Best Website Builders for Small Business: Compared for 2025

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If you want to set up a website for your small business, but are unsure which website builder best suits your store’s priorities and needs, Shopify is the best small business website builder I’ve tested. Over 300 hours of research, analysis, and hands-on testing went into our findings, so I can confidently say that Shopify offers unbeatable sales features, making it a great option for businesses looking to sell products or services.

Key Takeaways 🔍

  • Shopify can handle a large inventory and has the best sales features for growing businesses
  • Wix has plenty of high-quality SEO, marketing, and product management features
  • Squarespace’s Acuity Scheduling tool makes it great for services businesses
  • Hostinger’s suite of AI tools will support your website building and content creation
  • GoDaddy offers social tools to help you promote your products across channels
  • The best choices for beginners on a budget are Hostinger and GoDaddy

I’ve recently updated our list of the best small business website builders to reflect our 2025 research. The most notable change is that Hostinger and GoDaddy have swapped positions in our rankings, and our scores and copy have been tweaked to cover the latest features and capabilities of each builder. I’ve also updated Squarespace’s pricing and plan names to match the builder’s recent change, and I’ve made a note of new features on Shopify, Wix, Hostinger, and GoDaddy.

Small Business Website Builders: Head-to-Head

Before I dive into each builder’s key features for small businesses, take a look at our quick comparison table:

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

Shopify

Wix

Squarespace

Hostinger

GoDaddy

Overall Rating
4.8
Overall Rating
4.8
Overall Rating
4.7
Overall Rating
4.2
Overall Rating
4.0
Starting from
Starting from
Starting from
Starting from

$11.99

$2.99 + 3 months free (48-month term)

Starting from

$9.99

Free plan or free trial

3-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

Free plan

Free plan or free trial

14-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

7-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

Free plan

Number of templates

200+

Number of templates

2,000+

Number of templates

180+

Number of templates

150+

Number of templates

200+

Free custom domain
Free custom domain
Free custom domain
Free custom domain
Free custom domain
AI website builder
AI website builder
AI website builder
AI website builder
AI website builder
Try Shopify Try Wix Try Squarespace Try Hostinger Try GoDaddy

Why you can trust us 🤝

We’ve spent over 300 hours researching and analyzing the top small business website builders to bring you unbiased and data-backed recommendations. We also carry out hands-on testing with each builder to ensure our reviews are accurate and fair. Read more about our unique research methodology.

If you’d rather have someone talk you through the key pros, cons, features, and pricing of our top five small business website builders, watch our video:

1. Shopify: Best Builder for Selling Online

Editor's Choice

Shopify

Best builder for selling online

Outstanding

4.8

out of 5
  • Intuitive product backend
  • Extensive app store
  • Great scalability
dollar icon svg

Free trial available

Paid Plans: $29 - $299 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Sell on socials like TikTok
  • icon yes svg Ideal for complex inventories
  • icon yes svg Manage business bills easily

Cons

  • icon no svg Not the best for beginners
  • icon no svg Limited store customization
  • icon no svg Heavy reliance on apps
Shopify Review

If you need your small business website to focus on showcasing products and converting traffic into customers, you’ll want a powerful ecommerce website builder. Shopify has the best sales features on the market. The range and quality of Shopify’s ecommerce tools, including abandoned cart recovery, tax calculation, and the option for discount codes, are suitable for small businesses of all sizes.

Badge showing Shopify as the best for ecommerce in our 2025 research
Shopify POS settings in backend
Shopify supports online and offline integration through its POS system, which I could easily find within my website’s backend dashboard. Source: Website Builder Expert

Why Do I Recommend Shopify?

  • 🛒 Multichannel selling – Connect Shopify with a range of online marketplaces, social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram, or with its POS system for offline selling. Shopify merchants can download the Shopify Marketplace Connect app to gain access to platforms like eBay and Amazon.
  • 💳 Payment options – Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, as well as Shopify Payments, which you don’t have to pay transaction fees on.
  • 🔒 Website security – Shopify provides a built-in SSL certificate, two-step verification, and customer logins, and ensures your website is PCI compliant. I also want to point out Shopify’s additional fraud analysis tool, which helps small businesses recognize fraudulent orders.

You can watch our video below to learn more about Shopify’s features:

Should You Use Shopify?

  • Your business is growing
  • You have a large inventory
  • You don’t want product limits
  • You need advanced sales tools

What the researchers think...

I’d recommend Shopify as the best option for small businesses because of its simple backend tools that let you add products easily, as well as its huge app store which is great for helping small businesses grow and adapt. You’ve got apps like TikTok that can help grow your audience or Klaviyo which is great for setting up email and SMS marketing!

