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DIY websites - The cheat sheet


designing a website
DIY websites

For many businesses a website that is self managed easy to update and has lots of additonal apps is just a click away. Sign up online and literally you can choose a name and be live in a day. So what are the best options for UK businesses and do they offer everything they say?


Here is a list of the top UK offerings.


  1. Wix

Functionality: Wix is a popular website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to create professional-looking websites. With over 500 customizable templates and a plethora of apps, it's a versatile platform for designing websites for various purposes.

Cost: Wix offers a free plan with basic features, and premium plans start from £3/month.

Best for: Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and personal websites.

Mobile Optimization: Excellent. Wix automatically optimizes websites for mobile devices.

E-commerce: Wix offers robust e-commerce features through its Wix Stores app.


2. WordPress


Functionality: WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of the internet. It offers endless customization options through themes and plugins, making it suitable for websites of all sizes and types.

Cost: WordPress itself is free, but you need to pay for hosting and domain registration. Plans start from around £3/month.

Best for: Bloggers, small to large businesses, and e-commerce sites.

Mobile Optimization: Excellent, with the right theme and plugins.

E-commerce: Offers powerful e-commerce solutions through plugins like WooCommerce.


3.Squarespace


Functionality: Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder that provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. It offers a variety of professionally designed templates, making it perfect for creating visually stunning websites.

Cost: Plans start from £10/month.

Best for: Creative professionals, small businesses, and portfolio websites.

Mobile Optimization: Excellent. All Squarespace templates are responsive and mobile-friendly.

E-commerce: Squarespace has built-in e-commerce capabilities, suitable for small to medium-sized online stores.


4. Weebly


Functionality: Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It offers a variety of templates and a drag-and-drop editor, making it a great choice for beginners.

Cost: Offers a free plan with basic features, and premium plans start from £4/month.

Best for: Small businesses, personal websites, and portfolios.

Mobile Optimization: Good. Weebly templates are responsive and mobile-friendly.

E-commerce: Weebly offers an e-commerce platform called Square Online, which integrates seamlessly with its website builder.


5. Shopify


Functionality: Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform designed specifically for creating online stores. It offers a wide range of customizable themes, as well as robust features for managing products, inventory, and payments.

Cost: Plans start from £22/month.

Best for: E-commerce businesses of all sizes.

Mobile Optimization: Excellent. Shopify themes are mobile-responsive, and the platform also offers mobile apps for managing your store on the go.

E-commerce: Shopify excels in e-commerce, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for building and managing online stores.


6. Duda


Functionality: Duda is a website builder that focuses on creating mobile-responsive websites. It offers a range of templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

Cost: Plans start from £11/month.

Best for: Agencies, small businesses, and personal websites.

Mobile Optimization: Excellent. Duda specializes in mobile-responsive design.

E-commerce: Duda offers built-in e-commerce features for creating online stores.


7. Webflow


Functionality: Webflow is a powerful website builder that bridges the gap between design and development. It offers a visual interface for designing websites, allowing you to create custom designs without writing code. Webflow also features a CMS for managing content and an e-commerce platform. Cost: Basic plans start from £12/month. CMS and e-commerce plans start from £16/month and £29/month, respectively. Best for: Designers, freelancers, and businesses looking for advanced design capabilities. Mobile Optimization: Excellent. Webflow enables you to create responsive designs that adapt to different devices. E-commerce: Webflow has a built-in e-commerce platform for creating online stores.

8. Jimdo


Functionality: Jimdo is a beginner-friendly website builder that focuses on simplicity. It offers a variety of responsive templates and an easy-to-use editor. Jimdo also provides an AI-based website creation tool called Dolphin, which automatically generates websites based on your input. Cost: Offers a free plan with basic features, and premium plans start from £9/month. Best for: Small businesses, personal websites, and portfolios. Mobile Optimization: Good. All Jimdo templates are responsive and mobile-friendly. E-commerce: Jimdo offers e-commerce features in its premium plans, suitable for small online stores.

9. Site123


Functionality: Site123 is a straightforward website builder that simplifies the website creation process. It offers a variety of templates and an editor that allows for quick customization. Site123 also includes essential features like SEO tools, blog management, and e-commerce capabilities. Cost: Offers a free plan with basic features, and premium plans start from £10.80/month. Best for: Small businesses, personal websites, and simple e-commerce sites. Mobile Optimization: Good. Site123 templates are responsive and mobile-friendly. E-commerce: Site123 offers e-commerce features in its premium plans for creating small online stores.

10. Moonfruit


Functionality: Moonfruit is a UK-based website builder that offers a range of templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It provides essential features like SEO tools, social media integration, and analytics. Moonfruit also offers responsive templates and mobile-friendly designs. Cost: Plans start from £4.99/month. Best for: Small businesses, personal websites, and portfolios. Mobile Optimization: Good. Moonfruit templates are responsive and mobile-friendly. E-commerce: Moonfruit allows you to add e-commerce features through its integration with Ecwid, an e-commerce platform.

Qick links:


  1. Wix: https://www.wix.com/

  2. WordPress: https://wordpress.com/ (for hosted version) or https://wordpress.org/ (for self-hosted version)

  3. Squarespace: https://www.squarespace.com/

  4. Weebly: https://www.weebly.com/

  5. Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/

  6. Duda: https://www.duda.co/

  7. Webflow: https://webflow.com/

  8. Jimdo: https://www.jimdo.com/

  9. Site123: https://www.site123.com/

  10. Moonfruit: https://www.moonfruit.com/

Conclusion The UK web design and web management landscape offers a variety of platforms catering to different business needs. Wix, WordPress, and Squarespace are among the most mobile-optimized options. Shopify stands out for its e-commerce capabilities, while platforms like Webflow and Duda cater to more specialized needs.

When choosing a platform, consider your specific requirements, budget, and the level of customization you need. By selecting the right platform, you can create a compelling online presence that drives growth and success for your business.


Need more help email 📧 stuart@greenfield.co.uk. call ☎️ +4 7788662697

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