What Website Builder Should Small Businesses or Founders Use?
Just starting your business? Needing a website done but confused which web builder is the best for you?
Your website is like your digital storefront, a place where customers can get to know you, explore your offerings, and connect with your brand.
But here’s the thing. There are so many website builders out there. How do you pick the right one? Should you go for the sleek designs of Squarespace, the endless possibilities of WordPress, the user-friendly vibe of Wix, or the modern flair of Framer? Each of these platforms has its own superpowers, and the best choice depends on what you need, what you are comfortable with, and where you see your business going in the future.
Don’t worry, let’s walk through everything you need to know about Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, and Framer. We’ll chat about their features, the good, the not-so-good, pricing, and who they’re perfect for. By the end, you’ll feel confident and ready to pick the platform that’s just right for you.
Why Your Website Builder Matters
Think of your website as the heart of your online presence. It’s often the first thing potential customers see, and first impressions do matter. A slow, clunky, or outdated website can send visitors running for the hills, while a smooth, beautiful, and easy-to-navigate site can build trust and turn visitors into loyal customers.
So, why does your choice of website builder matter so much? Let’s break it down:
Ease of Use: No One Wants a Headache
Not all of us are tech wizzard or design pros, and that’s totally okay! The right website builder should make it easy for anyone to create a stunning site without needing to learn how to code. Platforms like Wix and SquareSpace are famous for their super intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces. WordPress and Framer, on the other hand, offer more customisation but might require a bit more effort to master.
Customisation: Make It Uniquely Yours
Your business is one-of-a-kind, and your website should be too! Some builders, like WordPress, let you tweak everything. From the layout to the smallest details, thanks to thousands of plugins and themes. Others, like SquareSpace, focus on giving you gorgeous, ready-to-use templates that you can tweak to fit your brand. It’s all about finding the right balance between ease and flexibility.
Scalability: Think Big (Even If You’re Starting Small)
Dreaming of growing your business? Your website needs to grow with you! Can your chosen platform handle more traffic, extra pages, or new features like an online store or membership area? WordPress is a rockstar in this department, while platforms like Wix and SquareSpace might start to feel a little snug as your business expands.
Cost: Bang for Your Buck
Let’s be real. Budget is always a consideration. Website builders come with a range of price tags, from free plans with basic features to premium subscriptions that unlock all the bells and whistles. It’s all about finding the sweet spot where cost meets value.
SEO and Marketing: Get Found and Shine
A gorgeous website is useless if no one can find it. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and marketing tools come in. They help your site rank higher on search engines and attract the right audience. WordPress, Wix, SquareSpace and Framer have built-in tools to get you started.
Integrations: Play Nice with Others
Your website doesn’t exist in a bubble. It needs to work seamlessly with other tools you use, like email marketing platforms, payment gateways, or social media. The best website builders make it easy to connect with all your favourite apps and services.
A Friendly Overview
Alright, let’s get to know our four website builder friends a little better: Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, and Framer. We’ll chat about what makes each of them special, who they’re perfect for, and what you can expect if you choose them.
Squarespace: The Artist’s Muse
Overview
If Squarespace were a person, it’d be that effortlessly stylish friend who always looks put-together. Known for its drop-dead gorgeous templates and intuitive design tools, Squarespace is a favourite among creatives, artists, and small businesses who want a website that looks well put.
Key Features
Drag-and-Drop Editor: Super easy to use, so you can customise your site without touching a single line of code.
Stunning Templates: Some of the most beautiful and modern designs you’ll find anywhere. Perfect for portfolios, blogs, and small business sites.
All-in-One Platform: Hosting, domain registration, and SSL security are all included. No need to juggle multiple services!
Built-in SEO Tools: Help you optimise your site for search engines with customizable page titles, meta descriptions, and clean URLs.
E-Commerce Ready: Sell your products online with features like inventory management and secure checkout.
Reliable Hosting: Squarespace takes care of hosting, so you don’t have to worry about speed or downtime.
Pros
Gorgeous Templates: If you want a website that looks like it was designed by a high-end agency, Squarespace is your go-to.
Easy Peasy: The interface is so intuitive that even total beginners can create a stunning site.
All-in-One Convenience: No need to worry about hosting, security, or domain registration. It’s all handled for you.
Perfect for Portfolios and Blogs: Ideal for creatives who want to showcase their work in style.
Cons
Limited Customisation: While the templates are beautiful, they can feel a bit restrictive if you want to add advanced features.