Headshot of Ollie Simpson
Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive

Latest Shopify news ⬇️

Shopify has revamped its website design process with the launch of Horizon, giving businesses personalized templates and the ability to generate custom blocks within the editor. This was announced as part of the recent Shopify Edition: Summer ’25.

2. Wix: All-in-One Builder To Manage Your Business

Wix

All-in-one builder to manage your business

Outstanding

4.8

out of 5
  • Easy marketing setup
  • Well-rounded features
  • Personalized SEO
dollar icon svg

Free plan available

Paid Plans: $17 - $159 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Email marketing with cheapest plan
  • icon yes svg Keyword support from Semrush
  • icon yes svg Great AI features

Cons

  • icon no svg 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee
  • icon no svg Interface can be overwhelming
  • icon no svg Slow loading times
Wix Review

Looking to promote your business online and grow your audience? Need help optimizing your website for search engines? A good website builder should support your journey from start to finish, and Wix’s all-in-one platform provides the features you’ll need, from email marketing to SEO.

Badge showing Wix as the best for marketing stores in our 2025 research
Wix's SEO setup checklist
Wix gave my test website a personalized SEO checklist which made it so easy for me to see where I could improve my site's SEO. Source: Website Builder Expert

Why Do I Recommend Wix?

  • 📨 Marketing features – Wix’s email marketing tool helps you set up automated workflows, use brand assets from your site, coordinate communications with Wix’s Mailchimp partnership, and generate personalized messages to speak directly with your customers. This isn’t something all builders provide either (Hostinger lacks any email marketing tools).
  • 🔍 SEO – You can utilize Wix’s SEO Learning Hub and other tools, such as its AI meta tag creator and keyword research tool (powered by Semrush), to help your website appear in search engine results. That’s why Wix is our top SEO website builder for 2025.
  • 🤖 AI toolsWix’s AI features can help you build your website quickly, generate website copy (such as product descriptions), offer design suggestions, and more.
Wix's AI Theme Assistant offering support for designing my test site
I asked Wix's new AI Theme Assistant for help when choosing my site's color scheme. Source: Website Builder Expert

Should You Use Wix?

  • You want a free website builder (though I recommend upgrading quickly to remove ads)
  • You want your tools in one place
  • You want great AI features and support

Latest Wix news ⬇️

Wix launched Astro in April, an AI-powered business assistant to support brands manage operations and grow online. You can access the built-in chatbot by clicking the AI button in the top right of your dashboard. Astro can help answer questions, direct users to relevant information or features, generate reports, produce content for your site, and more.

3. Squarespace: Manage Online Bookings Seamlessly

Squarespace

Manage online bookings seamlessly

Excellent

4.7

out of 5
  • Built-in booking tools
  • Stylish templates
  • Easy-to-use editor
dollar icon svg

Free trial available

Paid Plans: $16 - $99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Ideal for creative businesses
  • icon yes svg Offer services and appointments
  • icon yes svg Unique content tools

Cons

  • icon no svg Not suitable for complex inventories
  • icon no svg Less creative freedom than Wix
  • icon no svg No POS integration
Squarespace Review

Squarespace is the best small business website builder to use if you want to offer services or take appointments online. First impressions make all the difference, especially if you’re trying to get people to book services with you, and Squarespace’s template variety, sleek design elements, and quality content tools are ideal for small businesses looking to make a stylish online store.

Badge showing Squarespace as the best for bookings in our 2025 research
Squarespace's editor showing the grid line structure when moving a text block
I found it so easy to tweak my site's design thanks to Squarespace's drag-and-drop editor and grid structure. Source: Website Builder Expert

Why Do I Recommend Squarespace?

  • 🗓️ Booking tools – If your business needs to offer services or appointments, you can use Squarespace’s Acuity Scheduling tool to take bookings online. This is a premium add-on, with plans starting from $16 per month.
  • 🎨 Template qualitySquarespace’s 150+ templates cover a wide range of industries, including “Fashion,” “Media & Podcasts,” “Real Estate & Properties,” and “Travel.” It’s a far cry from Wix’s 900+, but Squarespace focuses on quality over quantity. Alternatively, you can use Squarespace’s AI builder, Blueprint AI. I found it incredibly easy to use, and I had a functional yet sleek website live in 10 minutes.
  • ✏️ Content tools – Squarespace provides dozens of professionally designed elements to place on your pages, meaning you can display your content in a variety of ways. For example, an accordion is great if you want to hide additional content so visitors aren’t overwhelmed, or you could add a map to make your small business’s location easy to find.
Pop up box of content elements in Squarespace's website editor
When testing, I added an accordion to my page without a hitch. I could then edit the text and drag it around my homepage until I found the perfect spot. Source: Website Builder Expert

Should You Use Squarespace?

