Creating a website has never been easier, thanks to pre-built templates and other cool features. These platforms are easy to use and eliminate the need for coding to build an amazing website.
But here’s the tricky part: with so many options out there (and all claiming to be the best), how do you choose?
That’s where this list comes in.
In this article, we’ll review the top website builders for 2024 to help you figure out which platform is right for you.
But first, let’s list some must-have features of a good website builder.
Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the top website builders available today, offering tons of beautiful templates for any type of website you can imagine. Building a website has never been so easy!
Key Features to Look for in a Website Builder
Certain features make a platform stand out – like Squarespace’s new Refresh 2024 update – but there are some essential features that every website builder should offer.
1. Ease of Use
A good website builder should be intuitive and user-friendly, even if you have zero technical experience. Drag-and-drop editors, pre-built templates, and clear navigation are must-haves for a seamless experience.
The last thing you want is to spend hours trying to figure out how to make basic changes.
2. Design Flexibility
While templates are great for getting started, you’ll probably want the platform to be flexible, so you can customize your site’s design as per your requirements.
Look for a platform that allows you to change layouts, colors, fonts, and other elements easily. Mobile responsiveness is also crucial, as most visitors will browse your site from their phones or tablets.
3. E-commerce Capabilities
If you’re planning to sell products or services online, you’ll need a website builder that supports e-commerce.
Features like shopping carts, secure payment gateways, inventory management, and product pages are essential. Some builders like Shopify even offer integrated tools to manage orders and shipping.
4. SEO Tools
A visually appealing and functional website is great, but it’s useless if no one can find it. That’s why SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools are a critical feature.
Look for website builders that allow you to easily edit meta tags, create sitemaps, and optimize images – some features that help your site rank better in search engine results.
5. Customer Support
Even with the best tools, you may need help at some point. Good customer support can make a big difference in your experience with a website builder.
Make sure the platform you choose offers reliable and accessible support options, like live chat, email, or a forum where you can post your query and get help from the community.
6. Pricing
Finally, consider your budget. Many website builders offer free versions or trials, but to unlock advanced features like e-commerce or custom domains, you’ll need to invest in a paid plan.
Compare pricing tiers and the value they offer to ensure you’re getting the best deal. It’s fine if you have to pay a bit more for better features, but make sure you get value for your money.
The Top 5 Website Builders for 2024
Now that we’ve covered the key features you should look for, let’s dive into the top website builders for 2024. Each of these platforms has its strengths, so the right one for you depends on your specific needs.
1. Squarespace
Squarespace continues to be a standout in the world of website builders, especially with its Refresh 2024 update.
The platform is known for its sleek, modern designs and ease of use, and offers a wide range of beautiful templates, perfect for creatives and small businesses alike. Its drag-and-drop builder makes customization easy, while still allowing you to tweak details like fonts, colors, and layouts.
Key Features
With the Refresh 2024 update, Squarespace has raised the bar quite high. The platform now offers tools to help you create a personalized website that truly reflects your brand.
One of the standout additions in this update is Squarespace Blueprint AI, a smart design assistant that takes the guesswork out of building a beautiful site.
All you need to do is provide some basic info about your brand, and Blueprint AI does the rest: generating personalized designs and content based on your industry and style. This blend of AI and design expertise ensures your site looks (and performs) exceptional from the get-go.
1. Design Flexibility
With one-click layout and styling presets, users can quickly experiment with different designs, while Design Intelligence ensures consistency across the site.
2. E-commerce Capabilities
Squarespace supports ACH direct deposit and Klarna for flexible payments, with Squarespace Payments now available in Canada and the UK. It also includes features like subscriptions and local delivery to help businesses build customer loyalty.
3. Business Tools
New Client Invoicing allows users to create professional documents and manage payments via ACH direct debit. Enhanced marketing tools, like audience segmentation and customizable emails, make customer engagement easier.
4. SEO and Marketing
Squarespace’s AI-generated copy improves SEO, and the platform integrates with the Unfold app for creating social media content that matches your brand.
