"There are so many options available... how do I know which is the best website builder for me?"
This is such a common question I get asked by so many people. And unfortunately, many get so caught up in finding the best option, they lose momentum in all other areas of their business. Sound familiar?
If so, read on, Gorgeous. Because in this post I'm going to simplify this decision process for you...
So Many Options... Which Is The BEST Website Builder
Creating a website is an exciting step for any business owner, coach or entrepreneur. But with so many website builders out there, how do you know which one is the right fit for you?
Choosing the best website builder depends on several factors, including your business goals, budget, technical skills and long-term growth plans.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what I consider to be the top five most popular website builders for different scenarios and break down the pros, cons and best use cases for each.
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which platform will help you create a site that works for you, not against you.
1. WordPress (Best for Flexibility and Scalability)
At the time of writing this, WordPress is the most popular website platform in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. It’s an open-source CMS (content management system), meaning you have complete control over design, functionality and customisation.
Pros:
- Highly customisable with thousands of themes and plugins available
- Great for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and content marketing
- Scalable — perfect for small businesses that plan to grow
- Can be used for blogs, ecommerce, memberships and more
- Full ownership of your site (no platform lock-in)
Cons:
- Requires you to manage your own hosting, security and maintenance
- Has a learning curve (especially for beginners)
- Plugins and themes can add extra costs
Best For:
- Bloggers and content creators
- Small businesses that want full control
- Coaches and consultants needing a flexible website
- Ecommerce and membership sites (with plugins such as WooCommerce or plugins such as WishList Member)
2. Kartra (Best for All-in-One Marketing And Sales)
Kartra is more than just a website builder — it’s a complete marketing and sales platform. It includes tools for landing pages, email marketing, sales funnels, memberships, surveys and quizzes, support desks, booking calendars and even an integrated shopping cart.
Pros:
- All-in-one solution (no need for extra tools)
- Drag-and-drop builder — easy for non-techies
- Built-in email marketing, automation and CRM
- Excellent for selling courses, memberships and coaching programs
- No need to purchase hosting separately
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost than some website builders
- Less flexible in design compared to WordPress
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
Best For:
- Coaches, course creators and service-based businesses
- Entrepreneurs who want a one-stop shop for online sales
- Businesses focused on funnels, memberships and automation
(Read my detailed Kartra review for a deeper dive.)
I must admit, I do love Kajabi for membership sites too. However, it does work out to be much more expensive when you consider the additional features Kartra offers. But if you like Kajabi and it's within your budget, you can't go wrong with choosing that.
ClickFunnels is often compared with Kartra. So why do I prefer Kartra? Personally, I find ClickFunnels much more 'clunky'. I know some people who love it, so again, if you like that option, go for it. It's just not my personal preference.
3. Shopify (Best for Ecommerce)
Shopify is a powerful ecommerce platform designed for selling products online. It’s a hosted solution, so everything from security to updates is handled for you.
Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to set up
- Built-in payment processing (Shopify Payments, PayPal, etc.)
- Great for dropshipping and physical product sales
- Mobile-optimised themes and fast loading speeds
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Monthly fees + transaction fees (unless using Shopify Payments)
- Limited design flexibility compared to WordPress
- Blogging features are not as strong
Best For:
- Ecommerce businesses selling physical products
- Dropshippers and online retailers
- Businesses needing secure checkout and inventory management
4. Wix (Best for Simplicity and Drag-and-Drop Design)
Wix is a user-friendly, drag-and-drop website builder that’s great for beginners. It allows you to create a website without needing to write any code. (As does Kartra.)
Pros:
- Super easy to use (perfect for beginners)
- Hundreds of stylish templates
- Built-in hosting and security
- AI-powered site builder for fast setup
- Great for personal brands and small businesses
Cons:
- Limited flexibility (less customizable than WordPress)
- Can become expensive with add-ons
- Not ideal for large-scale ecommerce or memberships
Best For:
- Freelancers, bloggers and small business owners
- People who need a simple, visually appealing website without any bells and whistles
- Local businesses looking for an affordable simple website option
5. Squarespace (Best for Design and Aesthetics)
Squarespace is known for its beautiful, modern templates. It’s a great option if you want a visually stunning website with built-in ecommerce and blogging capabilities.
Pros:
- Professional, high-end designs with responsive templates
- Drag-and-drop editor — easy to customise
- Includes hosting, security and domain management
- Strong blogging and SEO capabilities
- Ecommerce and membership site options
Cons:
- Less flexible than WordPress
- Monthly cost is higher than Wix or WordPress (with hosting)
- Limited third-party integrations
Best For:
- Creative professionals (photographers, artists, designers)
- Small businesses wanting a sleek, modern website
- Personal brands looking for an easy-to-maintain site
How to Choose the Right Website Software for You
Before making a decision, ask yourself:
- What is the purpose of my website? (Blog, online store, coaching, etc.)
- Do I need built-in marketing tools? (Email, funnels, memberships)
- How much control do I want? (Customisation vs. ease of use)
- What’s my budget? (Consider monthly fees, hosting, plugins)
- Do I need an all-in-one solution or separate tools?
Quick Recommendations:
- If you want full control and customisation: Go with WordPress and, if possible, pay someone to set this up and manage it for you.
- If you need an all-in-one platform for courses and memberships: Choose Kartra
- If you’re selling products online: Shopify is the best website builder for ecommerce
- If you want a simple, easy-to-use website without any bells and whistles: Wix is a great option
- If you need stunning visuals and an all-in-one hosted solution: Consider Squarespace
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right website software is about finding a balance between ease of use, functionality and long-term scalability. Whether you need a powerful WordPress site, an all-in-one Kartra marketing platform or a beginner-friendly Wix website, there’s an option that fits your needs.
The main thing to remember is to not spend too long trying every possible option you see and trying to find the one 'best' option. Honestly, there are likely to be several options that are more than suitable for you. So when you find what works for you, choose that and keep moving forward. Don't let this decision hold you back from building your amazing business and showing it off to the world!
And finally, for complete transparency, I am an affiliate for WishList Member and Kartra. So if you choose to invest in either of these after clicking on the links above, I may receive a small commission. But it costs you no more and I only recommend these because I love them and use them myself. xo
