A website is central to your marketing strategy — it’s where your audience connects with your brand and gains a full understanding of what your business offers. It’s more than just a place for information; it’s a platform where customer engagement begins. In 2024, creating a website is simpler than ever, even for beginners with minimal coding experience. Modern website builders are user-friendly and packed with features like drag-and-drop customization, integrations for analytics, and eCommerce tools.

But with so many choices, how do you find the one that suits your needs? Each platform offers distinct advantages, and the key is to choose one that matches your comfort level and business goals. Here’s what you should consider.

What is a Website Builder?

A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without needing to code. These platforms provide intuitive interfaces that let users upload and design content, customize templates, and ensure mobile responsiveness.

However, if your needs are more complex or your budget allows for a tailored experience, working with a professional web design agency may be a better option.

5 Features to Look for When Choosing a Website Builders

When deciding on a website builder, think about scalability and future needs. While free builders come with limitations, they can still be a great option for small-scale projects. Here are five features to keep in mind:

• Hosting and Domain: Free builders offer hosting but usually no custom domain. Upgrade for a professional look.upgrading or purchasing your own domain if needed.
• Design Flexibility: Platforms like Wix offer drag-and-drop editors but may limit customization on free plans.
• Content Types: Ensure the platform supports your needs (e.g., Weebly works well for small eCommerce).
• Upgrade Potential: Choose a builder like GoDaddy with easy upgrade options as your business grows.
• Customer Support: SITE123 offers simple guides, making it great for beginners.

Best Free Website Builders

The following website builders offer free versions without time-restricted trial periods. While each has its limitations, they provide enough tools to get your website off the ground.

1. WordPress.com: Ideal for Blogs and Portfolios

WordPress.com remains one of the most popular platforms, powering over 40% of the web. Known for its robust features, it’s especially suited for blogs and content-driven websites. With the free plan, you get 1GB of storage, which is more than enough for hosting text and images. While it lacks eCommerce capabilities and live support, it’s excellent for those focused on writing and showcasing portfolios.

The main limitation is the presence of ads that you cannot control unless you upgrade. The customization options are decent, with flexible templates and block editing. However, adding advanced features, like a payment gateway, will require you to switch to a paid plan.

• Best Feature: The flexibility to customize templates and build content-rich sites without any coding skills.
• Challenge: Ads are displayed on your site, and there’s no eCommerce functionality on the free plan.

2. Weebly: Best for Ecommerce Beginners

Weebly is highly recommended amongst other website builders for users who are venturing into eCommerce for the first time. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to set up an online store, complete with automatic tax calculation and inventory management. Even on the free plan, you can start listing products, but you will need to upgrade for advanced eCommerce features like analytics and marketing tools.

Weebly’s simplicity is both a strength and a limitation; while it’s great for beginners, more experienced users might find it lacks the deep customization options they desire.

• Best Feature: Ease of use, especially for beginners entering the world of ecommerce.
• Challenge: Limited customization, and advanced tools require paid plans for access​

3. Google Sites: Best for Simple Websites

Google Sites is the perfect tool if you’re looking for something simple and functional. It’s great for businesses that need an online presence but don’t require frequent updates or complex design features. The free plan is straightforward, offering an easy setup and integration with other Google services. However, if your needs expand, you might outgrow the platform quickly since it lacks upgrade paths and advanced customization as compared to other website builders available on market.

• Best Feature: Fast setup, perfect for temporary or static websites.
• Challenge: No upgrade options if you want to expand your site later.

4. Wix: Free for Creative Flexibility

Wix website builder offers creative professionals a platform where they can express themselves visually. The drag-and-drop interface, combined with a vast library of templates, allows for significant customization, even on the free plan. Features like video backgrounds, custom fonts, and animations make it ideal for users who want a unique, engaging design. However, the free version includes Wix-branded ads, and to access eCommerce tools or deeper analytics, upgrading to a premium plan is necessary.

• Best Feature: Creative freedom, supported by a wide variety of customizable templates.
• Challenge: Ads are included on the free version, and advanced tools are only available with paid plans​

5. SITE123: Free and Easy to Use

SITE123 lives up to its promise of simplicity, making it an excellent option for beginners who need a website without a steep learning curve. With a guided setup process and pre-made templates, it’s ideal for website builder small businesses or personal blogs that don’t require much customization. However, this simplicity comes at the cost of design flexibility. Compared to other builders like Wix or WordPress, you’ll find fewer options for creative control.

• Best Feature: The guided setup makes website creation effortless, perfect for non-tech-savvy users.
• Challenge: Limited flexibility in terms of design and customization compared to more advanced platforms

Conclusion

If the thought of building a website feels overwhelming, we’re here to help. With an award-winning team and over two decades of experience, we’re ready to propel your business forward and establish the strong online presence you need.

We’re here to help with your website design

We’re here to create beautiful, SEO-friendly websites that truly reflect your brand and help you outshine the competition. Our designs are fully responsive, and we use an easy-to-manage CMS, so updating content and managing marketing is a breeze

Transform Your Website with a Free Design Consultation!