  • You run a creative business
  • You want to offer services
  • You want an easy editing experience
  • You need a cheaper option than Wix or Shopify

Latest Squarespace news ⬇️

During this year’s Super Bowl, Squarespace revealed its latest ad to “celebrate the timeless spirit of entrepreneurship.” The ad stars actor Barry Keoghan and his former donkey co-star, Mosley, as they work together to create a website. Squarespace launched the Mosley template design to match the campaign.

4. Hostinger: Easiest Builder for Small Businesses

Hostinger

Easiest builder for small businesses

Very Good

4.2

out of 5
  • Impressive AI tools
  • Easy-to-use editor
  • Affordable plans
dollar icon svg

Free trial available

Paid Plans: $2.99 - $3.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 24/7 help and support
  • icon yes svg Fast loading times
  • icon yes svg Quick way to get online

Cons

  • icon no svg No email marketing
  • icon no svg Limited scalability for businesses
  • icon no svg No app market
Hostinger Review

If you’re new to the world of selling online or want to test out your business idea as a side hustle or small business, then Hostinger offers brilliant AI tools and a beginner-friendly editor to help you get started.

To sell online, you’ll need the $3.99 Business Website Builder plan to unlock Hostinger’s ecommerce features and AI tools. But, for such a low price, the upgrade doesn’t seem as big a leap as with other website builders.

Badge showing Hostinger as the best for beginner sellers in our 2025 research
Hostinger's section library for its website builder, showing a range of product section options
I loved the variety of styles when adding a new section to my Hostinger website, and I could even use AI to generate a section from scratch. Source: Website Builder Expert

Why Do I Recommend Hostinger?

  • ⚙️ Beginner-friendly editor – Hostinger is one of the easiest website builders I’ve tested. Its drag-and-drop editor gives you total creative freedom while also keeping things simplified so you don’t get overwhelmed, which can happen with Wix. I found the designs really modern-looking and polished, and it was really easy for me to add brand assets, such as my logo.
  • ⏰ Time-saving AI tools – Hostinger relies heavily on its suite of AI tools, including an AI-powered website builder, but this makes it ideal for beginners and businesses looking to get online fast. If you’re on the Business Website Builder plan ($3.99 per month), you’ll have access to Hostinger’s full range of AI features.
  • 💰 Budget-friendly plans – Hostinger is the cheapest website builder that I’d recommend to others without sacrificing quality for cost. While Hostinger’s functionality is limited in comparison to other builders, like Wix, you get a good range of features for the small price you pay.
Hostinger AI heatmap tool in action over an "about us" section of a Hostinger test website
I used Hostinger's AI Heatmap tool to see where visitors engage with the site. Source: Website Builder Expert

Should You Use Hostinger?

  • You’re a beginner to website building
  • You need a cheap website builder
  • You don’t need advanced tools
  • You’re only selling a few products

What our editor thinks...

I think busy entrepreneurs would really benefit from Hostinger’s suite of time-saving AI tools. This is what makes Hostinger a smart choice for small businesses – it gives you a helping hand with things like website creation, content generation, and tracking customer engagement. Sure, with no app market and limited plans, it’s not the most scalable option, but when you’re a new business owner juggling all the tasks that come with those early days of building and running a website, these AI tools can make a real difference and help you set up fast!

lucy carney
Lucy Carney Deputy Editor

Latest Hostinger news ⬇️

This month, Hostinger announced a new AI-powered email marketing tool, Hostinger Reach. After not providing built-in email marketing support before, this is a welcome addition for small businesses. Use the tool to generate newsletter templates, manage campaigns, and boost engagement.

5. GoDaddy: Great Social Tools for Promoting Your Store

GoDaddy

Great social tools for promoting your store

Very Good

4

out of 5
  • Built-in social tools
  • Simple editor
  • Quick onboarding
dollar icon svg

Free plan available

Paid Plans: $9.99 - $20.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Great for beginners
  • icon yes svg Budget-friendly plans
  • icon yes svg Mobile app management

Cons

  • icon no svg Lacks quality designs
  • icon no svg Limited functionality
  • icon no svg Basic SEO support
GoDaddy Review

If your small business is active on social media, GoDaddy offers an impressive suite of social tools to promote your store and its products, including a social media calendar. Its simple editor and speedy onboarding process help you get online quickly, and its basic features help your business get seen by the right audience.

Badge showing GoDaddy as the best for setup speed in our 2025 research
GoDaddy's website editor
I found it harder to design and customize my store with GoDaddy's limited editor. Source: Website Builder Expert

Why Do I Recommend GoDaddy?

