Need a website builder that gets you online quickly without compromising on quality? We’ve rounded up the most user-friendly options, highlighting their standout features, ease of use, and any potential trade-offs. Whether you’re brand-new to web design or just looking for a straightforward solution, these platforms make creating a polished, professional online presence simple.

Key takeaways

• Look for user-friendly features: The best website builders offer intuitive interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality, and pre-designed templates to make site creation quick and simple, even for non-technical users.
• You have options: There is no shortage of easy-to-use website builders out there. Platforms like B12 focus on AI-driven efficiency, Squarespace is great for creatives, Site123 keeps it super simple, Hostinger offers budget-friendly features, and Wix provides extensive flexibility.
• Start for free: Most platforms offer free plans or trials, allowing you to test their features and find the best fit for your needs before committing to a paid plan.

What makes a website builder easy to use?

Intuitive interface

A great website builder is easy to navigate, even for non-technical users. With a clean, user-friendly dashboard, you can build your site and make changes to text, images, and integrations without getting frustrated or lost.

No-code functionality

An effective website builder allows you to create and manage your site without requiring coding knowledge or a technical background. Drag-and-drop tools make designing your site a breeze because you can move things around, customize layouts, and see your changes instantly without knowing any code. 

Ready-to-go templates

Pre-made templates give you a head start with design that looks great right out of the box. Many platforms offer a variety of niche-specific templates, allowing you to select and edit designs that align with your brand without starting from scratch. You can tweak them to fit your style and brand without spending hours figuring it out. However, simple website builders may have trade-offs like limited customization.

AI assistance

For platforms that include AI, features like automated page or section generation, content creation, and image generation help you create polished, more personalized websites faster. You still need to edit and fact-check anything AI creates, but it’s a major time-saver by presenting you with a first draft instantly.

Built-in tooling

Even if you’re building a simple site, having access to features like SEO, analytics, and marketing functionality can enhance your site's performance and offer scalability while keeping everything integrated into one platform. A platform like B12 includes all the tools you need to serve clients online, from contact forms to online scheduling and eSignatures. 

Reliable support

Accessible customer support can make or break your experience. Whether it’s tutorials, webinars, live chat, or dedicated phone support, having help available makes a huge difference in bringing your dream site to life with less stress and fewer delays. 

Top 5 easiest website builders

B12: The best of AI and human touch 

If you want a website builder that’s super smart and incredibly intuitive, B12 could be your new best friend. It’s perfect for time-strapped businesses who want to retain control with the option to get help from on-platform experts. B12 offers a unique combo of AI-driven design so you can generate your website draft in 60 seconds, and the choice to work with experienced designers, copywriters, and SEO experts. 

Using your business name, description, and any information about your desired website, B12’s AI whips up a website draft in less than 60 seconds based on your details. From there, you can easily customize the site yourself (think fonts, palettes, themes, images, text, integrations, and more) or with B12’s AI Assist tool, which can generate new sections, images, and even draft personalized copy. Or, you can work with professional designers and writers to refine it. 

No matter which path you choose, you end up with a polished site ready to publish in days rather than weeks. Bonus? Built-in tools for email marketing, scheduling, invoicing, and client intake forms allow you to centralize all parts of your online presence.

B12’s standout features

• AI website creation in 60 seconds
• Initial website draft is automatically customized to your inputs
• Professional design and copywriting assistance available
• Native tools for SEO, client forms, and email marketing
• Beginner-friendly editing dashboard
• Offers a forever-free plan

B12’s limitations

• Better suited to service-based businesses vs. ecommerce
• Premium features may not be useful for personal websites

Squarespace: Stunning website templates for various industries

Squarespace is highly regarded for its mobile-responsive templates geared toward various industries. It’s especially popular with creatives such as artists and photographers. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools, from built-in email marketing to essential e-commerce features and SEO tools. Additionally, Squarespace provides a 14-day free trial, so you can explore its full suite of features without an immediate commitment.  

