5 Best Website Builders For Beginners (Easiest Platforms)

What are the best website builders for beginners?

Good question right?

Or, well maybe you’re searching for these terms too:

• Easiest Website Builders For Small Businesses
• Best Beginner Website Builders
• Small Business Website Builder

I mean, you don’t need anything ridiculously crazy, just something user-friendly and powerful:

in other words:

Just a simple beginner-friendly website you can be proud of.

But, don’t worry, they still are packed full of tools and the efficiency you still need.

They just know how to develop their platforms so anybody from the beginner to the techy can build an amazing website.

The other great thing is:

These website builders have templates, tools, and more for most likely the reason you’re looking to build a website.

For example: maybe you fall into these categories:

• I want to start blogging
• I’m a photographer that needs a website
• I’m looking to start my own online store for my small business
• I’m an artist looking to sell and display my work
• I’m a realtor looking to build my own website
• I’m a local small business in my town

See?

A Quick Note:

Don’t get these mixed up with options solely focused on let’s say building an eCommerce website, or building a photography website.

These options are for a basic website builder with options within them to build sites like this

And:

May even rank #1, #2, or #3 for the top options for eCommerce or other niche-focused markets.

But their sole focus is not in these niches (well, while I’m writing this 🙂 )

Does that make sense? I sure hope so!

OK, let’s check out the best website builders you totally need to be using if you’re looking to build a website.

Especially, if getting started today is a goal of yours.

Best Website Builders For Beginners (Easiest Platforms) Summary

Inside Look At Testing Done To Rank

We went ahead and utilized our 25-point checklist of things we feel hold the most value to get started with.

We go ahead and run through each one to see our thoughts and weigh it out with other key platforms too!

We rank it out of a score of 60 once we evaluate every single area.

We as well run a test store and set up a simple one and see how overall that worked for us.

Some other key testing that is done:

• Ranking page speed on a basic site and a developed site
• The onboarding process and ease for a user to get started
• Demo testing project 
• External user reviews
• Full-scale customer evaluation and how they assist and respond
• Fine print and pricing evaluation

Wix 

Try Wix Free 

Wix is your #1 option when it comes to building a website for a beginner, and the easiest website builder in my opinion.

I’ve tested it out and compared it to the others and with all the features and templates it has combined with how easy it is to use, you’re going to be CRAZY not to at least take it for a test drive.

After looking at Wix I feel they do the best job of having a ton of templates broken down into niche-specific categories for you.

For Example:

Look at all the main categories they have for you to start.  This doesn’t even include the sub-categories under each one.

Boom, you click one of those and you already have a huge jump start on your new website.

Let’s go ahead and do the onboarding process for Wix  

Ok, so first were heading to the Wix homepage

From here you are gonna type in an email address were using and hit “Start now”

You will then come to this page which will let you add a password or if you want you can just connect to Google or Facebook

Personally, I feel they could just put that on the starting page but that’s me being overly picky

From here it’s asking who are you creating a website for.

I’m selecting the first option.

Were then hitting continue.

Now it’s going to ask you what kind of website you are creating.

In this case, I’m going to select a plumber.

But regardless of this type of whatever the business is for.

From here it created the dashboard for me with a couple of onboarding questions which I’m a big fan of.

The reason is were beginners or even those new to Wix taking us step by step is a big deal.

One really cool thing I’m liking is under “services” which is step 3 for me.

It’s literally giving me services to start with.

Another nice thing I’m seeing is step 5 for me which offers tools I might need such as accepting in-person payments and sending automated emails, and sms reminders.

Nice touch Wix

After this, I hit next and clicked the finish the process.

You should be seeing a  dashboard with other setup steps to finish setting up even more.

Most likely will look like this for you.

Step 1 allows me to update my site again if I chose Electrician and I meant plumber I could fix this here.

For me, step 2 is adding service.

I forgot to do that in the initial steps so I’m not sure if it asks it twice or if it would take this out.

Either way, it’s fine.

When you click on add new service it should look like this.

