Whether an individual is an artist, photographer, designer, or writer, effectively showcasing their work online is paramount to expanding their reach, attracting new audiences, and fostering career growth.
The prospect of creating a portfolio website might traditionally evoke images of complex coding and technical hurdles. However, the advent of user-friendly website builders has fundamentally transformed this process. These platforms help individuals, even those without any prior coding experience, to develop visually appealing and professional websites swiftly and affordably.
We have highlighted the 9 easiest-to-use website builders available today, providing a detailed analysis to assist creatives in identifying the ideal platform to showcase their art to a wider audience and maintain a professional portfolio.
What Makes a Website Builder Easy to Use?
First things first. Understanding the characteristics that contribute to a website builder's simplicity is the crucial first step in selecting the appropriate tool for creative endeavors.
These defining features effectively eliminate technical obstacles, allowing users to dedicate their focus to their creative work.
The most significant advantage offered by modern website builders is the elimination of coding requirements.
Users are not compelled to learn intricate programming languages such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
Central to the ease of use is the intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This feature provides a visual workspace where users can effortlessly select elements, such as text boxes, images, or buttons, and position them directly onto their web page. Furthermore, website builders offer a vast selection of pre-designed templates.
Many contemporary builders have integrated AI-powered assistance. These Artificial Intelligence tools can assist in generating entire website layouts, composing textual content, or even suggesting suitable images based on a few simple questions posed to the user.
A critical aspect of a user-friendly website builder is its inherent mobile responsiveness. Finally, the availability of reliable customer support is a key component of ease of use.
The 10 Easiest Website Builders for Creatives
- Pixpa: Best Website Builder Overall for Creatives and Small Businesses
- Wix: Best Website Builder for Huge Library of Templates
- Squarespace: Best Website Builder for Visual Aesthetics
- Hostinger: Best Website Builder for AI-Guided Setup
- Weebly: Best Website Builder for Simple, Quick Setup
- SITE123: Best Website Builder for Section-based Editor
- GoDaddy Website Builder: Best Website Builder for Custom Web Hosting
- WordPress.com: Best Website Builder for Blogging & Scalability
- Adobe Portfolio: Best Website Builder for Existing Adobe Creative Cloud Users
1. Pixpa: Best Website Builder Overall for Creatives and Small Businesses
Pricing: Pixpa offers a 15-day free trial that does not require a credit card, allowing users to explore its platform thoroughly. Its pricing starts at $8 per month (billed annually) for the Basic plan.
Additional tiers, such as Creator ($15/month annually), Professional ($20/month annually), and Advanced ($25/month annually), provide progressively more features.
A free custom domain name is included for the first year with all paid plans.
Pixpa is a no-code website builder specifically designed for photographers, artists, and other creative professionals who aim to showcase their work and monetize it online.
Pixpa simplifies the editing process, offering numerous website design template options specifically curated for creatives, which facilitates rapid and efficient setup.
You can add pre-built content blocks like image galleries, text sections, forms, testimonials, and more, then tweak each element using the section editor to adjust spacing, alignment, background styles, and animation effects.
Everything is WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), making the editing experience smooth and intuitive.
Whether you're building a portfolio, blog, or online store, Pixpa’s drag-and-drop page builder and flexible section editing tools help you to create stunning, professional websites with ease.
Pixpa also lets you switch website templates anytime without losing content or layout, giving you creative freedom and flexibility throughout your design process.
Pros:
- Specifically developed with features and tools tailored to meet the unique needs of photographers, artists, and other creatives.
- Provides integrated client proofing, e-commerce functionalities, and portfolio management tools within a single platform.
- Offers affordable pricing, representing good value for the comprehensive features provided.
- Ensures a simple editing experience and facilitates quick website setup.
Cons:
- No free plan, but it offers a 15-day free trial with a complete set of features to try out before committing to a paid plan.
2. Wix: Best Website Builder for Huge Library of Templates
Pricing: Wix provides a free plan that allows users to explore its builder, although this version typically includes Wix branding and a subdomain.
For those seeking a more professional presence, paid plans commence at $17 per month (billed annually) for the Light plan, which removes the branding and enables the use of a custom domain.
Higher-tier plans, such as Core ($29/month annually), offer enhanced features including e-commerce capabilities and increased storage.
A 14-day money-back guarantee is available for premium plans, allowing users to test the service risk-free.
Wix is known for its vast library of website templates. Its drag-and-drop editor is exceptionally intuitive, facilitating the effortless addition and adjustment of elements such as full-screen images, parallax scrolling, and video backgrounds, even for individuals with no prior website-building experience.
