How to choose a website builder: A complete guide

Whether for a side hustle, a personal project, or a small business, it’s now easier than ever to create a stunning website without any coding skills. But with so many website builders out there, how do you choose the right one?

A good site builder can help boost your search engine rankings, give you the creative freedom to impress visitors, and equip you with the features to achieve your goals.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the right choice. We’ll cover what to consider before choosing a website builder, seven essential features to compare across different platforms, and some of the most popular options you should explore.

What to consider before choosing a website builder

Finding the best website builder starts with understanding your abilities and what you want to achieve.

Your website’s purpose

To find the right website builder, identify your website’s objective. Different website types have unique needs that influence which platform is best.

Small business websites

These information-focused business sites need professional layouts, effective contact methods, location maps, and mobile-friendly design.

Look for platforms that offer clear navigation, easy customization for brand consistency, and SEO features such as on-page optimization to ensure your site is easily found by search engines.

Ecommerce websites

Online stores require secure payment options, product management features, product pages, and shipping calculators.

Choose platforms that make it easy to add products, manage inventory, let you add coupons, and have clear pricing around transaction fees.

Portfolio websites

Showcasing your professional work requires client testimonial sections, flexible contact forms, and a project gallery with filtering options.

Find builders with flexible layouts such as grids, full-page sliders, and vertical scrolling, and ensure your work stands out with high quality image and video capabilities.

Blogs

Content-focused sites need simple posting and editing features, commenting functions, social sharing buttons, and content scheduling.

Pick platforms with simple commenting systems, easy social sharing options, ways to organize posts with tags, and a variety of layouts to help your blog stand out.

Personal websites

These websites for self-expression require flexible layouts, personal branding options, social media tools, and easy maintenance.

Regardless of why you’re creating a website, choose a user-friendly builder with minimal learning curve and flexible customization options to cater to your particular needs.

Your technical skills

Evaluating your technical ability is not just about what you already know – it’s about how much time and energy you’re ready to invest in building your website.

Assess your tech comfort level

Knowing your comfort zone will help you decide between a beginner-friendly platform and a more advanced one that allows for greater customization.

• Do you primarily use technology for browsing and basic tasks? 
• Are you comfortable with apps and software but new to website building? 
• Or are you tech-savvy and eager to explore settings and features?

Understand different website builder options

No-code builders are great for beginners and make building your site simple with drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates. Learning these platforms is quick and straightforward, similar to getting the hang of a new social media app.

Low-code platforms offer slightly more advanced features, providing customizable templates and optional code editors for more control. If you’re already comfortable with some aspects of website building, then this might be a good option.

For tech-savvy users, code-friendly platforms offer full access to customization of every detail. Even with coding experience, these platforms all have unique features, so give yourself time to explore the architecture, hooks, and templating system.

Budget considerations

Your budget is a major factor in choosing a site builder, so factor in the total investment, not just the monthly fee.

Many platforms offer attractive first-year discounts that don’t apply upon renewal, so make sure to understand the long-term costs.

Remember that some platforms charge for advanced features via add-ons, and certain platforms also have transaction fees, which affect your total cost.

Carefully check each plan for essential features to avoid unexpected costs and ensure the total long-term investment matches your budget.

Growth plans

A website builder should offer the features you need as your website grows.

Consider how easily you can expand your website with new sections and content types and whether a site builder offers more complex features you might need in the future, such as appointment scheduling or customer portals.

The best platform isn’t necessarily the one that perfectly meets your current needs but one that can adapt to your requirements over the long term.

Popular website builders compared

Now, let’s compare the top website builders, breaking down their key features so you can find the right match for your needs and goals.

	Price	Features	Best for
Hostinger Website Builder	From $2.99/month	Advanced AI tools, beginner-friendly, excellent customer support	Beginners, small business owners, individuals
Wix	From $17/month	Simple editor, extensive templates, app marketplace	Small business owners
Squarespace	From $16/month	Drag-and-drop editor, SEO tools, content management system	Creative professionals
Shopify	From $29/month	Product management, app marketplace, multi-channel selling	Ecommerce store owners

Hostinger Website Builder

• Key features: AI-powered tools, beginner-friendly interface, fully responsive templates, free domain
• Best for: Beginners, small business owners, and individuals who want cost-effective solutions
• Pricing: From $2.99/month

Hostinger Website Builder is a user-friendly platform that helps you create professional websites without coding skills.

Featuring an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, mobile responsive templates, and lighting-fast performance, it is an ideal option for beginners and anyone seeking value for money.

The impressive suite of AI tools sets Hostinger Website Builder apart. It includes:

• An AI website builder that can create a complete site in minutes based on your description. 
• Kodee, your AI assistant built into the dashboard to help you improve your website.
• Content generators that help with writing blog posts, general content, and product descriptions.
• Heatmaps and SEO tools to help you understand how to improve user experience.
• A logo maker and an image generator to give your website a professional and visually appealing touch.

Another helpful feature you will appreciate is the round-the-clock customer support in 80+ languages and the comprehensive documentation.

Something else unique about Hostinger Website Builder is its versatility. You can create personal blogs, business sites, online stores, and portfolio websites. This versatility allows you to test and build anything you want.

