Whether your project is related to large eCommerce, small sales of your creative works, business or anything else, the success of your enterprise depends highly on your choice of a website builder. This is especially true, if you are a beginner with little or no coding skills.
Modern web design market is overloaded with solutions, each promising easy building processes and a variety of tools. You have to be aware of their main distinctions and features to be able to come up with the best platform and website development strategy in general.
Thus, you won’t go without a set of criteria that will help you pick a full-featured site builder. Here are the major parameters a worthy website builder for beginners should possess:
- Usability. A good website builder should be accessible to users with any level of web development knowledge. It should have a clear interface with a unified dashboard through which even a beginner can quickly find all the needed functions. The core element of any site builder, the editor, should also be easy to use as well.
- Design Flexibility. Your chosen site builder should offer professionally-looking templates. A good platform can offer at least the following: a vast choice of templates designed for various purposes, mobile responsiveness, built-in SEO & security tools, easy customizations.
- Features. Ease of use should not limit your chosen site builder’s functional capability. A worthy platform should additionally offer maintenance simplicity, multifaceted support, adequate pricing, advanced functionality etc.
Finding a website builder that meets all these standards is a tough task. Yet, pay attention to the two most effective solutions in today’s market reviewed below.
Wix – Best Online Website Builder
Wix is the best online website builder that represents an all-in-one solution with the most successful balance of usability and functional power. The site builder has been in service since 2006 and has undergone numerous changes and upgrades. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and flexibility, Wix offers a seamless path to creating a professional-looking website with minimal effort.
Main Features for Beginners
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Wix allows users to intuitively place elements anywhere on their site.
- Wix ADI: The platform creates a personalized website by answering a few simple questions, ideal for those who want a ready-to-go site in minutes.
- Wix App Market: Wix allows extending website functionality with apps for eCommerce, social media, marketing, SEO etc.
- Free Hosting: The system provides free, reliable web hosting for all websites created on its platform. This eliminates the need for users to seek external hosting services, simplifying the website setup process. The free hosting ensures that websites load quickly and remain available online without additional costs.
- A 1-Year Free Domain & a Free SSL Certificate: Wix offers a free domain name for the first year to users who opt for certain premium plans, helping to establish a professional image from the start. Additionally, every Wix website comes with a free SSL certificate, enhancing site security by encrypting data and boosting visitor trust.
- 24/7 Support: The website builder provides round-the-clock customer support to address any questions or issues users may encounter. Support is available through multiple channels, including live chat, phone, and email, ensuring users have access to assistance whenever they need it.
Website Editing
One of the undeniable Wix (my review) highlights is versatility of website editing options. This lets beginners pick that very option that they are ready to cope with. These include:
- Wix Editor: Offers a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface that empowers users to customize their websites intuitively. It allows for the placement of elements anywhere on a page, providing complete creative control over the site’s design.
- Wix ADI: This innovative tool generates a personalized website automatically by asking users a series of questions. It simplifies the website creation process, making it accessible to users with no design experience.
- Velo by Wix: A robust platform for web developers and advanced users who want to create more complex web applications. It combines the ease of Wix with the flexibility of adding custom code, offering extensive API access and advanced functionality.
- Editor X: Targeted at designers and web professionals, Editor X (read the difference with standard editor) offers advanced design capabilities and CSS grid technology. It allows for the creation of responsive websites with precision and control over the layout and visual effects.
- Wix Studio: An in-house solution for users looking to collaborate with professional designers. It connects users with Wix’s design experts to create custom, professionally designed websites tailored to specific needs and branding.
Template Choice
Wix’s template choice stands out for its breadth, customization capabilities and user-friendly nature, making it an excellent starting point for beginners eager to craft a professional and engaging online presence.
With over 800 professionally designed templates, Wix ensures that users across all industries and interests can find a design that perfectly aligns with their vision. These templates are not only visually appealing but also crafted with best practices in web design and user experience in mind.
