Building a professional online presence is essential for businesses of all sizes in 2026.
Building a small business website has changed dramatically over the last few years. You now have access to powerful, free online tools that allow you to create a website without writing a single line of code.
Finding the right website builder can feel overwhelming however with so many options available.
Perhaps you need an online store, or advanced digital marketing tools or just a basic web presence.
This guide breaks down the leading platforms to help you choose the best website builder for your specific needs.
We have tested these website building platforms extensively to see which ones truly offer value. Some provide completely free plans while others offer a free trial to test their premium features.
We will explore everything from ease of use to search engine optimisation capabilities so that you can make an informed decision on what’s best for your business.
Pro Tip: If you’re short on time or looking for professional assistance from our local team of web design experts, you can contact us anytime for a free website consultation.
Squarespace
Strong balance of ease of use for web design beginners while retaining feature flexibility. Great starter website templates. Free for 14 days.
Squarespace sits at the top of our list for a reason. It strikes a near-perfect balance between ease of use and professional design.
It is widely considered the best website builder for users who want a stunning site without a steep learning curve. The platform is famous for its award-winning templates that look incredible on any device.
You do not need to be a web designer to make a Squarespace site look expensive. The drag and drop editor is intuitive and easy to use. It allows you to place elements on a grid so everything stays aligned.
Their “Fluid Engine” editor gives you creative freedom while preventing design disasters. You can easily move images and text blocks to create a layout that suits your brand.
Squarespace is not technically a “free forever” builder. It operates on a trial basis. However, the value it provides makes it worth the mention as the leader in this space.
You can build your entire site for free during the 14-day trial period before committing. This allows you to see exactly what your professional website will look like before you pay.
Key Features for Small Businesses
The platform comes packed with built-in marketing features. You get access to email marketing tools and social media integrations right out of the box.
Small businesses will appreciate the all-in-one nature of the platform.
You do not need to hunt for third-party apps to get basic tasks done. Everything from website analytics to SEO tools is integrated into the dashboard.
Squarespace also offers strong eCommerce website features. You can sell basic physical or digital products with ease. The interface for managing inventory is clean and simple.
It is a fantastic option for anyone wanting to start selling online without the complexity of a dedicated enterprise website platform. The checkout process is also smooth and secure for your customers.
SEO & Performance
Search engine optimisation is also possible on Squarespace. The platform generates clean HTML and automatically handles technical aspects like sitemaps. You can easily edit meta titles and descriptions for every page.
These features help your site rank better in search engines like Google. While it may not have the granular control of other platforms like WordPress, it is more than enough for most users.
Our Verdict
Squarespace is the best all-around choice even at a slightly higher price point (starting at $17/mo AUD). It offers a premium feel that free or cheaper platforms often lack.
If you are serious about your business, Squarespace’s pricing is usually justified by the time you save building. It effectively bridges the gap between a simple site builder and a custom coded website.
Webflow
Steep learning curve. Not beginner friendly. Advanced features and performance for designers who want total control. Free plan available (staging only).
Webflow is a powerful tool that has revolutionised website building for professional designers. It allows you to build completely custom websites without writing code.
However, it operates differently from the standard drag and drop editor you might be used to. It is a visual interface for writing HTML and CSS code.
This platform is not beginner friendly in the traditional sense. There is a steep learning curve involved. You need to understand the basics of flexboxes and how web classes work.
If you are willing to learn, you gain complete control over every pixel on your screen. You can create intricate animations and interactions that are impossible on other website builders.
Webflow offers a free “Starter” plan that is quite generous for learning. You can build your site on a webflow.io subdomain and get a feel for the interface.
This free plan is perfect for testing the waters. You can experiment with the CMS and design tools before launching a live project on a custom domain name starting at $14/mo USD.
Advanced Customisation
The level of customisation options in Webflow is unmatched. You are not limited to pre-set templates or blocks. You can build your website structure from the ground up.
This makes it a favourite among professional Australian web designers and agencies. You can create a truly bespoke web presence that stands out from competitors using generic templates.
