best website platforms for small business: 12 top UK picks

Selecting the right digital home for your business is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. The platform you choose impacts everything from your brand's first impression to how efficiently you operate and grow. With countless options available, from simple drag-and-drop builders to powerful, customisable systems, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. This guide is designed to cut through that noise.

We’ve meticulously analysed the top contenders to help you find the best website platforms for small business based on your specific needs. Our comprehensive review dives into 12 leading options, including Wix, Shopify, WordPress.com, and Webflow, providing a clear-eyed look at what each truly offers. This isn't a surface-level list; it's a strategic breakdown to help you make an informed decision that supports your long-term goals.

Inside, you will find a detailed analysis of each platform, covering key features, realistic pros and cons, and transparent pricing structures. We've included screenshots and direct links to help you visualise the user experience and explore further.

For businesses focused primarily on selling products online, the choice becomes even more specialised. For a deeper dive into platforms specifically geared towards online selling, explore our guide on the best ecommerce platform for small business in the UK.

Whether you're a local service provider needing a simple online brochure, an ambitious ecommerce startup aiming for rapid growth, or a creative professional showcasing a portfolio, our analysis will help you identify the tool that aligns perfectly with your budget, technical comfort, and business ambitions. Let's find your digital foundation.

1. Shopify

For any small business where selling products is the primary goal, Shopify is often the undisputed champion. It’s an all-in-one, commerce-first platform that removes the technical barriers to setting up a professional online shop. Its core strength lies in its streamlined approach to getting you selling, fast. From a drag-and-drop storefront builder to integrated payment processing and robust inventory management, every feature is purpose-built for retail.

Unlike general-purpose website builders, Shopify’s entire ecosystem is optimised for conversion. Essential e-commerce tools like abandoned cart recovery, discount code creation, and multichannel selling (on social media and marketplaces like Amazon) are built directly into the platform. This focus makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who need to manage both an online presence and physical stock.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Retail businesses, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, and merchants needing a unified online and in-person point-of-sale (POS) system.
• Pricing: Plans in the UK typically start from around £1 for the first month, then from £19/month for the 'Basic' plan. Transaction fees apply if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
• Pros: Extremely user-friendly for beginners, world-class checkout and payment system, and a massive app store to add advanced functionality as you grow.
• Cons: Monthly costs can escalate with paid apps, and customisation is more limited compared to platforms like Webflow. For a deeper analysis, you can explore a direct comparison of Webflow vs. Shopify.

Website: https://www.shopify.com/uk

2. Wix

Wix has carved out a reputation as the go-to platform for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who prioritise creative freedom and ease of use above all else. It's a highly visual, drag-and-drop website builder that empowers non-technical users to create a professional-looking site without touching a single line of code. Its strength lies in its vast library of over 900 designer-made templates and an intuitive editor that lets you place any element anywhere on the page, offering unparalleled design flexibility.

Beyond just building a brochure site, Wix offers a comprehensive suite of business tools. Integrated features for bookings, event management, and e-commerce make it one of the best website platforms for small business owners in the service industry, like consultants, artists, and restaurant owners. Recent advancements with Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) and AI-powered content tools further streamline the setup process, making it faster than ever to get a customised, functional website online.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Service-based businesses, creatives, restaurants, and small retailers who need an all-in-one solution with extensive design control.
• Pricing: Free plan available with Wix branding. UK premium plans start from £11/month for 'Light' and go up to £159/month for 'Business Elite' for advanced e-commerce.
• Pros: Extremely beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor, huge selection of templates and apps, and a strong set of built-in marketing and SEO tools.
• Cons: Can feel heavier and slower than leaner builders, and the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. For a closer look, you can review an in-depth Wix vs Webflow comparison.

Website: https://www.wix.com

3. Squarespace

For businesses where sophisticated design and brand presentation are paramount, Squarespace is a leading contender. It's an all-in-one platform celebrated for its award-winning, polished templates that make it incredibly simple to create a visually stunning website without touching a line of code. Its strength lies in providing a curated, high-quality aesthetic that feels premium right out of the box, perfect for creatives, consultants, and service-based businesses.

