Best web design software in 2024
Updated 6:42 a.m. UTC March 1, 2024
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The best web design software solutions help you create stunning sites in minutes, not hours. They provide customizable templates and easy-to-navigate management portals. Most platforms offer monetization and marketing tools as well.
We evaluated over 20 vendors and spent more than 30 hours speaking with customer service representatives and reviewing consumer feedback. Our assessment looked at over 40 factors, from usability to pricing and general specifications to advanced features. Discover which tools made it to the top of our list.
Featured website builder offers
Best web design software
- Duda: Best for designing client websites.
- WordPress.com: Better for bloggers with technical experience.
- Strikingly: Most affordable for creating multiple sites.
- ClickFunnels: Excellent design and sales features.
- Shopify: Top-rated for global e-commerce sales.
- Wix: Easiest to customize for small businesses.
- Square: Best free web design software.
- GoDaddy: Outstanding online booking tools.
- IONOS: Ideal for creating simple sites.
- Squarespace: Stunning templates for portfolio websites.
Why trust our small business experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20 companies reviewed.
- 69 products reviewed.
- 3,121 data points analyzed.
Featured website builder offers
Best web design software comparison
DRAG-AND-DROP BUILDER | FREE CUSTOM DOMAIN | STORAGE LIMIT | MONTHLY BANDWIDTH | 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT | ||||||||
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Duda | Yes | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | Custom plan | |||||||
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WordPress.com | Yes | Yes, for one year with annual billing | 1 GB to 50 GB | Unlimited | All plans except Starter with annual billing | |||||||
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Strikingly | Yes | No | 500 MB to 100 GB | 5 GB to Unlimited | Yes | |||||||
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ClickFunnels | Yes | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | |||||||
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Shopify | Yes | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | |||||||
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Wix | Yes | Yes, for one year | 2 GB to unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | |||||||
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Square | Yes | Yes, for one year | 500 MB to unlimited | 500 MB to unlimited | Premium plan | |||||||
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GoDaddy | Yes | Yes, for one year with annual billing | Unspecified | Unspecified | Yes | |||||||
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IONOS | Yes | Yes, for one year | 10 GB to unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | |||||||
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Squarespace | Yes | Yes, for one year with annual billing | Page-specific limits | Unlimited | Yes | |||||||
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Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best web design software of 2024.
The best web design software should have mobile-responsive websites and templates, a drag-and-drop editor, prebuilt templates, restoration and backup services and the ability to easily switch between templates and themes. It should also have an option to add custom code, as well as unlimited storage, e-commerce functionality, social media integration and built-in security features.
The best web design software should also have built-in reporting and analytics capabilities, free SSL certificates, a free custom domain name, email marketing tools and dropshipping integrations.
What is web design software and how does it work?
Web design software includes AI-powered website builders, pre-built templates and site editing tools. Most allow users to create web pages and forms without entering lines of code.
Professionals can either use drag-and-drop editors to create custom layouts and sections or answer a few questions and let the AI-enabled software build the site. Many solutions also have email marketing, e-commerce and analytics capabilities. Users can edit and manage their website and audience through a central platform.
Benefits of web design software
The best web design platforms help entrepreneurs create user-friendly websites. The sites are easy to maintain and fast-loading for visitors.
Web design tools offer many advantages, including:
- Quick website design and editing. Instead of starting from scratch, web design software provides pre-built templates and customizable sections. You can drag-and-drop new images or change the layout without entering code.
- Central website management. An online portal is your one-stop shop for everything related to websites. It shows site analytics, audience tools and errors.
- Enhanced marketing capabilities. Most web design platforms include social media integrations and email marketing features. These can automate messaging campaigns and keep your branding consistent.
- Built-in e-commerce tools. Payment, shipping and automated tax calculators streamline online store management. Other features like one-click checkout and loyalty rewards improve customer experiences.
Who uses web design software?
Job seekers, students and business owners are among those who most commonly use web design software. The user-friendly tools allow anyone to build a site quickly without technical knowledge. Since almost anyone can use them, site builders are a popular tool for most people who want a website.
How to choose the best web design software
Compare web design platforms by assessing pricing, features and usability. Think about your goals and audience to determine what add-ons or capabilities to look for. Guides to the best website builders, user reviews and mobile app ratings can provide details about different software.
Key features to look for
Web design solutions offer dozens of tools for building and maintaining websites.
