Best website building sites to boost your business's online presence

Best website building sites - (Pexels)

Creating an entire website from scratch might seem daunting – especially if you’re more focused on running a business than managing software and tech.

It’s exciting to invest in the latest gear for content creation – whether it’s a laptop, camera, or microphone – but when it comes to putting all your work online and running a website, it can feel like a whole new challenge. So, where do you begin? Luckily, modern website builders make it easy to create a professional site, even if you have no technical knowledge.

We have gathered insider tips on getting started. Whatever your profession, this guide covers everything from choosing a domain to designing a standout website with no coding knowledge required. That way, you can focus on running your business instead of figuring out complex website building.

The domain and email address

Your domain name is your website’s address, like www.yourbusinessname.com. Ideally, it should be short, easy to remember, and reflect your brand. Many website builders offer domain registration, or you can purchase one separately from providers like Go Daddy, 123 Reg, or Namecheap.

For a professional touch, set up a business email that matches your domain like hello@yourbusinessname.com. Most website builders provide this service for an extra fee.

What you should look out for

A clean, professional design means that visitors stay on your website. Many website builders offer pre-designed templates that you can customise. If you want a unique look, consider hiring a designer from platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

You can set up a basic website in a day using a website builder, while a more customised site may take a few weeks if you hire a designer. When selecting a website builder, consider the following:

Costs in the UK

Website costs vary depending on your needs but here is a rough guide based on a UK average:

How long does it take?

The time it takes to build a website depends on several factors, such as complexity, features, and the platform you're using. For a basic website using a website builder like Wix or Squarespace, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. If you're creating a more custom or complex website with additional features (like e-commerce), it could take several weeks or even months, depending on the size of the project and how much content is needed.

However, creating a website for your business doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can establish a professional online presence that helps your business thrive. The team at Go Daddy offered ES Best Shopping readers some valuable suggestions to make sure that your site is a success.

With these expert tips in mind, you’re well on your way to creating a website that supports your business and drives growth.

Best website builders at a glance

Read on for some of the best website builders.

Go Daddy

Best for: easy setup

This website builder offers a straightforward way to create a professional-looking site, with templates designed for different industries and an easy-to-use dashboard for managing content, marketing, and customer interactions.

The built-in tools for SEO and social media mean businesses can start growing their online presence straight away, while optional paid-for features allow for expansion when needed. With mobile-friendly designs and AI-powered insights, it helps businesses present themselves well without needing technical expertise. The ability to start for free makes it accessible too.

Buy now £7.99, Go Daddy

Pixpa

Best for: creatives

Pixpa’s all-in-one platform offers the convenience of managing a website, portfolio, online store and client galleries in one place, without the need for coding knowledge.

With more than 200 mobile-optimised templates, users can customise their sites to fit their brand's identity. Additionally, Pixpa’s integrated e-commerce functionality allows businesses to sell products, services, or digital downloads easily, eliminating the need for third-party plugins.

Buy now £5.00, Pixpa

Square Space

Best for: stylish templates

Choose from a wide range of templates that are flexible enough to suit various business needs, from e-commerce to professional portfolios. The drag-and-drop builder allows for customisation without the need for coding skills, while essential features like SEO tools, email marketing, and social media integration help businesses grow their online presence.

It also offers integrated options for payments, scheduling, and invoicing, which means you don't need to rely on third-party services.

Buy now £12.00, Square Space

Webflow

Best for: advanced customisation

Webflow stands out as a powerful platform for businesses looking to build websites that are both visually striking and functional. Marketers, designers and developers can all work together using a visual interface that still grants full control over HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The flexibility extends to content management with its headless CMS, and it provides built-in tools for SEO, A/B testing, and analytics so your site performs at its best.

With robust security, reliable hosting and integrations with essential third-party tools, businesses can scale confidently, knowing their website can grow as their needs evolve.

Buy now £11.00, Webflow

Hostinger

Best for: affordability

Businesses can quickly create custom websites using drag-and-drop functionality and a wide selection of templates, making it accessible even for those without coding experience. The platform also features advanced AI tools that generate tailored websites based on specific business needs, optimising both design and content.

Additionally, its mobile-friendly editing capabilities mean that websites are responsive and perform well across devices, which is important for reaching a broad audience.

Buy now £1.48, Hostinger

Brizy

Best for: simple editing

Brizy is especially useful for agencies and SaaS companies looking to create websites quickly and efficiently, without needing to dive into the technical aspects. The AI-powered website builder allows users to generate professional sites in just moments, while still offering full editing control.

Whether you choose the WordPress plugin or the all-in-one Brizy Cloud platform, both options offer a simple, intuitive interface. The tool is packed with a variety of pre-made templates, allowing businesses to get started quickly, while still offering the ability to customise every detail.