From here you can hit edit and bring up a whole screen on each service you offer and edit all the details.

I was super impressed with this page.

A lot of website builders could take notes on this.

After done here there is a save button at the bottom to hit.

It might not bring you right back to the setup process but in the top left corner or sidebar in general there is a progress bar.

The last few steps you should be seeing are 

• connect a domain
• design your website
• get found on Google

One we need to look at is designing the site

2 options we have is picking a template or letting Wix create it for me.

I’m personally hitting the “get started” and letting Wix do it.

It’s going to bring up a quick review and edit real quick of basic info.

Ok, from here I hit the next button 

Now, it’s giving me 6 theme options but only based on their names and a small description.

Personally, for me, I was hoping to see a quick preview of this and I could hit back to pick my theme but I’m gonna move forward.

I picked the minimal option.

And this is what I got.

After I selected it then brought me to a page asking me to add more tailored pages such as an about page, services, get a quote, testimonials, contact page, and meet the team.

I thought this was super cool and saved me a ton of time.

I’ll have to add some of my own things but being all built out for me is super nice.

After this, it will tell you congrats your site is set up and good to go.

Personally, for me, I’m seeing a go-to edit or back-to dashboard, or view live site link.

Overall for me at least the process was super seamless and I didn’t have any questions or concerns when setting it up.

The fact it asked me stuff during the onboarding process and then built my site for me was amazing.

As a beginner angel, this is what is needed.

I can confidently and easily say you will be up and running in a short period of time like I was without even checking out all the features that are offered.

let’s quickly do a run-down of some benefits Wix is going to offer you.

Great Benefits:

• Super simple to start setting up which will give you total peace of mind.
• Tons of templates to help you decide – tons of options to make your site look awesome
• SEO tools to help get your site found and help you easily understand SEO
• Marketing tools to help brand yourself and grow.
• Low-cost plans for every budget.

My Top Pros Of Wix I Love:

• A very fair price regardless of budget.
• Love the template options for every industry, I can think of.
• Offers great options for photographers, small business owners, and artists.
• Drag and drop site builder makes it easy to design your side regardless of your experience.

My Top Cons Of Wix:

• Wix Ads Displayed On Free Websites (I Get It though, they have to do something).
• No chat feature for instant help.  Sure, if you pay more you get better support, but I’d say it’s becoming a standard to offer immediate help.

Wix Pricing Plans

• Light – $16 monthly – Beginner-friendly plan
• Core – $27 monthly – eCommerce features start here
• Business – $32 monthly
• Business Elite – $159 monthly
• Enterprise – contact for pricing

Some Testing I’ve Done With Wix

• The sign-up process – sure most companies make this easy.  But I like their setup and it’s easy to do.  This is super important for a beginner to me.  Throws your fears out the door.  I was able to sign up very fast.
• Template set up & selection – This is where Wix sets itself apart from the rest.  They have a ton of categories regardless of what type of site you want to build.  During the sign-up process, I was easily able to navigate through all the templates for me and set one up ready to go.  This, in my opinion, gives you peace of mind. You will have a contact page, service page, and a nice-looking homepage ready to go fast.
• Customer service – Not the largest fan of what they offer.  Unless you sign up for the VIP plan you don’t get the fastest customer support, which I don’t like.  I went ahead and reached out with a basic plan and it’s going to take you a day or so.  Not a deal-breaker, but I want to see more.
• Editing a page – This you will like.  I went ahead and changed some wording and pictures around and they make it simple.

My final thought on Wix

Overall Wix offers a solid setup and onboarding process which is a must for beginners.

Testing it fully out and seeing how it performs was super nice.

The onboarding process is something they should be really proud of.

I’d actually call it the best one I’ve seen out of all the website builders out there.

It was very detailed and at the same time important in a non-overwhelming way.

Also, factoring in a ton of features it offers too to enhance your website was really nice to see.

Wix made the decision to rank it #1 for beginners very easily.

Squarespace 

Try Squarespace

Squarespace is a great overall website builder.

