How to Choose the Perfect Website Builder: A Step-by-Step Guide for Non-Technical Individuals
Subtitle:
Discover the top website builders like Wix, Webflow, Squarespace, and more—along with expert tips to get your site up and running in minutes without coding.
"I built my first website in an afternoon—with no coding experience."
That is what my friend told me a week ago. She is not a coder, did not know anything about HTML and CSS, but she had a vision and an idea.
How did she do it? With the magic of modern website builders for people like her—non-technical people eager to build a professional website in a flash.
Assuming you're reading this, chances are you want to do the same: launch a website painlessly, expensive developers, or months of learning how to code. But with all these options out there—Wix, Webflow, Squarespace, WordPress, Carrd, Shopify—how do you decide which one to choose?
This article will walk you through all you need to know.
Why Website Builders are a Game-Changer
Building a website the old-fashioned way was a barrier for most people. It meant programming expertise or the cost of hiring costly developers, which would freeze projects or devour budgets.
Website builders changed everything. With intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, editable templates, and integrated tools, they allow entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives, and small business owners to build their sites themselves and in a hurry.
Quick Overview: Top Website Builders for Non-Coders
- Wix — Beginner-Friendly & Flexible
Wix offers a myriad of templates and easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, perfect if you only need an amazing site without coding hassles. Best for portfolios, small businesses, and personal brands.
Tip: Use Wix's SEO Wiz to get your site easily Google-friendly.
- Webflow — Design Liberty with No-Code
Webflow is the way to go if you want pixel-perfect control and don't mind a marginally higher learning curve. It comes with a strong CMS and the ability to design responsive, professional sites that can scale.
Pro Tip: Use Webflow's interactions and animations to add some zest and attitude to your site.
- Squarespace — Beautiful Templates for Creative Types
Squarespace differentiates itself with its stunning, design-heavy templates. It's perfect for photographers, artists, and small stores. And it comes with built-in eCommerce functionality.
Pro Tip: Leverage Squarespace's blogging platform to create your audience through content marketing.
- WordPress.com — Best for Content-Heavy Sites
WordPress runs over 40% of the web. The hosted version WordPress.com is simple to set up with themes and plugins. It's ideal if you'll be creating a lot of content, like blogs or news sites.
Tip: Use SEO plugins like Yoast to maximize search engine visibility.
- Carrd — Quick One-Pagers and Portfolios
Carrd is the fastest way to build a simple, elegant one-page website or landing page. Perfect for personal profiles, event pages, or simple business promos.
Pro Tip: Use Carrd to quickly test new ideas or direct traffic from social media.
- Shopify — For Serious E-commerce
If your goal is to launch an online store, Shopify is the go-to. It’s built to handle inventory, payments, shipping, and marketing—all in one platform.
Pro Tip: Find Shopify apps to include additional functionality such as reviews, upsells, and email marketing.
How to Select the Best Platform
Ask yourself the following questions:
What is the primary purpose of my website? (Portfolio, blog, eCommerce, landing page?)
How much creative freedom do I desire?
What is my budget and how much time do I have?
Do I need to scale or include intricate features down the road?
Getting your needs matched to the right platform is crucial. For example, a photographer might love Squarespace, but a startup founder launching a SaaS would love Webflow or WordPress.
Pro Tips for Success
Start with a template: Don't reinvent the wheel—choose a theme that works for your brand and modify as needed.
Think about SEO: Add in-built SEO functionality or plugins to make sure your site gets found.
Focus on user experience: Make navigation simple and your content clear.
Test on mobile: Most visitors use phones—your site must look great everywhere.
Launch fast, improve often: Get your site live, then iterate based on feedback.
Your Turn!
What’s your biggest challenge when building a website? Is it design, tech, or knowing where to start? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and I’ll share tips tailored just for you.
Conclusion:
No-code site builders have transformed the way we build online. Whether you're a creative, entrepreneur, or freelancer, your ideal solution is available to make your dream site—quickly, inexpensively, and without code.
Keep in mind: Your idea trumps technical expertise. Select carefully, begin building, and tell your tale to the world.