Wix

• Key features: Simple editor, over 500 customizable templates, app marketplace for additional functionality
• Best for: Small business owners
• Pricing: From $17/month

Wix is a website builder platform that lets you create professional sites without knowing how to code.

It features a simple drag-and-drop editor, hundreds of customizable templates, online store capabilities, and AI design tools.

Although Wix offers a free plan, it includes Wix branding and limited features, restricting your ability to explore its capabilities thoroughly. Also, changing templates after you’ve built your site is difficult, making it less convenient to experiment with different designs.

Squarespace

• Key features: Drag-and-drop editor, built-in SEO tools, content management system
• Best for: Creative professionals
• Pricing: From $16/month

Squarespace helps people build visually appealing websites without coding knowledge, making it a favorite choice for photographers, designers, and artists.

The platform offers modern templates with a drag-and-drop editor and tools for online stores and search visibility.

On the downside, its structured layout gives it less design freedom, and the editor’s learning curve is slightly steeper than other website builders.

Shopify

• Key features: Inventory management, app marketplace for extended functionality, multi-channel selling capabilities
• Best for: Ecommerce store owners
• Pricing: From $29/month

Shopify is an ecommerce website builder that helps entrepreneurs create and run online stores with simple tools for building websites, processing payments, and managing orders.

It offers many customizable templates, thousands of add-on apps to expand features, and systems for selling online and in physical stores.

While Shopify can grow with your online store, it charges transaction fees when not using Shopify Payments, and you’re dependent on external apps for advanced features.

Essential features to compare

Each site builder has its own strengths, so it’s important to evaluate what really matters for your website specifically.

Focus on these seven essential features to find the platform that best fits your needs and goals.

Ease of use

A user-friendly platform helps you launch your site quickly and maintain it easily.

Drag-and-drop functionality

If you want to build your site without coding, choose a platform with a drag-and-drop editor.

You can easily arrange text blocks, images, buttons, and other elements exactly where you want them and see what your website looks like in real-time.

Learning resources

Even the most intuitive platforms have a learning curve.

Compare each platform’s resources, including tutorials and step-by-step guides, knowledge base articles, direct customer support options, and even AI assistants.

Time investment

Think about how much time you want to spend building and maintaining your site.

Some platforms are simpler but offer fewer customization options, while others give you more control but take longer to learn. Decide if you want a simple solution or prefer spending time on customization.

Design flexibility

Another important consideration when choosing a website builder is the quality and variety of templates available.

Template selection

Some platforms offer hundreds of options, while others focus on fewer but more specific templates.

Consider what type of designs you would consider using, whether templates look modern and professional, and the variety of layouts for different pages, such as home, contact, and gallery.

You might even want a website-building platform that uses AI to create a personalized template for you.

Customization options

Is it simple to rearrange sections? What background options are available? Can advanced users add code for detailed changes?

If you have specific design ideas, look for flexibility. If you prefer simplicity, choose a builder with well-designed templates requiring minimal changes.

Ecommerce capabilities

For online stores, ensure your website builder has the ecommerce features you need for a seamless experience.

Product management features

The best platforms allow you to easily list your products, create variations for sizes and colors, and display them in attractive galleries that customers can easily browse.

Check if the builder has AI tools that help you write good product titles and descriptions and make it easy to list more products.

For example, Hostinger has a feature that lets you upload a product image, and AI crafts a relevant title and description.

Payment processing options

When comparing payment options, look for website builders that support popular systems like PayPal and Stripe. This allows customers to pay in trusted ways.

Ensure the platform lets customers check out without too many hurdles and offers subscription options if you plan to sell memberships.

Inventory and shipping tools

Look for website builders that automatically track your stock and alert you when items run low.

The best platforms have tools that help to calculate shipping costs and work with major shipping companies to make sending orders easier.

Look for time-saving features like printing shipping labels directly from your website, which becomes more valuable as your business grows.

Mobile responsiveness

How your website looks on mobile devices can significantly impact your online success.

A mobile-responsive website automatically adjusts layouts, images, and menus to look professional on phones, tablets, and computers.

Check if website builders prioritize and make this simple for you. For example, some platforms let you quickly preview how your site looks on different devices while editing.

SEO tools

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) involves identifying relevant keywords and optimizing your website to improve its search engine ranking, ensuring your target audience can easily find you.

When looking at SEO features, focus on website builders that make search optimization easy, even if you’re not an expert.

Built-in SEO tools

The best platforms include built-in SEO tools, such as automatic sitemap generation, keyword suggestions, and analytics.

Some platforms also have AI tools that help write meta titles, meta descriptions, and SEO-friendly content.

Technical SEO considerations

Beyond the basics, look for platforms that handle technical details like proper URL redirects and offer page speed tools and SSL certificates.

The more behind-the-scenes SEO work the builder does, the easier it is for you to focus on your project rather than worrying about these technical details.

Customer support

The quality of customer support is also a significant consideration when choosing a site builder. After all, you need to know if someone has your back when you need help.

Look for platforms that provide quick assistance through live chat, email, and phone when you prefer talking to someone directly.