Best For
Squarespace is perfect for anyone who wants a professional, beautifully designed website without the hassle of complex coding.
Whether you’re a creative looking to showcase your portfolio, a business owner setting up an online store, or an entrepreneur managing clients, the new AI-powered tools and expanded features make it a top choice for 2024.
Get started with Squarespace today!
2. Wix
Wix is one of the most versatile website builders, offering great flexibility in design, features, and apps for users who want a platform that grows with their needs.
Key Features
Wix’s drag-and-drop editor allows for nearly unlimited customization. Users can choose from hundreds of pre-designed templates and modify everything from fonts to background videos. For advanced users, Velo by Wix allows custom coding.
1. AI Website Builder
Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) quickly builds personalized websites based on user input. It’s perfect for those who want to get online fast without focusing too much on design.
2. E-commerce Capabilities
Wix supports product galleries, inventory management, and secure checkout. Integrations with Printful and other services make it easy to sell custom merchandise.
3. SEO and Marketing
Wix’s SEO Wiz helps optimize websites with custom URLs, meta tags, and step-by-step SEO guidance. The App Market offers tools for email marketing, social media, and CRM integration.
Best For
Wix is ideal for users who want complete creative control without the need to know how to code. It’s particularly well-suited for those who want to integrate multimedia, blogs, and e-commerce features on a single site.
3. WordPress
WordPress.com is a highly customizable platform, ideal for users who need advanced scalability. Though it has a steeper learning curve, its extensive library of plugins and themes provides a wide range of options for creating almost any type of website.
Key Features
WordPress is built on a content management system (CMS), making it perfect for blogs, content-heavy sites, and business websites. With thousands of free and premium themes, many of which are customizable, it can be tailored to meet almost any need.
1. Plugins and Customization
WordPress stands out with its plugin ecosystem, allowing users to add forums, membership sites, SEO tools, and more. Its flexibility makes it suitable for businesses expecting their websites to grow with them.
2. E-commerce Capabilities
WordPress integrates with WooCommerce, providing a customizable e-commerce solution for selling both physical and digital products. It supports various payment gateways, inventory management, taxes, and shipping.
3. SEO and Marketing
WordPress is well-known for its SEO capabilities as it comes with plugins like Yoast SEO. Users can also track performance using Google Analytics and other third-party tools.
Best For
WordPress is ideal for bloggers, businesses with complex content needs, and anyone who requires extensive customization and scalability.
4. Shopify
Shopify will continue to dominate the e-commerce world in 2024, and for good reason. It’s an easy-to-use platform that’s perfect for anyone looking to sell online.
Key Features
Shopify is built specifically for e-commerce, with features like inventory management, product listings, and order tracking. Its clean and intuitive interface allows beginners to set up functional, attractive stores.
1. Design Flexibility
Shopify offers a range of pre-built and customizable templates to suit different industries and styles. Users can adjust layouts, fonts, colors, and more, allowing for a tailored design that fits your brand without needing to code.
2. E-commerce Capabilities
Shopify goes beyond the basics with tools like abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling (integrating with Amazon and social media platforms), and comprehensive analytics. Shopify Payments supports multiple currencies and payment methods for international payments.
3. Apps and Customization
Shopify’s App Store has over 8,000 apps that enhance store functionality. These include marketing tools like Klaviyo and Smile.io for loyalty programs.
Best For
Shopify is ideal for entrepreneurs and businesses focused on e-commerce, offering powerful tools to help grow online stores quickly and efficiently.
Our Verdict
Our top pick for 2024 is Squarespace, because of its AI-driven design tools, ease of use, and robust e-commerce features. It’s perfect for those wanting a sleek, professional site without much hassle.
However, other options are also great: Wix excels in customization, WordPress is ideal for content-heavy businesses, and Shopify remains a strong choice for growing online stores.
Ultimately, the best platform depends on your specific needs.
