15 Cheapest Website Builders

The cheapest website builders aren’t always the best website builders. It’s you’re not well-versed in creating a website the old-fashioned way, you’ll likely have to rely on a website builder to produce the result you want from your site.

Multiple ways exist to create a website. Honestly, it comes down to the designs you want, how the website should function, and any special features you’d like.

If you want things like a forum or message board capabilities, these characteristics must be coded into the primary language of the site, which requires knowledge of HTML code, JavaScript, and several other universal languages for a PC.

Luckily, several different website builders help make life easier for anyone to construct a personal or professional website. Now, the problem lies in figuring out the right one to use. You can find a cheap website builder, but that doesn’t mean it caters to your needs. In some cases, using the cheapest website builder might not be possible if you need additional features like eCommerce.

To help find the most appropriate cheap website builder for you specifically, we’ll highlight choices like:

• Cheapest Website Builder Overall With the Most Features
• Best Website Builder for eCommerce
• Cheapest Website Builder for New Users
• and More

Choosing the most efficient website builder for your needs requires a little bit of planning and answering a few questions before searching.

Choosing a Website Builder

If you’ve used a website builder before, you know how difficult it is to select one and stick with it. With multiple options on the market, scattered across so many different price points, sometimes things get lost in translation when we’re working.

A website builder is a tool, software, or application that automates or simplifies the website building process for an administrator or webmaster. The first thing you should be aware of is that every website has two main working areas – the front end and the back end.

The front end of your website is the flashy part. It’s the portion that people see when they navigate to your website address. Your front end is the actual live version of the site that customers interact with when they go to your homepage and beyond.

The back end is the business end of your website. If the front end is the main stage during a play, the back end is the backstage area.

The building blocks used are known as codes when any website is constructed. HTML or Java code looks like a bunch of random letters and numbers on the back end. However, on the front end, they come together to form the visual elements – and every other part of your website.

Creating a website requires the builder to type what seems like miles and miles of code to make the pages of their choice. Because coding isn’t common knowledge, building a website requires you to either learn code or hire a coder to make it.

Neither of these is cheap unless you self-teach yourself code, which could take a significant length of time. That said, we now have another option to create websites – an option that makes it easier for those who aren’t tech-savvy enough to code a website but have the know-how to put it together on the front end.

This is where website builders come into play. A website builder allows you to edit your website directly from the front end and see the visual changes in real-time as they happen.

Instead of relying on code representing your website’s visual elements, you’re moving things around manually. Some builders are easier to use than others and are extremely user-friendly. These versions are known as drag-and-drop websites, which normally allow you to choose a picture and drag it to the exact point you want to place it. If you want to move a picture, you just click it and reposition it.

Other types of builders limit you to where you can place pictures and text. Some only allow you to choose the page alignment and the overall size of the image, similar to WordPress blocks. That said, hundreds of website builders exist on the internet – some are incredibly popular, and some are no more than privately-coded programs created for one user or company to use privately.

If you’re a newcomer to web design, it’s in your best interest to browse website builders and take advantage of the right one. It eliminates the confusion and closes the learning gap for those who don’t understand coding.

In addition, you’ll end up with a much cleaner-looking site that you’re happier with in the end. However, finding the right website builders among the large collections is difficult – and can be extremely expensive if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Luckily, we’ve created this guide to bring to you the best and cheapest website builders on the market, so you can begin developing beautiful, professional-looking websites in no time. Here’s a quick peek at some of the best cheap website builders:

The Cheapest Website Builders

Finding a happy medium is important when you’re new to building websites. You want quality website builders to choose from but don’t want to break the bank if you’re uncertain how long you’ll stick with creating sites or blogs.

You don’t want to spend a substantial amount of money only to find out website building isn’t for you, and you end up paying to outsource the work. In addition, you don’t want to go cheap and get a clunky website builder that will deliver a poorly finished product.

If this happens, you’ll be unhappy with your efforts, and there’s a good chance you’ll become discouraged and not want to finish the site. You want the perfect combination of savings, user-friendliness, ease of use, and the right number of additional tools.

Consider the following list of sites we’ve highlighted and broken down to demonstrate what each does and how it might be a good choice, depending on your goals and experience.

1. Zyro (Highest Quality Out of Cheapest Website Builders)

Zyro could be the best and cheapest website builder you’ve never heard of. This platform is already making a splash in the blog and website design space, and its most valuable asset is its user-friendly design and ease of use. Nearly anybody, whether they have experience or not, can get a fully functional website running in an extremely short period of time.

In addition, Zyro includes some seriously forward-thinking features, including a built-in AI writer, a game changer for bloggers or small businesses that don’t have the time to write or the money to pay an agency. The basic plan is only an incredible $2.61 per month and features the following:

• Unlimited bandwidth
• Unlimited storage
• A free domain name
• Blogging tools
• AI writer
• Free trial email
• Google Analytics

These features, for only $2.61 per month, are almost unbelievable. Let’s look at the pros and cons:

Pros

• Unlimited everything
• AI Writer Is Extremely Helpful
• Free Domain
• Extremely user-friendly
• Can integrate with several other tools, including social media

Cons

• The basic plan doesn’t include selling options.

Key Features

What makes Zyro even more impressive is that it uses a drag-and-drop editor, further solidifying that this is quite possibly the best-priced and most user-friendly website builder on the market.

In addition to all of the help from AI, you’ll also have room for using your own creativity without the platform becoming too confusing. This works out for someone trying to create a basic website with content about your business offerings to accompany your e-commerce store or small business.

