Website Builders Longlist

Why these website builders?

Everything on this list is here because I’ve used it, tested it, or worked through it with real clients. I know their strengths, their limitations, and – just as importantly – who they’re actually right for.

You’ll notice some well-known names are missing. Platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace aren’t here – not because they’re bad, but because there’s already a huge amount of information about them elsewhere, and honestly, they’re not where my knowledge is strongest.

On Shopify specifically – I’ve always thought of it as expensive, with a habit of requiring costly plugins on top. That said, the last time I worked with a client’s Shopify site I was genuinely impressed, and I know pricing has come down. They’re the market leader in e-commerce for good reason. If you have the budget, want serious e-commerce capability, and are happy to do your research, they’re absolutely worth looking at. I’d just rather point you somewhere I can speak to honestly than give you half-informed opinions on something you could find better guidance on elsewhere.

For most people reading this though – the options below will do the job.

*A quick note on affiliate links. Where I’ve recommended a platform, I’ve checked whether they run an affiliate programme – it would be daft not to. But that’s not why any of them are here. Every platform on this list was chosen because I think it’s genuinely worth knowing about. The affiliate link came after the recommendation, not the other way around.

Soloist (affiliate link)

One of the quickest ways to get something live. You can have a basic site up and running from a simple prompt in under 10 minutes, using your own domain – and unlike some free options you can use your own domain without paying a penny (except the cost of the domain).

The free version is genuinely useful – but the jump to paid is steep. It goes from free to £25 a month just to unlock proper branding options, which is hard to justify unless you’re planning to host multiple sites.

Great if you want something live fast and aren’t too bothered about colours and fonts. Less good if your branding matters to you.

Gamma (affilliate link)

Another very quick option, and probably more flexible than Soloist on the free plan – you get more control over colours and fonts, and the 400 AI credits you get when you sign up should be enough to create a few pages. Additional pages can be added manually, or if you need more AI credits you could pay for one month and then drop back to free – you won’t lose the pages you’ve already created.

On the free version you’ll have Gamma branding on your site and you’ll need to use a Gamma domain. To use your own domain you’ll need to upgrade – plans start at £7 a month (billed annually) or £10.

Where Gamma stands out is if you also need to create presentations or pitch decks. It started life as a presentation tool, and it’s still very good at that. If you’d use it for both, the paid version starts to make more sense.

Canva

A familiar option if you’re already using it for graphics or social media. The drag-and-drop builder is easy to use, and you can build section by section using their AI writing tool – though the AI site generation isn’t as strong as Soloist or Gamma.

The main limitation is that it’s not a true multi-page site – everything sits on one long page with a menu that jumps between sections.

On domains, the free version only works with a Canva domain. To connect one you already own, you’ll need Canva Pro – around £110 a year.

(Canva also has Canva Code, which is a different product entirely and more comparable to something like Lovable – but that’s a separate conversation.)

HubSpot

Worth considering if you want more than just a website. The free version includes a website builder with drag-and-drop editing and some AI options – and you can use your own domain, though your site will include HubSpot branding. It’s around £12 a month to remove that, but you get so much more for your money.

Where HubSpot really comes into its own is everything else it includes – CRM, forms, email marketing, and invoicing. If you’re going to use those tools, it becomes a strong all-in-one option which is free, or reasonable priced with a “made by” link.

If you only want a website, though, it’s definitely not the simplest place to start.

Hostinger – AI Builder (afilliate link)

A solid option if you’re happy to invest a little upfront. The AI builder is good, quick to get started with, and you can use your own domain straight away. You can also add e-commerce fairly easily if you need it, and their AI assistant (Kodee) is there if you get stuck.

Ongoing costs can be expensive at full price – but Hostinger regularly offer amazing deals, particularly for new users. If you take a longer-term plan and pay upfront, that discounted price is locked in for the duration, which can make it very good value. Just be aware that renewal prices are significantly higher, so it’s worth factoring that in before you commit.

I recently used it to build a simple e-commerce site for a side project – I’d normally go straight to WooCommerce with WordPress, but I was genuinely impressed by how quick and straightforward the whole thing was. Payments via Stripe, full invoicing – all set up without any real faff. Worth noting that proper e-commerce is something a lot of the other platforms on this list simply don’t offer.

A great middle ground between quick and simple, and having proper control over your site.

Hostinger – WordPress

Available at a similar price to the AI builder, but gives you considerably more flexibility and room to grow. You still get the AI builder to help you get started, and Kodee for support – but underneath it all you’ve got a full WordPress setup that you can expand over time.

It’s a bit more involved than the pure AI builders, but if you think you’ll want more control further down the line, it’s worth considering from the start. You can also move between the AI builder and WordPress if needed.

The same pricing advice applies – lock in a deal upfront if you can. And if you decide to move your WordPress site elsewhere after the initial term, that’s very doable and not as complicated as it might sound.

Systeme.io (affiliate link)

More focused on selling than just having a website – but worth knowing about if that’s relevant to you.

The free plan is generous, including up to 2,000 contacts, and you can use your own domain. It’s simpler than something like HubSpot but still gives you funnels, email marketing, and basic automation. You can also sell courses, build a simple community, or test a minimum viable offer without spending anything.

It can get more expensive as you grow, but as a starting point for getting something live and selling quickly, it’s hard to beat at the price.

Go High Level (afilliate link)

A full marketing and sales system rather than just a website builder. It covers funnels, automation, CRM, email, and a lot more besides.

In the spirit of full transparency – I’m both an affiliate and a reseller, and it’s what I run my own business on. So take that as you will. It’s not as polished (imo) as HubSpot, but it’s a fraction of the price for what it does, and at $97 a month it replaces a remarkable number of tools that would cost considerably more if you paid for them separately.

That said, it’s not something Done Is Better leads with. It’s really for people who already know they need that level of system – or who are growing into one. It’s not (usually) the best place to start if you just need to get a basic site live, quickly and cheaply. It gets a mention here because for some people it will become a natural next step.