How to choose the right no-code web builder to meet your needs?

As a web designer, I’ve tested various no-code web builders to understand their capabilities and suitability for different types of websites. Platforms like Squarespace, Shopify, Webflow, WordPress, Cargo, Wix, and Framer each offer unique advantages, making it essential to choose the right one for your specific needs. This guide will help you navigate through these popular options and make an informed decision based on your goals for developing your website.

First Things First👉: Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into the specifics of each platform, it’s crucial to understand your own needs.

So, what is the primary goal of your website?

• E-Commerce with Physical Products: If you are looking to sell tangible goods online, you will need a platform that offers robust inventory management, shipping integration, and reliable payment processing to handle logistics and transactions efficiently.
• E-Commerce with Digital Products: If you’re selling downloadable products like e-books, templates, and online courses you’ll need secure digital delivery systems and efficient payment processing to ensure your customers can access their purchases smoothly.
• Service-Based & Informational-Based: For promoting services and providing information about your business, your website may require a combination of features. Booking & scheduling systems, clear contact details, and well-organized content are essential to help visitors find the information they need and reach out to you. Additionally, strong SEO tools are critical for attracting potential customers and improving your website’s visibility.
• Portfolio: Showcasing creative work such as art, photography, design, or writing requires visually-appealing templates and easy ways to display images and multimedia. Flexibility to create a unique style that reflects your personal or professional brand is also important.

After understanding your goals and what essential features you need, you can narrow down your options and focus on platforms that align with your specific needs.

Now, let’s explore the key features and ideal use cases for each platform based on different purposes.

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For E-Commerce with Physical Products

Both Shopify and WooCommerce (WordPress) could be a good choice for businesses focused primarily on selling physical products online.

Shopify

Shopify is ideal for business owners looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one e-commerce solution with strong customer support and a robust app ecosystem.

Pros:

• Robust E-Commerce Capabilities: Shopify offers a comprehensive suite of e-commerce tools, including inventory management, order tracking, and payment processing.
• Ease of Use: The dashboard is user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage an online store.
• App Ecosystem: Shopify has a vast array of apps and plugins to extend functionality, including marketing, shipping, and customer service tools.
• Closed-Source Hosted: Shopify handles hosting, security, and maintenance, so you don’t need to worry about securing your store, making it easier for you to focus on running your business.

Cons:

• Cost: Shopify can be expensive, especially when you add in the costs of apps and transaction fees. The basic plan starts at $29/month, but advanced plans and additional apps can significantly increase the cost.
• Limited Customization: While Shopify offers a range of templates, customization options are more limited compared to platforms like WordPress with WooCommerce.

WooCommerce with WordPress

WooCommerce is better suited for those who want full control over their website’s design and functionality, are comfortable with managing their own hosting, and are looking for a more cost-effective solution.

Pros:

• Highly Customizable: WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, gives you complete control over the design and functionality of your store. You can customize everything from the checkout process to the product pages.
• Extensive Plugin Library: WordPress has thousands of plugins available, allowing you to add any functionality you need, from SEO tools to advanced analytics.
• Cost-Effective: The WooCommerce software itself is free. While you will need to pay for hosting and possibly some premium plugins, it can be a more cost-effective solution than Shopify.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Setting up and managing a WooCommerce store can be more complex and time-consuming than using Shopify, especially for beginners.
• Maintenance: With WooCommerce, you are responsible for managing updates, backups, and security, which can be a challenge if you are not technically inclined, and time-consuming as well.

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For E-Commerce with Digital Products

When it comes to selling digital products, the process is generally more straightforward compared to physical products, as it involves managing digital downloads and secure payment processing. However, there are two main scenarios for selling digital products.

For businesses promoting SaaS products, these are often treated similarly to service-based business websites, requiring features such as user accounts, subscription management, and customer support systems.

But for businesses selling e-books, templates, and other digital goods, platforms like Gumroad and Podia are highly recommended due to their simplicity and robust feature sets.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a wonderful platform for individuals and small businesses looking to sell e-books, templates, and other digital goods with ease.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Gumroad is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to set up a store and start selling digital products quickly.
• Secure Digital Delivery: It provides secure delivery of digital products, ensuring that customers receive their purchases safely.
• Integrated Payment Processing: Gumroad handles all payment processing, including credit cards and PayPal, with minimal transaction fees.
• No Monthly Fees: Gumroad operates on a transaction fee basis, meaning you don’t have to worry about monthly subscription costs.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Gumroad offers fewer customization options compared to more robust platforms, which might limit branding possibilities for some users.

Podia

Podia would be more suitable for creators and entrepreneurs looking to sell a variety of digital products, especially online courses, with comprehensive marketing tools.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to set up your store quickly without technical knowledge.
• Integrated Payment Processing: Handles all payment processing with support for credit cards and PayPal.
• Marketing Tools: Includes email marketing, affiliate marketing, and upselling tools to help you grow your business.
• Course Creation Tools: Podia includes features specifically for creating and selling online courses, making it a versatile choice for educators.

