The Top 10 Small Business Website Builders: Why WordPress and Divi Stand Out
In the digital age, having a robust online presence is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. We always say, if you’re not showing up online, you don’t exist. For small businesses, a professional-looking website is a powerful tool to engage potential clients and showcase what they have to offer. Thankfully, numerous website builders make the process seamless, even for those without a technical background. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 small business website builders and delve into why WordPress and Divi are the best in the lot.
1. WordPress
Arguably the most popular website builder and Content Management System (CMS) in the world, WordPress is versatile, user-friendly, and open-source. With its extensive range of themes and plugins, businesses can tailor their websites to their exact preferences. It’s no surprise that nearly a third of the world’s websites run on WordPress.
2. Divi by Elegant Themes
Divi is a revolutionary WordPress theme and visual page builder. Its drag-and-drop feature is second to none, providing complete design control without needing to write a line of code. For businesses looking for a customized feel with minimal effort, Divi is an excellent choice.
3. Wix
Wix offers a range of stunning templates suitable for any business. While they claim to have an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, we have found many clients making the switch from Wix to WordPress, have struggled. The built in SEO tools are great if you’re just getting started, but any real SEO strategy can’t be done on this platform.
4. Squarespace
Known for its award-winning designs, Squarespace provides elegant and responsive templates. It offers built-in tools, like email campaigns and e-commerce, ensuring businesses have everything they need in one platform. Design is important, but Squarespace has made it nearly impossible to customize the designs they offer, unless you’re a web developer. Limited on SEO and personalization.
5. Weebly
A subsidiary of Square, Weebly focuses on e-commerce businesses. Its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates make it easy to create a functional online store without the hefty costs.
6. Shopify
Shopify is a dedicated e-commerce platform. With comprehensive tools, including payment gateways, inventory tracking, and customer insights, it’s ideal for businesses wanting to sell products online with minimal fuss, but if you’re looking to create an experience for your shopper, you’ll need a developer. Themes cost $180+ and function out of the box well, but customization is tricky.
7. GoDaddy Website Builder
The absolute worst place to build and host your website. We could literally write a book on why, but just ask around. Your website will be down often. They don’t offer the freebees other hosting platforms offer. GoDaddy is great for registering your domain and you can leave it there, but build your website somewhere else!
8. Jimdo
Jimdo’s unique selling point is its AI website builder. Users answer a few questions, and a custom website gets designed for them. Perfect for those wanting a hands-off approach!
9. BigCommerce
Like Shopify, BigCommerce is an e-commerce platform offering comprehensive tools for online stores. Its multi-channel selling feature is a big draw, allowing businesses to sell on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.
10. Duda
Duda offers a collaborative website-building approach. With built-in e-commerce, blogging, and client management tools, it’s suitable for agencies and small businesses alike. This is similar to Shopify interface, user-friendly but hard to make “your own.”
Why WordPress and Divi are the Best
While all the above website builders have their merits, WordPress and Divi undoubtedly stand out. Here’s why:
- Flexibility: WordPress is open-source, meaning developers across the globe contribute to its continuous improvement. This global collaboration ensures cutting-edge features and robust security.
- Versatility: Whether you’re running a blog, e-commerce site, portfolio, or business webpage, WordPress and Divi can handle it. Their extensive plugin and theme ecosystems mean businesses can extend their site’s functionality without limitations.
- Ownership: With WordPress, you own your content. Some platforms restrict what you can do with your data or may place ads on your site without your consent. WordPress gives full ownership and control.
- Cost-Effective: WordPress itself is free. While there are costs associated with hosting and premium themes/plugins, overall, building a site with WordPress can be more affordable than other platforms.
- Community Support: Given its immense popularity, countless forums, tutorials, and resources are available online. If you face any issues with WordPress or Divi, chances are someone else has too, and a solution is readily available.
- Innovative Design with Divi: Divi takes what’s excellent about WordPress and enhances it. The ability to customize every aspect of a website without touching code makes Divi a game-changer. Its visual builder technology means you see the changes as you make them, streamlining the design process.
Small Business Website Builders Summary
In the vast sea of website builders, finding the perfect fit for your business can feel overwhelming. However, for those seeking a balance of power, flexibility, and ease of use, WordPress with the Divi theme is an unbeatable combination. The duo offers a holistic approach to website design, ensuring your small business shines online but also has the ability to scale as you grow.