Additionally, Wix offers an AI-powered builder, Wix ADI, capable of generating a website based on a few user-provided answers, thereby simplifying the initial setup process.
Pros:
- Offers hundreds of beautifully designed templates, with many specifically tailored for creative portfolios.
- Provides a highly customizable drag-and-drop editor, allowing for extensive creative freedom.
- Includes a valuable free plan, enabling users to get started and test features without immediate financial commitment.
- Features robust e-commerce and marketing tools, supporting the direct sale of art and promotion.
Cons:
- Users are unable to switch templates after their site has been published, which can limit future design changes.
- The free version displays Wix advertisements and utilizes a Wix subdomain, which may not appear professional for businesses.
- The sheer volume of options and features available can be overwhelming for some users, potentially leading to decision fatigue.
3. Squarespace: Best Website Builder for Visual Aesthetics
Pricing: Squarespace does not offer a perpetual free plan; however, it provides a 14-day free trial that allows users to explore its full range of features without requiring credit card details.
Paid plans begin at $16 per month (billed annually) for the Basic plan, which is well-suited for portfolios and blogging.
The Core plan, priced at $23 per month (billed annually), is recommended for artists intending to sell online, as it includes e-commerce functionality without transaction fees.
Squarespace is known for its sleek, contemporary, and visually striking templates designed to highlight creative work effectively.
It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor and a structured grid system, which helps maintain design coherence and alignment.
Pros:
- Features minimalist templates specifically crafted for maximum visual impact.
- Offers a highly intuitive and easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, simplifying the design process.
- Provides robust integrated e-commerce features, allowing for the sale of both physical and digital art.
- Includes excellent built-in marketing and SEO features to enhance online visibility.
Cons:
- Does not offer a free plan, providing only a 14-day free trial period.
- Offers less customization freedom compared to platforms like Wix due to its more structured grid system.
- Requires manual saving of edits, as there is no automated save function.
4. Hostinger: Best Website Builder for AI-Guided Setup
Pricing: Hostinger Website Builder features highly competitive and affordable paid plans, with prices starting from $2.99 per month (a promotional rate when billed annually) for the Premium plan.
This plan includes a free domain name for the initial year. All plans are accompanied by a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free opportunity to evaluate the service.
Hostinger is well-suited for beginners, individuals pursuing creative side-hustles, and small businesses seeking a rapid and budget-conscious method to establish an online presence.
Its AI capabilities can generate a complete website, including images and text, significantly reducing the manual effort required.
The platform's drag-and-drop editor is flexible and beginner-friendly, incorporating a helpful grid system that simplifies the precise placement of elements.
Pros:
- Offers highly affordable plans, providing substantial value for the features included.
- Features excellent AI tools that facilitate rapid website creation and content generation.
- Provides sleek, mobile-responsive templates that are ideal for creating professional portfolios.
- Employs a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor complemented by a guiding grid system.
Cons:
- The variety of templates available could be more extensive when compared to some competitors.
- Does not offer as many advanced e-commerce features as platforms specifically dedicated to online sales.
- Is a relatively newer entrant to the website builder market, which might imply a less mature feature set compared to long-established platforms.
5. Weebly: Best Website Builder for Simple, Quick Setup
Pricing: Weebly offers a free plan that includes basic features and displays Weebly branding on the website.
Paid plans start from $6 per month (billed annually) for the Personal plan, which is suitable for straightforward websites.
The Professional plan, priced at $12 per month (annually), is ideal for freelance writers, while the Performance plan ($26/month annually) is best suited for online selling.
Weebly is recognized for its emphasis on simplicity and functionality, making it an excellent option for writers, small businesses, or anyone seeking to establish a basic online presence rapidly and with minimal complications.
Its user-friendly drag-and-drop tools and a guided editing process make website construction straightforward.
Users can typically get their website online within a few hours. The platform provides professional themes that are mobile-friendly and includes a built-in blogging platform.
Pros:
- Features a very user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and guided editing, simplifying the design process.
- Enables quick setup, allowing users to establish an online presence in a matter of hours.
- Offers budget-friendly plans, including a free option, making it accessible for various financial constraints.
- Includes a built-in blogging platform and fundamental e-commerce capabilities.
Cons:
- Provides basic SEO tools, which may be less comprehensive compared to more robust platforms.
- Its emphasis on simplicity might limit advanced customization options for users desiring more intricate designs.
- The free plan includes prominent Weebly branding, which may not be suitable for professional use.