Unlike more complex builders, Squarespace bundles everything you need, including hosting, security, and a drag-and-drop editor. It has also expanded its feature set to be a powerful tool for service providers, with integrated tools like appointment scheduling, email marketing campaigns, and even the ability to create and sell courses. This makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who need an elegant online presence combined with practical business management tools.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Creatives, photographers, restaurants, consultants, and service businesses who prioritise a professional, design-forward look with minimal technical effort.
• Pricing: UK plans start from £12/month (billed annually) for the Personal plan. Be aware that listed prices often exclude VAT, which is added at checkout.
• Pros: Beautiful, premium templates with minimal setup, solid built-in commerce for smaller product catalogues, and excellent integrated marketing add-ons like scheduling and email.
• Cons: Less extensible and customisable than WordPress or Webflow, and the app ecosystem is much smaller than Shopify's.

Website: https://www.squarespace.com

4. WordPress.com

For small businesses wanting the power and flexibility of the world’s most popular content management system without the technical hassle of self-hosting, WordPress.com is the ideal middle ground. It offers a managed, all-in-one service that handles security, backups, and hosting, allowing you to focus on creating content and growing your business. It effectively combines the convenience of a website builder with the potential of the vast WordPress ecosystem.

Unlike its self-hosted sibling (WordPress.org), WordPress.com streamlines the setup process into a guided experience. While free and lower-tier plans are quite restrictive, the higher-tier plans unlock the ability to install plugins and premium themes, turning a simple blog into a powerful business website, an e-commerce store, or a membership site. This scalability makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who anticipate future growth and need a platform that can evolve with them.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Content-heavy businesses, bloggers, service providers, and companies that want WordPress functionality without server management.
• Pricing: A limited free plan is available. Paid plans start from £3/month (billed annually) for the 'Personal' plan, with plugin and theme access available on the 'Creator' plan at £20/month.
• Pros: Simplified WordPress experience with managed hosting and security, excellent for content creation and SEO, and scales effectively with higher-tier plans.
• Cons: The most powerful features (like custom plugins) are locked behind more expensive plans, and it offers less control than self-hosted WordPress. You can discover more about viable WordPress alternatives if you need different features.

Website: https://wordpress.com

5. WooCommerce

For small businesses already comfortable with WordPress or those desiring complete control over their digital storefront, WooCommerce is a standout choice. It isn't a standalone platform, but rather a powerful, open-source e-commerce plugin that transforms a standard WordPress site into a fully functional online shop. Its core appeal lies in its flexibility and ownership; you control everything from your hosting environment to your data, without being tied to a proprietary ecosystem.

This setup makes WooCommerce one of the best website platforms for small business owners who want to seamlessly integrate content marketing with commerce. You can run a sophisticated blog, portfolio, or service-based site right alongside your shop, all within the same familiar WordPress dashboard. While the core plugin is free, the platform’s true power is unlocked through its vast marketplace of free and paid extensions, allowing for near-limitless customisation of everything from shipping rules to payment gateways.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Businesses with an existing WordPress site, content-heavy e-commerce stores, and users who want maximum customisation and data ownership.
• Pricing: The core WooCommerce plugin is free. Costs arise from web hosting (from ~£5/month), a domain name, a theme (can be free or paid), and premium extensions which vary in price.
• Pros: Lowest software entry cost as the core plugin is free, enormous ecosystem of themes and extensions, and excellent for combining rich content with commerce.
• Cons: You are responsible for managing your own hosting, security, and updates. The total cost can increase significantly with the purchase of premium extensions.

Website: https://www.woocommerce.com

6. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a powerful, hosted SaaS e-commerce platform designed for ambitious small businesses with growth on their minds. It differentiates itself by packing a vast number of advanced features into its core platform, rather than relying heavily on third-party apps for essential functionality. This "batteries-included" approach makes it an excellent choice for merchants who need robust tools from day one. It’s particularly strong for businesses managing large or complex product catalogues and those planning to expand across multiple channels.

