Struggling to find the best website design software for small business? Many business owners find themselves overwhelmed by endless options, unsure what software is best for website design or which software is used for website design by professionals.

This frustration often leads to wasted time, generic websites, and lost customers. But here’s the silver lining: the right tools can transform your vision into a polished, high-performing website without the headaches.

Whether you’re wondering what software web designers use or need something beginner-friendly, we’ve got the ultimate guide to help you find the perfect fit.

What to Look for in Website Design Software

Before exploring the best tools, it’s important to understand what makes website design software suitable for small businesses. Here are the key features to evaluate:

• Ease of Use: Does the platform offer drag-and-drop tools, tutorials, and a simple interface that even beginners can navigate?
• Customization Options: Can you personalize layouts, colors, and features to match your brand’s identity?
• Cost-Effectiveness: Is the software within your budget, and does it offer a free or trial version to test its features?
• Mobile Responsiveness: Does the platform ensure that your site looks great on all devices?
• SEO Tools: Are there built-in SEO features to help your site rank higher on Google?

These features are essential for creating a website that not only looks great but also drives traffic and sales.

Benefits of Using Website Design Software for Small Businesses

Still on the fence about using website design software? Here’s why these tools are a game-changer for small business owners:

• Cost Efficiency: Hiring a professional web developer can cost thousands of dollars. Website design software is an affordable alternative.
• No Coding Required: Most tools are beginner-friendly, so you don’t need any technical skills to create a stunning website.
• Time-Saving: With pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop functionality, you can launch your website in days, not months.
• Scalability: Whether you’re just starting out or planning to expand, these platforms can grow with your business.

Top Website Design Software for Small Businesses

The market is filled with website builders, but not all are created equal. Here’s a curated list of the top website design software for small businesses.

Wix: The Beginner-Friendly Option

Features:

• Drag-and-drop builder
• Hundreds of customizable templates
• Built-in SEO tools
• App marketplace for additional functionality

Pricing Plans:

• Free plan available (with ads)
• Paid plans start at $17/month

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly
• No coding required
• Extensive template library

Cons:

• Wix may not suit large-scale enterprises with extensive backend requirements but offers scalable options like Velo and e-commerce tools for growing businesses
• Ads on the free plan

Best For: Small business owners with minimal design experience who want a quick and easy solution. Visit Wix here

Squarespace: For Professional and Sleek Designs

Features:

• Award-winning templates
• Blogging tools
• E-commerce capabilities
• Comprehensive analytics dashboard

Pricing Plans:

• Starts at $16/month

Pros:

• Beautiful, professional designs
• Great for showcasing portfolios
• Squarespace ensures SEO-friendliness with clean URLs, automatic sitemaps, and built-in analytics.

Cons:

• Learning curve for beginners
• Limited app integrations

Best For: Businesses that want a visually stunning website to reflect their brand. Visit Squarespace here

Shopify: Perfect for E-Commerce

Features:

• Seamless e-commerce tools
• Mobile-friendly templates
• Integrated payment gateways
• Inventory management

Pricing Plans:

• Starts at $24/month (includes e-commerce features)

Pros:

• Tailored for online stores
• Excellent customer support
• Supports multiple payment methods

Cons:

• Limited customization without coding
• Higher costs for additional features

Best For: Small businesses that primarily sell products online.

Weebly: Affordable and User-Friendly

Features:

• Drag-and-drop builder
• Responsive templates
• Built-in SEO tools
• E-commerce capabilities

Pricing Plans:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at $10/month

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Intuitive interface
• Integrated marketing tools

Cons:

• Limited design flexibility
• Fewer templates compared to competitors

Best For: Businesses looking for a low-cost, straightforward solution.

WordPress.com

Features:

• Thousands of themes and plugins
• Full control over website design
• Extensive blogging tools
• Strong SEO capabilities

Pricing Plans:

• Offers a free plan with basic features, while paid plans start at $4/month for a custom domain and additional tools

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Large community support
• Excellent for content-heavy sites

Cons:

• It has a moderate learning curve for basic use but becomes more complex as you explore advanced customization options
• Requires ongoing maintenance and updates

Best For: Businesses that need maximum flexibility and scalability.

WordPress.org: The Ultimate Customization Powerhouse

Features:

• Full control over every aspect of your website
• Access to thousands of free and premium themes and plugins
• Advanced blogging tools
• Highly customizable for e-commerce, portfolios, or business websites
• Integration with virtually any third-party tool or service

Pricing Plans:

• Free to use, but requires hosting (starting around $4/month depending on the hosting provider) and a domain name (typically $10–$15/year). Additional costs may apply for premium themes, plugins, or custom development.

Pros:

• Unparalleled flexibility and scalability
• Huge global community offering resources, tutorials, and support
• Ideal for businesses with growth potential
• Strong SEO capabilities with plugins like Yoast SEO
• Freedom to choose your hosting provider

Cons:

• Requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain
• Manual updates and backups unless handled by a managed hosting provider
• Steeper learning curve compared to drag-and-drop website builders

Best For: Small businesses that want complete control over their website’s design and functionality, or those with plans to scale significantly.

GoDaddy Website Builder: Quick and Easy

Features:

• Drag-and-drop editor
• SEO tools
• E-commerce options
• 24/7 customer support

Pricing Plans:

• Starts at $9.99/month

Pros:

• Quick setup
• Beginner-friendly
• Offers quick and affordable website solutions but may lack advanced design flexibility and customization options

Cons:

• Limited design options
• Basic features compared to competitors

Best For: Businesses needing a website up and running in no time.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing Software

When evaluating website design tools, keep these essential features in mind:

• Integration with social media and email marketing platforms
• Analytics and tracking for performance insights
• Reliable hosting and security features

Comparison Table: A Side-by-Side Look at Popular Software

Tips for Building a Small Business Website That Converts

• Focus on Design: Keep it clean, professional, and mobile-friendly.
• Prioritize Content: Clear messaging, engaging visuals, and compelling calls-to-action are key.
• Optimize for SEO: Use keywords, meta descriptions, and fast-loading designs to improve search engine visibility.

Conclusion

Choosing the right website design software for your small business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you need a beginner-friendly platform like Wix or a feature-packed solution like WordPress.org, there’s an option for every budget and need.

Consider your goals, budget, and technical expertise to make the best choice. We design wordpress website for small businesses. Contact us for website design quote.

FAQs

What is the best free website builder for small businesses? 

Wix and Weebly offer free plans with limitations like ads and subdomains, making them better suited for testing rather than long-term use.

Can I switch website builders later? 

Yes, but migrating your site can be complex. Choose wisely from the start.

How much should I spend on website design software? 

Most small businesses can expect to spend $6-$50/month, depending on the platform and additional features like e-commerce or advanced customization.

Do I need coding knowledge to use these tools? 

No, all the tools listed here are beginner-friendly and require no coding skills.

Which website builder is best for SEO? 

WordPress.org and Squarespace offer excellent SEO tools for better rankings.