Webflow also boasts a powerful CMS (Content Management System). It allows you to create custom content types for blogs, portfolios or team pages.
You can design the layout for these dynamic pages once and they will automatically populate with your content which can save you a lot of time on content-heavy sites.
Hosting & Security
When you host with Webflow, you are using Amazon Web Services servers. This ensures your site loads incredibly fast and remains secure.
You do not have to worry about updating plugins or managing server maintenance. The platform handles all the technical hosting requirements for you. This peace of mind is a major benefit for business owners.
Our Verdict
Webflow is the best website builder for those who want total design freedom. It is ideal if you have some technical knowledge or the time to learn.
It is not the right choice if you want to get online in just a few clicks. The learning investment pays off with a high-performance and unique website which is where White Peak Digital can help, we’re Webflow development partners.
WordPress.com
Good for bloggers or micro-businesses. Limited customisation on the free plan compared to the self-hosted WordPress.org version.
WordPress is a name that dominates the internet. It powers a huge portion of the web. It is important to understand the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress.com is a hosted service that functions like a website builder. It handles the hosting and security for you.
The free plan on WordPress.com is a good entry point for bloggers or micro businesses. You can create a website and start publishing content immediately.
However, the customisation options on the free tier are quite limited. You are restricted to specific themes and cannot install custom plugins.
Your site will also display ads and use a WordPress subdomain, so if you’re considering whether you can build a WordPress site for free without hosting, you should consider if these tradeoffs are worth it for your business.
If you are looking for full control, we always recommend looking into self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) sites. This gives you ownership of your data and unlimited flexibility.
You can install any theme or plugin you desire. For a robust business solution, our team at White Peak Digital often recommends a custom WordPress build to ensure scalability.
Blogging & Content Tools
WordPress remains the king of blogging tools. If your primary goal is to publish articles, this is the best platform. The content editor is designed specifically for writing.
You can categorise posts, manage comments and organise your media library efficiently. It is built for content creators who need a reliable system.
The platform is also very search engine friendly. Even on the basic plan, the underlying code is structured well for search engines. You can tag your posts and use categories to help Google understand your content structure.
For serious SEO work, you would eventually want to upgrade or move to a self-hosted WordPress.org website to use advanced SEO plugins and other useful features.
Community & Support
One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is the community. Because it is so popular, you can find answers to almost any question online with ease.
There are thousands of tutorials and forums dedicated to helping users. The paid plans on WordPress.com also come with dedicated support to help you troubleshoot issues.
Our Verdict
WordPress.com is a solid option for bloggers or small businesses. It is less ideal for businesses unless you upgrade to the higher tiers. The free plan is too restrictive for a professional company site.
However, it is a great way to learn the WordPress interface before moving to a self-hosted solution using the open-source WordPress.org version.
Wix
Beginner friendly but menus can be confusing. Limited advanced functionality. Poor responsiveness controls and SEO performance. Free plan available.
Wix is one of the most well-known website builders on the market. It is famous for its true drag and drop editor. You can place elements literally anywhere on the screen.
This freedom appeals to many beginners who find grid systems restrictive. You can build a website that looks exactly how you imagine it.
The platform offers a free plan that lets you create a website with a Wix promotional banner. It is a good way to test the editor before signing up to a Wix paid plan.
However, the free version has significant drawbacks for a professional business. You cannot connect a custom domain name and the ads are quite visible. It is best used for personal projects or testing.
Wix has a massive library of website templates. You can find a design for almost any industry.
Whether you are a photographer or a restaurant owner, there is likely a template for you. This variety makes it easy to get started quickly without designing from scratch.
Responsiveness & Design Issues
The design freedom of Wix can be a double-edged sword. Because you can place items anywhere, it is easy to break the mobile version of your site.
You often have to edit the mobile view separately to ensure it looks good. This can double your work time compared to responsive-first builders like Squarespace.
Users often find the interface becomes cluttered as they add more elements. The editor has so many options that it can be confusing.
It tries to offer all the tools at once which can be overwhelming. Beginners may struggle to keep their design consistent across all pages.
