Are you looking to create a website for your small business? There are many website builders available and it can be overwhelming to choose the best one. Thankfully, there are many great free website builders designed specifically for small businesses. In this post, we will explore the best free website builders available, specifically Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, Google Sites, and B12, and compare their features.

We'll also provide tips so you can choose the best website builder. A free website builder plan offers benefits like no coding requirements and basic functionalities such as e-commerce and customization options, making it ideal for small businesses.

Choosing the best free website builder for small business

Creating an online presence helps you reach a wider audience. But it can be time-consuming and costly to develop a business website. Fortunately, website builders such as Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, Google Sites, and B12 offer small business owners a way to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily.

Understanding website builders

Website builders are online tools that allow users to create a website without learning coding or programming. These builders provide pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop editors, and easy customization features to create a website design. They also offer web hosting services. So you don’t have to set up a hosting account separately.

An AI website builder tool simplifies the website creation process by generating a site template quickly based on a few questions, making it even easier for users to build their online presence.

The best part about website builders is that they're beginner-friendly. This makes them an excellent choice for small business owners who don’t want to create a website from scratch. They’re handy if you don’t have the technical skills or time to devote to website-making. They save time, offer affordability, and allow you to maintain complete control over your website design.

Why choose a website builder for your small business?

A website builder offers several advantages over traditional website development methods. A free site-building platform is generally affordable or even has a free version or free plan. This makes them a cost-effective solution for businesses on a budget. They save you time and money. Plus, they let you maintain complete control over your website’s design. You won’t even have to worry about technical issues like a free domain, hosting, or maintenance.

However, many free plans don't support custom domains, which can make your site appear unprofessional and may deter potential visitors. Upgrading to a paid plan for a custom domain is often worth the investment for a professional online presence.

Moreover, the best website builders are beginner-friendly, enabling small business owners with no technical knowledge to build great-looking sites. With a website builder, you can also easily update your website’s content. You can update its design and functionality. You won’t need to hire a web developer. You don’t even have to know how to code yourself.

Additionally, most free website builders offer a wide range of templates and designs. This helps you create a website that matches your brand and business goals. Creating a professional-looking website helps you attract potential customers. It helps you convert prospective customers into paying clients. By choosing the right site builder, you can simplify the process. And you can get your website up and running quickly.

Types of websites you can build

When it comes to building a website, there are various types of websites you can create, depending on your needs and goals. Here are some examples of websites you can build with the best free website builders:

Comparing the best free website builders

If you’re looking for a free website builder for your business, there are several options. Here are four of the most popular website-building platforms available.

Many website builders, like Wix and Weebly, offer free plans that can be great for personal projects or testing ideas. However, these free plans often lack professionalism and essential features needed for business purposes, which may require an upgrade to a paid plan.

Wix: good for beginners

Wix is a user-friendly website builder. It offers a wide range of templates to choose from. It’s also known for its robust customization options. These allow you to tweak your website’s design down to the smallest detail. Wix also offers e-commerce integration, mobile responsiveness, and SEO tools, making it an all-around great option for businesses.

Additionally, Wix provides various marketing tools that help in promoting and managing your online presence effectively, such as automated emails, social media integration, and customer relationship management.

Weebly: best for ecommerce

Weebly is a website builder that is known for its powerful e-commerce capabilities. With Weebly, you can easily set up an online store, manage inventory, and process payments, making it an excellent platform to sell online. Weebly also offers a drag-and-drop interface and mobile responsiveness. This makes it a popular choice for small businesses looking to sell products online.

Squarespace: known for high-quality templates

Squarespace is another website builder. It's known for its high-quality, professional templates. With Squarespace, you can easily create a visually stunning website. Squarespace also offers e-commerce integration and mobile responsiveness. But Squarespace may not be the best choice for beginners. This is because its design tools can be more complex than those offered by other website builders.

Google Sites: effective for simple websites

Google Sites is a simple website builder that is free to use. It may not offer as many customization options as other website builders. But Google Sites is a solid choice for small businesses that need a basic website to share information with customers. Google Sites also offers easy integration with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Analytics.

However, compared to other free website builders like Wix and WordPress, Google Sites has limitations in customization and features, which might affect the overall user experience.

B12: best for service businesses

B12 is specifically geared toward professional service businesses looking for a user-friendly website builder. B12’s Starter plan gives you access to its powerful website editor. Even if you lack the technical know-how to build a site, its AI-powered builder makes the process effortless, from design to launch.

B12 also supports online stores, offering features like ease of use, customization options, and free plans, which are attractive to startups looking to sell products online. B12 also offers unlimited bandwidth and storage and other tools for helping your service business grow.

Each of these has its unique features. The best choice for your business will depend on your specific needs. Before choosing a website builder, consider the features you require. These may be mobile optimization, SEO tools, and technical support, among others.

