Browser search bar with universal URL prefix

With the rise of digital technology, having a website has become an essential part of any business's online presence. While custom-built websites were once the norm, website builders have become increasingly popular due to their ease of use, affordability and versatility. In this article, we'll compare six popular website builders - Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, Weebly, Wordpress and GoDaddy - based on pros and cons, pricing, user-friendliness, cost and integrations with other applications.

Overview

Computer monitor with a blank website design on the screen, surrounded by floating web builder feature icons

• Best website builder for e-commerce businesses: Shopify

• Best website builder for service-based businesses: Squarespace

• Best website builder for blogging: WordPress

• Best website builder for event-based businesses: Squarespace

• Best website builder for scalability: Shopify

• Most affordable website builder: GoDaddy

• Most user-friendly website builder: Wix

Check out the breakdown of each one below:

Pros:
• Sleek, modern templates
• User-friendliness: Squarespace is known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop design features.
• E-commerce capabilities: Squarespace has robust e-commerce capabilities, including customisable checkout pages, multiple payment gateways and integration with third-party shipping services. E-commerce features available in all plans.
• Built-in SEO capabilities: Squarespace has built-in SEO optimisation tools, including customisable meta tags, titles and descriptions.
• Built-in CRM and marketing capabilities: Squarespace has a built-in very basic CRM system that allows users to manage customer information and communicate with them directly. It also has basic marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration.
• Blogging capabilities: Squarespace has a built-in blogging platform that allows users to create and manage blog posts easily.
• Event RSVP and scheduling capabilities: Squarespace offers integration with third-party calendar services
• 24/7 customer support
Cons:
• Limited customisation options
• No free plan available
Pricing:
• Paid plans start at AU$16/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 4/5
Cost: 3/5
Scalability: 4/5
Integrations: 4/5
Pros:
• User-friendliness: Shopify is relatively user-friendly and offers a drag-and-drop website builder.
• E-commerce capabilities: Shopify is specifically designed for e-commerce businesses and offers advanced features such as product variation, inventory tracking and shipping integration.
• Built-in CRM and marketing capabilities: Shopify has a built-in very basic CRM system that allows users to manage customer information and communicate with them directly. It also has marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration.
• Event RSVP and scheduling capabilities: Shopify offers integration with third-party event management services.
• Built-in SEO capabilities: Shopify has built-in SEO optimisation tools, including customisable meta tags, titles and descriptions.
• 24/7 customer support
Cons:
• Limited blogging features
• Limited customisation options
• Limited integrations with other applications
Pricing:
• Paid plans start at AU$42/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 4/5
Cost: 2/5
Scalability: 4/5
Integrations: 4/5\
Pros:
• User-friendliness: Wix is known for its drag-and-drop website builder and user-friendly interface.
• Huge selection of templates and customisable designs
• E-commerce capabilities: Wix offers e-commerce features such as customisable checkout pages, multiple payment gateways, and integration with third-party shipping services.
• Event RSVP and scheduling capabilities: Wix offers built-in event calendars and management services, allowing users to create and manage events easily.
• CRM and marketing capabilities: Wix offers built-in automated marketing features and loyalty program features through a native integration with Smile.io.
• 24/7 customer support
Cons:
• Limited flexibility in terms of design and customisation
• Limited e-commerce features in lower-tier plans
• Limited SEO options
• Limited blogging capabilities
Pricing:
• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at AU$15/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Scalability: 3/5
Integrations: 3/5
Pros:
• User-friendliness: Weebly is known for its drag-and-drop website builder and user-friendly interface.
• E-commerce capabilities: Weebly offers e-commerce features such as customisable checkout pages, multiple payment gateways, and integration with third-party shipping services. E-commerce features available in all plans.
• Built-in CRM and marketing capabilities: Weebly has a built-in very basic CRM system that allows users to manage customer information and communicate with them directly. It also has marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration.
• Built-in SEO capabilities: Weebly has built-in SEO optimisation tools, including customisable meta tags, titles, and descriptions.
Cons:
• Limited customisation options
• Limited SEO optimisation options
• Limited integrations with other applications
• Limited blogging capabilities
Pricing:
• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at $7/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Scalability: 2/5
Integrations: 2/5
Pros:
• Highly customisable with thousands of templates and plugins available
• Blogging capabilities: WordPress is specifically designed for blogging and offers a range of blogging features such as customisable post formats and categories.
• E-commerce capabilities: E-commerce features available through plugins
• Built-in CRM and marketing capabilities: Wordpress has a built-in very basic CRM system that allows users to manage customer information and communicate with them directly.
• Built-in SEO capabilities: Wordpress has built-in SEO optimisation tools, including customisable meta tags, titles and descriptions.
Cons:
• Steeper learning curve compared to other website builders
• Requires some technical knowledge
• More expensive than other website builders
Pricing:
• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at AU$6/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 1/5
Cost: 3/5
Scalability: 4/5
Integrations: 4/5
Pros:
• User-friendliness: GoDaddy is user-friendly and offers a drag-and-drop website builder.
• E-commerce capabilities: GoDaddy offers e-commerce features such as customisable checkout pages, multiple payment gateways, and integration with third-party shipping services.
• Built-in CRM and marketing capabilities: GoDaddy has a built-in very basic CRM system that allows users to manage customer information and communicate with them directly. It also has marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration.
• Built-in SEO capabilities: GoDaddy has built-in SEO optimisation tools, including customisable meta tags, titles and descriptions.
• 24/7 customer support
Cons:
• Limited customisation options
• Limited SEO optimisation options
• Limited integrations with other applications
• Limited blogging capabilities
Pricing:
• Paid plans start at AU$13.95/month (billed annually)
User-friendliness: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Scalability: 3/5
Integrations: 3/5

Need a more tailored approach for your unique business? Find out more about how PixelPlan take your business to new heights with custom web development here. Comment below which website builder you want us to review next and we’ll add it to the list!

This page may contain affiliate links.

Ready to level up your business?
Contact us here to discuss how PixelPlan can give your business a competitive edge with tailored websites and web apps!