Unlike some competitors, a key selling point is that BigCommerce charges zero platform transaction fees, regardless of the payment gateway you choose. This transparent pricing can significantly reduce overheads as your sales volume increases. For businesses that foresee needing advanced features like multi-storefront capabilities, abandoned cart recovery, and complex product filtering without immediately turning to a paid app store, BigCommerce presents a compelling, scalable solution. It stands out as one of the best website platforms for a small business aiming to become a large one.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Growth-focused e-commerce businesses, retailers with large product catalogues, and companies selling across multiple online channels (e.g., website, eBay, social media).
• Pricing: Plans are typically shown in USD, starting from around $29/month. UK businesses should note VAT is applied at checkout. Annual sales thresholds can automatically trigger a plan upgrade.
• Pros: Scales exceptionally well with robust native features, no added platform transaction fees, and 24/7 technical support is included on all plans.
• Cons: The backend can feel more complex for absolute beginners compared to simpler builders, and hitting annual sales limits forces a move to a more expensive plan.

Website: https://www.bigcommerce.com

7. GoDaddy Website Builder

For small businesses prioritising speed and simplicity above all else, the GoDaddy Website Builder offers one of the fastest paths from idea to a live website. It's an all-in-one solution that bundles hosting, security (SSL), and often a first-year domain name into a single, predictable package. Its core strength is removing technical complexity, making it ideal for service-based businesses or sole traders who need a professional online brochure without a steep learning curve.

The platform uses an AI-powered setup and a straightforward drag-and-drop editor, allowing you to get a functional site published in under an hour. While it includes e-commerce capabilities, its primary appeal is for businesses that don't require deep customisation or an extensive app ecosystem. This focus on an integrated, easy-to-manage experience makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who are complete beginners and want a fast, hassle-free setup with reliable 24/7 support.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Service businesses, tradespeople, consultants, and micro-businesses needing a simple, fast, and affordable online presence.
• Pricing: Plans frequently start with promotional pricing for the first year, often around £6.99/month, with standard rates applying upon renewal.
• Pros: Extremely quick to build and publish a site, all-in-one predictable pricing model, and award-winning 24/7 customer support.
• Cons: Design customisation and creative freedom are more limited than competitors like Wix or Squarespace. The e-commerce features are not as robust as dedicated platforms like Shopify.

Website: https://www.godaddy.com/en-uk/websites/website-builder

8. IONOS MyWebsite

For UK-based small businesses and sole traders seeking an extremely budget-friendly entry point, IONOS MyWebsite is a compelling all-in-one package. It bundles all the essentials needed to get online- a domain, professional email, and SSL certificate- into one low-cost plan. Its primary appeal is simplicity and affordability, making it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who are creating their very first online presence and need a straightforward, guided experience.

The platform is designed to minimise technical hurdles, offering features like an AI-powered site builder that generates initial content and designs based on your industry. Unlike more complex builders, IONOS prioritises getting a professional-looking brochure or simple e-commerce site live quickly without a steep learning curve. With GDPR-compliant defaults and dedicated UK support, it is specifically tailored to the local market, removing many of the initial setup worries for new entrepreneurs.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: First-time website owners, sole traders, and local UK businesses needing a simple, low-cost online brochure or basic shop.
• Pricing: Introductory offers are extremely competitive, often starting from £1/month for the first year. Standard renewal prices are higher.
• Pros: Very low initial cost, includes core essentials like a free domain (for the first year), SSL, and a business email address. Straightforward for absolute beginners.
• Cons: Template design and customisation flexibility is more limited than platforms like Wix or Webflow. Renewal pricing can be a significant jump after the promotional period ends.

Website: https://www.ionos.co.uk/websites/website-builder

9. Square Online

For small businesses already embedded in the Square ecosystem, Square Online is the most logical and seamless way to expand into e-commerce. It’s designed specifically for brick-and-mortar shops, cafés, and service providers who want to unify their in-person and online operations without the complexity of third-party integrations. Its greatest strength is its native synchronisation with Square’s Point of Sale (POS) system, making inventory and sales data management effortless across both channels.

