You've decided it's time to get your business online, but now you're facing the overwhelming question: "Where exactly can I make a website for my business?" With countless platforms promising to be the easiest, cheapest, or most powerful solution, how do you know which one is actually right for YOUR specific business needs?
I understand your frustration. As a business owner, you need a professional website without wasting time or money on the wrong platform. The good news? I've evaluated all the major website creation options to help you make the right choice—whether you're a tech newbie or a digital native.
TL;DR Summary: The best places to make a business website are Wix or Squarespace for beginners, WordPress for flexibility and growth, Shopify for e-commerce, and custom development agencies for complex business requirements. Your choice should depend on your technical skills, budget, specific business needs, and long-term goals.
Before diving into specific platforms, let's address what you should consider when deciding where to build your business website:
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The "best" platform is the one that aligns with YOUR specific situation.
Website builders offer drag-and-drop interfaces that make creating a professional website accessible to everyone, regardless of technical skills.
Pro Tip: Website builders are perfect if you need a professional-looking site quickly and don't want to deal with technical details like hosting, security, and maintenance.
CMS platforms like WordPress provide more flexibility and customization but require a slightly steeper learning curve and separate hosting.
Specialized platforms designed specifically for online stores, with built-in payment processing, inventory management, and shopping cart functionality.
Hiring professionals to build a custom website tailored to your exact specifications.
The newest option—AI-powered tools that can create a basic website based on your business information and preferences.
Let's dive deeper into the top platforms where you can create your business website today:
Perfect for: Small businesses needing an easy-to-build professional websitePrice range: $16-45/monthKey strengths: User-friendly editor, 800+ templates, extensive app marketLimitations: Limited ability to change templates after publishing
Wix makes website creation accessible to everyone with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. With hundreds of professionally designed templates and a wide range of business-specific features, you can create a stunning website in hours rather than days or weeks.
Perfect for: Creative businesses and brands focused on visual impactPrice range: $16-49/monthKey strengths: Beautiful, modern templates, integrated marketing toolsLimitations: Less flexible than some competitors, fewer third-party integrations
If aesthetics are crucial for your business, Squarespace offers some of the most visually impressive templates on the market. Its design-forward approach makes it ideal for photographers, designers, restaurants, and other businesses where visual appeal matters most.
Perfect for: Local businesses needing a simple online presence fastPrice range: $10-25/monthKey strengths: Extremely quick setup, built-in marketing toolsLimitations: Limited design customization, fewer features than competitors
GoDaddy's Website Builder focuses on simplicity and speed. If you need a basic business website up within hours, not days, this could be your best option.
Perfect for: Growing businesses needing customization and scalabilityPrice range: $3-25/month for hosting (software is free)Key strengths: Unlimited customization, 59,000+ plugins, massive communityLimitations: Steeper learning curve, requires separate hosting
WordPress powers over 43% of all websites online for good reason. It offers unparalleled flexibility and virtually unlimited options for customization through themes and plugins. While it requires more setup time than website builders, it gives you complete control over your site.
Myth vs Truth: WordPress ComplexityMyth: WordPress is too complicated for non-technical business owners.Truth: While WordPress has more moving parts than all-in-one builders, modern themes and page builders like Elementor have made it much more accessible to beginners.
Perfect for: Design-focused businesses wanting code-level customization without codingPrice range: $14-39/month (plus $16+ for CMS features)Key strengths: Advanced design capabilities, clean code outputLimitations: Steeper learning curve, higher price point
Webflow bridges the gap between simple website builders and custom development, giving you incredible design freedom without requiring programming knowledge.
Perfect for: Online retailers of all sizesPrice range: $29-299/monthKey strengths: All-in-one e-commerce solution, excellent inventory managementLimitations: Transaction fees (unless using Shopify Payments), can get expensive with add-ons
Shopify is the undisputed leader in e-commerce platforms, offering everything you need to sell online in one package. From inventory management to secure payment processing, it handles the complex aspects of running an online store.
Perfect for: Businesses wanting more control over their online storePrice range: Free plugin (hosting costs apply + possible extension costs)Key strengths: Unlimited customization, no transaction feesLimitations: Requires WordPress knowledge, more setup time
WooCommerce transforms a WordPress site into a fully-featured online store. While it requires more setup than Shopify, it offers greater flexibility and control over your e-commerce experience.
Perfect for: Businesses with specific functionality needs or complex requirementsPrice range: $5,000-50,000+ (one-time project cost)Key strengths: Tailored to exact specifications, unique design and functionalityLimitations: Highest cost, longest development time, ongoing maintenance needs
When off-the-shelf solutions don't meet your needs, custom development ensures you get exactly what your business requires. This option provides the most flexibility but comes with the highest price tag.
Pro Tip: When hiring a web development agency, always ask about their plan for post-launch support and maintenance. The initial build is just the beginning of your website journey.
Perfect for: Web design agencies and professionals building sites for clientsPrice range: $14-44/monthKey strengths: Team collaboration features, white-labeling optionsLimitations: Not as well-known, primarily designed for professionals
Duda streamlines the website creation process for professionals building multiple client sites. Its collaboration tools make it ideal for agencies and freelancers.
Perfect for: Businesses needing a basic website immediatelyPrice range: Varies (typically part of standard platform pricing)Key strengths: Fastest setup time, minimal effort requiredLimitations: Less customized, more generic results
AI website generators can create a basic site in minutes by asking a few questions about your business. While the results won't be as tailored as other options, they provide a quick starting point you can refine later.
Now that you know your options, how do you decide? Ask yourself these questions:
When budgeting for your business website, consider these often-overlooked costs:
Pro Tip: For most small businesses, expect to spend $300-500 initially and $20-50 monthly for a professional website. E-commerce sites typically cost more due to additional functionality needs.
Not necessarily. Modern website builders like Wix and Squarespace have made it possible for non-designers to create professional-looking websites. However, if unique design is crucial to your brand, consider hiring a professional.
WordPress offers the most comprehensive SEO capabilities out of the box, especially with plugins like Yoast SEO. However, both Wix and Squarespace have significantly improved their SEO features in recent years and provide the essential tools most businesses need.
Yes, but migration between platforms can be challenging. If you anticipate substantial growth, it may be worth starting with a more scalable platform like WordPress to avoid the hassle of migrating later.
With website builders, you can create a basic site in a single weekend. WordPress typically takes 1-3 weeks to set up properly. Custom development projects usually require 2-4 months from concept to launch.
You own your content, but the platform owns the infrastructure. This is why some businesses eventually migrate to self-hosted solutions like WordPress for complete ownership and control.
Focus on clearly communicating your value proposition and making it easy for visitors to take the next step (contact you, make a purchase, etc.). Beautiful design means nothing if it doesn't convert visitors into customers.
Ready to create your business website? Here's your action plan:
Remember: the perfect website doesn't exist, but the website that's online today beats the perfect one that never launches. Start with what you can manage, and improve over time as your business grows.
What's holding you back from creating your business website today? The tools have never been more accessible, and your customers are already looking for you online. Take that first step, and your future self will thank you.