While there are platforms that are more advanced and offer a little more customization, you can choose to code with Zyro if you have the knowledge. As we said earlier, the value of Zyro is among the best. The base plan runs $2.61 per month, Business is $4.41, the Online Store is $8.90, and the Advanced Store is $14.31.

The Business plan comes with plenty of support features if you’re new to e-commerce or any type of online store providing digital or physical products. It allows you to function in this space, but if you’re looking to operate a full-blown store, it’s probably better to use the Online Store Level.

If you keep your eyes peeled as low as Zyro already is, you’re likely to catch them running a promotion, lowering the price even further.

In Zyro’s early days, it had a serious problem with customizing. You weren’t able to do much with templates beyond their original appearance. Since then, the platform has made incredible changes to advanced customization options.

The Smart Layout feature eliminates frustrating “ rows,” “blocks,” “containers,” or whatever else you’d like to call them that so many website builders use. This game-changing design allows you to place visual elements and any other elements of your website anywhere you want them.

The only place where Zyro lacks is in its plug-ins and apps. It’s a new platform, so the high amount of integration just isn’t there yet. However, if Zyro continues the path it’s on, there shouldn’t be a problem with integration options catching up in the future.

The platform more than makes up for the lack of integration by offering a free trial for its email plan and in-house SEO tools for no extra charge. With unlimited bandwidth and storage, you can’t go wrong with $2.60 a month, which is almost unheard of for all the features mentioned.

The AI writer is a complete game-changer and one of the first of its kind included with a website builder. Something tells us this could be the start of a trend, especially considering the high demand for content writing services.

Zyro is optimized for new users but advanced enough for veterans. This is most likely the website builder with the best value for the money (and by a pretty wide margin).

2. Shopify (Best Website Builder for eCommerce)

Shopify is reserved solely for eCommerce websites, catering to store owners looking to grow and market their online shops. It’s meant to be an all-in-one, containing everything merchants need to get their business off the ground. This means that all themes, subscriptions, plug-ins, and everything else associated with the platform are made to accommodate those who have an online store.

For everything you receive, Shopify is low-priced, and the lowest tier has an impressive number of features. The lowest tier is $29 per month but drops all the way to $21.75 if you pay for three years. This subscription level includes:

• Unlimited products in an online store
• No ads in your store
• Multichannel selling and integration available
• Abandoned Cart recovery
• Print your own shipping labels
• 74% shipping discount
• Discount code creation
• 2% fees

Pros

• Great price for all the features
• Useful apps to help the customer experience
• Includes a blog
• Unlimited products
• Can integrate with multiple platforms

Cons

• Only available for online store / eCommerce

Key Features

Shopify’s website builder is fairly easy to use for any level of a website owner. It might take some getting used to for new users, but eventually, they should get the hang of it.

The main point new users need to understand is the fact that the layout of the website builder is inventory-driven. One of Shopify’s strongest advantages is that anyone looking to get their eCommerce store on the map can easily accomplish this through the platform.

Shopify guides new users through the entire creation and deployment of their store. It’s not something that happens in a matter of minutes – you must be aware of the fact it takes a substantial amount of time. However, that’s not saying it’s a complicated process; it’s just extremely detailed, which is a positive.

Three different subscription levels exist, giving users a wide variety of abilities between them. As we said earlier, the Shopify Basic plan is $29, Shopify is $79, and the Advanced Shopify is $299 per month.

You unlock a decent number of new features as you upgrade through the plans, so you must be prepared for growth heading into each new level to justify the increase in cost. Most of the additions and features available to use for your store come in the form of apps.

For example, users can download an app that displays a popup window when users prepare to exit the website that offers a discount or promo to keep shoppers on the site. Some of these apps are free, but some of the more intricate ones usually come with an additional monthly subscription.

Because the apps aren’t included in the monthly subscription cost, users might find it difficult to track their exact expenses because of the possibility of adding additional applications. However, taking a little time to make some accurate predictions can help keep your costs within budget.

Browse the apps that you need immediately and add them to your budget. Afterward, browse apps that you think you might need as your business expands and work them into your budget for six months into the future. You may not get an exact figure, but it certainly helps you become better prepared.

One of the primary factors of Shopify is the themes that come with the store. You’ll have nine free themes to choose from, but the large majority of them will cost you. The average price of a theme is around $100, but they can run as high as $200.

However, even the free themes look professional and run seamlessly. They work beautifully on a desktop or mobile, and you can select your theme based on the industry your business is based around. Each theme is already pre-made with certain features relevant to the industry you select.

If you have additional people with you in your business ventures, even the base plan allows you to create two staff accounts, so you don’t have to share a password and log in. You can also sync your inventory across various channels to automatically update. For example, you can link your Shopify store to your Facebook, Instagram, and Google business accounts.

Selecting the higher subscription levels allows you to calculate foreign exchange rates, print professional reports, and keep track of real-time international shipping rates. Regardless of the subscription plan you select, you should probably be prepared to download some free apps and maybe even a couple of paid ones to squeeze the most efficiency out of your store.

The cost of the apps is usually modestly priced, with some as low as a few dollars per month. However, some of the more intricate apps can total up to $40 and $50 per month.

Overall, Shopify is for any level of eCommerce business owner. If you’re new to eCommerce and need a cost-efficient solution to go live, you can’t beat the base price of $29 for a Shopify subscription. You’re essentially buying a business in a box that just needs website creation.

3. GoDaddy (One of the Cheapest Website Builders Made for New Users)

GoDaddy is a surefire way to get your site up and running quickly and get your brand in front of the eyes of buyers in the most straightforward way possible. Building your own site through GoDaddy is extremely easy for newcomers and can even take most of the manual design work out of the equation.