Cons:

• Higher Initial Cost: Podia has a higher starting cost compared to Gumroad, which might be a barrier for very small businesses or individuals just starting out. (You need to select the Mover plan at $39/month to allow unlimited downloads and unlimited courses.)

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Service-Based & Informational-Based

For service-based and informational websites, the choice of platform can depend on the complexity of your website, the industry you are in, the specific features you need, and your budget as well.

Webflow

Webflow is a highly recommended choice for creating service-based and informational-based websites due to its flexibility and robust design capabilities. It allows you to build custom websites with advanced design control without needing extensive coding knowledge. Businesses that need a highly customizable website with the ability to create unique, engaging experiences for their clients should consider using Webflow.

Pros:

• Highly Customizable: Webflow offers a powerful visual editor that lets you design complex layouts and interactions. You have full control over the design and functionality of your site.
• Design Flexibility: You can create unique and engaging user experiences with Webflow’s extensive design tools, including animations, interactions, and custom layouts. The platform also supports advanced features like custom code embedding, offering more flexibility for technical users.
• Integrated SEO Tools: Webflow includes robust SEO tools, such as meta tags, alt texts, and URL customization, helping your website rank higher in search engine results. It also offers features like fast page loading times and responsive design, which are crucial for SEO.
• Dynamic Content Management: Webflow’s CMS (Content Management System) makes it easy to manage and update content, which is ideal for informational websites that need regular updates.
• No Code Required: Even though it offers extensive customization options, Webflow is a no-code platform, making it accessible to non-developers.

Cons:

• Steeper Learning Curve: Webflow’s powerful design tools can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring more time to learn and master compared to simpler platforms.
• Complexity for Simple Sites: Webflow may be more complex than necessary for basic websites, where simpler platforms like Squarespace or Framer might suffice.

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For a more simple website, there are a few choices available that provide an easy-to-use platform with beautiful templates and all the necessary tools to get your site up and running quickly. These platforms are ideal for users who do not need the extensive customization options of Webflow but still want a professional and functional website. Below are some great options for creating a straightforward and effective website.

Squarespace

Squarespace is an excellent choice for those seeking a more straightforward solution. It provides a user-friendly interface and beautiful templates that are perfect for showcasing services and providing information in a professional manner.

Framer

Framer stands out with its AI capabilities, providing users with a modern and sleek design platform that focuses on interactive design and animations. Framer is excellent for users looking to create visually stunning and engaging websites with the help of AI-driven tools and features.

Wix

Similar to Squarespace, Wix offers a highly intuitive interface with a wide variety of templates and apps, making it easy to build and customize a website. It is ideal for users who want a quick setup and extensive app integrations without needing advanced technical skills.

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Portfolio

Cargo is highly recommended for artists, designers, and writers to build their portfolios. It focuses on visual and design-oriented features, making it an excellent choice for showcasing creative work in a visually engaging and professional manner.

Cargo

Pros:

• Design-Oriented: Cargo offers a wide range of visually appealing templates specifically designed for creative portfolios. These templates are highly customizable, allowing you to create a unique and personalized website that reflects your artistic style. You can also find plenty of examples of other artists’ portfolios built on the platform, which can serve as inspiration and guidance for your own site.
• Visual Focus: The platform prioritizes high-quality visuals, ensuring that your images and multimedia content are displayed beautifully. This is ideal for photographers, artists, and designers who want their work to stand out.
• Customization Options: Cargo provides extensive customization options, allowing you to adjust layouts, fonts, colors, and other design elements to match your personal brand. You can also add custom CSS for further customization.
• User-Friendly: Cargo’s interface is intuitive and easy to use, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. The platform allows you to set up and manage your portfolio quickly and efficiently.
• Affordable Pricing: Cargo offers competitive pricing plans, making it an affordable option for creative professionals who need a high-quality portfolio website without breaking the bank.

Cons:

• Different Interface: Cargo’s design interface is different from other platforms like Figma and Squarespace. If you are used to those platforms, you might find Cargo’s interface quite unfamiliar at first. However, once you get used to where everything is, it will become very easy to use.
• Smaller Community: Cargo has a relatively smaller user base and community compared to other platforms, which means there may be fewer resources and tutorials available for troubleshooting and learning.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this article helps guide you in making your choice. Ultimately, the best platform for your website will depend on your specific requirements and preferences. If you are a business owner, considering hiring a professional web designer and developer can be beneficial to ensure your website is optimized for your goals, presents your brand effectively, and saves you time in dealing with other tasks. We will tailor the design to your needs and provide ongoing support to keep your website running smoothly.