SEO & Performance Concerns
Wix has improved its SEO tools over the years but it still has a reputation for generating heavy code. This can lead to slower page load speeds which affects your ranking in search engines.
While they have added features to edit meta tags and URL slugs, the underlying structure is less clean than other platforms.
Our Verdict
Wix is beginner friendly but can become limiting. It is great for a quick, visual site but can cause headaches as you scale.
The poor responsiveness control is a major negative in a mobile-first world. It is a capable tool but requires extra care to ensure quality.
Framer
Steeper learning curve. More flexibility and animation features but not beginner friendly. Free plan available.
Framer is a relatively new player that has gained massive popularity among designers. It feels very similar to design tools like Figma.
If you are familiar with visual design software, Framer will feel intuitive. It allows you to draw your website on a free-form canvas and publish it instantly.
Like Webflow, Framer has a steep learning curve for absolute beginners. It is not a standard block-based editor. You need to understand concepts like stacks and frames to make your site responsive.
However, once you grasp these concepts, the speed at which you can build is incredible. You can create high-fidelity designs that come to life immediately.
Framer offers a free plan that is great for hobbyists and personal projects. It allows you to publish a site on a Framer subdomain.
The free tier includes a “Made in Framer” banner which is prominent. It is a good way to learn the tool but you will likely want to upgrade for a professional business site.
Design & Animation Features
Framer shines when it comes to animations. You can add scroll effects and component transitions with just a few clicks.
These motion effects add a layer of polish that is hard to achieve elsewhere. Your website will feel alive and interactive.
It is perfect for landing pages and creative portfolios that need to make a strong visual impact.
The platform also uses AI powered tools to help you generate layouts. You can ask the AI builder to create a section and it will suggest designs based on your prompt.
This can speed up your workflow significantly. It is a great example of how AI tools are being integrated into modern web design trends.
Limitations to Consider
While Framer is excellent for design, it has some limitations. Its CMS is not as robust as Webflow or WordPress. It is better suited for smaller sites or landing pages rather than massive content hubs.
Additionally, the free plan has strict limits on traffic and bandwidth. You will need to monitor your usage if your site goes viral.
Our Verdict
Framer is the best choice for visual designers who want to skip the coding phase. It is incredibly fast and produces beautiful results.
It is less suitable for complex business websites that require heavy backend functionality.
Duda
Outdated and not intuitive for beginners. Strong for agencies but rigid for solo business owners. Free for 14 days.
Duda is a website builder often used by agencies and web professionals. It focuses on speed and efficiency.
The platform is designed to build responsive websites quickly. It has a structured editor that keeps designs consistent. This prevents users from “breaking” the layout like they might on Wix.
Duda is not free forever but does offer a free 14-day trial before requiring a paid plan. It positions itself as a premium tool for professionals.
The interface is clean and logical. It allows you to build sites that look great on desktop, tablet and mobile automatically. You do not need to tweak every element for different screens.
The platform is known for its strong performance. Duda websites tend to load very fast and are optimised for Google Core Web Vitals right out of the box.
This gives you a head start with search engine optimisation. Speed is a critical factor for keeping visitors on your site.
Agency-Focused Features
Duda offers unique features for client management if you’re a web developer or agency.
You can send a preview link to clients where they can leave comments directly on the site which streamlines the feedback process significantly.
It also has tools to personalise content based on the visitor’s location or time of day.
However, for a solo business owner, Duda might feel a bit rigid. The template customisation is not as flexible as Webflow or Squarespace.
You are somewhat locked into the structure of the template you choose. It is powerful but lacks the creative flair of other builders.
Outdated Interface
Some users find the Duda interface a bit outdated compared to modern competitors. It functions well but lacks the polished feel of newer tools.
Navigating the menus can sometimes feel clunky. It is a utilitarian tool rather than a creative playground.
Our Verdict
Duda is a solid workhorse but lacks intuitive charm. It is great for agencies churning out many sites but less inspiring for a single business owner.
The lack of a true free tier places it lower on our list for budget-conscious users. It is reliable but not exciting.
Square Online
Basic section editor and elements. Limited design options but excellent for getting a free store online fast. Free plan available (transaction fees apply).
