Creating a strong online presence is one of the most essential steps for any business owner in 2024. Whether you're starting a café, running a local service, or launching a homegrown product line, customers expect to find you online. And the best way to ensure they do? A professional and easy-to-navigate website.Thanks to modern platforms, you no longer need a background in coding or a big budget to go online. All you need are the best tools to build a website for a small business — tools that are easy, affordable, flexible, and powerful enough to showcase your brand, attract customers, and grow your sales.In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular and user-friendly tools available today. Whether you're building a portfolio, service-based site, or e-commerce store, we’ve got you covered.
When you decide to build a website for a small business, the tools you choose will shape:
In short, the right tools can help your website look professional, perform well, and convert visitors into paying customers — all without needing a tech expert.
Wix is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms available today. It’s perfect for small business owners who want full control over design without touching a single line of code.
Service providers, local businesses, personal brands
Starts with a free plan (with Wix branding). Premium plans start at ₹125/month.
WordPress.org powers over 40% of the internet. When combined with the Elementor plugin, it offers a visual design experience similar to Wix — but with more control and flexibility.
Bloggers, growing businesses, content-heavy websites
WordPress is free, but you’ll need hosting (like Bluehost or Hostinger), which starts around ₹250/month. Elementor offers free and paid plans.
If your business involves selling products online, Shopify is a tool designed specifically for e-commerce. It helps you launch an online store quickly and manage products, inventory, and payments with ease.
Online stores, D2C brands, retail shops
Starts at $29/month (~₹2,400). Offers a 3-day free trial.
Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern templates and is ideal for businesses that rely heavily on visual presentation like photographers, designers, or boutique stores.
Creative businesses, portfolios, high-end services
Starts at ₹900/month with free domain for the first year.
Owned by Square, Weebly offers a simple and straightforward approach to website building, perfect for business owners who want minimal effort and quick setup.
Local shops, restaurants, personal websites
Free plan available. Paid plans start at ₹400/month.
Zyro is one of the newer website builders in the market and focuses on speed, ease of use, and affordability. It’s powered by Hostinger, making it a strong option for small businesses.
Startups, small-scale service providers, freelancers
Plans start at ₹149/month.
If you're just getting started and want a quick, zero-cost solution, Google Sites offers a basic platform where you can create and publish a site using your Gmail account.
Temporary sites, internal business pages, early-stage business profiles
Completely free (with a Google account).
If your business only needs a one-page site — like an online resume, a quick services overview, or an event promo — Strikingly is designed to help you do it fast.
Consultants, freelancers, solo entrepreneurs
Free basic plan. Paid plans start at $8/month (~₹650).
Webflow sits between no-code and professional development. While it still offers drag-and-drop functionality, it’s more flexible than most website builders and is great for design perfectionists.
Agencies, designers, tech-savvy business owners
Free plan available. Paid plans from $14/month (~₹1,100).
Carrd is ideal if you want a single-page site to capture leads, display a simple service, or link to your online profiles.
Event promotions, landing pages, small personal projects
Free plan available. Pro plan starts at $9/year (~₹750 annually).
Besides the website builders themselves, here are some essential tools you can use to enhance your business website:
Before you decide which platform to use, consider:
Each tool has strengths and limitations. The best approach is to try 1-2 free trials before committing.
Meera runs a flower shop in Bangalore. She wanted to grow her business by taking orders online but didn’t have the budget to hire a developer.She chose Shopify for its eCommerce capabilities and easy management tools. Within a week, she launched her site with:
The result? Her sales increased by 60% in two months — all because she took the step to build a website for a small business using the right tool.