Each template is fully customizable, letting users tweak the design to their heart’s content without needing to understand coding. Whether you’re looking to launch a portfolio, open an online store, start a blog or establish a presence for your small business, Wix’s templates provide a solid foundation to build upon.
Furthermore, Wix’s templates are categorized by industry and purpose, such as Business, Photography, Music, Online Store etc., making it straightforward for users to navigate and select the most relevant design for their needs. The only demerit is the inability to switch between the themes without content loss. Both beginners and web design pros should be careful when picking the template from scratch.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly with various guided tools;
- Extensive template library catering to various preferences and industries;
- Comprehensive free plan available, ideal for small projects or personal sites;
- Rich App Market;
- Several website editing options.
Cons:
- Inability to change the template;
- The site can become slower with the addition of numerous apps or heavy content;
- Ad display on sites launched with a free plan.
Pricing
Wix is very flexible in terms of pricing. It offers four website plans, three online store/business plans, and customizable enterprise solutions. The website plan prices range from $14 to $159 a month. They include all the basics and are ads-free. When compared with other site builders, all Wix plans offer truly good value for money.
Hostinger Website Builder – Website Builder for Beginners with Hosting
Hostinger website builder – is a full-featured website builder for beginners with hosting. The platform is tailor-made for users stepping into the web design niche as it successfully integrates user-friendly website building capabilities with the reliability of hosting services. Its emphasis on simplicity, coupled with comprehensive features, ensures that even novices can create professional-looking websites without prior web design experience.
Main Features for Beginners
As a simple and affordable solution for beginners, Hostinger comes with the following feature set:
- Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface: The system enables effortless website customization, letting users visually set up their pages without coding skills;
- AI-Powered Design Wizard: Hostinger offers a streamlined setup process by generating a personalized website based on specific user inputs, ideal for beginners looking for guidance;
- Integrated Hosting: The software is known for fast and trusted hosting services that help make sure that projects built with it are both easy to set up and function;
- Mobile Optimization: With Hostinger, all websites automatically adjust to look and perform optimally on any device, addressing the growing mobile audience;
- SEO Tools: The website builder comes with baseline SEO functionalities to help improve website visibility on search engines, a crucial aspect for attracting visitors.
Website Editing
Hostinger features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the process of website development. Users can easily add, move and modify various elements (images, text, buttons etc.) on their web pages. This visual editing approach allows for real-time adjustments, enabling users to instantly see their changes and ensure that their site looks exactly as they need.
Moreover, Hostinger website builder grants access to an array of pre-designed elements and sections, tailored to fit a wide range of content needs – from image galleries and contact forms to social media links and testimonials. These elements can be effortlessly integrated into any page, facilitating a seamless design process while maintaining a professional appearance.
For those looking to refine their site further, Hostinger provides options for customization, including color schemes, font styles, and layout adjustments, offering the flexibility to truly personalize their website while maintaining ease of use and efficiency.
Template Choice
Hostinger offers a curated selection of templates, each designed to be fully responsive and cater to various industries. Although the library may not be as extensive as some other platforms, the available themes are crafted to meet the needs of most beginners, providing quite a professional starting point for any project, be it a portfolio, a blog, a web store, a business site etc.
All Hostinger designs are responsive, affordable and customizable. To set up a project, you can adjust fonts, layouts, color schemes and other related design parameters. You can also preview the selected theme before choosing it for customization. This is how you can see the way your ready-made site will look in the long run.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Combines website builder with reliable hosting in one package.
- Extremely beginner-friendly with an AI design assistant.
- Affordable pricing structure, offering great value.
- Wide range of templates suitable for various industries.
Cons:
- Template variety is somewhat limited compared to competitors;
- Advanced users may find customization options slightly restrictive.
Pricing
Hostinger Website Builder offers a compelling pricing model, especially attractive for beginners. The platform provides a free plan for users to start with basic features, ideal for small projects and personal sites. Premium plans, which are used for website creation, include 2 subscriptions – Premium Website Builder plan ($2.99/mo) and Business Website Builder plan ($3.99/mo). The cost of hosting starts at $2.99 per month.