No Plugin Ecosystem: Unlike WordPress, Squarespace doesn’t support third-party plugins, so you’re limited to its built-in features.
Higher Cost for Advanced Features: If you want e-commerce or other premium features, you’ll need to spring for a higher-tier plan.
Not Ideal for Large Sites: If you’re planning to build a massive website, Squarespace might not be the best fit.
Pricing
Squarespace keeps it simple with four plans:
Basic: £12/month (billed annually) – Great for simple websites.
Core: £17/month – Adds advanced features like promotional pop-ups and limited e-commerce.
Plus: £29/month – Full e-commerce features, but with a 3% transaction fee.
Advanced: £79/month – All the e-commerce bells and whistles with 0% transaction fees.
Have a look on Squarespace website for the most up-to-date pricing.
Best For
Small businesses and startups that want a beautiful, professional-looking website without the hassle.
Service-based businesses, creatives, artists, photographers, and bloggers who prioritise design and aesthetics.
Anyone who wants an all-in-one solution without dealing with technical details.
WordPress: The Flexibility King
Overview
WordPress is like the Swiss Army knife of website builders. It can do almost anything. Powering over 40% of all websites on the internet, WordPress is an open-source platform that gives you total control over your site’s design and functionality. Whether you’re starting a blog, launching an online store, or building a corporate website, WordPress can handle it all.
Key Features
Open-Source Freedom: WordPress is free to use, and you can customise it to your heart’s content with thousands of free and premium themes and plugins.
Endless Customisation: With over 58,000 plugins, you can add almost any feature you can imagine, from SEO tools to membership portals.
Scalability: WordPress grows with you. Whether you’re starting with a simple blog or running a massive e-commerce site, it can handle it.
SEO Superpowers: Plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math make it easy to climb the search engine ranks.
E-Commerce Ready: WooCommerce, the most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress, lets you create a fully functional online store.
Self-Hosted: You’ll need to purchase hosting separately, which gives you full control over your site’s performance and security.
Pros
Unmatched Flexibility: Customise every aspect of your site to fit your vision.
Scalable: Perfect for businesses with big dreams and long-term growth plans.
SEO-Friendly: Access to powerful tools to help your site rank higher on search engines.
Huge Community: With millions of users and developers, you’ll never be short on support or resources.
Cons
Steeper Learning Curve: If you’re not tech-savvy, WordPress can feel a little overwhelming at first.
Maintenance Required: You’re in charge of updates, backups, and security, which can be time-consuming.
No Built-in Hosting: You’ll need to purchase hosting separately, which adds to the cost and complexity.
Security Risks: Because it’s open-source, you’ll need to stay on top of security updates to keep your site safe.
Pricing
You’ll need to budget for:
Personal: £8/month (billed annually) – Unlimited pages, posts, users, and visitors
Premium: £17/month – Adds premium stats and analytics
Business: £32/month – All premium themes, real time backups, site assistant etc.
Commerce: £55/month – Ecommerce tools and WooCommerce experience, Free advertising credits worth $200.
Hosting: £3 - £55/month (depending on the provider and plan).
Domain Name: around £10 - £15/year.
Premium Themes: £30 - £200 (one-time or subscription).
Plugins: Free to £100+/year (depending on what you need).
Have a look on WordPress website for the most up-to-date pricing.
Best For
Businesses that want full control over their website’s design and functionality.
Startups and small businesses with big growth plans.
Bloggers, content creators, and anyone who prioritises SEO.
E-commerce businesses (thanks to WooCommerce!).
Wix: The Beginner’s Best Friend
Overview
Wix is like that friendly neighbour who’s always ready to lend a hand. It’s one of the most popular website builders out there, and for good reason: it’s incredibly easy to use. With its drag-and-drop editor and a ton of templates to choose from, Wix is perfect for beginners who want to create a professional-looking website in no time.
Key Features
Drag-and-Drop Editor: One of the most intuitive editors around. Just drag elements where you want them and voila!
Template: Over 800 customizable templates for all kinds of businesses, from restaurants to online stores.
All-in-One Platform: Hosting, domain registration, and security are all included in every plan.
Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Answer a few questions, and Wix will create a personalised website for you in minutes.
Built-in SEO Tools: Help you optimise your site with meta tags, alt text, and sitemaps.
E-Commerce Ready: Sell your products online with features like product listings, payment gateways, and inventory management.
App Market: Access to over 250 apps to add extra functionality, like email marketing, live chat, and bookings.
Pros
Super User-Friendly: If you’re new to website building, Wix is one of the easiest platforms to get started with.