Squarespace’s standout features

• Variety of visually appealing templates
• Intuitive, drag-and-drop editor
• Built-in ecommerce and marketing tools

Squarespace’s limitations

• Doesn’t offer a free plan
• The Business plan charges a 3% transaction fee for all sales
• You can’t sell in multiple currencies
• AI offering isn’t quite as advanced as some competitors
• Phone support isn’t available

Site123: No-frills simplicity 

The name says it all. Site123 is a worthwhile platform for anyone who wants to create a simple website without overthinking it. Its guided process makes it easy to get started, even if you’ve never built a site before. You’ll find pre-designed templates that look great right out of the box and are automatically mobile-friendly. While it’s not the best option for complex customization or a large number of pages, it’s ideal for personal projects, small businesses, or anyone dipping their toes into the website world. 

Site123’s standout features

• Simple, guided setup process for beginners
• Flexible ecommerce options
• Free plan available for as long as you like

Site123’s limitations

• Frustrating preview experience
• Limited design options
• Best for small sites with only a few pages

Hostinger: Budget-friendly and feature-rich

Hostinger’s website builder is one of the better options if you’re looking for something affordable that’s packed with built-in tools. It comes with AI-powered tools like a logo maker and content generator, making it easy to create a well-branded website that looks and feels legitimate. The platform is intuitive and offers great value for money. However, if design flexibility is important to you, be aware that once you choose a template, you can’t change it without starting over. 

Hostinger’s standout features

• Self-explanatory editing experience
• Autosaving functionality ensures you won't lose progress
• Essential ecommerce tools 
• 24/7 live chat support

Hostinger’s limitations

• You can’t switch templates
• No free plan
• AI and ecommerce tools are only available on premium plan
• Limited image editing capabilities

Wix: Flexible with unlimited integrations 

Wix is popular for a reason. It’s got a massive library of templates, an easy drag-and-drop editor, and features to satisfy both beginners and advanced users. Whether you’re setting up a blog, online store, or portfolio, Wix has options for just about everyone. Its app market adds even more functionality but may overwhelm web design newbies with the sheer number of options. If you're only looking to build a simple site, Wix may not be worth the cost.

Wix’s standout features

• Extensive template library
• Flexible tools for blogs, ecommerce, and portfolios
• App market for added features and integrations

Wix’s limitations

• Limited ecommerce and blogging features
• Above-average pricing
• App version lacks editing functionality

Comparing free plans

Each of these website builders offers a unique free option to help you explore the platform or preview your new site, but not all have long-term free plans.  

• B12: The forever-free plan includes an intuitive website editor, free hosting, traffic analytics, online scheduling, invoicing, and more. Free users can launch themselves on a B12sites domain or upgrade to a custom domain later on. Another low-cost option is $1/month for your first 3 months using B12.
• Squarespace: While you can sign up for a free trial with no credit card required. Squarespace does not offer a free plan. After the 14-day trial, users must subscribe to a paid plan to continue using it. 
• Site123: There’s a forever free option, but you don’t have control over your URL. Free sites get published on the .site123.me domain preceded by a series of random letters and numbers.
• Hostinger: Offers a 7-day free trial but no forever-free plan. 
• Wix: The free plan provides limited storage, no email, and a Wix-branded domain.

These free options are a great way to test each platform and decide which one is the best fit before committing to a longer-term paid plan.

Choosing the right website builder for your needs

Picking the right website builder can make a huge difference in how quickly and easily you get online. Each of these five platforms offers unique strengths, and any of them is a solid choice for beginners. Whether you value AI-powered customization, a large library of templates, simplicity, affordability, or a full-featured powerhouse, there’s something here for everyone.

B12 shines for its balance of AI and human expertise, giving businesses a polished, professional presence in seconds with minimal effort. Squarespace stands out for its beautiful templates and robust tools, making it a go-to for creatives and businesses alike. Site123 is a great choice for those looking for the most no-frills, beginner-friendly platform. Hostinger impresses with its budget-friendly pricing and built-in tools, while Wix delivers all-in-one functionality.

No matter your needs or skill level, these platforms provide approachable solutions to help you build a website that matches your goals. Start with their free plans or trials to find the right fit, and you’ll be on your way to launching your best online presence in no time.