- Rebecca Tomasis
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
Build your website in minutes, try Wix for free today
You have a great idea, a passion project, or a new business and you know you need to understand how to build a website to make it real. The only problem is that you’ve never built one before and the thought of writing code sounds like a nightmare. The good news is that the best website builders for beginners are designed exactly for people like you. They handle the messy technical stuff so you can focus on the fun part, creating a website that looks professional and works perfectly.
Choosing the right website builder is the first step toward launching your website. You want a platform that is easy to pick up but powerful enough to grow with you. This guide breaks down the top options available today, helping you cut through the noise and find the perfect builder for you.
TL;DR: Best website builders for beginners
If you want to skip the reading and get straight to building, here's a quick snapshot of the top contenders. These website builders for beginners are ranked based on how easy they are to use and the value they offer to someone starting from scratch.
Builder name | Best for | Price |
Wix | Complete creative freedom and growth | Free plan available; Premium starts at $17/mo |
Squarespace | Design-savvy creatives | Starts at $16/mo |
GoDaddy | Speed and simplicity | Starts at $9.99/mo |
Weebly | Simple, functional sites | Free plan available; Personal starts at $10/mo |
Shopify | Selling products online | Starts at $29/mo |
Carrd | One-page websites | Free plan available; Pro starts at $19/year |
What is a website builder?
What is a website builder? A website builder is an online tool that lets you construct a website without needing to know HTML, CSS or any other programming language. You choose a starting layout, often from a website template, then use a drag and drop editor to work on the different elements—like images, text boxes, and buttons—until the page looks exactly how you want it.
For beginners to website creation, website builders are a game changer. They usually come with web hosting included, meaning your site lives on their servers, so you don't have to worry about security updates or backend maintenance. You just sign up, design and publish.
You can also use an AI website builder which makes it even easy to build as a beginner. You simply chat with the AI and it builds a site for you in minutes.
The 6 best website builders for beginners
Here are six of the best website builders for beginners to help you get your site up and running.
01. Wix
Wix is the top choice for beginners because it gives you total control without overwhelming you. If you can move a mouse, you can build a stunning website on Wix.
You have three main ways to build:
Use the standard editor to drag and drop elements anywhere you want.
Choose from a wide range of free website templates
Let the AI website builder create a site for you. You just answer a few questions about your business and the AI generates a custom site with text and images ready to go.
Beyond just building website pages, Wix offers a huge suite of business and marketing tools to help you manage your business. You can add a booking system, create a blog or open an online store with just a few clicks.
Best for: Anyone who wants a be able to build a professional site with the freedom to customize every
detail.
Pricing: Wix has a free plan that lets you build and publish. Paid plans start at approximately $17 per month.
Learn more:
02. Squarespace
Squarespace if you're photographer, artist, or restaurant owner who relies on high-quality visuals, this can be a good option.
While it might take a little longer to learn the interface, the results are consistently polished. It’s a great choice if you want your site to look like it was made by a pro designer right out of the box.
Best for: Creatives who want a sleek, modern look with less fuss.
Pricing: Plans start around $16 per month.
03. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is known for domain names but they also have a website builder. If you need to get a site live by this afternoon, this is the tool for you. It uses a simple editor where you swipe through different styles and layouts. You can't change every little pixel but that restriction speeds up the process significantly.
It comes with built-in marketing tools for email and social media, which is handy for small business owners wearing many hats.
Best for: Small business owners who need a simple info site ASAP.
Pricing: Starts around $9.99 per month.
04. Weebly
Weebly is know for being straightforward to use. It uses a block-based editor that's very intuitive. You want a contact form? Drag the form block to the page. You want a map? Drag the map block. Everything snaps into place, keeping your layout tidy.
While it hasn't released as many new design features as some competitors, its reliability and ease of use keep it on this list.
Best for: Users who want a no-frills, reliable builder with a gentle learning curve.
Pricing: Free plan available. Personal plans start at $10 per month.
05. Shopify
If your main goal is to sell things, Shopify is a well-known choice. While you can build regular website pages on it, it's built specifically for e-commerce. It makes managing inventory, shipping and taxes easy.
The editor allows you to customize your storefront, though it's potentially more rigid than a general website builder. However, if you plan on moving a lot of product, the trade-off is worth it for the powerful backend tools.
Best for: Aspiring entrepreneurs focused on starting an online store.
Pricing: Basic plans start at $29 per month.
07. Carrd
Sometimes you don't need a whole website. Sometimes you just need a single page to introduce yourself, capture emails or link to your social profiles. Carrd is a potential choice for one-page websites.
You can't necessarily build a massive store or a complex blog here but for a personal profile or a landing page, it works. The editor is simple and the templates look good on mobile.
Best for: Personal profiles, landing pages, and simple portfolios.
Pricing: Free plan available. Pro starts at just $19 per year.
What to look for when choosing a website builder
With so many options, how do you pick the right website builder? Keep these three factors in mind to ensure you make the right choice for your website and business.
Ease of use: As a beginner, the interface needs to make sense to you immediately. Sign up for the free trials and spend ten minutes in the editor. Does it feel intuitive? Can you find the Publish button? If you find yourself frustrated in the first ten minutes, try a different tool.
Growth potential: You might start small, but what if your hobby turns into a business? You don't want to have to rebuild your site on a new platform in six months. Look for a builder that lets you add features—like a store, booking calendar, or member area—later on. Platforms with large app markets are usually safer bets for long-term growth.
Support and community: You'll have questions. When you do, you need answers fast. Check if the website builder you want to use offers 24/7 support via chat or phone.
Find a more specific website builder:
Best website builders for beginners FAQ
Do I need to pay for web hosting separately?
No, not with these builders. One of the main benefits of using a website builder, like Wix, is that they're all-in-one platforms. Your monthly subscription covers the builder tool, the hosting (where your site lives) and usually security features like an SSL certificate.