Square is primarily known for payment processing but they also offer a website builder. It was formerly known as Weebly before being acquired and rebranded.
Square Online is designed specifically for eCommerce. Its main goal is to help you sell products online as quickly as possible.
Square offers a free plan that allows you to sell unlimited products. This is a huge advantage for new retail businesses.
You only pay a transaction fee when you make a sale. This low barrier to entry makes it very attractive for startups.
You can also sync your online store with your physical Square POS system seamlessly as well to save time.
The builder itself is very simple with a basic section-based editor that does not give you drag and drop freedom.
Instead, you toggle sections on and off on a sidebar. This limits your design options severely but ensures your site is always responsive and functional.
eCommerce Focus
The strength of Square Online is in its eCommerce tools. You can manage inventory, shipping and taxes effortlessly. It supports features like curbside pickup and local delivery.
These are essential for local businesses like cafes or boutiques with their primary focus on utility rather than aesthetics.
Design Limitations
The design limitations are the biggest downside. You have very few options to change the look of your site with even the fonts and colours restricted to preset themes.
Your site will look very similar to other Square sites. If brand identity is crucial for you, this will be frustrating since you cannot create a unique visual experience with this webiste builder.
Our Verdict
Square Online is excellent for utility but poor for design. Use it if you need a free online store up and running today.
Do not use it if you want a beautiful brand showcase. It serves a specific purpose very well but falls short as a general website builder.
Hubspot Website Builder
Seamless CRM & marketing tools integration. Learning curve and limited design flexibility. No eCommerce on the free tier.
HubSpot offers a website builder that is deeply integrated with its CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform. This is its unique selling point.
It is built for marketers who want to track every visitor and lead. You can also personalise content based on who is viewing the page.
There is a free version of the CMS tools available. It allows you to build a basic website with HubSpot branding. The editor is drag and drop and relatively easy to use.
However, the real power of HubSpot lies in its data. You can see exactly how users interact with your site and feed that info into your sales process to improve your website conversion rate.
Marketing & CRM Tools
The connection to the CRM is seamless which allows forms on your website to automatically create contacts in your CRM database. You can also use HubSpot’s live chat and basic email marketing tools for free.
This makes it a strong contender for B2B service businesses that rely on lead generation.
Limitations & Learning Curve
The website builder itself can feel clunky compared to design-first tools.
The learning curve is steep because you are navigating a massive marketing platform, not just a site builder. You often have to dig through menus to find simple settings.
Furthermore, there are no eCommerce features on the free plan. It is strictly for lead generation.
Our Verdict
HubSpot is great for data but weak on flexibility. It is perfect if you already use HubSpot for your sales team.
We do not recommend the HubSpot website builder if you’re not using the wider HubSpot ecosystem.
For a standalone website project, it is likely overkill and under-featured in terms of design. It prioritises function over form to an extreme degree.
Canva Website Builder
Not mobile responsive. Not suitable for serious small businesses or SEO. Free plan available.
Canva has taken the design world by storm and now offers a website builder. It allows you to publish your Canva designs as a one-page website.
The interface is exactly the same as the graphic design tool. If you know how to make a flyer in Canva, you can make a website.
This sounds appealing but there are major issues for professional use. Canva websites are essentially absolute positioning layouts. They do not respond well to different screen sizes.
The “mobile responsive view” is often just a shrunk-down version of the desktop site. This is bad for user experience and bad for SEO.
You’ll never see a professional SEO agency recommending Canva as your website builder for this reason.
Design Freedom vs Technical Reality
You have total freedom to place text and images anywhere with immediate access to millions of stock photos and graphics.
However, the code behind these sites is not standard HTML and search engines struggle to read and rank Canva websites effectively.
Canva websites are effectively digital posters rather than functional websites.
Not for Serious Businesses
Canva sites lack essential business features. You cannot have a blog or a proper online store and there are no advanced SEO settings.
You are also limited to a single scrolling page which is fine for a temporary event invite or a bio link but not for a company website.
