Best Website Builders for Startups in Australia: Your Ultimate Guide

Launching a startup in Australia? One of the first steps to establishing your brand is creating an engaging online presence. Fortunately, a plethora of website builders are available to help you craft a professional website without requiring extensive tech skills. Here’s a breakdown of the best website builders for small businesses available, focusing on their features, ease of use, and pricing.

So, What Are Website Builders?

Website builders are online platforms that allow users to create and design websites without requiring extensive coding or technical skills. They provide an intuitive interface, typically featuring drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and various customisation options. This makes it accessible for individuals and businesses, regardless of their technical expertise, to establish an online presence quickly and efficiently.

Key Features of Website Builders

1. User-Friendly Interface: Most website builders offer intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to easily create and customise their websites without needing technical skills.
2. Pre-Designed Templates: A wide variety of professionally designed templates are available, catering to different industries and styles, making it simple to start building a site that looks great.
3. Mobile Responsiveness: Many website builders automatically optimise sites for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless user experience across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
4. SEO Tools: Integrated SEO features help users optimise their websites for search engines, improving visibility and attracting organic traffic.
5. eCommerce Capabilities: For businesses looking to sell online, many website builders include built-in eCommerce tools, such as shopping carts, payment processing, and inventory management.

Now let us dive into the top 7 website builders and their pros and cons:

1. Wix: The All-In-One Solution

Price Range: $17-$159 per month
Wix is the ultimate choice for those seeking versatility and ease of use. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows even the most tech-challenged users to design stunning websites quickly. You’ll find a wealth of templates to choose from, ensuring your site looks professional and attractive.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing plans.
• Extensive template library.
• Excellent appointment booking features.

Cons:

• Limited storage space.
• Migration to other platforms is not straightforward.

If you run a hospitality business or a gym, Wix’s dedicated features can be particularly beneficial. Although it may take some time to load at times overall, its ease of use makes it a top contender among the best website builders in Australia.

2. Squarespace: Ideal for Creative Portfolios

Price Range: $16-$52 per month
For creatives, Squarespace shines with its focus on aesthetics. This platform offers unlimited storage and a plethora of beautifully designed templates, making it ideal for photographers and artists who need to showcase their work.

Pros:

• Precise layout editing capabilities.
• Unlimited bandwidth and storage.
• Automatic sitemap creation for SEO.

Cons:

• Limited payment gateways.
• No point of sale hardware.

While it lacks the eCommerce capabilities of Shopify, Squarespace’s design options are unrivalled, making it one of the best website builders for building websites for small businesses focused on showcasing their work.

3. Shopify: The Ultimate E-commerce Platform

Price Range: $56-$575 per month
If your startup involves retail, Shopify is the go-to platform. It’s tailored for e-commerce, providing advanced inventory management, sales tracking, and shipping options. Shopify also includes AI-driven tools to help streamline operations and improve sales.

Pros:

• Robust sales features and inventory management.
• Supports online and in-person sales.
• Customisable shipping rates.

Cons:

• Higher pricing compared to other builders.
• Design can be less customisable than competitors.

For retail startups looking to scale, Shopify is a solid investment despite its higher website costs. It’s one of the best website builders for eCommerce.

4. GoDaddy: Fast and User-Friendly Setup

Price Range: $9.99-$20.99 per month
If you need a website up and running quickly, GoDaddy’s straightforward setup is ideal. It’s easy to use, making it perfect for busy entrepreneurs. However, its e-commerce capabilities are basic compared to other platforms.

Pros:

• Fast and user-friendly setup.
• Affordable pricing.
• Good for basic marketing needs.

Cons:

• Limited ecommerce features.
• Basic SEO tools.

GoDaddy is ideal for service-based businesses seeking a simple online presence without too many frills. It’s one of the best website builders for small business websites.

5. Hostinger: Perfect for Managing Multiple Sites

Price Range: Starting from $2.99 per month
Hostinger is a hidden gem for startups needing to manage multiple websites. With strong security features and an AI website writing tool, Hostinger is an excellent choice for those looking to scale.

Pros:

• Ability to create up to 100 websites.
• Unlimited SSL security certificates.
• Affordable pricing.

Cons:

• Limited to 500 products per site.
• Lacks a robust blogging platform.

This platform is excellent for entrepreneurs looking to expand their digital footprint without breaking the bank, making it one of the best website builders for WordPress.

6. WordPress.com: Unmatched Value and Flexibility

Price Range: $4-$45 per month
WordPress is the powerhouse of website builders, offering unparalleled customisation through its extensive library of plugins and themes. While it may require a bit of a learning curve, the versatility and scalability it provides make it a favourite among publishers and content creators.

Pros:

• Over 9,000 free templates.
• Excellent blogging features and SEO tools.
• Unlimited pages and contributors.

Cons:

• More complex than other builders.
• Limited storage for free plans.

For content-rich sites or blogs, WordPress is a fantastic choice and is often regarded as one of the best website builders for SEO.

7. Webflow: The Design-Centric Powerhouse

Price Range: Free-$39 per month
Webflow is tailored for those who prioritise design and customisation. It combines a user-friendly interface with the flexibility of a traditional web development environment, making it ideal for startups looking to create visually stunning websites without coding.

Pros:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
• Full control over CSS styling and animations.
• Responsive design features guarantee that your site appears attractive and functions well on all devices.

Cons:

• The steeper learning curve for beginners.
• Hosting is separate, which can complicate the setup.

Webflow is particularly well-suited for agencies, designers and startups that want to showcase their brands with unique, high-quality designs while maintaining a professional edge. If you’re ready to invest some time into learning about the Webflow platform, the results can be spectacular.

