Comparing the top website builders for UK small businesses: features, pricing, pros & cons
If you're a small business owner in the UK looking to build a website in 2025, you're faced with dozens of website builder options. Should you choose WordPress? Wix? Squarespace? Or hire a professional web designer?
This comprehensive guide breaks down the best website builders for UK small businesses, comparing features, pricing, ease of use, and suitability for different business types. By the end, you'll know exactly which option is right for your business.
Quick Summary:
Before diving into website builders, let's address the fundamental question: do you really need a website?
Yes, absolutely. Here's why:
Social media alone isn't enough. Facebook pages and Instagram profiles are great for engagement, but they don't rank well on Google, and you don't own the platform. A professional website is essential for long-term business growth.
Best Overall for Flexibility & Power
WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally and is the most popular website builder for small businesses in the UK. It's free, open-source, and incredibly flexible with thousands of themes and plugins.
💰 Pricing:
Free software + Hosting (£5-15/mo) + Domain (£10-15/year) = £70-195/year
Best for: Businesses wanting full control, blogs, ecommerce, and long-term scalability
Easiest Drag-and-Drop Builder
Wix is the most beginner-friendly website builder with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Perfect if you want to build a site yourself without technical knowledge.
💰 Pricing:
£6-22/month (billed annually) • Free plan available with ads
Best for: Complete beginners who want DIY control with zero technical skills
Best for Creative Businesses & Portfolios
Squarespace offers stunning, professionally designed templates perfect for photographers, artists, restaurants, and creative businesses that need a beautiful visual presence.
💰 Pricing:
£11-31/month (billed annually) • 14-day free trial
Best for: Photographers, artists, restaurants, and businesses prioritizing aesthetics
Best for Ecommerce & Online Stores
If you're selling products online, Shopify is the gold standard. It's built specifically for ecommerce with powerful inventory management, payment processing, and shipping tools.
💰 Pricing:
£19-259/month + transaction fees • 3-day free trial
Best for: Online stores, product-based businesses, dropshipping
Simple & Budget-Friendly
Weebly (owned by Square) is a straightforward, affordable option for basic business websites. It's simpler than Wix with fewer features, making it less overwhelming.
💰 Pricing:
£5-20/month • Free plan available
Best for: Very basic websites on a tight budget
Quick Setup with AI Assistant
GoDaddy's website builder uses AI to help you build a site in minutes. It's incredibly fast to set up but limited in customization.
💰 Pricing:
£8-20/month
Best for: Ultra-fast setup when you need a basic site immediately
Best Value - Done-For-You Service
Here's the reality: most small business owners don't have time to learn website builders. You're busy running your business. That's where professional web designers come in - and it's more affordable than you think.
💰 Pricing with Spark Media:
£395-£699 one-time + £25/month maintenance (optional)
Compare to £2,000-£5,000 with traditional agencies, or 50+ hours learning a DIY builder
Best for: Busy business owners who want professional results without the hassle
No obligation. See if we're the right fit for your business.
| Platform | Ease of Use | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | £5-15 | Flexibility & Growth |
| Wix | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Easy | £6-22 | DIY Beginners |
| Squarespace | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy | £11-31 | Beautiful Design |
| Shopify | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy | £19-259 | Ecommerce |
| Weebly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Easy | £5-20 | Basic Sites |
| GoDaddy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Easy | £8-20 | Speed |
| Pro Designer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Zero Effort | £33-58* | Best Results |
*Amortized monthly cost based on £395-699 upfront + £25/mo maintenance over 12 months
Be honest about your comfort level with technology. If you're not tech-savvy or simply don't have time, hiring a professional web designer is actually the most cost-effective option when you factor in your time value. DIY builders like Wix work well if you enjoy learning new tools and have 20-50 hours to invest.
Don't just look at monthly fees - calculate the total cost of ownership:
What's the purpose of your website?