Buy now £15.50, Brizy

Duda

Best for: editing

With its white-label solutions, businesses can offer clients an easy, branded experience while retaining complete control over the user interface. Duda’s platform allows rapid development of pixel-perfect, responsive websites, designed to perform well with SEO optimisations, offering high rankings and fast load times.

Automation tools further enhance efficiency, allowing businesses to scale up by creating websites in bulk or integrating client data for instant site creation. Duda also provides robust security and stability, while Duda’s API-driven integrations and the app store open the door for advanced features like e-commerce.

Buy now £20.00, Duda

Elementor

Best for: WordPress users

Elementor is a standout platform for businesses seeking flexibility and scalability in web development. With its integration into WordPress, it allows users to create highly customisable websites that align with their unique branding and functional needs.

The platform offers a vast selection of widgets and design tools, enabling the creation of virtually any type of website, from blogs to complex eCommerce storefronts. Its built-in marketing tools, including pop-ups, forms, and landing pages, help engage visitors and convert them into customers.

Buy now £2.99, Elementor

Nice Page

Best for: templates

Nicepage stands out as a versatile website-building tool, offering businesses a user-friendly platform with a wealth of templates and design options. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface eliminates the need for coding expertise, making it accessible to anyone wanting to create a professional online presence.

With over 10,000 templates available, businesses can find designs suited to various industries and styles, streamlining the web design process. The platform’s focus on mobile-friendly websites ensures that all pages are optimised for modern devices, helping businesses reach customers across different platforms.

Additionally, Nicepage’s integration with WordPress, Joomla, and HTML5 gives users flexibility to choose the best hosting and content management system for their needs.

Buy now £16.00, Nice Page

Render Forest

Best for: branding

With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can easily generate, customise and launch a site in a fraction of the time compared to traditional website builders. The platform provides a vast library of high-quality templates designed for a variety of industries, allowing businesses to get a tailored look from the start.

In addition, the AI-powered text generation tool helps create compelling content, ensuring that each website is optimized for both user engagement and search engines. The tool also offers integrations with key marketing platforms like Google Analytics and Meta Pixel, helping businesses to launch effective campaigns. Websites built on Renderforest are mobile-responsive and optimised for various devices, creating an easier experience for visitors.

Buy now £9.99, Render Forest

Format

Best for: designers

Whether you're a creative professional or an entrepreneur, it offers an impressive selection of templates tailored to various industries, providing an efficient, no-code solution for building a standout online presence. The platform's integration with e-commerce tools allows businesses to sell products and services directly through their website, with no hidden fees or commissions.

It further supports users with advanced SEO features, enhancing visibility on search engines, while its image storage and file transfer capabilities simplify managing and sharing client work.

Buy now £9.00, Format

Unbounce

Best for: landing pages

This website’s drag-and-drop builder makes it accessible for users of all skill levels, allowing businesses to create landing pages quickly and efficiently without any coding knowledge. The no-code A/B testing feature provides valuable insights by testing different versions of pages to optimise conversions, making it easier to refine strategies and improve performance.

Powered by AI-driven insights, the platform offers real-time analytics, giving businesses a clear view of their audience's behaviour and helping with data-driven decision-making.

Buy now £60.00, Unbounce

One.com

Best for: budget-friendly

One.com stands out as a practical website-building platform for businesses looking to create a strong online presence without complex technical hurdles. Its user-friendly interface allows anyone, whether a beginner or experienced, to easily set up a website using drag-and-drop tools, streamlining the process of turning ideas into a functional site.

The platform also offers an affordable starting plan that includes a free domain, email accounts and SSL security, making it a great option for small businesses looking to keep costs manageable. One of its most attractive features is its round-the-clock customer support, available through chat, email and extensive help resources.

Buy now £1.99, One.com

123 Reg

Best for: beginners

The drag-and-drop design process from 123 Reg makes it easy to craft a site that fits the unique needs of any business, whether it’s a small blog, a portfolio, or a full-fledged online shop. The platform provides all the necessary tools from the start, including a free domain, SSL certificate, and email address, ensuring that the website is both secure and ready to launch.

With built-in features like SEO tools, payment integration and social media connectivity, businesses can easily expand their online presence. The option to scale up as the business grows through plans that offer more pages, email addresses, and advanced e-commerce capabilities makes it an adaptable solution for businesses of all sizes.

Buy now £3.99, 123 Reg

Verdict

We chose Go Daddy as our top pick for anyone looking for a simple yet powerful solution to establish a professional online presence. Its easy-to-use interface, industry-specific templates, and integrated SEO and social media tools make it accessible for businesses at any stage.

The option to start for free provides businesses with the flexibility to try before they commit, while paid features offer room for future expansion as needs evolve. With these benefits combined, it's clear that this platform offers an efficient and scalable solution for businesses looking to make an impact online.