GoDaddy: Best for accepting bookings

GoDaddy is a well-regarded choice for creating a website that accepts bookings. With its free plan, you can create a website that allows customers to book appointments or services online. GoDaddy’s website builder is easy to use, and its booking feature is integrated with its payment system, making it easy to manage bookings and payments. This makes it suited for service-based businesses like salons, consulting firms, or any business that relies on scheduled appointments.

Square Online: Best for creating an online store

Square Online is a powerful free website builder that allows you to create an online store and sell products online. With its free plan, you can create a website that includes features such as product management, payment processing, and shipping integration.

Square Online is an good choice for businesses or entrepreneurs who want to sell products online. Its seamless integration with Square’s payment system ensures that you can start selling online quickly and efficiently, making it a top choice for e-commerce.

Webador: Best for total beginners

Webador is a user-friendly website builder that is perfect for total beginners. With its free plan, you can create a website that includes features such as a drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates, and SEO tools. Webador is an excellent choice for those who want to create a website without any coding knowledge. Its intuitive interface and straightforward design options make it easy for anyone to build a professional-looking website, even if they have no prior experience.

Features to consider when choosing a website builder

When choosing a free website builder for your business, there are several features to consider. These features can impact your website’s overall success. It is also important to evaluate the features of a free website builder plan, including no coding requirements, basic functionalities, and common limitations like restricted bandwidth and support.

Ease of use

Choose a website builder by considering how user-friendly it is. Look for drag-and-drop editing options and intuitive interfaces. These allow you to quickly create a professional-looking website without needing to know how to code.

Customization

While ease of use is important, you also want a website builder that allows for customization. Opt for a builder that offers a variety of templates. Look for one that allows you to add your own branding, colors, and fonts. This way, you can create your own website that looks unique and fits your company's brand.

SEO

Another important feature is search engine optimization (SEO). This allows your website to rank higher in search engine results. And this can bring more traffic to your site. Look for a website builder that offers SEO features such as customizable meta tags, keyword research tools, and analytics.

By considering these key features when choosing a free website builder, you can ensure that you are selecting a platform that meets your business needs and goals.

How to create your website with Wix

Creating a website with Wix is a straightforward process. Here's how to get started with your website creation.

Signing up for a Wix account

Sign up for a Wix account to access the platform's features. Create an account using your Google or Facebook profile. Or sign up with your email address.

Exploring the Wix dashboard

The dashboard displays the main features of the Wix builder- the templates, editor, and apps. Explore the dashboard. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the platform's features.

Creating your website

After exploring the dashboard, it's time to create your site. Click the Create New Site button. And you'll be prompted to choose a website category. Choose one that best suits your business.

Editing your website

After selecting your website category, you'll be directed to the website editor. Here, you can customize your site. You can change the site's template, content, and design. Wix editor allows you to drag and drop elements to your pages to make changes easily.

Adding pages and elements

Wix allows you to add pages to your site. Do so by clicking on the "Page" option. You can add and customize text, images, and videos. You can also use other elements to create a website that stands out.

Publishing your website

Let's say you're done editing your website. Click "Publish" to make it live. Your site will be available for online visitors to access.

Follow these steps to build a website that represents your business.

Reasons to choose B12 for your small business

When finding the best free website builder for your business, you have plenty of options. However, after comparing the top contenders, B12 emerges as the clear winner for a variety of reasons.

Customization and templates

B12 offers an incredible range of templates and customizations that can fulfill the needs of service businesses in various industries. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for small business owners to create a unique website with ease. Plus, there's no coding skills required. B12's innovative AI builder also offers personalized attention to each website. It ensures that your website is on-brand and reflects your vision. As a result, this makes you stand out in the crowd.

Mobile responsiveness

In this day and age, if your website isn't mobile-friendly, you're losing out on a massive market of customers. B12 understands this and ensures that your site is optimized for mobile. Business owners can ensure their website loads quickly on all devices without compromising their original website design.

Unlimited support

For small business owners, you don't want to encounter a website problem with no one to turn to. B12 provides excellent customer support through email and live chat. This ensures your queries and concerns are addressed in a timely and efficient manner. 

Overall, B12 offers an excellent, free website builder that is tailored to the needs of service businesses. 

Leverage B12's free website builder to create a stunning website

With its user-friendly interface, high-quality templates, mobile responsiveness, and exceptional support, B12 is ideal for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small businesses alike. Start building your own website today with B12 and take your small business to the next level.

Launch a beautiful, professional website with your custom domain in 30 days or less with B12. Start by seeing a free draft in 60 seconds, then work with expert designers and copywriters to personalize and refine it. Finally, launch it and use client-engaging tools like invoicing, intake, contracts, and more to grow your business.