Most Popular Website Builders: Top Platforms
Having a website that’s attractive and easy for users to navigate is key to successfully running an ecommerce business. This is because it can affect important metrics like add-to-cart conversion rates, bounce rates, and shopping cart abandonment rates.
With so many website builders available, choosing one to use can be tricky. Here’s a look at the most popular website builders to help you understand what small businesses around the world prefer to use.
Most popular website builders: WordPress comes out on top
According to a recent survey, WordPress tops the list of the most popular website builders. More than one in five businesses (22%) say it’s their first choice when it comes to creating a website. Experts say WordPress’s popularity is no surprise, considering it’s free and provides powerful add-ons that businesses can leverage to grow. It also doesn’t require complex programming skills, which means it can be learned and used very easily, even by non-professionals.
Tied second on the list of the most popular website builders are Squarespace and GoDaddy, each voted for by 19% of small businesses. A comparison of both providers shows that Squarespace caters better to businesses looking to build a strong digital presence, thanks to its range of attractive templates, while GoDaddy’s user-friendliness makes it a better fit for small businesses. Users of GoDaddy also say they enjoy the unlimited bandwidth and disk space it offers.
The fourth and fifth most popular website builders are BigCommerce and Wix, voted as the preferred choice by 11% and 7% of businesses, respectively. An analysis of the two shows that Wix is better for business owners looking for a simple and fuss-free way to build a store quickly, while GoDaddy offers more scalability options for larger businesses.
This is followed by Weebly and Shopify, at 4% each. Weebly users say they particularly like how straightforward it is to create a simple interface on the platform and the free security features it provides.
Shopify not only ranks among the most popular website builders, it is also one of the top ecommerce platforms in the United States, with around 25% of the total market share. Starting a Shopify store is also very easy and can be done in less than 30 minutes. Its popularity also means that there are plenty of Shopify stores businesses can take inspiration from when creating or improving their online store.
Want to learn more?
- 9 Shopify Tips All New Store Owners Need to Know
- The 5 Best Ways To Create a Website
- 9 Best Website Builders for Small Business
- How to Use Shopify: A Quick and Easy Shopify Tutorial
Most Popular Website Builders FAQ
Why do so many small businesses choose WordPress?
Small businesses favor WordPress because it's free, offers powerful add-ons that support growth, and doesn't require complex programming skills, so non-professionals can learn it quickly. In one small business survey, 22% of businesses named it their first choice for creating a website.
How does my website builder choice affect ecommerce results?
An attractive, easy-to-navigate website can affect add-to-cart conversion rates, bounce rates, and shopping cart abandonment rates. Because the builder shapes how your site looks and works, compare templates and ease of use before you commit to one.
Should I choose Squarespace or GoDaddy?
Squarespace suits businesses that want a strong digital presence through attractive templates, while GoDaddy suits small businesses that value user-friendliness. Each was the first choice of 19% of small businesses in one survey. GoDaddy users also like its unlimited bandwidth and disk space.
Which website builder is easiest for beginners?
GoDaddy, Wix, Weebly, and WordPress all suit beginners in different ways. GoDaddy is known for user-friendliness, and Wix offers a simple, fuss-free way to build a store quickly. Weebly makes it straightforward to create a simple interface, and WordPress needs no complex programming.
How long does it take to set up a Shopify store?
You can start a Shopify store in less than 30 minutes. Shopify holds around 25% of the total ecommerce platform market share in the United States, so plenty of existing Shopify stores can give you design inspiration while you build yours.