Why Weebly Falls Short?

When you dive into Weebly, the experience can be lacklustre at best. After signing up, you’re met with a choice: create a business website or a personal one. The personal option offers basic templates that feel outdated—think early 2010s vibes.

Weebly’s eCommerce platform is its main selling point, but it’s powered by Square, the payment processing giant that acquired Weebly. Just to clarify, Square is not Squarespace!

Pros:

• Simple Structure: Weebly’s eCommerce setup allows you to work at the section level, which means less chance of messing up the layout.
• Solid Technical Features: You can integrate Google Analytics, manage SEO settings and handle shipping calculations.
• Integration with 99Designs: Want a professional touch? You can get a custom site built for about $450.

Cons:

• Limited Templates for eCommerce: If you choose to build an online store, prepare to design from scratch without helpful templates.
• No Blogging Capability: Starting an online shop now? What happens when you want to blog later? You’re stuck.
• Dated Personal Website Options: Templates are lacklustre, leading to frustrating customisation experiences.
• No Image Library Access: You can’t pull images directly from free libraries like Unsplash, which feels restrictive.
• Poor Preview Options: You can’t see your site until you commit to a paid plan, raising eyebrows.

Overall Impression

Weebly seems caught between worlds. Its eCommerce features lack the scalability of Shopify, while its personal website options lag behind Squarespace. It feels like a vehicle without a clear identity—neither as reliable as a Toyota nor as refined as a BMW.

Ratings:

• Design Aesthetic: 4/10
• Learning Curve: 5/10
• Business Tools: 7/10
• Technical Features: 6/10
• Value for Money: 4/10

Other Website Builders to Steer Clear Of

While Weebly might be the worst, these options also miss the mark for the best website builders in Australia. Such as:

1. Bluehost + WordPress
   Often recommended due to referral commissions, but lacks local .com.au domain support.
2. BigCommerce
   Complicated and bloated; not user-friendly for beginners.

What to Look for in Website Builders?

Evaluate the usage distribution of website builders among various demographics to ensure the platform aligns with your target audience. When searching for the best website builders for your needs, consider these criteria:

1. Ease of Use

Choose a website builder with an intuitive interface that allows you to create and manage your site without extensive technical skills. Look for drag-and-drop functionality and a clean layout that simplifies navigation. A user-friendly experience can significantly reduce the learning curve and help you get your site up and running quickly.

2. Customisation Options

Select a builder that offers a variety of templates and ample design flexibility. Ensure that the templates align with your brand’s aesthetic and verify that you can easily customise elements such as colours, fonts and layouts. A wide range of design options allows you to create a unique website that stands out in a crowded market.

3. SEO Features

A good website builder should support essential SEO best practices, helping improve your site’s visibility in search engines. Look for features like customisable URLs, meta tags, alt text for images and built-in analytics tools. These functionalities can enhance your site’s search performance and drive more organic traffic.

4. eCommerce Capabilities

If you plan to sell products or services online, it’s crucial to choose a platform with robust eCommerce website capabilities. Ensure the builder supports secure payment processing, inventory management and customisable product pages. Additionally, check for features like abandoned cart recovery and integration with popular payment gateways to enhance the shopping experience for your customers.

5. Value for Money

Evaluate the pricing structure and what you get for your investment. Consider whether the builder offers essential features like hosting, support and security. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden fees and weigh the cost against the features provided. Some builders may offer free trials or free versions, allowing you to assess their value before committing.

Essential Tips for Crafting a Successful Site

Creating a successful website involves careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some essential tips to ensure your site stands out and functions effectively:

1. Optimise for All Devices

Ensure your site is mobile-responsive. A mobile-responsive website optimise images for SEO, text and design elements for optimal viewing on smartphones. With over 60% of traffic coming from mobile devices, this is crucial.

Most modern website builders are mobile-responsive, but always preview your designs on various screen sizes to catch any errors. Adjust element sizes or remove unnecessary elements to ensure a smooth user experience.

2. Utilise Ready-Made Themes

Templates and themes offer pre-designed page layouts, including navigation menus and common pages like home, about, contact and blog. Most site builders provide a range of free and premium themes. Utilising these can save you time and ensure a well-designed site.

However, not all themes are equal, so be sure to preview everything for inconsistencies or errors as you add your content.

3. Implement SSL Security

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts data transfers to and from your website, safeguarding sensitive information like forms and credit card details. This is not only essential for user trust but also boosts your SEO ranking, making it a crucial aspect of your site’s setup.

4. Do You Need a Website Builder?

If you lack coding experience, a website builder is your best option. While building a site from scratch requires coding knowledge or hiring a professional, website builders like those in the best website builders for the WordPress category offer an easier path.

Each website builder has unique limitations. For instance, you might find that a beloved template doesn’t support a drop-down menu or doesn’t allow colour changes. Knowing these constraints as you work can help you adapt to your expectations.

If complete creative control isn’t necessary for you, the best website builders provide ample features to create a professional website. Many of the best website builders for small businesses offer great options that fit various needs.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Website Builder

If you want Whether you’re looking for the best website builders free or what are the best website builders, Wix is hard to beat. For visually-driven portfolios, Squarespace shines, while Shopify for ecommerce-focused startups. GoDaddy is perfect for quick setups and Hostinger offers great scalability options. Lastly, WordPress provides exceptional value for those willing to invest time in customisation.

No matter which platform you choose, you’re one step closer to establishing your online presence and launching your startup successfully in Australia!