Gone are the days when we used to chase WordPress developers to create a fully-functional website or WordPress themes. It’s time-consuming, requires effort, and takes time to complete a simple website project. It’s 2021 and you no longer need HTML and CSS knowledge to build a website from scratch. No-code website builders allow you to build any kind of website such as portfolio, marketing, e-commerce, personal, etc. in a short span of time without needing any coding knowledge.
Best No Code Website Builders
Unlike WordPress, the modern no code website builders offer all the essential tools such as the domain, server, necessary plugins, security features, etc. as a package in a paid plan. You also get a free plan but it does come with a custom company domain which sure won’t look good on your website.
How Does a No Code Website Builder Work
Before we jump to the list, let’s first understand the basics of any no-code website builder. Most website builders will ask you to create an account. From there, you need to choose a website template and start building one using the built-in drag and drop editor.Â
Once you are done with the website, you need to choose a plan that gives all the relevant tools and add-ons and you are good to go with a brand new website.Â
1. Squarespace
IMO, Squarespace is the best no-code website builder out there. The number one reason being the default template selection offered by the company. Squarespace has the best template section among all the website builders out there.
I know the above statement might seem subjective to a certain degree but I haven’t found such modern and beautiful templates on other website builders.
Squarespace features are thoughtfully designed. With the latest v7.1 update, the company has ironed out most user complaints with a better dashboard and drag and drop editor.
Squarespace consistently goes beyond competitors in features like template customization, blogging, scheduling software, photo galleries, and even lesser offered features like podcast hosting and donations.Â
Pros:
- Custom fonts and templates
- Mobile optimization
- Best in class features
Cons:
- High pricing with e-commerce
Price
The personal plan starts at $12 per month.
Visit SquarespaceÂ
2. Webflow
If you are a UI designer then I would highly recommend you to give Webflow a try. It’s a designer’s dream come true tool. Webflow follows the fundamentals of web design. It is called a Box model among developers.
The whole point of Webflow is to embrace the complexity of front-end code. You really need to learn the fundamentals of web design to use Webflow. This includes concepts like style hierarchy, box model, floating, absolute and relative positioning, and other basic web fundamentals.
Thankfully, Webflow does have a useful YouTube channel with all the relevant guides to follow. Give yourself a couple of hours and you will be good to go.Â
Unlike Squarespace and Wix, you have complete freedom here and can build complex websites without touching a single line of code.
Pros:
- High level of customization
- Detailed video tutorials and ebook guides available
- Bandwidth for all sites is unlimited, even on the free plan
- No payment required until you are ready with your site
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
Price
The basic plan starts at $12 per month.
Visit Webflow
3. Wix
No surprise here. Wix, an Israel-based startup, offers a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) UI. It has one of the best drag-n-drop builders out there. Simply drag and place elements anywhere on the canvas and you are all set with a beautiful new website.Â
The only problem is, you need to constantly check the mobile preview as well because some of the elements might look out of place on a smaller screen. In terms of templates, Wix has more than 500 to choose from. That’s way more than Squarespace’s 70+ but once again, I would put Squarespace’s template quality above Wix but that’s just me.
What users will appreciate about Wix is built-in features. Necessary functions such as Membership Sites, Forums, Live Chat, Ticketing, and Takeout orders are handled by Wix itself. No need to search for a third-party alternative.Â
Pros:
- Wix offers free websites hosted on subdomains
- Sites come with tools for SEO, social media integration, analytics, and marketing
- A good number of free templates to choose from
Cons:
- Wix can be overwhelming for new users
- The free plan is limited to 500MB of bandwidth
Price
Wix plans start at $13 per month for personal use. The company also offers region-specific plans. For example, I see a much lower plan offering here in India compared to the Western markets.
Visit Wix
4. Weebly
Weebly is one of the popular website builders out there. The template selection is at around 70+. They include everything from Blog, Portfolio, Photography, e-commerce, Fashion, and other website types.Â
My biggest problem with Weebly is the editor. The company is currently maintaining two different editors for creating websites: the Weebly editor and the Square editor. The former is popular with existing users. The Square editor is a new one and it will take time to mature.Â
I like the standard Weebly editor. It’s not overwhelming like Wix and those Adobe products. Simply drag elements or sections from the side drawer and make changes to the page.
Pros:
- A good amount of add-ons available to enhance the website functionality
- Number of tutorials to get started
- Built-in image editor
Cons:
- Blogging capabilities are limited compared to Squarespace and Wix
- Storage on free plan is limited at 500MB
Price
Weebly Pro plan start at $12 per month when paid annually.Â
Visit Weebly
5. Carrd
How can I end the list without mentioning Carrd? Not everyone wants a multi-page fully functional website. If you are someone looking to build a one-page landing page, then Carrd is the right choice for you.
Carrd is suitable for building and hosting simple, responsive, one-page websites for anything and everything. There are rivals out there to build one-page websites, but the biggest differentiator here is the simplicity and ease of use, while not compromising on your ability to create an attention-grabbing website.
Pros:
- Suitable for one-page websites
- Cheaper than rivals
- Wide variety of style customization
Cons:
- Learning curve
Price
$19 per year.
Visit Carrd
Start Your No Code Journey
A personal website is a must in 2021. Besides, every small business needs a website of their own as well. Instead of finding the right developers to create a professional website for you. You can give the website builders above a try and create one within a couple of weeks.