Our Verdict
Canva is not suitable for serious small business websites. The lack of responsiveness is a dealbreaker for us.
Hostinger Website Builder
Budget friendly AI builder. Limited features and customisation options. Starts at $2.99/mo USD for 48 months.
Hostinger is known for affordable web hosting and they now include an AI website builder. It is a budget-friendly option.
While not always “free forever” without a hosting plan, it is one of the cheapest ways to get online. The AI builder claims to build a site for you in minutes.
You simply answer a few questions and the AI generates a template. You can then customise it using a drag and drop editor.
The interface is simple and clean and covers the basics well enough for a simple portfolio or brochure site.
Limited Features
The simplicity comes at a cost. The features are quite basic compared to Squarespace or Wix and you have fewer customisation options or integrations.
The AI writer can produce generic text that needs heavy editing. It often feels like a “lite” version of a premium builder.
Our Verdict
Hostinger is a very budget friendly option that offers basic functionality but lacks depth. It is a good choice if price is your only concern.
However, you will likely outgrow it quickly as your business expands. It offers little room for scaling up.
GoDaddy Website Builder
Limited features and basic design layouts. Fast to set up but difficult to scale. Free for 7 days.
GoDaddy is a giant in the domain space and also offers its own site builder.
It focuses on speed and simplicity with a claim that you can build a website in under an hour. This is largely true because the customisation options are so limited.
GoDaddy offers a free 7-day trail that comes with limited features and GoDaddy advertising. You can upgrade to paid plans for marketing tools and custom domains.
The editor is section-based like Square but even more restrictive. You cannot move elements around freely within a section.
Basic Design Layouts
The design layouts are very basic and are simply clean and generic. You cannot change much beyond fonts and colours.
This ensures you cannot break the design but also prevents you from standing out. The resulting websites all tend to look identical.
Marketing Features
GoDaddy includes some nice marketing tools like a social media creator.
However, the SEO capabilities are very basic since you do not have full control over your site’s structure. It is designed for people who want to “set it and forget it” rather than grow an online business.
Our Verdict
GoDaddy is fast but severely limited. It fills a need to setup a website quickly but lacks any substance.
It is fine for a very simple local business page but poor for anything else. We recommend looking elsewhere for long-term growth.
Our Recommendation & Next Steps
Choosing the right website builder depends entirely on your goals.
For most small businesses, Squarespace offers the best balance of design and power. If you need a free eCommerce store, Square is the practical choice.
For web designers who want no limits and advanced features, Webflow is a fantastic and robust tool. If you’re looking for the most cost effective solution, without any of the subdomain / advertistment restrictions of free plans, Hostinger is a solid choice.
Your website is the online shop front for your business and is always making first impressions. It is worth investing time to get it right.
We do not recommend settling for the easiest option. Choose the platform that can grow with you over the next few years.
Questions? We’ve done our best to answer some of the most popular questions about website builds below. But if you have more, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really build a professional website for free?
Yes, but with limitations. Most free plans require you to use a subdomain (like yourname.wix.com) and display ads. This is fine for personal projects or testing.
However, for a professional business, you should eventually upgrade to a custom domain name to build trust with your customers.
Which website builder is best for SEO?
WordPress and Webflow are generally considered the best for SEO. They offer the most control over your site’s technical structure.
Squarespace is also a very strong contender and is easier for beginners to manage. Avoid tools like Canva or GoDaddy if search engine rankings are a priority for you.
Do I need to know how to code to use a website builder?
No, you do not. All the builders listed here are designed for non-technical users. Tools like Squarespace and Wix use drag and drop editors.
Even advanced tools like Webflow offer a visual interface so you can design without writing raw code.
Can I switch website builders later?
Switching website builders is difficult. You usually cannot just “export” your site from one platform to another.
You will likely have to rebuild your design from scratch on the new platform. This is why it is important to choose the right platform from the start.
Is a free domain name included in free plans?
No, free plans usually give you a subdomain. A custom domain (like .com or .com.au) typically requires a paid subscription.
Some paid plans include a free domain for the first year as a bonus, but you will need to pay for the renewal in subsequent years.