The platform uses design assistance to whip up customized websites quickly in a few minutes. You’ll also have access to advantages like inbound marketing, social media tools, and 24/7 customer support, which is huge.

The price for the basic package is an impressive $6.99 per month, providing the following benefits:

• Connect a custom domain
• No ads
• 24/7 phone support
• GoDaddy Insights

Pros

• Phone support is excellent.
• Analytics allows you to track pertinent metrics.
• The site builder does almost all the work for you
• Create websites in a matter of minutes instead of weeks

Cons

• It might not give advanced users the customization they want

Key Features

Advanced users of GoDaddy might find some of the elements of the website builder slightly disappointing. Artificial Design Intelligence prompts you to input the goals and specific details of your website or business. The builder takes this information and creates the most relevant website based on what it thinks would be most important for browsers surfing your site.

If you really want to, you can choose your own template and do most of the editing manually. The good news is that even if you choose the ADI builder to create your site, you can edit it manually after.

This makes it an ideal option for users who want the most time-consuming work done for them before returning to the template and editing the specific details later. GoDaddy breaks down into four different price plans, starting at $6.99 for the Basic, $13.99 for Premium, $14.99 for Commerce, and $29.99 for Commerce Plus.

The basic truly keeps it simple, only offering you the bare essentials and just enough to operate the site. Unfortunately, this tier has no SEO Tool options, which might be a turn-off for novice users.

This is a slight letdown, especially considering that many current website builders offer SEO tools with their freemium subscriptions. If you’re looking for a top-tier design experience, GoDaddy probably won’t impress you in this regard. However, you can utilize their basic templates and spruce them up, giving you a decent result.

Switching the color scheme, shifting rows, and sections, and making a few smaller tweaks is usually enough to liven up your website, which won’t take any coding knowledge.

The strongest part of the Basic plan GoDaddy offers is the GoDaddy Analytics tool. It makes up for the lack of other features and can still help you get your website noticed despite the lack of free SEO Tools. There’s room for improvement, but the Analytics Tool does a great job at making up for the lack of other important plug-ins.

4. 1&1 IONOS

1&1 IONOS is a great choice to get a small business online and comes at an extremely modest price – one of the lowest on the market. A range of different subscriptions exists, with the cheapest being a mere $1.00 per month.

This website builder is specifically marketed toward business owners and makes a great option for an organization that plans on growing because of its ability to scale. You can start with the smallest $1 per month package, which includes a limited feature, or purchase a plan detailed enough to give your brand reach across the globe. Highlights of the base package include:

• Fast loading times
• Extremely low price
• It is easy to upgrade and scale
• Despite the price, you still get a free domain
• Includes business solutions

The $1 per month plan includes advantages like a free domain for a year, online marketing tools, a professional email address, and no advertisements. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of their cheapest plan:

Pros

• The basic plan loads extremely fast
• The modest price of $1 per month for the first year
• It comes with a free domain
• Offers free trial period

Cons

• Not the easiest website builder to use

Key Features

The website builder isn’t the simplest to use and doesn’t provide a drag-and-drop option, so newcomers could still have difficulties using it. That said, the builder does make use of the sections it provides, which keep things nice, neat, and organized.

You’re able to use a blank canvas to start each new page, which is nice, considering it gives you more control over the creation of your site instead of using a template. The only downside is trying to move the sections that make up your pages – since they do not drag and drop, it makes it difficult to place them wherever you want them.

Honestly, you’re probably better off skipping the $1 per month plan and going to the one just above it. Choosing this next tier only costs you about $5.00 per month and allows much better features for use and a higher level of integration.

For example, by taking one step to the next subscription level, you’re able to integrate social media and your blog, connecting them all together so you can easily share website content across all your channels.

Ionos offers three different plans: $1, $5, and $10. However, it’s worth noting these are introductory prices and will go up the following year. The increase for the following year brings the total to $5, $10, and $15 per year.

One thing we don’t particularly like about Ionos is that it doesn’t give you a huge level of control over the design elements of your website. The templates aren’t very impressive, and some of them feel like they’re from the last generation of website building.

Choosing certain templates can limit your design control even further, as each template contains different ways they’re constructed and customized, so it’s easy for a newcomer to get stuck and become frustrated by the lack of performing an edit or action you might want.

Despite these shortcomings, it’s difficult to complain too much about a service that’s going to run you $1 per month. Remember, you get what you pay for, and how much can you expect from a single dollar each month?

We would recommend Ionos to an individual or company looking to build an extremely simple website with basic information. It’s not the best option for stunning visual elements or cool plug-ins, but it will get your message across and display your contact info for your visitors to see.

5. Squarespace

Squarespace is one of the biggest names in website building, and there’s no doubt that it earned the position it has. This is one of the best website builders for blogs and small businesses because of the attached features that help you improve visibility.

For example, Squarespace comes equipped with incredible analytics tools to measure your progress, tools to boost your SEO performance, and a huge variety of different extensions or plug-ins. If your business is growing, Squarespace makes it easy to scale yearly.

The cheapest $12 per month plan is offered by Squarespace, but the advantages are incredible. Compared to the perks of the $1 per month Ionos membership, Squarespace is years beyond. This cheap online store builder includes:

• No ads
• Free domain name
• SEO Tools
• 24/7 Customer Support
• Analytics
• Unlimited storage AND bandwidth

The only downside is there is no online store option available at this tier. Let’s look at some of Squarespace’s other advantages and pitfalls.

