Website Hosting

Choosing a Website Builder

Starting a website is much easier and cheaper than it used to be thanks to the wide variety of user-friendly, DIY web builders available today. We’ve compiled a list of website builders above, highlighting the features each one offers.

When choosing a website builder, you should first think about the type of site you want to create and the functionality you need. Below are some key factors to consider to help you pick the right one for your personal or business website.

Consider the Software Features

There are many website builders to choose from, but the best option depends on which features matter most to you.

• Wix and Squarespace are great for simplicity.

• Wix and Web.com offer excellent stock images and photo editing tools.

• Squarespace and Shopify provide world-class ecommerce solutions.

If you mainly want a hosting platform for WordPress or another CMS, iPage or FatCow may suit you better.

A Great Website Deserves a Great Template

Templates are the backbone of your website — they define menus, colors, layout, and design. Good builders have a wide range of templates, but quality is just as important as quantity. For example:

• Wix and Network Solutions offer fewer templates, but they’re very well-designed.

• Squarespace is known for beautiful, high-quality templates.

To Pay or Not to Pay?

Free builders are budget-friendly, but usually come with limitations:

• You can’t connect your own domain.

• You’ll have company ads on your site.

Paid builders cost more but give you:

• More storage and bandwidth.

• Better tools.

• Your own domain and no ads.

How to Reduce Costs

Here are 10 ways to save money when building a site:

1. Pick a domain that isn’t already taken.

2. Choose a cheaper extension (.com or .net instead of .inc).

3. Compare hosting plans carefully.

4. Use free or cheap builders to start.

5. Take advantage of free plugins and tools.

6. Go for shared hosting if traffic is low.

7. Learn basic web design to reduce outsourcing.

8. Plan your site carefully to avoid extra costs.

9. Review subscriptions and cancel what you don’t use.

10. Look for discounts during sales like Black Friday.

The Brand is Important, Too

Trust matters when choosing a builder. Many companies have been around for decades:

• Register.com (since 1994)

• Web.com (since 1995)

• GoDaddy (since 1997)

• Network Solutions (since 1979)

They’ve also earned awards and recognition. For example, BigCommerce and GoDaddy have won Stevie awards, while Squarespace has collected multiple Webby Awards.

Looking for Design Services?

Builders like Wix, Web.com, and Network Solutions also offer affordable Do It for Me (DIFM) web design services.

If you run an online store, BigCommerce connects you with vetted design partners so you can find the right fit for your brand.

Don’t Forget About Google

For visibility, SEO is key. Look for builders that let you:

• Edit meta tags, titles, and alt text.

• Create XML/HTML sitemaps.

• Use clean, search-friendly URLs.

Wix and Web.com are excellent for SEO. Web.com even offers expert SEO services (paid).

Hosting and Domain Bundles

Your hosting is like your digital “land.” Many builders include hosting and let you connect your own domain.

• Squarespace gives a free domain with yearly plans.

• Weebly and Web.com offer unlimited storage and bandwidth.

Be aware: unmetered doesn’t always mean unlimited. Heavy traffic could still slow down your site.

Advantages of Using a Website Builder

Hiring a designer can cost $1,000–$8,000, and changes take time and money. A builder is cheaper, faster, and gives you full control.

For example, Wix has 500+ templates, customizable fonts, galleries, and apps you can easily integrate. You control everything from buttons to colors.

What to Consider When Choosing a Platform

Ask yourself:

• What type of site do I need?

• What features are most important?

• Will I sell products, and how many?

• What’s the overall vibe of my brand?

Ease of Use

Try a builder’s free trial to see which feels most intuitive. Some also allow coding access for more control.

Ecommerce

If you expect growth, choose a builder that can handle more bookings, sales, or products as you expand.

Templates

Make sure the builder offers enough templates for your industry — e.g., restaurants, blogs, or online stores.

Features

Good builders include:

• Setup wizards

• Drag-and-drop interface

• SEO tools

• Email marketing

• Analytics

• Ecommerce tools

• Social media integration

• Mobile responsiveness

• Mobile editing options

Site Speed & Tech Support

Fast loading and 24/7 support are important if you’re managing the site yourself. Pricing also matters, but don’t sacrifice quality for cost.

Is a Free Builder Worth It?

Free plans are great for testing but come with limits like less storage, slower speeds, and fewer SEO tools. They’re fine for a simple site but not ideal for ecommerce or large projects.

Paid upgrades (like Wix premium plans) give you more bandwidth, storage, analytics, and tools to grow at your own pace.