Consider web design software features, such as:
- Site editor. Look for site editing tools with drag-and-drop functionality. Capabilities differ by platform. Some let you move and resize design elements, choose fonts and match colors to your brand. Others require users to stick within template guidelines.
- Templates and themes. Check out the site layouts. Most solutions allow users to search by industry or category and have single and multi-page options. Themes and templates are great starting points you can customize to suit your style.
- AI-powered features. Text editing and generation tools can save time. You can use these solutions to handle meta descriptions or to assist with page creation. Some web design software also produces AI images.
- Image library. Find the right photos for your blog posts, email campaigns and social content with a built-in library.
- Storage. Every element you add to your site takes up space. While some web design software providers offer unlimited storage, others have stricter limits. If you plan to upload a lot of videos or digital courses, you may need higher storage options.
Add-ons and extras
Most web design software includes bonus tools and offers add-ons in higher-tier plans or for an extra fee.
Here are a few common add-ons:
- E-commerce capabilities: An online store includes product pages, a shopping cart and a customer account center.
- Booking services: Clients can view calendars, make reservations for virtual or live events and schedule appointments.
- Subscriptions: Customers can sign up for recurring subscriptions for digital content or physical products.
- Marketing suites: Social media and email integrations allow businesses to automate and personalize messages.
- Payment processing: Integrated credit card processing tools mean customers can pay for goods and services without leaving your website.
- Professional design services: You can hire a designer to build a website instead of using web design software.
- Domain names: Some platforms also register domain names, allowing you to handle both services through one vendor.
How much does web design software cost?
DRAG-AND-DROP BUILDER | FREE CUSTOM DOMAIN | STORAGE LIMIT | MONTHLY BANDWIDTH | 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT | ||||||||
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Duda | No | 14 days | $25 | $39 | $69 | |||||||
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WordPress.com | Yes | No | $9 | $18 | $40 | |||||||
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Strikingly | Yes | 14 days | $12 | $20 | $59 | |||||||
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ClickFunnels | No | 14 days | $147 | $197 | $497 | |||||||
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Shopify | No | 3 days | $39 | $105 | $399 | |||||||
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Wix | No | 14 days | $23 | $34 | $38 | |||||||
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Square | Yes | No | $32 | $88 | N/A | |||||||
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GoDaddy | No | 30 days | $16.99 | $29.99 | $32.99 | |||||||
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IONOS | No | No | $12 | $18 | $30 | |||||||
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Squarespace | No | 14 days | $23 | $33 | $36 | |||||||
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Web design providers offer monthly and annual billing plans. Some provide discounts of up to 30% or more for yearly prepayment. Most have several tiers, with cheaper subscriptions having fewer features and higher payment processing fees.
The site builders fit all budgets. Square, WordPress.com and Strikingly offer free plans. Shopify has packages ranging from $1 to $2,000 monthly. Not all providers include an online store with entry-tier subscriptions, and this feature is an add-on for Duda and IONOS.
Credit card processing fees vary by vendor and plan. Some web design platforms charge a transaction fee on top of the payment processing charge, whereas others serve as your merchant account provider (GoDaddy Payments and Shopify Payments). At the top end, WordPress.com charges a 10% commission on its free plan.
Featured website builder offers
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Duda and WordPress.com earn high ratings for ease of use, site editing tools and pre-built templates. Besides helping professionals build and maintain websites, Duda allows agencies to collaborate with clients and create custom layouts at scale. On the other hand, WordPress.com is an excellent platform for creatives who want to sell digital products like recurring subscriptions.
WordPress.com, Square and Strikingly have free web design software. A free WordPress.com site includes 1 GB of storage and unlimited pages. Bloggers can accept tips or paid subscribers.
Square’s free plan is a great fit for brick-and-mortar businesses. It provides a website builder and basic site layouts. Companies can use the free version for online delivery orders, curbside pickup and selling on social media.
You can make unlimited free Strikingly websites. Each one can sell one product and have five pages.
Website builders and web design software can help you create a site quickly. These tools offer professional templates and themes. You can customize them by choosing different colors, fonts and images.
The drag-and-drop editor lets you move sections around the page. Then, you add content to personalize your site.
Costs to build a website vary. You can create one for free using platforms like WordPress.com or Square. These include a sub-domain and free hosting.
However, buying your own domain name and hosting to promote your business or brand is pretty much a professional standard now.
Several website builders and hosting solutions bundle these services into monthly or annual plans. See our guide to learn how much websites cost.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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