great blogging functionality. However, the learning curve is a deterrent for many who approach the platform. Once familiar, though, you’ll love the flexibility.

Related: The Ultimate Guide To Working From Home In 2022

F.A.Q.’s

What is the number one website builder?

The number one website builder in the world is WordPress. In fact, the open-source WordPress platform powers over one-third of all websites. And for those using a content management system (CMS), the number is closer to 66%.

However, WordPress has a definite learning curve. That’s why for most people starting a small business website, we’d recommend Wix.com. Instead of taking days or weeks learning all the ins and outs of the WordPress backend, Wix allows you to quickly drag and drop. Therefore, you should have no problem getting a basic version of your own website finished in less than a day or two.

Wix has been around since 2006 and has over 110 million users worldwide.

How much does it cost to use a website builder?

Prices for using a website builder vary depending on the platform you choose and the features you need. However, most website builders have monthly plans that start at around $10-$15 per month.

Are there any free website builders?

Yes, there are a few free website builders out there, but they typically have ads that cannot be removed and are restricted to subdomains instead of custom primary domains. They also do not offer nearly as many features as paid platforms. However, they can be great for learning how to use a website builder before you decide to launch your website to the public.

Click to start your free Wix website today.

What is the best website builder for eCommerce?

The best website builder for eCommerce is Shopify. Shopify offers a wide range of features that are perfect for small businesses looking to start selling online.

Is it easy to use a website builder?

Yes, most small business website builders are very user-friendly and allow you to create a website in minutes. You don’t need any prior experience or design knowledge to get started.

Can I use my own domain name with a website builder?

Yes, most website builders allow you to use your own custom domain name. This can be helpful if you want to brand your website with your own name or company.

Can I use a website builder to create a professional website?

Yes, many small businesses use website builders to create professional websites. The platforms are easy to use and offer a wide range of features that can help you create a beautiful and functional site.

What are the best website builders for small businesses in 2022?

The best website builders for small businesses in 2022 are Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Shopify, and WordPress with DreamHost hosting. These platforms offer the best mix of features and price points for small businesses. If you’re looking for a great platform to build your business website on, these are the ones to try!

What is the best free website builder?

To be honest, we wouldn’t recommend any completely free options because let’s face it, there will be major compromises. Let’s start with the free domain you get. Any free domain will not be a ‘.com’ but rather ‘yourwebsite.freehost.com.’ In other words, your free domain will scream to the world that it’s, well, a free domain. Do you really want to send the message that your business is too broke or uncommitted to afford a proper domain?

The same goes for any free plan with a hosting provider or web builder. Free website builder plans always tend to include ads that you can’t get rid of. Again, this just isn’t professional and is best left for someone just experimenting with the platform or one of the web hosting service providers.

Conclusion

The best website builder for most small businesses in 2022 is Wix. Wix allows you to quickly drag and drop, has been around since 2006, has over 110 million users worldwide, and offers a variety of features small businesses can benefit from. Prices for using Wix start at around $15 per month.

Shopify is the best website builder for eCommerce and also offers a wide range of features that are perfect for small businesses looking to start selling online. To get started with either platform, simply sign up for an account and choose a plan that fits your needs. You can then begin creating your website in minutes!

If you’re looking to create a professional website for your small business, we recommend using Wix or Shopify. Hopefully, you’ve found this small business website guide helpful. Whether you’re opening multiple online stores or just need a simple small business website, the tools we’ve mentioned in this article will help you get the job done!

Cheers!

Bonus: What is the best website builder for your business?

—Best website builder for a service business

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for a healthcare business

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for restaurants and cafes

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, Squarespace, or WordPress

—Best website builder for online stores

Answer: Shopify, but Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, Squarespace, and WordPress can also be used.

—Best website builder for local retail stores

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, Squarespace, or WordPress

—Best website builder for a guesthouse, inn, or accommodation business

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for an auto repair business

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for photographers

Answer: Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, or Weebly

—Best website builder for a yoga studio, gym, or personal trainer

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for a pet services business

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for real estate agents

Answer: Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, or WordPress

—Best website builder for bloggers or affiliate marketing

Answer: WordPress

Elijah Etc.

About the author

Elijah Charbonneau is a copywriter, content creator, and email marketer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When not working on this website, he enjoys making art, traveling, and trying new foods. Follow his journey at ElijahEtc.com.