SITE123 – Best Website Builder for Effortless Setup
SITE123 – is a beginner-focused website builder that prioritizes ease of use and speed of setup. Launched to help non-tech-savvy users establish an online presence, SITE123 delivers a no-frills, straightforward experience with a strong focus on simplicity and quick publishing. It’s an excellent option for users who want to create a functional, attractive website without learning design or coding.
Main Features for Beginners
- Step-by-Step Wizard: SITE123 simplifies the entire website creation process through a structured wizard. Users select their website type, add content, and publish — no design or tech knowledge needed.
- Pre-Configured Layouts: Rather than offering total design freedom, SITE123 provides structured layouts to keep everything clean and user-friendly. This minimizes errors and streamlines the setup for beginners.
- Built-in Tools for SEO & Marketing: The platform includes easy-to-use SEO settings, email marketing features, and social media integrations to help users grow their site.
- Free Hosting & SSL: All SITE123 websites come with free hosting and a free SSL certificate, ensuring reliable uptime and site security.
- Free Subdomain or Custom Domain: Users can use a SITE123 subdomain for free, or connect a custom domain with premium plans.
- 24/7 Live Chat Support: SITE123 excels in offering live chat support around the clock, making it easy for beginners to get help in real-time.
Website Editing
SITE123 (read full review) takes a different approach from freeform builders like Wix. Instead of a full drag-and-drop experience, users work within predefined layouts. This keeps everything aligned and polished, even for users with no design experience.
- Guided Editor: Users follow an intuitive editing flow that focuses on adding content (text, images, videos) into preset blocks. It ensures consistency and reduces design headaches.
- Mobile-Responsive by Default: Every site is automatically optimized for mobile, no additional adjustments needed.
- Multilingual Support: SITE123 supports building websites in multiple languages, a rare feature among basic builders.
While SITE123 may feel restrictive to experienced designers, it provides just enough control for beginners to personalize their site without becoming overwhelmed.
Template Choice
SITE123 offers a library of modern templates organized by industry categories such as Business, Portfolio, Blog, Online Store and more.
- Predefined Designs: Each template is designed with beginner usability in mind, focusing more on structure and clarity than design freedom.
- Auto-Formatting: As content is added, the system automatically formats it to match the chosen style, keeping everything tidy and cohesive.
- Responsive and Fast-Loading: All templates are optimized for performance on both desktop and mobile devices.
Unlike some other builders, templates on SITE123 are not meant to be fully restructured — they’re best for users who want a good-looking site with minimal tweaking.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely beginner-friendly with step-by-step setup;
- Templates with built-in responsive formatting;
- Free hosting, SSL, and subdomain;
- Strong multilingual support;
- Fast live chat support 24/7.
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility — less suitable for advanced users;
- Free plan includes ads and limited storage;
- Cannot switch templates once selected without starting over.
Pricing
SITE123 offers a basic free plan with SITE123-branded ads and limited features, great for testing the platform. Premium plans start at around $12.80/month and include a free domain for one year, higher storage and bandwidth limits, eCommerce capabilities, and removal of ads.
When it comes to quick setup and a hassle-free experience, SITE123 is one of the best choices for beginners who want a beautiful site without touching a single line of code.
Squarespace – Simple DIY Website Builder for Non-Techies
Squarespace – is a simple DIY website builder for non-techies willing to independently set up full-featured professional sites without the need to delve into complex coding nuances. Known for its elegant templates and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Squarespace simplifies the website creation process, making it accessible for everyone.
Main Features for Beginners
Whatever type of website you plan to set up with Squarespace, being aware of its major features is what you should start with:
- Drag-and-Drop Building Tools: Squarespace’s editor allows users to visually compose their pages, making website building straightforward and enjoyable;
- Responsive Design: Every template is responsive, ensuring that sites look great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones;
- Scheduling and Reservations: Squarespace comes with appointment booking and reservations features one can easily integrate into a website. Its Acuity Scheduling platform, Google maps integration option, abundance of customizable online forms and marketing tools make it a great choice for beginners;
- Built-in SEO Tools: Squarespace includes essential SEO tools to help users optimize their site for search engines, increasing visibility without the need for expert knowledge;
- Social Media Integration: Easily link your website to your social media profiles and display content from Instagram, Twitter, and more, enhancing online presence and connectivity.
