What is the easiest website builder for beginners?

Squarespace is the easiest for most solopreneurs. Its templates look professional right out of the box, and the drag-and-drop editor makes it simple to move text, images, and buttons without touching code. For most people, you can build a site in a weekend.

Can I sell products on Squarespace?

Yes. Squarespace has a built-in online store feature, so you can sell physical or digital products without extra plugins. You can even handle taxes, shipping rates, and basic inventory. But if ecommerce is your main business, Shopify will give you more advanced tools.

Is Wix good for serious businesses?

Wix is fine for small shops, portfolios, or freelancers who need a quick site. It has ecommerce and marketing tools, but it wasn’t built for managing hundreds of products or scaling into a large store. For long-term growth, most businesses switch to Squarespace or Shopify down the road.

What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

WordPress.com is hosted for you—think of it like renting an apartment. You get flexibility, but the hosting is managed. WordPress.org is self-hosted—think of it like owning a house. You get full control, but you’re responsible for updates, backups, and security. Beginners usually start with WordPress.com.

Is Squarespace better than Shopify?

It depends. Squarespace is easier and better for service businesses, blogs, or small shops. Shopify is stronger for ecommerce, especially if you have lots of products, need advanced inventory, or want to integrate with shipping carriers. Both are great—just built for different needs.

Which website builder is best for ecommerce?

Shopify is the leader. Its checkout process is fast, secure, and trusted by millions of customers worldwide. Squarespace and Wix include ecommerce, but they’re best for smaller product catalogs or businesses where the store is a side feature, not the main event.

Can I blog on Shopify or Wix?

Yes, both platforms allow blogging, but it’s not their strength. Squarespace and WordPress.com have more robust tools for managing posts, optimizing SEO, and growing with content. If blogging is a major part of your business strategy, go with WordPress.com or Squarespace.

Do I need to know how to code to use these builders?

Nope. Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify are designed for non-technical users. WordPress.com also doesn’t require coding, though advanced customizations often use plugins or light CSS. For most businesses, you’ll never need to touch code to launch a solid site.

Which website builder is the cheapest?

Wix usually offers the lowest entry plans. Squarespace and WordPress.com sit in the middle, balancing cost with features. Shopify is more expensive but built for serious ecommerce businesses, so you’re paying for the extra tools that help stores scale.

Can I switch website builders later?

Yes, but it’s not seamless. Each builder has its own system, so switching usually means redesigning or rebuilding parts of your site. It’s possible to migrate content like blog posts, but layouts rarely carry over. Choose carefully now, and you’ll save headaches later.

Best Website Builders for Business

Compare Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, and WordPress.com—find the website builder that fits your business the Smartish way.

Updated September 22, 2025

Why You Need a Website

Your business needs a real home base. Social media may get the likes, but it’s rented land. Algorithms change, platforms disappear, and trends fade faster than you can post another reel. When that happens, all the followers you built can vanish overnight.

A website is different. It’s the one place you truly own online. It works 24/7 as your digital storefront, business card, and sales team—all rolled into one. Whether you’re selling products, booking clients, or proving you’re legit, your website gives your business credibility and staying power.

A Smartish Investor knows:

Social media drives attention.
A website turns that attention into leads, sales, and long-term customers.
Without a website, you’re basically shouting into the void, hoping someone buys.

Build it once, and your website can keep paying you back every single day.