  • 📷 Social media tools – In our recent testing, GoDaddy’s social media tools became a standout feature. You can populate the social media calendar with GoDaddy’s AI Social Post Creator, review your scheduled content, and identify the right days to post.
  • 🏃 Quick onboarding – I was only asked a few questions about my business needs during the setup process before GoDaddy generated a custom template for me, so it’s a great builder for beginners and tech novices.
  • 🤳 Mobile management – Small businesses are juggling a million tasks at once, so I recommend making the most out of GoDaddy’s mobile app to create and manage your online store anywhere, anytime. You can make tweaks in the mobile editor, but also monitor your sales and traffic on the go, which is incredibly convenient.
GoDaddy social calendar for April
I loved GoDaddy's social calendar feature, since I could check for important events and plan content ahead of time. Source: Website Builder Expert

Should You Use GoDaddy?

  • You want a cheap and budget-friendly builder
  • You only need standard features
  • You want simplicity
  • You want to promote your business on socials

Latest GoDaddy news ⬇️

For small businesses working with clients, GoDaddy has launched GoDaddy Agency. The partner program specifically supports digital agencies as they grow businesses, run campaigns, and manage new projects.

How To Choose Your Small Business Website Builder

There are plenty of website builders out there to choose from, but how do you know which one is right for your business? Here’s a reminder of why I recommend our top five small business website builders:

  1. Shopify is the best small business website builder overall, but it’s ideal for anyone looking to sell online and grow an online store
  2. Wix offers high-quality website features, helping small businesses manage and promote their website
  3. Squarespace is ideal for service-based businesses thanks to its built-in booking tool, Acuity Scheduling
  4. Hostinger’s drag-and-drop editor and AI tools make it easy to get online, so I highly recommend this builder for tech novices and very small businesses
  5. GoDaddy has great social media tools, making it easy for small businesses to showcase their products across channels and engage with customers

Top Tip 💡

Make the most of a builder’s free plan or free trial to test out its features and suitability for your small business. This allows you to build a website without spending a cent, but I highly recommend upgrading to a premium plan once you’re ready to share your website publicly. And, you won’t be able to sell online with any of our top five small business website builders without subscribing to a paid ecommerce plan.

Still struggling to choose the right builder? Take our quick quiz to find a suitable option for you:

What is more important to your small business?

Find Your Builder

How We Test Small Business Website Builders

Our research team have spent over 300 hours conducting in-depth analysis to find the best website builders for small businesses, and I’ve built websites with each of our top choices to share genuine insights and examples with you. Our goal is to deliver data-led recommendations – we cover the good, the bad, and everything in between, so you have all of the facts.

Graphic breaking down Website Builder Expert's ecommerce website builder testing into three steps: conducting business surveys to build a methodology, testing website builders, and finalizing scores
For 2025, we focused on seven core areas of investigation:
  • Sales Features: 30%

We look at the ecommerce features on offer to support your online store, from payment options to abandoned cart recovery.

  • Help and Support: 15%

We test a builder’s contact options and knowledge centers because we know every small business might need a helping hand now and then.

  • User Experience: 15%

We look at a website builder’s ease of use and accessibility by testing the builders ourselves.

  • Website Functionality: 15%

We look at the quality and quantity of a builder’s features, such as SEO, AI, and email marketing.

  • Design Features: 10%

We cover a website builder’s aesthetic capabilities and design options, such as templates and mobile editors.

  • Pricing: 10%

We review a website builder’s pricing plans and what you can get for your money.

  • Reputation: 5%

We see how a website builder performs in the market and against competitors.

Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Small Business Website Builder?

I’ve already shared my recommendations based on your brand’s needs, but my top choice for small businesses is Shopify. Like Wix, it offers a powerful all-in-one solution for small businesses, but Shopify goes the extra mile with its impressive suite of sales tools.

You can see how Shopify compares head-to-head with our other recommended choices: Shopify vs Wix, Shopify vs Squarespace, Shopify vs Hostinger, and Shopify vs GoDaddy.

Written by:
Headshot of Emma Ryan
Emma is Lead Writer at Website Builder Expert, having first joined the team in 2022. She manages the website's topical content strategy to help website owners navigate the highs and lows of being online. Emma also specializes in following the development of leading website builders Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, through hands-on testing and research. Her work and expertise have been featured in Startups.co.uk, Digiday, TechRound, Industry Today, and Digital Information World.
Researched by:
Headshot of Ollie Simpson
Oliver Simpson is a Senior Research Executive at Website Builder Expert, providing objective, in-depth research and ratings on website builders and ecommerce platforms that underpins the recommendations we make across the website. Every website builder review and recommendation you read on Website Builder Expert has been informed using Oliver’s unique research methodology. Whether running first-hand testing with writers or conducting in-depth research into audience needs, industry trends, and product features, Oliver is driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.

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