Website Editing
Editing a website on Squarespace does not take much time due to its user-friendly interface that caters to beginners. The platform features a balanced blend of simplicity and functionality, enabling users to insert, customize and style various content blocks (text, images, videos) with ease.
Squarespace’s Style Editor empowers users to customize their website’s design down to the finest detail, ensuring their online presence is not only unique but also true to their brand identity. With an intuitive interface, the Style Editor allows for adjustments in fonts, colors, spacing and other design elements across the site, offering a seamless experience even for those without any background in design.
This level of customization ensures that every Squarespace website can stand out with its own visual language, providing users with the flexibility to bring their creative visions to life while maintaining the platform’s signature elegance and simplicity.
Template Choice
Squarespace (my review) has quite an impressive collection of templates. Their number is not large yet each theme is responsive, customizable and professionally-designed. If you need to switch the selected design for some reason, you can do that any time without content loss here. Unlike its numerous competitors, Squarespece allows doing that with ease.
The website builder comes with a convenient preview feature that lets you see the way your project will look on different devices after it is live. If needed, you can make edits on any stage of the template customization process.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality, design-forward templates;
- Comprehensive suite of built-in tools and settings, eliminating the need for numerous external plugins;
- Multifaceted customer support with live chat, documentation, video tutorials etc.
Cons:
- Slightly higher learning curve compared to other beginner-focused builders due to the depth of customization options;
- Limited third-party app integrations compared to competitors;
- Higher pricing compared to competitors.
Pricing
Squarespace offers a transparent pricing model, with plans provided at fixed cost. Starting with the Personal plan, prices begin at $16 per month when billed annually, offering a suite of essential features for simple websites. Business and Commerce plans are more expensive, costing up to $49 per month. They include eCommerce tools, marketing solutions and unlimited contributors, providing scalability for growing businesses. If you have the desire to test the software before upgrading to one of the premium plans, you can do that at no cost for 14 days.
Jimdo – Full-Featured AI Website Builder for Non-Coders
Jimdo empowers users with its AI-driven website builder, creating personalized websites based on user responses to a few simple questions. This unique approach simplifies the design process, making it ideal for beginners and those short on time. Beyond its AI capabilities, Jimdo offers conventional drag-and-drop tools, a selection of responsive templates, and built-in SEO features. Its emphasis on ease of use, fast website creation, and mobile optimization makes Jimdo a suitable choice for freelancers, small businesses and personal projects seeking a hassle-free web presence.
Main Features for Beginners
If this is the first time you explore Jimdo website builder, have a look at its major features below:
- Ease of Use: Jimdo uses a WYSIWYG editor that makes it incredibly simple for beginners to design their website by dragging and dropping elements onto the page;
- AI Website Builder: As an AI-powered website builder, Jimdo lets you use the power of Artificial Intelligence to easily set up a project. What you need is just to answer a series of questions about your website to let the system automatically create a website in minutes. This is an ideal solution for novices;
- Mobile Management: Users can create and edit their websites directly from their smartphones using the Jimdo mobile app, which is intuitive and user-friendly;
- eCommerce and Blogging: With Jimdo, you can create small/medium online stores as well as blogs. The system offers the required feature set to do this;
- Multilingual Support: Classic Jimdo version comes with multilingual support that currently allows creating websites in 8 languages;
- Logo Creator: The website builder makes it possible to design and integrate a logo into your website – either personal or business – to make it stand out from the crowd.
Website Editing
When working with Jimdo, users can use a visual editor along with the drag-and-drop feature. If needed, you can add new pages, integrate social media buttons and update content with just a few clicks. The editor also allows for customization of colors, fonts and layouts, giving users some freedom to personalize their sites without overwhelming them with too many choices.