It has a ton of features and a ton of templates and tools to support you regardless of what you will be building.

For Example:

It has dedicated plans for eCommerce, Blogging, and a one-page website.

Squarespace also has amazing templates like I mentioned to get started.

Let me show you real quick:

Go to the main page and click the “Get Started” button

Next:

Just choose what type of website you are building.

And last but not least.

Select the template you want to use.  It’s crazy how easy it is.

So, What Are Some Top Benefits Of Squarespace?

• Tons of templates to really help your website stand out.
• Great blogging feature to start an amazing blog for your readers to enjoy.
• SEO feature to help your website move up and be seen on the search engines.

Squarespace Pricing

• Personal – $12 per month billed annually or $16 billed monthly
• Business – $18 per month billed annually or $26 billed monthly
• Online Store Basic – $26 per month billed annually or $30 billed monthly
• Online Store Advanced – $40 per month billed annually or $46 billed monthly

Testing Done With Squarespace

• The sign-up process – The sign-up process is def simple. Page 2 and I was already choosing the template for my website.
• Templates – I was very happy with the templates offered.  On top of that, it was easy to navigate because they break it down for you depending on what type of website you need.  You will be happy with selecting.

Squarespace Review Links:

• Squarespace Review

Shopify

Try Shopify Free

As anyone just starting out in the website building stratosphere, you need a platform that’s reliable, easy to navigate, and above all, designed with beginners in mind.

Here’s where Shopify shines.

Apprehensive about Coding?

Worried about coding complexities? Fret not. Shopify navigates around code-heavy operations with its user-friendly interface.

It’s been designed from the ground up to be a plug-and-play sort of operation.

There’s no need to tangle yourself up in confusing code.

This is why I sometimes opt for Shopify when I want to get a project up and running with minimal hoop jumping.

Shopify Pricing Plans

• Shopify Starter Plan – $5 Monthly – This replaced Shopify Lite
• Basic Shopify – $39 Monthly – 82% Start here
• Shopify – $105 Monthly  – 11% Start Here
• Advanced Shopify – $399
• Shopify Plus – Starts around $2000 monthly

Pack Your Store with Pre-made Themes

Now, starting from square one can be a bind, that’s where Shopify’s pre-made themes come into play.

The platform is teeming with professional-grade, customizable themes tailored to a broad spectrum of businesses.

• A reservoir of high-quality, ready-to-use themes
• Easy customization to match your business
• A medley of designs to echo your unique brand

Embrace Your SEO Superpowers

Shopify takes the mystery out of SEO. No additional tools or resources are needed, Shopify has it built right in.

Trust me, this is a sweet little nugget of convenience.

Every Device, Every Time

In this digital age, your website needs to look good, no matter the screen size.

Shopify eases this issue by ensuring your website is adaptable across all devices – smartphones, tablets, and desktops, delivering a uniform browsing experience for your visitors.

Wrapping it up, Shopify swoops in as a strong ally for newcomers in the website-building arena when building out an eCommerce wbsite.

It’s intuitive, feature-loaded, and surprisingly simple, ideal for those ready to stake their claim in the online marketplace without jumping through technical hoops.

So, folks, if you’re on the fence, give Shopify a whirl and transform your dream website into a reality.

GoDaddy

Try Godaddy Free

Let’s dive into GoDaddy and using their website builder/

It’s a name that rings a bell even if you’re just dipping your toes into this vast digital universe.

GoDaddy offers a playground for creativity mixed with the simplicity needed for those just starting out.

Here’s the rundown of why it stands out as a beginner-friendly platform.

User-Friendly from the Get-Go

Straight out of the gate, GoDaddy impresses with its user-friendly interface.

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to navigate through its website builder.

• Drag and Drop: It’s as easy as picking up a piece and putting it where you want it. This feature is particularly handy when you’re experimenting with layouts.
• Templates Galore: Variety is the spice of life, and GoDaddy doesn’t skimp here. Whether you’re setting up a blog, a portfolio, or an online store, there’s something for everybody.
• Guided Setup: Sometimes, we all need a little guidance. GoDaddy offers step-by-step instructions to get your site off the ground — I’ve found this to be a lifesaver for beginners.

