For entrepreneurs poised to launch a new business, selecting the right website builder is one of the most critical first steps. Today’s digital marketplace demands a compelling and functional online presence, and the tools you choose can directly impact your brand’s perception, customer acquisition, and overall growth. With dozens of website builders available, each offering various strengths, it’s essential to match your business’s specific needs with the appropriate platform.
TLDR: Best Website Builders for New Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs starting new businesses need website builders that are reliable, user-friendly, budget-conscious, and scalable. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify lead the market with intuitive design tools and powerful backend capabilities. If you’re looking for high customization, WordPress with Elementor is a formidable option, while Weebly offers simplicity for absolute beginners. Choose based on your business goals, technical expertise, and the expected growth of your enterprise.
Why Your Choice of Website Builder Matters
Launching a business in 2024 means you are competing in an online-first economy. Your website isn’t just a digital storefront – it’s the face of your brand, your strongest marketing tool, and, in many cases, a primary sales channel. Whether you’re a solo creative, a local service provider, or launching an eCommerce platform, your website builder should align with your mission, brand message, and operational needs.
Factors to consider include:
- Ease of Use: Does the builder allow quick edits or drag-and-drop design?
- Scalability: Can it support your business as it grows?
- Features: Built-in marketing tools, SEO optimization, or online stores.
- Cost: Affordable for a startup budget without major long-term contracts.
- Support & Resources: Does it have responsive customer service and learning materials?
Top Website Builders for New Entrepreneurs
1. Wix — Flexible Design Meets Versatility
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want customization with minimal technical work.
Wix continues to be a leader thanks to its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, vast template library, and flexible pricing plans. It balances simplicity with customization, making it perfect for entrepreneurs needing creative freedom without writing a single line of code.
Key features:
- 800+ designer-made templates
- Integrated SEO tools
- App Market for extended functionality
- eCommerce support with Wix Stores
New businesses often need to pivot or adapt quickly. Wix allows you to redesign, republish, and scale functionalities effortlessly, making it a top choice in these dynamic early stages.
2. Squarespace — Polished Branding for Creative Ventures
Best for: Creatives, consultants, and product-based businesses seeking visual elegance.
Squarespace is renowned for its stunning, expertly styled templates. For entrepreneurs in industries like photography, design, wellness, and fashion, Squarespace helps achieve a high-end feel right out of the box.
Key features:
- Professionally designed templates optimized for mobile
- Built-in analytics and blogging platform
- User-friendly editing tools with real-time preview
- All-in-one pricing with hosting and SSL security included
The platform’s visual sophistication helps your brand feel premium and credible, even if you’re just starting. While not as customizable as Wix, its templates are ideal for maintaining visual consistency and professionalism.
3. Shopify — eCommerce Powerhouse for Product-Centric Startups
Best for: Entrepreneurs starting an online store with physical or digital products.
If selling products online is your main goal, Shopify reigns supreme. Designed specifically for eCommerce, it provides everything from inventory management and payment processing to abandoned cart recovery and sales analytics.
Key features:
- Over 100 professional store themes
- Supports multiple payment gateways
- Built-in blogging and SEO capabilities
- Scalable for hundreds of products or high traffic
Shopify’s powerful backend makes it ideal for turning your new storefront into a scalable revenue-generating machine. There’s also a vast library of integrations via the Shopify App Store that enhance functionality as your business grows.
4. WordPress + Elementor — Maximum Control with Customization
Best for: Entrepreneurs with technical knowledge or access to a developer.
WordPress, when paired with the Elementor page builder, offers unmatched flexibility for custom-built websites. Though it requires more time and a modest learning curve, it provides you with total design autonomy and access to thousands of plugins and integrations.
Key features:
- Open-source platform with complete control
- Thousands of professional themes and plugins
- Elementor’s intuitive drag-and-drop visual editor
- Strong SEO and content management capabilities
This setup is perfect for businesses that require more specialized features, complex landing pages, or multi-user content. While hosting and maintenance are self-managed, the scalability potential is enormous.
5. Weebly — Simple, Affordable, and Beginner-Friendly
Best for: Budget-conscious entrepreneurs or side hustlers needing a quick launch.
Acquired by Square, Weebly offers a streamlined builder that focuses on simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Ideal for local services, basic portfolios, or small retail stores, Weebly can get your site live in under an hour with little to no technical experience.
Key features:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- Built-in eCommerce powered by Square
- Pre-designed templates with mobile optimization
- Free plan available for test runs
While not the most advanced in terms of design or flexibility, Weebly’s ease of use and integration with Square’s payment tools make it ideal for solopreneurs and small-scale projects.
Honorable Mentions
Some other website builders merit attention based on specific features or niche use-cases:
- Webflow — High-end designers looking for pixel-perfect control and modern UX/UI.
- Zyro — Emerging builder offering affordable AI tools like content generation and heatmapping.
- Strikingly — Single-page websites for quick, scrollable user experiences.
Choosing the Right Website Builder: A Strategic Decision
When launching your business, think of your website builder not just as a tool—but as a partner in your growth. Assess your most pressing needs today, and try to forecast what your business might require in the next 6–12 months. For example, if you expect to start blogging heavily to generate traffic, SEO-friendly platforms like WordPress become even more important.
On the other hand, if rapid eCommerce deployment is essential, Shopify or Wix eCommerce features will likely serve you better. Budget also plays a significant role—some platforms charge higher monthly rates but save time and effort in development, which is especially valuable for solopreneurs managing every aspect of their business.
Final Thoughts
In a digital-first business environment, your website is your most important marketing asset. Choosing the right website builder involves weighing user-friendliness, design capabilities, scalability, and pricing. No single platform is “best” for all entrepreneurs, but the right one for you will align with your goals, skillset, and growth roadmap.
Take advantage of free trials, build simple MVPs, and iterate fast. Your online presence is not static; it’s a living part of your brand and business that should evolve with you.
