Building a website no longer requires coding skills, a big budget, or weeks of trial and error. Modern website builders are designed to help beginners create professional-looking sites quickly, often with drag-and-drop editors, templates, and all-in-one hosting. After hands-on testing and comparison, the following article ranks the best options for beginners based on ease of use, flexibility, features, and value.
TLDR: Beginners today have excellent website builder options that require zero technical knowledge. Wix and Squarespace lead overall thanks to usability and design quality, while WordPress.com and Webflow suit users who want room to grow. For simple sites, tools like SITE123 and Weebly remain solid, budget-friendly choices.
1. Wix
Wix takes the top spot due to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and wide selection of templates. Beginners can start with the Wix ADI, which automatically creates a site based on a few questions. More advanced users can switch to the classic editor for full control.
- Very beginner-friendly interface
- Large app market for added features
- Free plan available with ads
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is known for visually stunning templates and consistency in design. It is ideal for creatives, bloggers, and small businesses that want a polished site without too much customization overwhelm.
- Modern, mobile-responsive templates
- Built-in blogging and ecommerce tools
- No free plan, but strong trial period
3. WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers a more structured approach than Wix but remains beginner accessible. It is different from self-hosted WordPress.org and includes hosting, security, and maintenance.
- Excellent for content-focused websites
- Scalable as skills grow
- More limitations on lower plans
4. Webflow
Webflow bridges the gap between beginner tools and professional web design. While slightly more complex, it allows visual editing with powerful layout controls.
- Clean, professional code output
- Advanced design flexibility
- Higher learning curve than others
5. Zyro
Zyro focuses on speed and simplicity. It uses lightweight templates and AI tools that help beginners create sites quickly, even with minimal input.
- AI-generated content and layouts
- Affordable premium plans
- Limited customization options
6. SITE123
SITE123 emphasizes simplicity above all else. Instead of freeform placement, it uses pre-structured layouts that reduce decision fatigue for beginners.
- Fast setup process
- Helpful step-by-step guidance
- Less creative freedom
7. Weebly
Weebly remains a reliable builder for beginners, especially after being acquired by Square. It is well suited for small online stores and basic business websites.
- Simple drag-and-drop editor
- Good ecommerce features
- Templates feel outdated
8. Shopify
Shopify is primarily an ecommerce platform, but beginners looking to sell products online will find it one of the easiest ways to launch a store.
- Best-in-class ecommerce tools
- Secure and scalable
- Less ideal for non-store sites
9. Jimdo
Jimdo uses AI to generate websites quickly and works well for freelancers and small local businesses that want a simple online presence.
- Fast AI-driven setup
- Built-in SEO basics
- Limited advanced features
10. Strikingly
Strikingly is best for one-page websites such as portfolios or event pages. Its simplicity makes it attractive to absolute beginners.
- Optimized for single-page sites
- Easy editing experience
- Not ideal for large websites
11. Carrd
Carrd is a minimalist builder focused on simple, responsive single-page sites. It is extremely affordable and straightforward.
- Very low cost
- Clean and fast-loading designs
- Limited functionality
12. Google Sites
Google Sites is a free and basic builder integrated with Google Workspace. It suits internal projects, simple pages, or documentation sites.
- Completely free
- Easy collaboration
- Very limited design control
How the Rankings Were Determined
The builders were tested based on setup time, usability, template quality, pricing transparency, and beginner support resources. Extra weight was given to ease of use and the ability to create a functional site without external tools.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a website builder depends on a beginner’s goals. Those wanting maximum creative control should lean toward Wix or Webflow, while users focused on design may prefer Squarespace. For fast, no-frills websites, SITE123 or Carrd can be more than enough. The key is starting with a platform that grows alongside the user’s confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the easiest website builder for beginners?
Wix is often considered the easiest due to its drag-and-drop editor and optional AI setup. - Are free website builders worth it?
Free plans are useful for testing, but they usually include ads and limited features. - Which builder is best for small businesses?
Squarespace and Wix are strong choices for small business websites. - Can beginners build an online store?
Yes, platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Weebly make ecommerce accessible for beginners. - Is coding knowledge ever required?
No coding is required for these builders, though some allow optional code customization.