Pros

• Incredible SEO Features
• Helpful Analytics Programs
• Great price for all the features
• Simple website builder
• No ads

Cons

• No e-commerce

Key Features

In previous years, Squarespace was rated lower because of the level of difficulty for new users. However, the designers have significantly altered the editor, making it much simpler for newbie webmasters. These changes propelled it to be one of the most highly-rated website builders on the market. The higher subscription levels provide tools for an excellent store builder.

The editor is comprised of rows you can organize within any given section. It doesn’t give you as much freedom as other editors, but you still have a decent amount of control. One plus is that it organizes your site automatically, helping you keep a structure that makes it look professional.

You won’t find a free version with Squarespace, but they do offer a 14-day free trial for users who want to test the platform. There’s a catch – you can design using the free trial all you’d like. However, when you’re ready to publish, you must upgrade to a paid plan before the site goes live. Genius.

The total price range of Squarespace falls between $12 and $40, which is a pretty good price for the quality of this builder and the features you’re able to access. Some of the SEO benefits alone are more valuable than the monthly price.

Despite the SEO tools, the place Squarespace really shines is the visual category. The layouts and themes are stunning, giving new users a chance to look professional. In addition, it deals in high-def pictures and video, doing an excellent job of making your site pop.

If you require additional functionality and tools, Squarespace has a whole library of extensions (similar to WordPress plug-ins) that provide a range of different options. Things like Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and other platforms are easily integrated into Squarespace, making it even more valuable. You’ll find tons of helpful apps and plug-ins to propel your shop if you have an online store.

Squarespace is perfect for an online store owner looking to create their own website with professional-level visuals. It’s easy to scale and user-friendly, so you can continue using it as you grow and get better at website building.

6. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a lesser-known e-commerce website editor ideal for someone looking to take their first steps into selling independently and exiting eBay and other platforms. It’s not as easy to use as other platforms, but it’s a cost-effective option if you only have a handful of items you’re looking to specialize in.

Compared to other platforms of the same nature, Big Cartel comes at a much lower price point – the base plan only runs $9.99 per month and gives you the following options:

• No transaction costs
• Connect your own domain
• Google Analytics
• Sell up to 50 items

Pros

• Helpful onboarding
• Up to 50 products
• Compatible with Google Analytics

Cons

• It can be difficult after onboarding

Key Features

Big Cartel does boast a user-friendly onboarding process, which is true. However, using the platform can become difficult once you advance past onboarding. What’s more, you do need a slight amount of coding skills to get the most out of Big Cartel. Although the amount is minimal, it slightly defeats the purpose of creating a fully functional website builder.

On a positive note, this is one of the only e-commerce platforms that allows you to list any number of products for no charge. Nearly every other e-commerce provider charges something, even if it’s just for one item. Big Cartel gives you the first five items on the house, which is a big selling point for the brand.

You’ll have three subscription sizes options: the beginner at $9.99, the middle package at $19.99, and the most advanced at $29.99.

The design elements of Big Cartel aren’t half-bad. Most importantly, they’re up to date, giving you the opportunity to decorate your website with a modern look. They all look great on mobile too, which is important for e-commerce platforms.

Big Cartel is perfect for e-commerce owners with a slight amount of coding knowledge. You don’t need to be a genius, but understanding the basics can take this decent platform to a great one.

Any lack of features can easily be worked around by inputting your own code and basically giving yourself the opportunity to include any design element or function you’d like. If you’re not sure about coding, you might want to find an alternative product that provides more options than an actual builder.

7. Jimdo

Jimdo is flexible in that it offers two separate website builders – one is a classic editor, and the other is an ADI similar to GoDaddy, making it simpler for new website owners to create their site from scratch.

Surprisingly, both of these options come with a free plan. However, you’re limited to the available features that would normally make getting your site noticed easier for new users. That said, some of the top features of the free plans include:

• 10 GB of bandwidth
• Free domain included
• 5 GB Storage
• Connect your own domain

Pros

• Two different basic plans for quick deployment
• Free domain name
• Low base package price

Cons

• Low bandwidth limit

Key Features

The ADI editor is one of the fastest and simplest quick builders available, allowing you to deploy your website after only answering a few questions to give Jimdo some insight into how you want your site. This is among one of the easiest ways for brand new site owners to craft their websites from scratch.

There’s slightly more customization involved in this version of ADI than other builders, as you can even select your specific color scheme. However, complaints exist regarding actually leveraging the editor manually.

This more advanced site building option causes a slight amount of confusion because of the lack of labeling for the icons. It takes some trial and error, pushing random icons to identify the job they perform within the site builder.

The ADI Smart Builder has three different pricing tiers, starting with the free version, then moving to $9 per month, and finally maxing out at $15 per month. Using the free plan might seem like a good idea for new users, but don’t be fooled – you won’t have many options to improve your site beyond the simple build Jimdo provides.

However, bumping up to the $9 option provides a host of SEO tools, ad removers, along with a free domain name. The only negative side of this and the company as a whole is the lack of communication.

It could take a technician up to two days to get back to you regarding any support tickets, which can be a lifetime when you’re running a website. We’d like to see some type of upgraded customer service option, at least with the paid plans.

The design elements of Jimdo are par for the course, although some of them could do with some updating. The templates are clean and will do in a bind, but don’t expect anything visually stunning. Even if you can perform your own edits or customization, the interface doesn’t allow much in the way of manual editing, so there’s only so much you can add to your site.

This platform seems like it’s one of the lowest, and technically, it does have a low pricing tier. However, the features included with the lowest packages aren’t really worth the price. You’ll end up having to pay for the upgraded version to get the functionality you want.