Web page structure can be easily changed by clicking on specific content areas and moving them where required. It is possible to immediately add images, galleries, buttons, products, tables, videos and other elements.
Additionally, Jimdo lets you work with Adobe Creative SDK image editor. It allows adjusting lots of images at a time by applying various effects, using automatic enhancement, adding frames and colors etc. You can use the editor even on your smartphone, which is an advantage in itself.
Template Choice
Jimdo offers over 30 pre-designed templates that are modern and responsive, meaning they automatically adjust to look good on any device. You can also change page block structure, upload your own themes, edit standard ones with HTML/CSS editors, activate mobile versions of selected themes, edit color schemes etc.
However, compared to some competitors, the variety and flexibility of these themes might feel limited. For user convenience, templates are sorted into categories like business, store, blog and portfolio, making it easier for users to find a style that suits their vision.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly, particularly with the AI builder;
- On-the-go website editing and updating;
- Affordable pricing with a robust free plan;
- Professional responsive themes;
- Two website builder options;
- No coding required;
- eCommerce, blogging, marketing features;
- Logo Creator;
- Multilingual support etc.
Cons:
- Limited creative freedom compared to more advanced builders;
- Template options are somewhat restricted;
- Baseline eCommerce tools;
- No restoring function;
- SEO settings available on a Business plan only;
- Pricing is above average.
Pricing
Jimdo offers flexible pricing. It currently includes two types of subscriptions – Website and Online Store. Website subscriptions include 3 plans – a free one (Play Plan) and two paid options (Start – $11/mo and Grow – $17/mo). Online Shop subscriptions include 2 plans – Business and VIP. Their price constitutes $21 and $28 per month correspondingly. All premium plans are ad-free and come with the domain name connection feature, contact forms, image library, email address and other advantages.
Mobirise – Full-Featured Offline Website Builder
Mobirise is a full-featured downloadable software designed for beginners who prefer working offline. The platform offers a straightforward approach to the process of website creation without the need for an internet connection, catering to users who value privacy, control and the flexibility to work anywhere, anytime. Ideal for small businesses, freelancers and personal projects, Mobirise simplifies the web design process with its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
Main Features for Beginners
As an offline software, Mobirise offers a list of features and tools that help you set up and manage a quality website with no coding skills required:
- Offline Functionality: Work on your website from anywhere without needing an internet connection, a standout feature for users on the go or with limited online access;
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Easily add, move, and customize elements on your pages with no coding required, making website building accessible and hassle-free;
- Bootstrap-Based Templates: Benefit from a wide range of responsive, mobile-friendly templates built on the reliable Bootstrap framework;
- Pre-Designed Blocks: Utilize various pre-designed blocks for quick page assembly, including headers, galleries, sliders, and more, streamlining the website creation process;
- AI Content: Just like its multiple competitors, Mobirise has recently introduced the opportunity to generate content for your web page, starting with a simple text prompt. You can write in any language, while the text will be ready within a few minutes.
Website Editing
Mobirise allows for easy website editing, which includes addition, deletion and rearrangement of content blocks on a webpage. Such an approach to website construction makes it possible for users with little to no coding knowledge to create professional-looking sites with minimal effort.
The system is built around the concept of “building blocks”, providing a wide array of pre-designed components like text, images, headers, footers, galleries and sliders. Users can simply select the required blocks and customize them to suit their website’s theme and objectives. This customization extends to styling options like color schemes, font choices, and button styles, enabling a high degree of personalization while maintaining simplicity in the design process.
An additional advantage of Mobirise is its offline functionality, letting users download the software and work on their projects without an internet connection. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who need to work on the go or in areas with unreliable internet access. Once a website is completed, it can be published directly to a local drive, FTP, or hosted on Mobirise’s platform, offering flexibility in how and where the finished product is deployed.
Template Choice
Mobirise offers an extensive library of templates and themes, catering to various industries and personal preferences. Each template is designed to be fully responsive, ensuring that websites look impeccable on all devices.