Unlike standalone e-commerce builders, Square Online excels at bridging the physical and digital. Features like click-and-collect, local delivery, and appointment booking are built-in, catering directly to the needs of local businesses. This makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who prioritise operational simplicity and want to start selling online with minimal fuss and zero upfront platform costs. The free-to-start model is a huge draw for businesses testing the waters of online sales.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Cafés, restaurants, local retailers, and appointment-based businesses that already use or plan to use the Square POS system.
• Pricing: A genuinely free plan is available (you only pay card processing fees). Paid plans start from £20/month for advanced features and a custom domain.
• Pros: Truly free to get started, perfect for in-person sellers adding an online channel, and a very simple setup with reliable, integrated payment processing.
• Cons: Design flexibility is more limited compared to Wix or Webflow, and its feature depth doesn't match dedicated e-commerce giants like Shopify for businesses looking to scale aggressively online.

Website: https://squareup.com/gb/en/online-store

10. Webflow

For small businesses that demand complete creative control without writing code, Webflow occupies a unique space between simple builders and custom development. It is a visual, designer-grade platform that outputs clean, semantic code, offering unparalleled control over layout, interactions, and animations. This makes it ideal for design-conscious brands, agencies, and start-ups wanting a pixel-perfect, highly customised website.

Unlike template-driven builders, Webflow gives you a blank canvas and a professional-grade toolset, including a powerful content management system (CMS) for blogs, portfolios, and dynamic content. It empowers designers and marketers to build and manage sophisticated, high-performance websites independently. Its extensive educational resources, known as Webflow University, are widely praised for helping users master the platform's capabilities. For businesses that need a truly bespoke online presence, it is one of the best website platforms for small business available.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Design agencies, tech start-ups, and businesses needing a highly customised marketing or brochure website with a powerful CMS.
• Pricing: Site plans for live websites start from around $14/month (billed annually). Separate Workspace plans are required for teams and unlocking features like code export.
• Pros: Granular, high-level design control without needing a developer, excellent for building branded and CMS-driven sites, and a growing ecosystem of professional-grade features.
• Cons: Has a much steeper learning curve than simpler builders like Squarespace, and total costs can increase with multiple seats and add-ons.

Website: https://www.webflow.com

11. Hostinger Website Builder

For small businesses operating on the tightest of budgets, Hostinger Website Builder presents an incredibly compelling, all-in-one package. Its main draw is bundling everything needed for an online presence - hosting, domain name, email, and the builder itself - into a single, low-cost introductory plan. The platform leverages AI heavily, allowing users to generate a complete website with text and images in minutes, making it ideal for those who need to get online quickly without any technical knowledge.

Unlike more specialised platforms, Hostinger aims to be a jack-of-all-trades for beginners. Its drag-and-drop editor is straightforward, and the business plan supports up to 1,000 products with zero platform transaction fees, a significant advantage over many competitors. This combination of an AI-powered launchpad and built-in commerce tools makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who prioritise speed and affordability above all else.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: Startups, sole traders, and micro-businesses needing a simple, fast, and extremely cost-effective online presence with basic e-commerce.
• Pricing: Promotional pricing in the UK often starts from as little as £2.59/month for the initial term, which includes hosting and a free domain for the first year.
• Pros: Very low first-term pricing makes it highly accessible, the all-in-one bundle is convenient for beginners, and the AI tools significantly speed up the creation process.
• Cons: Renewal prices are substantially higher than the introductory offer, and it lacks the advanced customisation, template selection, and third-party integrations of platforms like Wix or Shopify.

Website: https://www.hostinger.co.uk/website-builder

12. Fasthosts Website Builder

For UK-based small businesses prioritising simplicity and all-inclusive packages, Fasthosts Website Builder presents a straightforward, locally-supported option. It bundles everything a new business needs to get online: a drag-and-drop builder, a free domain for the first year, an SSL certificate, and professional email addresses. This consolidation makes it a strong contender for those who prefer managing all their core web services under one roof with a familiar, UK-based provider.

Unlike global giants, Fasthosts is transparent about its limitations, with clear page and storage caps on its plans, which helps businesses choose the right tier from the start. Features like the AI-powered site setup and content writer on its ‘Complete’ plan can significantly speed up the initial creation process. This practical approach makes it one of the best website platforms for small business owners who value a clear, no-fuss package with UK-centric support and aggressive introductory pricing.