If you don’t choose the top-tier subscription, you’re limited to only 10 working pages on your website and don’t expect to synch with any other platforms. This site should be reserved for those looking for the most basic options and want to take advantage of the ADI automatic website building – essentially a bare-bones site with only a few pages of content.

8. Strikingly

Many people would probably write Strikingly off because of the lack of options or the ability to create an in-depth site. However, every website builder has its place, and there’s something to be said to stay in your lane and stick with what you do well.

Strikingly is optimized for creating a one-page informational or portfolio-type website that creates an easy way for readers to get to know your brand quickly and easily. However, at certain times, Strikingly can be a bit overly simplified, lacking some of the most basic design options, even for a one-page site.

That said, Strikingly users will benefit from the following features of the most basic package:

• Connect your own domain name
• Free domain for a year
• Sell up to five products
• Publish two sites for the cost of one
• Live chat and 24/7 support

The features aren’t too bad for an $8 per month basic package; it’s best if your plan is to lay out a simple one or two-page portfolio or gallery with a small number of items or services for sale.

Pros

• SEO Options
• Free domain name
• Live chat and support

Cons

• Basic website layout

Key Features

One of the biggest advantages of Strikingly is the builder’s ease of use. You’d be hard-pressed to find a simpler builder to use that still offers a decent number of features. It’s also perfect for first-time users, thanks to the 24/7 chat support that allows you to connect with customer service at any time.

However, this gift could soon become a curse, as the simplicity might leave you begging for more customization after you’ve mastered the platform. Because of this, there’s really no option for scalability. But then again, if you purchase a website builder aimed for a one or two-page portfolio, scaling probably isn’t an objective in the near future.

The plans range from $8 for the most basic to $49 for the VIP. Honestly, the most basic plan is pretty generous; despite its overall lack of functionality, you definitely get what you pay for and then some.

One of the coolest features is the fact that you can take advantage of the free domain and the option to import your own. You’re able to leverage both websites, deploying two at once if it benefits you. This could potentially be a positive if you used one as a portfolio and one solely as a store or something similar.

You can sell five items with the free plan; however, you’re stuck with the Strikingly namesake until you purchase the Pro plan. The branding doesn’t go away until you spend money, which also gives you access to additional templates that are visually pleasing.

Switching the look of your website is easy with Strikingly – instead of manually retyping and rearranging everything, you simply change your template, and the layout is completely different. If you’re looking for a fast, simple, one-page solution, including a small store and a portfolio, Strikingly might work well.

Freelancers offering a few services would probably benefit from this website builder the most.

9. Wix

Wix is another well-known website builder that has a lot of versatility. Although it’s ideal for a portfolio website, you can potentially use it for various styles and businesses.

This particular builder focuses heavily on style, providing plenty of templates that function beautifully as galleries to show off your work or services. In addition, SEO tools are a part of the regular offerings, which can help jump-start your traffic if you’ve got a new domain name. The base plan is $10 and includes the following:

• Custom domain name
• Free domain for a year
• 24/7 Customer Service
• 3GB Storage

Pros

• 24/7 Customer Care
• 30 Minutes of Video Playback
• 3GB of Website Data Storage
• Price Break If You Pay for Three Years

Cons

• The editor can be slightly overwhelming.

Key Features

Wix is great at helping clients do a little of this and is equipped for versatility from the start. It’s marketed as a portfolio website, but with the design and customization options, you can use it for nearly anything you’d like.

We consider Wix to be extremely beginner-friendly without sacrificing any ability to customize design features. Editing entire pre-made templates is possible through a drag-and-drop builder design, making it extremely flexible and convenient.

Honestly, the level of functionality is so high that it can become a bit confusing. Luckily, help is a click away in the form of a question mark near the cursor that helps solve common issues.

It is possible to get a free Wix plan, but expect lots of ads, and you’ll only get a subdomain. We strongly advise not using a subdomain, as it doesn’t look well to customers and readers. Otherwise, you’ll have access to four paid plans, including Combo for $14, Unlimited for $18, Pro for $23, and VIP for $39.

For a newcomer, these might look expensive, especially when compared to some of the other options on the list. Keep in mind the prices above don’t include the potential savings when you commit to using Wix for a long period. For example, if you commit to three years, the $14 Combo turns into $10.

If you commit, you’ll have plenty of visual elements for your website, as Wix includes over 800 templates to choose from. The only downside is once you select a template, you can’t go back and switch to it later.

The lowest paid plan affords you 30 minutes of video time – jumping to the next level doubles that capability. Regardless of the package you choose, Wix allows you to add a blog, which, as you know, is a golden ticket for SEO that you should take advantage of.

Overall, rookie site builders and veterans in e-commerce can enjoy Wix, as the price, design elements, and customization all exist at a level that works well together.

10. WordPress

How many of you were waiting for WordPress to appear on the list? This is the grandfather to them all and the website builder that nearly 70% of the internet uses – and for good reason. WordPress is one of the lowest-priced website builders on the internet and offers a paid plan to go with one of four premium plans.

When you compare functionality, additional features, and customization about price, WordPress is the best of the best. The number of templates is endless, you could spend days searching for different plug-ins, and you can utilize the templates and themes however you’d like. Many of the pro versions allow users to add a higher amount of customization, which works great for advanced users.

The base version of WordPress includes:

• Free domain name for a year
• Limited ads on your website
• Allowed to accept payments
• E-mail support
• Access to themes and plug-ins library

Pros

• Tons of features
• Decent storage space
• Full customization
• Payment Acceptance
• Access to the back end

Cons

• Can be confusing for new users

Key Features

WordPress might not be the most beginner-friendly website builder for a new user. However, it does offer versions for novice users that are priced extremely low. WP Beginner is probably the best course of action for a rookie webmaster.

