Step 1: Define Your Website Goals
Before comparing tools, take a minute to clarify what you want your website to do. Are you creating a portfolio to showcase your work, launching a store to sell products, or building a blog to share your ideas?
For instance, if your goal is to start selling online, you’ll want something built specifically for eCommerce. We explained the top options in Best Website Design Software for eCommerce Stores.
But if your focus is visual storytelling or branding, tools like Squarespace or Webflow might serve you better.
Step 2: Consider Ease of Use vs Customization
Not everyone wants to dive into code, and that’s totally fine. If you’re a beginner, choose a drag-and-drop builder like Wix or Squarespace. They’re beginner-friendly, quick to set up, and come with tons of templates.
However, if you want more control or plan to collaborate with designers and developers, you might enjoy Webflow or WordPress, which offer greater flexibility. We talked about these advanced tools in Top Professional Web Design Tools for Developers and Designers.
Step 3: Set a Realistic Budget
It’s easy to be drawn to free website builders, but they often come with limitations such as branding, ads, or lack of SEO control. Paid versions unlock essential features like custom domains, analytics, and better hosting.
If you’re not sure when to invest in premium tools, check our breakdown in Free vs Paid Website Builders Which One Should You Choose?, where we compared both options in detail.
Step 4: Look for Key Features
Every website builder has strengths and weaknesses. Here are a few must-haves to consider:
- Mobile responsiveness (your site should look great on phones)
- SEO settings (titles, meta tags, alt text)
- Analytics integration (so you can track performance)
- E-commerce capabilities (if you plan to sell)
- Customer support and templates
If you’re curious about how these design features impact SEO, we explored that connection in How to Measure Website Performance and Improve Your Design.
Step 5: Test Before You Commit
Most platforms offer free trials, so use them. Experiment with templates, test how fast pages load, and see if the dashboard feels intuitive. Sometimes, what looks great in reviews might not feel right when you use it yourself.
And don’t worry if you switch platforms later, migrating content is easier than it used to be. Many builders even offer migration tools or plugins to help.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right website builder isn’t about finding the most popular one; it’s about finding your perfect match. Start with your goals, test the tools, and focus on how well they support your long-term vision.
And if you want to future-proof your choice, take a peek at Upcoming Trends in Website Design Tools. It’ll help you see where web design is heading and which platforms are adapting fastest.