Highly Customizable: The drag-and-drop editor lets you design your site exactly how you want it.
All-in-One Convenience: No need to worry about hosting or security. Wix handles it all for you.
Great for Small Businesses: Templates and features tailored to a variety of industries.
Free Plan Available: You can create a basic website for free (though it’ll include Wix ads).
Cons
Not as Scalable: If your business grows, you might find Wix a little limiting.
Limited Blogging Features: Not the best choice if you’re planning to run a content-heavy blog.
No Plugin Ecosystem: Unlike WordPress, Wix doesn’t support third-party plugins, so you’re limited to its built-in features and apps.
Ads on Free Plan: Free websites include Wix branding, which might not look as professional.
Template Lock-In: Once you pick a template, you can’t switch to another one without rebuilding your site.
Pricing
Wix offers a range of plans to fit every budget:
Free: Basic features with Wix ads and a Wix subdomain.
Light: £9/month - Basic features for personal or small business sites.
Core: £16/month - Adds a free domain and removes Wix ads.
Business: £25/month - Standard e-commerce features and more storage.
Business Elite: £119/month - Advanced e-commerce and even more storage.
Have a look on Wix website for the most up-to-date pricing.
Best For
Small businesses and startups that want an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution.
Beginners with no technical skills or design experience.
Anyone who needs a simple, professional website up and running quickly.
Local businesses, portfolios, and small online stores.
Framer: The Cool Kid on the Block
Overview
Framer is the new kid in town, but it’s already making waves. Unlike traditional website builders, Framer is designed to offer a high degree of customisation and control, making it perfect for those who want to create unique, interactive, and visually stunning websites. If you’re all about modern design and advanced features, Framer might just be your new best friend.
Key Features
Advanced Design Tools: Framer’s design canvas lets you create custom animations, interactions, and layouts like a pro.
No-Code and Code Options: Build your site using Framer’s visual tools, or dive into the code if you’re feeling adventurous.
Responsive Design: Easily create sites that look amazing on any device, from desktop to mobile.
CMS Capabilities: Built-in content management for blogs, portfolios, and dynamic content.
E-Commerce Support: Integrates with Shopify and other platforms to power your online store.
Collaboration Features: Work with your team in real-time on the same project.
Hosting Included: Fast, reliable hosting with SSL security with no extra hassle.
Pros
Modern and Unique Designs: If you want a website that stands out from the crowd, Framer is a fantastic choice.
Flexible and Powerful: Offers both no-code and code-based customisation for ultimate control.
Responsive by Default: Your site will look great on all devices, no extra work required.
Free Plan Available: You can create and publish a basic site for free.
Updates: Framer updates are automatic. Unlike WordPress, you don’t have to worry about your site breaking because you didn’t update any plugins.
Cons
Steeper Learning Curve: Not as beginner-friendly as Wix or Squarespace.
Smaller Community: Fewer resources and third-party integrations compared to WordPress or Wix.
Limited Templates: Doesn’t offer as many pre-designed templates as other platforms.
Less Ideal for Beginners: You’ll need some design or development knowledge to make the most of Framer. Or hire a web designer like me to help you!
Pricing
Framer keeps it simple with these plans:
Free Plan: Basic features with Framer branding.
Basic: £8/month – Removes Framer branding and adds a custom domain.
Pro: £23/month – Adds CMS and basic e-commerce features and collaboration tools.
Have a look on Framer website for the most up-to-date pricing.
Best For
Any businesses that want unique, modern designs.
Anyone who needs advanced interactions, animations, or custom functionality.
Teams collaborating on website projects.
How to Pick the Perfect Platform for You
Still feeling a little unsure? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you choose the website builder that’s just right for your business.
What Are Your Goals?
First things first: what do you want your website to do? Here are some common goals and the platforms that fit them best:
Portfolio or Showcase: If you want to show off your work or products, Squarespace or Framer are fantastic choices.
Blog or Content Site: If you’re planning to publish lots of content, WordPress is the way to go.
E-Commerce: Selling products online? WordPress (with WooCommerce) or Wix are both great options.
Custom Web Application: Need advanced features or custom interactions? Framer or WordPress have you covered.
How Tech-Savvy Are You?
No Technical Skills: Wix or Squarespace are your best bets. They’re super easy to use and require zero coding knowledge.
Some Technical Skills: Framer offers a nice middle ground between no-code and code-based customisation.
Advanced Technical Skills: WordPress gives you the most flexibility but requires a bit more know-how.