That said, WordPress delivers all the power of various blogging tools without any need for coding or understanding much technical language. It’s easy for new users to take advantage of WordPress because of the price, only to find out when they get inside that it’s not as newbie-friendly as they imagined.

However, the platform does a great job of offering advice and real-time tutorials for people who need help getting comfortable. Normally, the most difficult part for a new WordPress user is figuring out how the theme fits in with the overall building options of the site.

Universal elements are the most frustrating element, especially when a user wants to make changes to a single page and find out if it’s happened to the whole site. If you can take note of what page-level changes are and which changes affect the whole site, you’ll start getting the hang of this platform.

WordPress payment options include the Free plan, the Personal for $4, the Premium for $8, Business for $25, and E-commerce for $45. With the basic, you won’t have the option to integrate with Google Analytics or upload videos. However, one level up to the $8 plan changes both of these issues and could be worth the upgrade.

If you’re looking for more drag-and-drop action with the ability to customize one page at a time instead of universal site options, you might try the plug-in WordPress Elementor. This turns your website into a drag-and-drop builder with an entirely new set of plug-ins and options.

WordPress is best for slightly experienced users looking for one of the best deals on a website builder. The only thing stopping WordPress from being perfect for new users is the learning curve, but practice can take care of this issue. Honestly, the best way to learn is by diving in – we would recommend WordPress to any level of user, as it acts as a perfect learning tool if you want to get into a deeper level of customization and control.

11. Weebly Website Builder

Weebly provides any level of user with an incredibly powerful blogging and SEO website builder. This platform caters to every level of user and most needs, as there are several price plans with different features for all stages of experience.

It’s worth noting that the lowest level does have a few setbacks, but for $5 per month, you can only complain so much. The base plan includes:

• Connect your own domain
• 500MB of storage
• Chat and email support
• Unlimited products

Pros

• Sell as many items in your store as you want
• Chat and email
• Creates beautiful websites
• SEO-friendly
• User-friendly

Cons

• Low amount of storage

Key Features

Because of the wide range of price plans and the number of tools available for Weebly, it could provide the best value from any other platform. The ability to sell unlimited items is a huge plus for an E-commerce store owner who can give you the options you need to leave a market like eBay or otherwise.

The builder itself uses drag-and-drop editing, making it perfectly optimized for new users. Veteran users can code if they’d like to, but the drag-and-drop editor eliminates the need for any coding.

Despite the high number of options and variety of different design elements, Weebly won’t give new users a difficult time in the beginning. There isn’t much of a learning curve, which is typically one of the most powerful benefits of a drag-and-drop website builder.

You’re able to edit the site live, as you see it in real-time, so there’s no memorizing code or working with blocks, universal themes, or any of the other challenges new website owners might have. The plans for Weebly include the free version, the Personal for $6, the Professional for $12, and the Performance for $26.

The $6 per month plan provides a modestly priced entry point for newcomers. However, this plan won’t eliminate ads completely, and you won’t receive a free domain. The lackluster 500MB of storage could be improved upon, but $6 makes it one of the best cheap website builders.

However, the option for an unlimited number of items in your store makes up for both of these shortcomings. This is probably the easiest way to monetize your blog for new users if that’s what you’re looking to accomplish.

Rookie designers will probably get a lot of use out of the blogging templates. These are interchangeable at any time, and they’re all 100% free. In-house analytics and other tools focused on blogging make it easier for new bloggers to rank their websites and track important metrics.

Out of all the cheapest website builders, Weebly might have the best set of SEO Tools. Instead of plug-ins, you have access to an app gallery, which includes a host of free and paid options to help you enhance your website.

Weebly is excellent for newcomers but features enough professional-level functionality to satisfy veteran users. It’s also one of the most affordable for the money, as this platform comes with a ton of value from multiple directions.

12. Gator Website Builder

The Gator Website Builder, through hosting company HostGator.com has a low-priced website builder that’s surprisingly efficient and extremely user-friendly. Besides the already low price of the website builder, you’ll also receive hosting, a domain name, and an SSL certificate, further increasing the overall value.

There’s not a huge difference in the features available between the lowest-priced subscription and the highest. The base package includes the following:

• Strong customer service support
• Access to high-quality stock images
• Mobile-friendly website design
• Unlimited page building, storage, and bandwidth
• Access to over 200 high-quality templates to use for your site

Pros

• Has some of the most features among the best cheap website builders
• Unlimited bandwidth and storage
• $200 in advertising credits
• Stock photo bank
• Access to support via chat, message, and phone
• Includes domain name, hosting, and SSL certificate for one year

Cons

• No free version

Key Features

The drag-and-drop editor available with Gator Website Builder is easy to use and perfect for new website owners. Over 200 customizable templates help you get started and an outline to structure the design of your site.

In-house analytics provide insight into the growth of your website, allowing new users to gauge their performance. Another amazing bonus available, even at the lowest tier, is a $200 voucher for advertising on Google. If you’re building a website to advertise a service you’re selling or any other type of monetization that requires an audience, the voucher is a huge step toward brand recognition until you start experiencing SEO results.

The unlimited pages and storage on the lowest tier are another huge advantage since you don’t have to worry about upgrading when you begin scaling.

In the basic plan, you have access to most of the features, with no major exceptions apart from eCommerce and priority support. The subscription tiers include the Starter for $3.84, the Premium for $5.99, and the eCommerce for $9.22 per month. These prices easily make it one of the best cheap website builders.