6. SITE123: Best Website Builder for Section-based Editor
Pricing: SITE123 offers a free plan that includes limited storage and bandwidth, along with a subdomain. Paid plans commence at $12.80 per month (billed annually).
The Advanced plan, priced at $21.33 per month, is recommended for users requiring email marketing features, while the Professional plan ($40/month) is suggested for those needing e-commerce functionalities. All plans incorporate integrated hosting and domain management, simplifying the overall setup.
SITE123 is good for beginners, authors, or anyone in need of a rapid, uncomplicated online presence without significant technical challenges.
Its section-based editor and "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) editing experience ensure that changes are visible immediately, streamlining the fine-tuning of pages.
Pros:
- Offers an exceptionally easy and streamlined website creation process, facilitating quick deployment.
- Features a beginner-friendly, section-based editor with WYSIWYG functionality, making design intuitive.
- Includes an SEO Adviser tool that provides personalized tips for optimizing search engine ranking.
- Provides website translation options, enabling broader global reach for content.
Cons:
- Offers limited AI features, primarily restricted to a Text AI tool for content generation.
- Possesses inflexible design options and a relatively basic editor, which may constrain creative expression.
- Does not support hosting websites that were built on other platforms, requiring recreation if switching.
7. GoDaddy Website Builder: Best Website Builder for Custom Web Hosting
Pricing: GoDaddy offers a free plan to initiate website creation, which includes a temporary domain. Paid plans range from $9.99 to $20.99 per month (billed annually).
The Basic plan, at $9.99 per month, is recommended for beginners and encompasses essential features such as custom domain connection and AI writing tools. A 7-day free trial of premium features is also available for evaluation.
A giant in the space of domain registration and web hosting services, GoDaddy Website Builder is known for its user-friendly platform.
Its AI builder is capable of creating a complete website in seconds, approximately half the time required by some competitors.
The user interface is exceptionally simple, and upon starting, the platform provides a detailed tour of its editor, guiding users through the various features.
Its section-based editor is often perceived as less overwhelming compared to free-form drag-and-drop alternatives.
Pros:
- Offers the fastest pathway to getting online, with the AI builder generating sites in seconds.
- Features a simple user interface and a detailed editor tour, making it highly suitable for beginners.
- Provides affordable pricing options compared to many other website builders.
- Offers comprehensive 24/7 phone and live chat support, ensuring assistance is always available.
Cons:
- The editor and backend interface can feel very simplistic and somewhat outdated.
- It is not well-suited for complex or highly design-focused websites due to its limited customization.
- Template options are often basic and can appear repetitive, especially when compared to platforms like Squarespace.
8. WordPress.com: Best Website Builder for Blogging & Scalability
Pricing: WordPress.com provides a free plan with limited features, primarily suitable for basic blogging needs.
Paid plans exhibit significant variability, depending on the chosen hosting provider and any premium themes or plugins.
Some hosting plans can start from approximately $1.95 per month, with domain names typically ranging from $10 to $15 annually.
WordPress.com is particularly renowned for its robust blogging capabilities. It is an ideal choice for writers, content creators, and creative professionals who intend to frequently publish articles, share their creative process, or develop a content-rich website.
Pros:
- Functions as a powerful blogging platform with extensive features for content creators.
- Provides access to thousands of themes, with many specifically tailored for portfolio displays.
- Offers high customizability through a vast library of plugins, allowing for extensive functionality.
- Excels in SEO, making it easier for websites to rank higher and be discovered online.
Cons:
- Requires a somewhat greater learning curve compared to simpler drag-and-drop website builders.
- The free version is limited in functionality and often necessitates upgrades for full feature access.
- Can become overly complex and potentially slow with the excessive use of numerous plugins.
9. Adobe Portfolio: Best Website Builder for Existing Adobe Creative Cloud Users
Pricing: Adobe Portfolio is not a standalone product; its access is included free with any Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) Photography plan, which starts from $19.99 per month (billed annually), or with the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, starting from $59.99 per month (billed annually).
This integration makes it a cost-effective solution for individuals who are already subscribed to Adobe products.
Adobe Portfolio is an ideal tool for photographers, graphic designers, and artists seeking a rapid and uncomplicated method to showcase their work online, particularly if their creative assets are already managed within Lightroom or Behance.
Pros:
- Comes as a complimentary inclusion with Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, offering significant value for existing users.
- Provides seamless integration with other Adobe applications, such as Lightroom and Behance, streamlining content import.
- Is very simple to use, featuring clear workflows and requiring no coding skills for setup.
- Offers stylish designs and automatically generates responsive templates for various devices.