Critical for UK small businesses: Your website must rank on Google and work perfectly on mobile devices. WordPress and professional designers excel here. DIY builders can struggle with proper SEO setup if you don't know what you're doing. Over 60% of searches happen on mobile, so responsive web design is non-negotiable.
Where will your business be in 3 years? Choose a platform that can scale with you. WordPress offers unlimited scalability. Wix and Squarespace have limitations. Professional designers can migrate and upgrade your site as needed.
Get a free consultation with Spark Media. We'll honestly assess your needs and recommend the best solution - even if that's a DIY builder instead of hiring us.
Get Free Expert AdviceAfter comparing all the options, here's our honest recommendation based on different scenarios:
For most UK small business owners, hiring a professional web designer like Spark Media offers the best ROI. You get professional results, save 50+ hours, rank better on Google, and convert more visitors to customers.
Starting at £395 - less than most people spend on their phone each year.
If you genuinely enjoy building websites yourself and have the time, Wix is the most user-friendly option. Just be prepared to invest 20-50 hours learning and building.
For tech-savvy business owners who want total control and unlimited scalability, WordPress is unbeatable. Expect a steeper learning curve and ongoing maintenance.
Selling physical products online? Shopify is purpose-built for ecommerce and handles everything from inventory to shipping seamlessly.
Your time is valuable. As a small business owner, every hour you spend wrestling with a website builder is an hour you're not spending on your core business - the thing that actually makes you money.
A professional website from Spark Media costs less than one week's revenue for most small businesses, but it works 24/7 to bring you customers for years. That's a smart investment.
Professional websites from £395 • Delivered in 2-5 days • No obligation consultation
Complete pricing breakdown for 2025
Detailed comparison for small businesses
Why your business needs an online presence
Realistic timelines for different options
The world's most popular website platform, powering 43% of all websites. Incredibly flexible and powerful, but requires some technical knowledge.
Pricing:
Free software + £3-15/mo hosting + £10-80/year domain
Pros:
Cons:
Best For:
Businesses wanting maximum control and scalability
Drag-and-drop website builder that's incredibly easy to use. Perfect for beginners who want complete control over design without coding.
Pricing:
£10-35/month (annual billing)
Pros:
Cons:
Best For:
Complete beginners who want DIY website building
Known for stunning, professional templates. Great for creative businesses, photographers, and designers who prioritize aesthetics.
Pricing:
£11-35/month (annual billing)
Pros:
Cons:
Best For:
Creative businesses and visual portfolios
Hire an expert to build your website for you. Get professional results without the learning curve or time investment. Done in days, not weeks.
Pricing:
£395-699 one-time + £25/mo maintenance
Pros:
Cons:
Best For:
Busy business owners who want results without the hassle
Get Your Free ConsultationWhile website builders like Wix and Squarespace seem affordable at £10-35/month, there are hidden costs most small business owners don't consider:
Example calculation: If your time is worth £25/hour and you spend 50 hours building a website, that's £1,250 in opportunity cost. You could have hired a professional for less and gotten better results in a fraction of the time.
Here's the truth: most successful small business owners don't build their own websites. They hire professionals. Here's why:
Get your website live in 2-5 days instead of spending weeks learning and building it yourself
Professional designers know what converts. Your website will generate more leads and sales
No stress, no technical headaches. Your designer handles everything from start to finish
Get help whenever you need updates, changes, or have questions about your website
The "best" website builder depends on your situation:
Choose WordPress if:
You're tech-savvy, want maximum control, and have time to learn and maintain it
Choose Wix if:
You want to DIY, need something simple, and don't mind ongoing monthly costs
Choose Squarespace if:
You're a creative business that values design aesthetics above all else
Choose a Professional Web Designer if:
You want the best results with zero hassle, you're busy running your business, and you value your time
For most UK small businesses, hiring a professional web designer offers the best return on investment. You get a high-quality, mobile-friendly, SEO-optimized website that generates leads—without sacrificing weeks of your time.
Skip the learning curve. Get a custom, mobile-friendly website built in 2-5 days for just £395.