The only real difference between the Starter and Premium and eCommerce plans is the fact that the Starter doesn’t include eCommerce capability. However, if you’re starting a small store, making payments via PayPal is still a potential option until you scale large enough to purchase a higher plan.

Honestly, because the price difference is minimal, if you plan on making a permanent run at a full-time eCommerce store, it might be worth it to purchase the Premium or eCommerce plan in the beginning. A few dollars per month isn’t going to make or break your budget; if it is, you might want to rethink your plan.

Overall, this is a great website builder for a newcomer looking to start a basic website for their business or otherwise. If you’re looking solely for eCommerce, I’d recommend having a little more experience if you select this builder. It’s not going to hold your hand or provide the resources of Shopify, so you’ll need to be a bit savvier.

13. Web.com

Web.com is one of the cheapest website builders on the market and includes plenty of additional features if you want to invest a little extra money. It isn’t a drag-and-drop builder, but it’s still a DIY tool that’s simple enough to create a website.

Much like the Host Gator offers listed above, the Web.com builder includes hosting and SSL certificates. You’ll need to pay extra for the domain name, but here is a domain name generator and search tool that can help you find the perfect title for your site. There’s no free version, but with the lowest subscription, you can expect:

• Hundreds of design templates and layouts
• A DIY Website Builder
• Custom Domain name generator
• Business email and marketing tools
• Free SSL
• Stock images to use on your website

Pros

• DIY Builder allows you to create the site however you’d like
• The base package includes one hour of free website design support
• Optional WordPress site available to install on the Web.com platform
• Templates are up-to-date and visually pleasing.
• If you pay a little more, the design team can build the site for you

Cons

• The cheapest plan doesn’t include eCommerce
• You get certain basic features, but additional apps and privileges you’ll need to buy

Key Features

If it’s within the budget, you can have a team member from Web.com design your site for you. However, the DIY builder is simple enough to learn that it shouldn’t take a substantial amount of time.

Users looking for eCommerce capabilities won’t find them on the lowest subscription. Prices for the Basic Website Builder are $1.95 per month, then $4 a month if you sign up for the annual plan. It’s suggested you go with the year-long discounted price. The Online Store tier is $3.95, then $9.95 a month with the annual option.

The custom website option is $1,500, so technically, you’ll need to spend more than a “little extra” to secure this service. Honestly, it seems way overpriced, and for that much money, there are certainly better options.

If you’re looking for a website that allows you to step into the online business world quickly, Web.com isn’t a bad idea. The price is right and simple enough for a new user to navigate. If you’re a seasoned veteran, it might not have the features you want, and you’re probably better served with a more advanced platform.

14. uKit Website Builder

uKit is a much lesser-known website builder that provides some pretty decent features and benefits. This platform is targeted toward users who own an online business, and it does a good job at catering to this demographic.

The price makes it one of the best cheap website builders, and there are certain features that cater well to new users. For example, users have the option to use the drag-and-drop builder or build the site via blocks and widgets.

With the base package of uKit, you’ll have access to the following:

• Hosting included a website builder
• Unlimited pages, visitors, and disk space
• Automatic backups
• Over 300 professional design templates in 38 categories

Pros

• Versatile options for site construction
• Hosting included
• Custom domain
• Unlimited disk space and visitors
• Mobile friendly

Cons

• No live chat support
• No eCommerce until top tiers

Key Features

uKit has plenty of benefits for the price, whether you’re a new website owner or a long-time veteran. For new users, the built-in wizard gives you tips as you build, letting you know when your site nears completion and what to do along the way. For example, uKit will alert you to the fact that it’s time to market your website once you reach an appropriate point.

The builder isn’t clunky and slow like others we’ve seen, but instead lightning-fast and user-friendly, which is a huge selling point. Another cool feature is the ability to reach out to the team at uKit if you can’t find a template that matches your needs. They’ll find or design one more suitable after obtaining a little more information from you regarding your site or business.

For users looking for one of the simplest options in a website builder, uKit might provide one of the coolest features we’ve seen in a website builder. If you have an existing Facebook page, uKit will compile your content from the social media platform to create a surprisingly well-built website.

The price is extremely modest – one of the best on the list. There’s a free version, a Minimal package for $3.50, a Basic for $7, an eCommerce for $8.40, and a Pro for $10.50. You won’t have eCommerce functionality until eCommerce and above, but you can still build a good-looking site with the free and Basic options.

This isn’t a bad website construction option. It’s actually one of the cheapest website builders on the market and offers more options than you’d expect. This is a suitable platform for new website owners but can definitely hold its own among veteran users.

The range of options for new users is one of the biggest advantages, as you can start with the easy Drag-and-Drop and work your way up to using blocks. Whether you’re a newbie who wants a nice-looking, clean site or a long-time eCommerce store owner who wants a new option, uKit caters to both demographics.

15. ZoHo Website Builder

Finally, ZoHo is a simple website builder with two pricing options and some useful features. One of the highlights of ZoHo is that it caters to users who want a visually stunning website – there are plenty of capabilities for audio, video, animation, and lightboxes.

You’ll benefit from a free custom domain, hosting, and SSL certificate, giving you a lot more bang for your buck. Of the two pricing options, you’ll receive the following features on the base tier:

• The drag-and-drop editor creates pages, shapes, and dynamic backgrounds.
• Templates and visual editor
• Additional SEO options for analysis and sitemap submission
• Custom domain

Pros

• Easy website editor focused on visual elements
• Choose a free custom domain name
• All-in-one hosting solution
• Easy to operate for beginners
• Two simple pricing options

Cons

• Storage is limited to 500MB in the basic package

Key Features

On the cheapest plan, you’re able to build unlimited pages without worrying about bandwidth issues. However, your space is limited to 500 MB, so you’ll need an upgraded subscription if you plan on growing the site to a substantial size.

