10 Website Platforms to Grow Your Small Business in 2025

In today’s digital world, having an online presence is crucial for any small business. Whether you’re a solopreneur or a growing team, the right website platform can make or break your business. With countless options available, it’s essential to choose one that fits your goals, technical skills, and budget.

Building a website used to be an expensive and time-consuming process. However, today’s website builders allow you to create, manage, and maintain your site with minimal effort and cost. From simple landing pages to comprehensive e-commerce sites, there’s a platform for every type of business. Here are the 10 best website platforms to grow your small business in 2025:

1. WordPress

Best for: Content-driven websites

WordPress is a powerhouse, powering over 43% of all websites globally. Whether you’re building a blog, business site, or e-commerce store, WordPress gives you the flexibility to design it exactly how you want. The platform offers two versions: WordPress.com (hosted) and WordPress.org (self-hosted).

• Pros: Extremely customizable with thousands of themes and plugins, great for SEO, vast community support.
• Cons: Requires some technical knowledge for advanced features.

Pricing: Starting from $10-$50 per month.

2. Ghost

Best for: Writers and content creators

If your business focuses on content creation and engagement, Ghost is perfect for you. It’s a modern publishing platform designed to help you build a content-driven website or blog, offering built-in tools for newsletters, memberships, and SEO.

• Pros: Fast, clean design, built-in SEO tools, distraction-free editor.
• Cons: Limited in terms of customization compared to WordPress.

Pricing: Starting at $9 per month (self-hosted).

3. Carrd

Best for: Simple landing pages and personal sites

Carrd specializes in single-page websites. Whether you’re testing a business idea or creating a landing page for a campaign, Carrd lets you build a sleek, professional-looking site in minutes with zero coding knowledge.

• Pros: Extremely fast to set up, mobile-friendly, affordable.
• Cons: Limited features for complex websites.

Pricing: Free, with Pro plans starting at $19 per year.

4. ThriveCart

Best for: Digital products and services

ThriveCart is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs selling digital products, services, and courses. It offers high-conversion checkout pages, subscription billing, upsells, and affiliate management, making it ideal for online selling.

• Pros: One-time payment, lifetime access, powerful sales optimization tools.
• Cons: More suited for digital products rather than content-heavy sites.

Pricing: One-time payment of $500.

5. Wix

Best for: Visual-heavy businesses

Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that gives you control over your design without needing any technical expertise. Ideal for businesses that want a visually striking site, Wix’s AI tools can help you design an initial layout, which you can further customize.

• Pros: Intuitive, visually appealing designs, easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
• Cons: Limited flexibility in terms of backend customization.

Pricing: $16-$59 per month, including hosting and domain name.

6. Squarespace

Best for: Professional design without complexity

Squarespace is known for its beautiful templates and ease of use. If you’re a business owner looking for polished aesthetics, Squarespace provides a range of high-quality designs with a user-friendly editor. It’s great for businesses in industries like photography, design, and e-commerce.

• Pros: Stunning design templates, built-in e-commerce, easy-to-use editor.
• Cons: Less customizable than some other platforms.

Pricing: $16-$49 per month.

7. Shopify

Best for: E-commerce businesses

If you’re planning to sell products online, Shopify is the gold standard. With features like payment processing, inventory management, and a wide range of apps, Shopify makes it easy to set up and manage an online store.

• Pros: Reliable payment processing, excellent e-commerce tools, scalability.
• Cons: Transaction fees on lower-tier plans.

Pricing: Starting at $39 per month plus transaction fees.

8. Notion

Best for: Organized and minimalistic websites

Notion is known for its organizational tools and minimalist design. While it’s not a traditional website builder, you can create public pages that function as your website while using Notion’s backend to manage tasks and projects.

• Pros: Highly organized, integrates personal and business tasks, customizable.
• Cons: Limited design flexibility, not as visually appealing as other platforms.

Pricing: Free for personal use, paid plans starting at $8 per month.

9. Microsoft Word (Office 365)

Best for: Simple, no-frills websites

This unconventional approach uses Microsoft Word to create basic web pages. If you’re looking for simplicity and already have Office 365, this could be a cost-effective option for getting your content online without fancy features.

• Pros: Simple, fast, no technical knowledge required.
• Cons: Limited design and features.

Pricing: Office 365 Business starts at $8.25 per month.

10. LinkedIn Profile

Best for: Relationship-based businesses

If you’re just starting out or working on a personal brand, LinkedIn can double as your website. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to showcase your services, and let your network drive business growth.

• Pros: No additional costs, built-in credibility, network-driven.
• Cons: Limited customization, only suitable for personal brand businesses.

Pricing: Free, with premium plans starting at $39.99 per month.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Small Business

When selecting a website platform for your small business, consider your goals, target audience, and technical ability. Whether you’re looking for a content-heavy blog, a sleek landing page, or an e-commerce store, there’s a platform suited to your needs. In 2025, it’s easier than ever to build a site that helps your business grow.

Before committing, ensure you evaluate factors like ease of use, customization options, and scalability. Each platform offers different strengths, so pick one that aligns with your business goals and budget. Start today, and watch your business soar in the digital space!

FAQs

Can I create a website for my small business for free? Yes, several platforms like Carrd and Notion offer free versions to help you get started.

Is it worth self-hosting a website? Self-hosting gives you more control over your site but requires some technical expertise. For beginners, hosted solutions like Wix or Squarespace may be better.

What’s the most affordable website platform? Platforms like Carrd (free and pro plans from $19/year) are the most affordable options for small business owners.