Clear resources like knowledge bases and step-by-step guides are also helpful if you want to solve issues on your own.

Some platforms like Hostinger offer AI assistants within your builder dashboard, offering effective support right where you need it.

Pricing and plans

Every website builder offers different plans with varying features.

Free vs. paid plans

Free plans are great for testing a builder’s capabilities, but they typically include the builder’s branding on your site and limit what you can do. Premium plans unlock more marketing and SEO tools, ecommerce functions, and create a professional look.

Think of a free plan as a test phase rather than a long-term solution. While these limitations might be acceptable for personal projects, businesses should consider whether they are worth the restrictions.

Understanding pricing structures

Most website builders offer tiered monthly pricing, with significant discounts for annual payments.

To find your best match, list your must-have features, such as ecommerce tools or AI functions, and see which plans include these essentials.

Value assessment

For an accurate cost comparison, consider expenses for domain names, transaction fees, business email hosting, and other add-ons for special features.

The best option is often the plan that includes everything you need without charging for extras you won’t use.

Choose a solution that works for your current needs but allows room to grow so you won’t need to switch platforms later.

How to make your final decision

After comparing several top website builders, it’s time to narrow down your options and select the platform that will bring your website idea to life.

Test free trials

Free trials offer the perfect opportunity to test website builders before committing.

Plan your trial strategy

With most website builders offering up to 14 days to explore, you’ll need to plan how to maximize your free trial period.

Schedule a few dedicated testing sessions, quickly list pages you want to build, and gather your images and text beforehand.

For better comparison, try testing multiple platforms at the same time so you can easily spot the differences.

What to test

Test key features instead of just clicking around randomly.

Check design flexibility by picking a template you like, changing colors and layouts, and seeing how much you can easily customize to fit your needs.

For content management, practice adding text, uploading pictures, creating forms, and updating content.

While testing, ensure your site looks good on different devices by testing out the preview function.

Evaluation checklist

Rate each platform based on these factors:

• How quickly did you figure things out?
• Did you feel confident after each session?
• How many times did you feel stuck?
• Did you enjoy the building process?
• Are you happy with how your test site looks?

Answering these questions can help you determine the best website builder for your needs.

Read user reviews

Reviews from other users can give you valuable insights when choosing your website builder.

Find reliable reviews

Look for reviews on reliable platforms like:

• Independent review sites. Trustpilot and G2 are great places to collect feedback from verified users.
• YouTube tutorials. Watch people using the platform and demonstrating the features.
• Reddit communities. Groups like r/WebsiteBuilder offer honest opinions from real users.

Red flags to watch for

Pay attention to warning signs that could reveal problems with a website builder.

These can include complaints about slow customer service, hidden fees, or trouble canceling subscriptions.

Also, look for multiple users who mention being frustrated by limited customization options, as this could prevent you from creating your desired website.

What to consider

Check the reviews from users with similar goals to yours and pay attention to features that multiple users praise.

Focus on finding patterns rather than isolated comments and check that the feedback is recent.

For example, recent reviews about Hostinger praise our customer service. When reviews become a pattern like this, you can be confident it’s not a coincidence.

Evaluate support quality

Let’s explore how to thoroughly assess support options before making your final decision.

Test support before purchase

Ask specific questions about your planned features to see how helpful and responsive they are.

Try multiple channels at different times and take note of both response times and the quality of help you receive.

Evaluate knowledge base

A thorough knowledge base shows that a platform wants to help users help themselves. Check it by testing how easily you can search for answers and ensure documentation is up-to-date with recent changes.

Try finding answers to a few specific questions without contacting support. See how long it takes to get helpful information and check if the instructions are easy for beginners to understand.

Calculate total cost

Let’s break down how to calculate the actual cost of your website builder so you can make a financially sound decision.

Uncover hidden expenses

Website builders often advertise attractive starting prices, but the actual cost of having a website includes expenses like domain renewal fees, transaction fees, and potential third-party add-ons.

For example, Squarespace adds a 3% transaction fee to your sales, and you have to upgrade to a higher-priced plan to remove it.

In contrast, Hostinger Website Builder charges zero transaction fees.

These are essential details to think about.

Make a value-based decision

When choosing a website builder, select an option that represents the best value for your needs.

Consider how much time each platform will save you, how easy it is to learn, and whether you’ll outgrow it soon.

These value factors, paired with your budget, will help you find the right balance between cost and features that match your goals and technical comfort level.

Next steps

Now that you’ve compared the top website builders and weighed the features you need, it’s time to transform your ideas into an actual website.

The best way to confirm if a platform is right for you is to test it. Here are your next steps:

• Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Hostinger’s AI website maker. No credit card is required, and you get access to all features.
• Using AI, create your own website in just a few minutes. Simply describe your idea, and the AI website builder will create it.
• Easily customize it to fit your style. Add images, video backgrounds, and engaging content to see your website take shape.

That’s all it takes. You can learn how to build a website from scratch within the next few hours, and if you’re happy with what you’ve created, simply upgrade to a paid plan, secure your domain, and launch your website.

How to choose a website builder FAQ