Besides the storage and ability to create an eCommerce site, there aren’t many other differences between the two plans. However, all the features that the two share are limited to the basic plan. If your plan is to craft a simple site initially, the basic option should satisfy your requirements.

Another bonus feature is the ability to import any existing content from different websites and blogging platforms. This makes it much easier than manually migrating your site and can save you countless hours.

The price for the base plan, known as the Starter, is $4.80 per month, while the Pro is $17.90. If you own a small business that doesn’t plan on creating a significant amount of content besides your basic website information, this platform should provide everything you need.

Cheapest Website Builders: The Bottom Line

With so many different website builders on the market catering to different demographics, it’s hard to crown one specific site as the number one cheapest website builder. If you’re into eCommerce, you’ll need a completely different set of features than someone looking to build a blog.

If you want a basic portfolio site, there’s no reason to pay for all the features of a platform like WordPress. The first and most critical step is deciding the type of website you want to create and what you expect the layout to look like.

After creating a blueprint and outline, you can begin narrowing down your search by the options you require; then, it becomes a matter of price to save yourself the most money. Using the method described above and choosing from the pool of sites provided in our review, you should have no problem finding something that accommodates your business and budget needs.

Cheapest Website Builder FAQs

What is the best affordable website builder?

The answer to this depends on what you’re looking to accomplish. If you need a website that’s fully responsive with digital record keeping, membership options, forums, and other features, the most affordable option might still run you about $200 per month. However, if you’re looking for a basic, three-to-five-page portfolio website, you can find something for $5 per month. If your goal is creating an average blog with optional applications or plug-ins available for purchase, a platform like WordPress or Weebly should accommodate you. As a general rule, for a basic website, you will pay between $3 and $5 per month, a multi-page authority site with audio and video capability should be between $8 and $15, and if you want eCommerce, you can expect to pay between $18 and $50.

What is the cheapest website designer?

If you’re going for just flat out the cheapest website builder or designer, then a free option from this list will give you what you need. Sites like Weebly, WordPress, Wix, and others have free plans. However, keep in mind that using a free plan most likely limits your ability.

What is the least costly way to build a website?

The least costly way to build a website would be to either choose from the options mentioned above using a free plan or signing up for a completely free service like Google Sites or Blogger. These allow the design of a fully functional website with text, pictures, and video.

What does it cost to hire someone to build a website?

If you’re looking to hire someone to build a website, the potential cost of this task has a huge range of potential. Certain budget sites, and even some website builders, offer a service that includes a designer providing services for anywhere from $500 to $1,500. A few automated website builders exist that allow you to enter the keywords you want to use and answer a few questions, and the platform automatically generates a website or blog with a designated number of articles. These usually cost anywhere between $100 to $300. You can also find DFY website services that provide pre-made websites for a certain niche or industry. These typically cost anywhere from $300 to $2,500 and normally are already monetized for profit. However, if you’re looking for an agency to craft a website that specializes in performing the most professional job possible, you could be looking at a total upwards of $10,000. For larger corporations, it’s not unheard of for designers to charge upwards of $50,000 for one website.

What’s the best website builder for a beginner?

The best website builder for a beginner is another question that depends on what you want for the end result. If you’re a beginner looking for the most basic website builder to create a bare-bones, one-to-three page website, then most likely GoDaddy is one of the best options. However, if you want to create a website on your own without an auto-builder but still want a simple design, Strikingly might be your best bet. With Strikingly you can’t do eCommerce or download any fancy applications or plug-ins, but you can create a few simple pages of content that include an “About Me/Us,” “Contact,” “Privacy Policy,” and a homepage with a couple of pages of content. If your goal is to create an eCommerce website, the go-to would have to be Shopify. There is a learning curve, but it’s still simple enough and provides instruction that allows even the freshest newbies to get the hang of the platform eventually.

How do I know what type of website builder I need?

This is probably the most relevant and well-thought question regarding website builders. Not everyone can go for the cheapest website builder because not everybody needs the same type of website. That said, going into a potential website construction project, you need to consider the following points:

What am I using the website for?

What does the website look like in the end? What industry are you using it for, and what purpose does it serve? Are you planning for an eCommerce website, a blog, a portfolio, an information page about your business, or some other format? This is the first question you need to ask yourself because different website builders cater to different website design needs.

Do you need hosting and a domain name?

Do you already have a domain name and hosting, or do you require both? Some website builders are available from hosting companies that provide a free domain name and hosting account for subscribing to the monthly website builder. In addition, if you already have a website and you’re switching to a different platform, you’ll need to inquire about how to transfer your data to the new hosting location unless you’re planning on building a new site from scratch.

How much space do you need, and what are your requirements?

How much space do you need to host all of the content on your website? Will your site include lots of videos and other large files? Are you just planning on a few pages and a couple of pictures? This is a crucial question because you want a builder/hosting that provides you with the storage capabilities you need. Alternatively, you don’t want to spend money on a platform that gives you more capability than you require – it’s just a waste of money.

After answering all these questions, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what you need to create your website. You might even find that you can scrape by with a free version of a platform or even choose an option like Google Sites or Blogger. However, it should be noted that visitors will view your site to be more professional if you build it on a proper platform and pay for your own domain name.