Key Details & Considerations

• Best For: New UK-based businesses, sole traders, and service providers wanting an all-in-one package with local support and transparent plan limits.
• Pricing: Often features very low introductory offers (e.g., £1/month for the first few months). Standard pricing for the 'Essential' plan is around £7/month.
• Pros: Truly all-in-one offering with domain, SSL, and email included. Transparent page and storage caps prevent unexpected overages, and it includes useful SEO and image optimisation tools.
• Cons: The page limits on the entry-level plan can be restrictive for growing businesses, and its integration ecosystem is smaller than major international competitors.

Website: https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/website-builder.html

Top 12 Small-Business Website Platforms — Comparison

Making Your Final Decision and Taking the Next Step

Choosing from the extensive list of the best website platforms for small business can feel like a monumental task. We’ve explored a wide spectrum, from the all-in-one simplicity of Wix and Squarespace to the e-commerce powerhouses of Shopify and BigCommerce, and the unparalleled design freedom of Webflow. The key takeaway is that there is no single "best" platform for everyone; the ideal choice is deeply personal and tied directly to your business’s unique DNA.

The platform that will serve you best is the one that aligns with your current resources, technical comfort level, long-term ambitions, and most importantly, your core business model. A simple mistake is choosing a platform based on its popularity rather than its suitability. A burgeoning online retailer will find Shopify’s integrated sales tools and inventory management indispensable, while a photographer or design consultant will gravitate towards the aesthetic elegance and portfolio features of Squarespace.

Recapping the Core Choices

Let’s simplify the decision-making process by categorising our top contenders based on their primary strengths:

• For E-commerce Supremacy: If your business is centred on selling products online, Shopify is the undisputed leader. Its robust ecosystem, from payment processing to shipping logistics and app integrations, provides a comprehensive, scalable foundation for growth. For those already committed to the WordPress ecosystem, WooCommerce offers a powerful and customisable alternative.
• For Simplicity and Speed: For service-based businesses, startups, or anyone needing a professional online presence quickly and without a steep learning curve, Wix and Squarespace are excellent choices. They prioritise user-friendly, drag-and-drop interfaces and stunning templates, allowing you to launch a beautiful site in hours, not weeks.
• For Ultimate Customisation and Performance: When a template-based solution feels too restrictive and you need a website that is a true brand asset, Webflow stands in a class of its own. It offers the design flexibility of a custom-coded site without forcing you to manage complex back-end code, making it the preferred choice for ambitious SaaS companies, marketing teams, and businesses focused on performance and SEO.

A Framework for Your Final Decision

Before you commit, ask yourself these critical questions. Your answers will illuminate the right path forward.

1. What is my primary business goal? Is it to sell products directly (e-commerce), generate leads for a service (marketing), showcase a portfolio (creative), or provide information (content)? Your primary function dictates the features you cannot live without.
2. What is my technical skill level? Be honest with yourself. If the thought of dealing with plugins, hosting, and security updates (as with WordPress) is daunting, a fully-hosted solution like Shopify or Squarespace is a much safer bet. If you have some design sense but no coding knowledge, Webflow offers a powerful middle ground.
3. What is my budget for the next 12-24 months? Consider not just the monthly subscription fee, but also potential costs for premium themes, essential apps or plugins, and potential developer fees if you need customisation down the line. A cheaper initial platform can sometimes become more expensive as you scale.
4. How much do I anticipate my business growing? Your chosen platform must not only meet your needs today but also support your vision for tomorrow. Migrating a website is a complex and costly process, so choosing a scalable solution from the outset is a strategic investment that will save you significant headaches in the future.

Ultimately, selecting one of the best website platforms for your small business is about striking the perfect balance between power and practicality. It's about empowering your business with a digital foundation that not only looks professional but also works tirelessly to help you achieve your goals. Use this guide as your map, assess your specific needs with honesty, and take that confident next step towards building your online home.

For businesses that recognise the limitations of template builders but require a high-performance, SEO-optimised, and visually stunning website, Derrick.dk offers expert Webflow development. We bridge the gap between your ambitious vision and a tangible digital asset that drives growth and converts visitors. Find out how we can build a scalable and easy-to-manage Webflow site that truly represents your brand at Derrick.dk.