Cons:
- Requires an active Adobe Creative Cloud subscription to access, making it unsuitable for those without existing subscriptions.
- Offers limited design options and customization capabilities compared to more versatile website builders.
- Lacks built-in e-commerce functionality, meaning users cannot directly sell products from their portfolio site.
Why Creatives Need an Easy Website Builder
Firstly, these tools enable the creation of a 24/7 online portfolio and gallery.
Secondly, a well-designed portfolio website serves to demonstrate professionalism and establish credibility.
Thirdly, websites significantly enhance discoverability and reach.
Fourthly, these platforms open avenues for direct sales and monetization opportunities.
Fifthly, a website provides a means to foster community connection and engagement.
Finally, and perhaps most compellingly, easy website builders allow creative professionals to focus on their art, rather than technical complexities.
How We Evaluated the Easiest Website Builders for Creatives
Ease of Use & Intuitive Interface were the foremost priority in this evaluation. Website builders were assessed for their clear drag-and-drop editors, straightforward navigation, and simplified setup procedures that require no prior coding knowledge.
A smooth onboarding experience, often including helpful guided tours, was also a significant consideration.
For creatives, Design Flexibility & Templates are paramount for visual appeal. The quality and diversity of available templates were evaluated, with particular attention paid to those specifically designed for portfolios and visual content.
The degree of freedom users have to customize designs—including colors, fonts, and layouts—while maintaining overall ease of use was also a key factor.
Beyond general website building capabilities, the evaluation prioritized Creative-Specific Features. This involved identifying platforms that offer tools essential for creative workflows:
- High-Resolution Media Support: The capacity to display large, high-quality images and videos without compromising website loading speed was crucial.
- E-commerce Capabilities: Ease of setting up online stores to facilitate the sale of physical art, prints, digital downloads, or services was a major consideration.
- Client Proofing & Galleries: The availability of features for sharing private galleries with clients and efficiently collecting feedback was assessed.
- Blogging Tools: Simple and effective methods for sharing creative processes, news, or insights were also evaluated.
Mobile Responsiveness was another critical criterion. The evaluation examined the presence of built-in SEO tools, options for customizing meta tags, clean URL structures, and integration with analytics platforms.
Pricing & Value were carefully considered, encompassing the cost-effectiveness of each platform. This included the availability of free plans, free trials, and the range of features offered across different pricing tiers.
Finally, access to Customer Support was a significant factor, as helpful and responsive assistance (e.g., 24/7 live chat, phone support) directly contributes to the overall ease of the user experience.
FAQs
How much does it cost to build a website with an easy website builder?
The cost associated with building a website using an easy website builder varies significantly. Many of these platforms offer free plans or free trials. For a more professional and feature-rich website, users typically opt for paid plans.
Do I need coding skills to use these website builders?
No, absolutely not. The primary benefit and design philosophy behind these "easy" website builders is their accessibility to individuals with no prior coding experience.
They are specifically engineered to utilize intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and provide a wide selection of pre-designed templates.
This architecture allows users to construct a professional and fully functional website without needing to write or understand a single line of code.
Can I sell my art or products on these websites?
Yes, many of the easiest website builders are equipped with integrated e-commerce functionalities.
For instance, Pixpa enables users to establish an online store, manage various types of products (including physical goods, digital downloads, or services), securely accept payments, and efficiently handle orders.
The robustness and sophistication of these sales features can vary between platforms, so it is advisable to examine the specific e-commerce capabilities if selling is a primary objective.
Will my website look good on phones and tablets?
Yes, all of the recommended easy website builders are designed to automatically create mobile-responsive websites.
How important is SEO for a creative's website?
Effective SEO strategies help a website rank higher in search results when individuals search for art, photography, design services, or written content online.
Many website builders incorporate built-in SEO tools, such as editable meta descriptions, customizable URL structures, and image alt text fields, to assist users in improving their site's visibility and being discovered by potential clients and fans.
What kind of content should I include on my creative portfolio website?
A compelling creative website should always feature a curated portfolio showcasing an individual's best work.
It is also essential to include an "About" page containing a professional bio and a narrative describing the creative journey.
Many creative professionals benefit from incorporating a blog to share their creative process, announce news, or offer insights.
Crucially, clear contact information or a contact form is indispensable for facilitating communication. If products or services are offered, detailed product descriptions and direct links for purchase should also be included.
Can I connect my own domain name?
Yes, with nearly all paid plans offered by these website builders, users have the ability to connect their own custom domain name.
Furthermore, some plans include a free custom domain for the initial year of subscription. Utilizing a custom domain significantly enhances the professional appearance and branding of a website.