What’s Your Budget?
Low Budget: Framer, Wix and Squarespace have affordable plans, while WordPress can be cost-effective if you manage hosting and plugins wisely.
Higher Budget: If you’re willing to invest in premium features, WordPress offer the most in terms of scalability and customisation.
Are You Planning to Grow?
Short-Term Project: If you just need a simple website for a short-term project, Framer, Wix or Squarespace will do the trick.
Long-Term Growth: If you’re dreaming big, WordPress is the most scalable option.
How Important Is Design to You?
Pre-Designed Templates:Framer, Squarespace and Wix offer beautiful, ready-to-use templates.
Custom Design: If you want full control over your site’s look and feel, Framer or WordPress are the way to go.
Try Before You Buy
Most website builders offer free trials or free plans. Take advantage of these to test drive the platforms and see which one feels like the best fit for you.
Real-Life Examples: Who’s Using What?
Sometimes, it helps to see how real businesses are using these platforms. Here are some examples to inspire you:
Squarespace
Creatives and Artists: Photographers, designers, and musicians love Squarespace for its elegant templates and portfolio features.
Small Businesses: Boutique shops, cafes, and local service providers use Squarespace to create visually appealing websites quickly.
Bloggers: Lifestyle and fashion bloggers use Squarespace for its clean designs and built-in blogging tools.
WordPress
News Websites: Big names like Schneider Electric use WordPress for its powerful content management and scalability.
E-Commerce Stores: From small boutiques to large retailers, WordPress (with WooCommerce) powers online stores of all sizes.
Corporate Websites: Many businesses use WordPress for its flexibility and ability to handle complex sites.
Wix
Local Businesses: Restaurants, salons, and gyms use Wix to create simple, professional websites with booking and contact features.
Portfolios: Freelancers and small agencies use Wix to showcase their work with customizable templates.
Small Online Stores: E-commerce businesses with a limited number of products often choose Wix for its ease of use.
Framer
Design Agencies: Agencies and freelance designers use Framer to create unique, interactive websites for their clients.
Startups: Tech startups, s-a-a-s companies and modern brands use Framer to build custom, high-performance sites that stand out.
Personal Brands: Influencers and creatives use Framer to create eye-catching sites with custom animations and designs.
What you should avoid
Choosing the wrong website builder can lead to headaches, wasted time, and even lost revenue. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:
Choosing Based on Price Alone
While budget is important, going for the cheapest option without considering your needs can backfire. A platform that lacks essential features might end up costing you more in the long run if you need to switch later.
Ignoring Scalability
If you’re planning to grow your business, make sure your website builder can grow with you. Switching platforms down the line can be time-consuming (but not impossible).
Not Testing the Platform
Always take advantage of free trials or demos to test the platform’s ease of use, customisation options, and features before committing.
Underestimating Maintenance
Some platforms, like WordPress, require regular updates, backups, and security management.
Following the Crowd
Just because a platform is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your business. Focus on your specific skills and needs, not trends.
The Future of Website Builders: What’s Next?
The world of website builders is always evolving, and there are some exciting trends on the horizon. Here’s what to keep an eye on:
AI-Powered Design
Artificial intelligence is making website design easier than ever. Tools like Wix ADI and Framer’s AI features let you create personalised websites in minutes. Expect to see even more AI-driven design assistants in the future!
No-Code and Low-Code Development
No-code and low-code platforms are putting the power of web development into the hands of non-technical users. Framer and WordPress (with page builders like Elementor) are leading the charge here.
Mobile-First Design
With more and more people browsing the web on their phones, website builders are prioritising mobile-first design. Look for more templates and tools optimised for mobile responsiveness.
Better Integrations
Website builders are getting better at playing nice with other tools, like CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and payment gateways. This trend will continue, making it easier to manage all aspects of your business in one place.
Faster, Stronger, Better
As user expectations for fast-loading websites grow, website builders are optimising their platforms for performance. Features like lazy loading, and optimised hosting will become the norm.
Choosing the right website builder is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re drawn to Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, or Framer, there’s a platform out there that’s perfect for you.
Take the time to think about your goals, test out the platforms, and choose the one that feels like the best fit. Even though it can be a real pain to switch platforms or builder, remember, you’re still not locked into one forever. Choose something that feels right for you now, and switch when necessary or when your business evolves.
And hey, if you’re still not sure, don’t be afraid to reach out to me for a little extra guidance. Any good web designer or web developer can help sort out your website for you.
Thanks for reading!