Godaddy Pricing Plans

Basic – Starts at $9.99

Premium – Starts at $14.99

Commerce – Starts at $20.99

Support When You Need It

Nobody likes feeling stranded, especially when something as important as your website is at stake.

GoDaddy offers robust customer support.

• 24/7 Help: No matter the hour, help is just a call or click away. It’s reassuring to know you’re not alone.
• Community Forums: Sometimes, it’s helpful to connect with fellow users. GoDaddy’s forums are a place where you can share experiences and get advice.

More Than Just Websites

Sure, your primary mission might be to launch a website, but GoDaddy offers a suite of tools to empower your online presence further.

• Domain Registration: Finding the perfect domain name is a breeze with GoDaddy’s search and registration tools.
• Marketing Tools: Once your site is up, you’ll want to attract visitors. GoDaddy’s built-in SEO and email marketing tools are like having a digital megaphone.

In envisioning the road ahead for beginners, GoDaddy indeed lays out a welcoming red carpet.

Its blend of ease, support, and extended services make it a commendable starting point for anyone looking to claim their slice of the internet.

Weebly 

Weebly is a very powerful and easy-to-use website builder.  

At the moment, it has over 30 million users that use Weebly to run its website.

The great thing is it’s one of the easiest website builders to use and covers a lot of bases such as giving you features to build an eCommerce website or just a simple basic blogging website.

Let’s check out some benefits for you:

• Easily build your website the same day regardless of your expertise
• Flexible pricing structures for you regardless of your budget
• Tons of tools for you to build your site
• You can easily drag and drop how you want your site to look

Weebly Pricing Plans

• Free Plan – Totally free
• Personal – $9 month to month and average $6 monthly if paid annually.
• Professional – $16 month to month or $12 monthly if paid annually.
• Performance – $29 month to month or $26 monthly if paid annually.

My Top Pros For Weebly:

• Easy for anybody to build a website
• Easy themes to enjoy
• The costs are low which saves you money
• Their customer support is easy to use and you get help right away.

My Top Cons For Weebly:

• My only con would be to add some more templates to use.  I feel some more would be helpful when starting out and building.

Some Weebly Testing Done By Me:

• The sign-up process – I was able to sign up for a Weebly account super easily.  I could choose the template I wanted for my site during the sign-up process.
• Templates – I feel they have super easy templates.  But as I was choosing one I was very limited on the look of it.  Meaning, I would have to change it myself.  I would have liked to see a ton more like Wix offers.
• Adding a footer – The footer is the bottom part of the website just in case you were wondering.  They make it super simple.  You just click in the area and they have pre-made footer layouts.  I found this awesome, and I was able to set one up fast that looks really nice.
• Customer Support – I needed some help with editing a drag-and-drop area and couldn’t understand it.  So I reached out and they walked me right through it in under 5 minutes.  Really enjoyed getting it resolved like this.
• Adding A Google Map – I was able to take my Google Map coding and just use an HTML tool on Weebly and easily implement it.  Super easy for a beginner.

Valuable Links For Weebly:

• Weebly Review

Check Out This Nice Video To Get A Better Feel On Weebly:

FAQ For The Best Beginner Website Builders

Conclusion On The Best Website Builders For Beginners:

Just to recap real quick.

The 5 best website builders for beginners are:

1. Wix
2. Squarespace
3. Shopify
4. Godaddy
5. Weebly

All 3 offer a simple approach to setting up a website.

They offer a simple yet great-looking website at a great low-cost rate for that brand-new beginner.

Enjoy trying them out and seeing which one fits your needs.

Make sure too!!

What is your final overall goal?

If you’re just testing, enjoy!

But, if this website is to actually use and be a part of your day-to-day business.

Make a wise decision after testing.  Free doesn’t mean, the best.

Just to ask you:

Have you tried any of these yet?