While the base software comes with a selection of free templates, Mobirise also provides access to more advanced, premium templates through their marketplace, allowing users to further expand their design options.
Currently, this collection includes over 9000 blocks in free and premium themes and page templates based on the latest web design trends. A set of customization tools is available here as well.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Complete offline functionality that offers unparalleled flexibility;
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface ideal for beginners;
- Extensive library of responsive templates and pre-designed blocks.
Cons:
- As an offline tool, Mobirise lacks the cloud-based collaboration features of online platforms;
- Updates and support might not be as prompt as with online website builders;
- Advanced features and a wider variety of templates require additional purchases.
Pricing
Mobirise is initially a free software that can be downloaded and installed at no cost. While the basic version comes with enough features to create a simple, stylish website, advanced functionalities, and a broader selection of templates are available through paid extensions and themes. A user has an opportunity to additionally pay for premium templates, hosting and extensions. However, there is a good opportunity to save big by purchasing the Website Builder Kit at $149. It includes over 9900 content blocks, 211 premium templates and other perks.
Other Platforms
Along with the full-featured website builders reviewed above, it makes sense to quickly describe several other platforms that were created with the needs and skills of beginners in mind. Here they go.
WordPress
WordPress is the best CMS for creating sites that started as a blogging platform in 2006 and has now evolved into the most powerful content management system in the market. The software ensures unprecedented freedom of setting up and managing websites. Newbies, however, should keep in mind that WordPress use implies at least a baseline coding background to make the website creation process a success. So, if you are not ready to explore web design basics, you may pick a simpler alternative.
Weebly
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to design and publish their websites without any prior coding knowledge. It provides a variety of customizable templates suited for different purposes, from personal blogs to online stores. Weebly (my review) also includes powerful eCommerce tools, SEO guidance, and mobile-responsive designs, alongside access to a comprehensive app center that enhances website functionality. Its simplicity, combined with robust features, makes Weebly an attractive option for small business owners and hobbyists alike.
Web.com
Web.com provides a comprehensive suite of website building and hosting services tailored for small businesses and beginners looking to make their mark online. The platform features an easy-to-use website builder with customizable templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and a variety of design options to help users craft the perfect website. Web.com also offers marketing and SEO tools, domain registration, and eCommerce solutions, ensuring that businesses have everything they need to grow their online presence. With dedicated customer support and affordable pricing, Web.com aims to demystify the website creation process for newcomers.
Verdict
Starting a quality website is always a challenge. The problem becomes more urgent, when you are a beginner. Website builders reviewed in the article can simplify the process, offering a number of features and tools to comply with your actual goals.
Wix proves to be a top contender for its blend of ease of use, comprehensive features, and vast template selection, making it an excellent all-around choice for beginners who also value flexibility in design. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, coupled with the innovative Wix ADI, offers a smooth entry point into website creation.
Hostinger Website Builder stands out for its affordability and the inclusion of hosting, presenting a cost-effective option for beginners. Its simplicity and range of templates offer a straightforward path to getting online quickly, though with some limitations in advanced customization.
Squarespace is the go-to for those who prioritize aesthetics, offering stylish, designer-made templates and robust eCommerce and SEO features. It suits creatives and small business owners looking to craft visually stunning websites with minimal fuss, albeit at a slightly higher price point.
Jimdo comes as a full-featured website builder that offers two editing options – classic editor and AI website builder. It also includes a list of features that let newbies set up, manage and customize personal and business websites with no coding required.
Mobirise offers a unique proposition with its offline editing capabilities, appealing to users who prefer to work without an internet connection or wish to have full control over their site’s files. It’s particularly suited for those who value privacy and autonomy in the web design process.
To sum it all up, the choice should go down to individual needs, tech comfort level and long-term goals. Wix and Squarespace are excellent for those seeking ease of use and design excellence right out of the box. Hostinger Website Builder offers great value for users looking for an affordable, all-in-one solution. Jimdo is a great sample of the AI-powered software, while Mobirise caters to those seeking an offline solution.