Best Website Builders for Small Business: Beyond WordPress
WordPress powers 43% of the web, but it's not always the best choice for small businesses. Managing updates, security, and hosting takes time away from running your business.
This guide compares modern website builders designed for businesses, not developers.
What Small Businesses Need
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
| Easy editing | Non-technical staff can update |
| Reliable hosting | No downtime during business hours |
| Built-in SEO | Customers can find you |
| Mobile responsive | 60%+ visits are mobile |
| Fast loading | Slow sites lose customers |
| Reasonable cost | Predictable monthly expense |
| Support | Help when you need it |
WordPress can do all this—with the right plugins, hosting, and maintenance. Or you can choose a platform where it's all included.
The Top Options
1. Squarespace
Best for: Service businesses, creatives, portfolios
Overview
Squarespace is known for beautiful templates and an all-in-one approach. Everything is included—hosting, SSL, domains, analytics.
Pricing
| Personal | $16/mo | $23/mo monthly |
| Business | $23/mo | $33/mo monthly |
| Commerce Basic | $27/mo | $36/mo monthly |
| Commerce Advanced | $49/mo | $65/mo monthly |
Strengths
- ✅ Stunning design templates
- ✅ All-in-one (hosting, SSL, domain included)
- ✅ Simple drag-and-drop editor
- ✅ Built-in booking/scheduling
Weaknesses
❌ Limited customization
❌ Slower than competitors
❌ E-commerce not as strong as Shopify
❌ Learning curve for advanced features
Best For
2. Wix
Best for: Local businesses, beginners, variety of needs
Overview
Wix offers the most flexibility among hosted builders with 800+ templates and an app market for additional features.
Pricing
Strengths
- ✅ Wix ADI (AI site builder)
- ✅ App market for features
Weaknesses
❌ Can't switch templates after starting
❌ Free plan has Wix branding
❌ Some apps have additional costs
❌ Page speed can be inconsistent
Best For
3. Webflow
Best for: Design-focused businesses, marketing teams
Overview
Webflow bridges website builders and custom development. You get visual design tools with code-level control.
Pricing
Strengths
- ✅ Design freedom like Figma
- ✅ Powerful interactions/animations
- ✅ Great for marketing sites
Weaknesses
❌ Steeper learning curve
❌ More expensive at scale
❌ E-commerce limited
❌ Overwhelming for beginners
Best For
4. Shopify
Best for: E-commerce focused businesses
Overview
Shopify is the leading e-commerce platform. If selling products is your primary goal, it's hard to beat.
Pricing
Plus transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
Strengths
- ✅ Purpose-built for selling
- ✅ Multi-channel selling (social, marketplaces)
- ✅ Excellent inventory management
Weaknesses
❌ Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
❌ Monthly apps add up
❌ Blog/content features basic
❌ Expensive for non-commerce sites
Best For
5. Ghost
Best for: Content creators, publishers, bloggers
Overview
Ghost is a modern publishing platform with built-in memberships and newsletters. Perfect for content-first businesses.
Pricing
| Self-hosted | Free (you host) |
| Ghost(Pro) Business | $199/mo |
Strengths
- ✅ Beautiful, fast publishing
- ✅ Built-in memberships & payments
- ✅ SEO-optimized by default
- ✅ Clean, focused interface
Weaknesses
❌ Content-focused (limited for other needs)
❌ Fewer templates than competitors
❌ Less flexible than WordPress
❌ Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
Best For
- Bloggers monetizing content
6. Framer
Best for: Modern SaaS, startups, interactive sites
Overview
Framer is a design tool that became a website builder. It produces fast, interactive sites with a focus on modern design.
Pricing
Strengths
- ✅ Modern interactive design
Weaknesses
❌ Learning curve
❌ Smaller ecosystem
❌ Less suited for traditional businesses
❌ Newer platform
Best For
Comparison Table
| Feature | Squarespace | Wix | Webflow | Shopify | Ghost |
| Starting price | $16/mo | $17/mo | $14/mo | $39/mo | $9/mo |
| Free plan | No (trial) | Yes | Yes | No | Self-host |
| Ease of use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Design quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| E-commerce | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Blogging | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Decision Guide
Choose Squarespace If:
- You're a service business
- Design quality matters most
- You want beautiful templates with minimal effort
- You need scheduling/booking built-in
Choose Wix If:
- You want maximum flexibility
- You're on a tight budget (free plan)
- You need lots of app integrations
- You're just getting started
Choose Webflow If:
- You want designer-level control
- You care about performance
- Your brand needs custom animations
- You have some technical comfort
Choose Shopify If:
- Selling products is your primary goal
- You need inventory management
- You sell across multiple channels
- Growth and scaling matter
Choose Ghost If:
- You want built-in memberships
- Email newsletters are important
- Speed and SEO are priorities
WordPress vs These Alternatives
| Factor | WordPress | Website Builders |
| Flexibility | Maximum | Limited |
| Maintenance | You do it | Handled |
| Security | You manage | Handled |
| Learning curve | Steeper | Easier |
| Ownership | Full | Platform dependent |
When WordPress Still Wins
- You need specific functionality no builder offers
- You have a developer on staff
- You want complete control
- You're comfortable with technical work
When Builders Win
- You want predictable, hassle-free operation
- You don't have technical resources
- Your needs fit within builder capabilities
- You value your time over flexibility
Migrating from WordPress
All these platforms can import your existing content:
| Squarespace | WordPress importer |
| Webflow | Manual or third-party tools |
| Shopify | Product/content importers |
Export your WordPress content first →
FAQ
Q: Can I move away from these platforms later?
Squarespace, Wix, Shopify: Limited export options, some lock-in
Webflow: Can export code
Ghost: Full export available
Q: Which is best for SEO?
Ghost and Webflow are fastest (good for SEO). All platforms have decent SEO basics. None are as flexible as WordPress for advanced SEO. See our SEO checklist →
Q: What about custom development?
Most builders are limited. Webflow offers the most customization. For truly custom needs, consider headless architectures or custom development with Next.js.
Q: Hidden costs?
- Wix/Squarespace: Premium apps, storage limits
- Shopify: Transaction fees, apps
- All: Email usually separate
Conclusion
For most small businesses, modern website builders offer:
- Less maintenance than WordPress
| Service provider | Squarespace |
WordPress remains powerful but brings overhead many small businesses don't need. Choose based on your actual requirements, not WordPress's reputation.
Related guides:
Explore all WordPress alternatives →