Website Builder Comparison Chart

    
      Compare Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, and WordPress.com
      
          Feature
          Squarespace
          Shopify
          Wix
          WordPress.com
        

      
          Ease of Use
          ✅ Super easy (drag-and-drop)
          👍 Easy-ish
          ✅ Easy
          ⚡ Moderate
        

          Best For
          Solopreneurs, service sites
          Product-first ecommerce
          Portfolios, simple sites
          Blogs, flexibility lovers
        

          Ecommerce
          ✅ Built-in store
          ✅✅ Best-in-class
          ✅ Decent
          Via plugins
        

          Cost (typ.)
          $$
          $$$
          $$
          $–$$
        

          SEO Tools
          Solid basics
          Strong (apps help)
          Okay-ish
          Flexible (plugins)
        

          Support
          24/7 chat
          24/7 support
          24/7 support
          Community + paid plans
        

    
  

    
      Squarespace
      Ease of UseSuper easy (drag-and-drop)
Best ForSolopreneurs, service sites
EcommerceBuilt-in store
Cost (typ.)$$
SEO ToolsSolid basics
Support24/7 chat

    

    
      Shopify
      Ease of UseEasy-ish
Best ForProduct-first ecommerce
EcommerceBest-in-class
Cost (typ.)$$$
SEO ToolsStrong (apps help)
Support24/7 support

    

    
      Wix
      Ease of UseEasy
Best ForPortfolios, simple sites
EcommerceDecent
Cost (typ.)$$
SEO ToolsOkay-ish
Support24/7 support

    

    
      WordPress.com
      Ease of UseModerate
Best ForBlogs, flexibility lovers
EcommerceVia plugins
Cost (typ.)$–$$
SEO ToolsFlexible (plugins)
SupportCommunity + paid plans

    
  

Which Website Builder Should You Use (and Why)?

Choosing a website builder comes down to two things: what kind of business you run and which features actually matter. Some platforms make it easy for beginners, while others are built for growth, ecommerce, or maximum flexibility. Here’s how to decide:

Best Website Builder by Business Type

Squarespace — Best all-around for beginners, solopreneurs, and service businesses.
Shopify — Ecommerce powerhouse for product-first brands and larger catalogs.
Wix — Fastest setup for simple, visual sites like portfolios and small shops.
WordPress.com — Most flexible if you want control and don’t mind a learning curve.

Key Features to Compare Before Choosing

The best website builders all promise speed and simplicity, but the differences are in the details. Focus on these must-haves:

Ease of use: true drag-and-drop editing, no coding required
Mobile-friendly templates: your site should look great on every device
SEO & marketing tools: titles, meta, blog options, and basic analytics built in
Payments & checkout: secure transactions if you’re selling products or services
Reliable support: 24/7 help when you hit a snag

Smartish Investor Tip: Don’t chase shiny extras. You don’t need AI template generators or 900 fonts. Start with a clean template, clear copy, and fast load times. You can always improve once you’re live.

Squarespace Website Builder

Squarespace is the Smartish default—simple, clean, and powerful enough for most small businesses. If you want to get online fast without drowning in settings, it’s the easiest way to look professional. Squarespace’s designs make even the most basic site feel polished, and its built-in tools cover everything from scheduling to selling products.

Dozens of clean, mobile-ready templates that look modern on any device
True drag-and-drop editing with zero coding required
Built-in ecommerce, email marketing, and scheduling tools

Smartish Investor Tip: Don’t waste three weeks picking fonts. Choose a template, add your info, and go live. You can always tweak later.

Start with Squarespace

Shopify Website Builder

Shopify is the ecommerce powerhouse. If selling products is your main focus, it’s hard to beat. Shopify is built for growth—it can handle a single handmade product or a catalog of 10,000 items without breaking a sweat. Its checkout is fast, secure, and trusted worldwide, which is why so many online stores choose it.

Built-in checkout, shipping, payments, and inventory management
Scales seamlessly from side-hustle shop to full-blown ecommerce brand
Massive app marketplace for marketing, subscriptions, shipping, and automation

Smartish Investor Tip: It’s easy to drown in apps. Focus on the basics—store, cart, checkout. You don’t need 12 add-ons to make your first sale.

Start with Shopify

Wix Website Builder

Wix is the flashy, quick-start option. It shines if you want to get a site live in hours, not days. With more than 800 templates, it’s popular among creatives, freelancers, and small shops that want visual impact without the learning curve. Wix has ecommerce too, but it’s best for lightweight stores.

