How Small Businesses Can Build Their Own Website Using Wix, WordPress, or Shopify — No Agency Needed
Need a website for your business but don’t have the budget for a web agency? You’re not alone—and the good news is, you can absolutely do it yourself.
Whether you run a café, offer services, or sell products, platforms like Wix, WordPress, and Shopify offer powerful tools that let you launch a clean, professional website in just a few hours—with no coding required.
This article breaks down the best options for small business owners and walks you through how to get started.
⚙️ 1. Wix: Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
Best for: Local businesses, service providers, portfolio sites, one-pagers
Why choose Wix?
- Super easy drag-and-drop editor
- Hundreds of pre-designed templates
- Built-in hosting and SSL
- Great for “set it and forget it” websites
What you can do:
- Add sections like “About Us”, “Contact”, or “Book Online”
- Set up a blog or image gallery
- Connect a custom domain (e.g. yourname.com)
Costs: Free to start; paid plans with custom domain from ~£10/month
🌐 2. WordPress.com: A Bit More Flexible
Best for: Small businesses who may grow into more complex needs (e.g. blogging, SEO, integrations)
Why choose WordPress.com?
- Open-source power with a user-friendly interface
- Tons of themes and plugins
- Built-in blogging tools
- Room to grow (and upgrade later)
What you can do:
- Build multi-page websites with menus, forms, and maps
- Add plugins for bookings, email newsletters, or reviews
- Improve SEO with tools like Yoast
Costs: Free basic site; business plans start at ~£7/month
🛒 3. Shopify: The Best Choice for Online Stores
Best for: Product-based businesses (ecommerce), shipping physical or digital goods
Why choose Shopify?
- Everything you need to launch an online store
- Easy inventory, payments, and shipping setup
- Mobile-optimised checkout
- Built-in analytics
What you can do:
- Add unlimited products
- Accept card payments and PayPal
- Connect Instagram/Facebook shopping
Costs: Starts from ~£25/month (14-day free trial available)
🔗 Start your store with Shopify
🧠 Tips for Going DIY Successfully
- Start with a template — don’t build from scratch
- Keep it simple — focus on key info: what you do, who you are, how to contact you
- Write your content first — then choose a layout that fits
- Test on mobile — most visitors will view your site on their phones
- Buy your own domain — it looks more professional and builds trust
👋 Final Thought: You Can Do This
If you can write a few paragraphs and upload a photo, you can absolutely create your own website. Wix, WordPress, and Shopify give you the tools—you just need to take the first step.
And if you ever need help down the line (e.g. integrations, custom design, or upgrading your site), an experienced web development team (like us 👋) is always here when you’re ready.