Huge template library for portfolios, resumes, and small shops
Drag-and-drop design flexibility for pixel-perfect control
Built-in ecommerce features for smaller product lines

Smartish Investor Tip: Wix is like fast food—quick and tasty, but maybe not your forever diet. It’s great for now, but most businesses outgrow it as they scale.

Start with Wix

WordPress.com Website Builder

WordPress.com is the choice for flexibility lovers. It powers millions of websites and is especially strong for blogs, publishing, and content-driven businesses. With plugins and themes, you can make it do almost anything. But with great power comes… more complexity. It’s not as plug-and-play as Squarespace or Wix, but if you’re comfortable tinkering, it’s a fantastic long-term platform.

Huge plugin ecosystem for SEO, ecommerce, memberships, and more
Best-in-class blogging and content management tools
More learning curve than drag-and-drop builders like Wix or Squarespace

Smartish Investor Tip: If you love tweaking settings, WordPress.com is a playground. If that sounds stressful, go with Squarespace instead and keep your sanity.

Start with WordPress.com

Final Thoughts on the Best Website Builders

Building a business website doesn’t have to feel like rocket science. The right platform will give you a professional look, help customers find you, and make it easy to sell or connect without endless tech headaches.

Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, and WordPress.com all have their strengths — but the real difference is taking action. Your customers can’t hire you, buy from you, or even trust you if you don’t have a site they can find.

The smartest move isn’t waiting for “perfect.” It’s choosing the builder that fits your needs today, launching, and improving as you go. Because progress beats perfection every time — and the sooner you start, the sooner your website starts working for you.

Frequently Asked Questions – Website Builders

Squarespace is the easiest for most solopreneurs. Its templates look professional right out of the box, and the drag-and-drop editor makes it simple to move text, images, and buttons without touching code. For most people, you can build a site in a weekend.
Yes. Squarespace has a built-in online store feature, so you can sell physical or digital products without extra plugins. You can even handle taxes, shipping rates, and basic inventory. But if ecommerce is your main business, Shopify will give you more advanced tools.
Wix is fine for small shops, portfolios, or freelancers who need a quick site. It has ecommerce and marketing tools, but it wasn’t built for managing hundreds of products or scaling into a large store. For long-term growth, most businesses switch to Squarespace or Shopify down the road.
WordPress.com is hosted for you—think of it like renting an apartment. You get flexibility, but the hosting is managed. WordPress.org is self-hosted—think of it like owning a house. You get full control, but you’re responsible for updates, backups, and security. Beginners usually start with WordPress.com.
It depends. Squarespace is easier and better for service businesses, blogs, or small shops. Shopify is stronger for ecommerce, especially if you have lots of products, need advanced inventory, or want to integrate with shipping carriers. Both are great—just built for different needs.
Shopify is the leader. Its checkout process is fast, secure, and trusted by millions of customers worldwide. Squarespace and Wix include ecommerce, but they’re best for smaller product catalogs or businesses where the store is a side feature, not the main event.
Yes, both platforms allow blogging, but it’s not their strength. Squarespace and WordPress.com have more robust tools for managing posts, optimizing SEO, and growing with content. If blogging is a major part of your business strategy, go with WordPress.com or Squarespace.
Nope. Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify are designed for non-technical users. WordPress.com also doesn’t require coding, though advanced customizations often use plugins or light CSS. For most businesses, you’ll never need to touch code to launch a solid site.
Wix usually offers the lowest entry plans. Squarespace and WordPress.com sit in the middle, balancing cost with features. Shopify is more expensive but built for serious ecommerce businesses, so you’re paying for the extra tools that help stores scale.
Yes, but it’s not seamless. Each builder has its own system, so switching usually means redesigning or rebuilding parts of your site. It’s possible to migrate content like blog posts, but layouts rarely carry over. Choose carefully now, and you’ll save headaches later.

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