Key Highlights
- Cheap website builders now use AI to generate a working site in minutes, but features like a custom domain or a proper CMS often still require a paid plan.
- Shopify is built specifically for ecommerce, while a simpler builder like Wix or Squarespace usually suits a blog, portfolio or service-based business better.
- Most builders, including Wix, Weebly and Webnode, offer a free plan, but it usually comes with no custom domain, limited storage, or the platform's own branding on your site.
- A website builder gets your site live, but SEO is what makes it visible in search results once it's up.
Building a business website is no longer expensive or technically challenging. Many website builders now let you create a website in minutes using AI, ready-made templates and simple editing tools.
The hard part is choosing the right one. Features, pricing and ease of use vary from one platform to another. Some include everything you need. Others require paid upgrades as your website grows.
We've compared the best cheap website builders available in Australia, including their features, ease of use and the types of businesses they're best suited for.
Comparison of Cheap Website Builders
The right website builder depends on your business needs. If you're running an online store, you'll need ecommerce features like product pages, a shopping cart and secure checkout.
A business website, blog or portfolio doesn't need those features, so a simpler website builder is often a better fit.
The 10 website builders below cover a range of business needs, from ecommerce stores to service-based businesses, blogs and personal websites.
Let's see these website builders in details:
1. WordPress.org
WordPress.org is one of the most popular website builders in the world. It gives you complete control over your website and supports everything from business websites and blogs to online stores. You can choose from thousands of themes and plugins to customise your site without starting from scratch.
Key features
The software is free to use, but you'll need to purchase web hosting and a domain name before your website goes live. WordPress also has a wide range of SEO plugins that can help improve your website's visibility in search engines.
Things to consider
WordPress has a steeper learning curve than most builders on this list, since you're managing hosting, plugins, and updates yourself rather than having it bundled in.
If you're new to WordPress, it's also worth knowing that there are two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. While they share the same name, they work differently, so read our WordPress.com vs WordPress.org comparison before deciding which one is right for your website.
Pricing
Your costs will depend on the hosting provider and domain you choose. Here are some typical hosting prices:
- VentraIP: From $9.25 AUD/month
- SiteGround: From $3.99 AUD/month
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder known for clean, professional templates and a simple editor. It handles hosting, security and updates for you, so there's nothing to manage outside the platform itself.
Key features
Squarespace's AI tools can write page copy, generate images and adjust your layout. You still start from a template first, then use the AI to fill it in and refine it.
Hosting and a domain are included on annual plans, usually free for the first year. Squarespace has a built-in content management system for blog posts and pages, plus SEO tools for editing titles, meta descriptions and image alt text.
Things to consider
Squarespace offers less design flexibility than WordPress or Webflow. If you need advanced customisation or highly unique page layouts, you may find the platform limiting.
Pricing
- Basic: $17 AUD/month (billed annually)
- Core: $28 AUD/month (billed annually)
- Plus: $49 AUD/month (billed annually)
3. Wix
Wix is one of the easiest website builders for beginners. It combines an AI website builder, drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of templates to help you launch a website without coding.
Key features
Wix offers a free plan, where you build your website with the drag-and-drop editor. All plans come with free hosting. A custom domain is only available once you move to a paid plan. Wix also bundles in email marketing tools, booking systems and online store features, depending on which plan you're on.
Things to consider
You can't freely switch templates once your site is live. Changing the design usually means rebuilding parts of your website, so pick a template you're happy with from the start.
Pricing
- Free plan: no custom domain
- Light: $21 AUD/month
- Core: $21 AUD/month
- Business: $27 AUD/month
- Business Elite: $99AUD /month
4. Shopify
Shopify is built specifically for e-commerce. If you're selling products online, it includes everything you need to manage an online store, including product pages, inventory management, secure checkout and payment processing.
Key features
You can manage unlimited products, track stock levels, and set up variants like size or colour, all from the same dashboard. Shopify includes web hosting, security updates and a wide range of apps to extend your store's functionality.
Things to consider
On top of your monthly subscription, Shopify charges transaction fees on each sale unless you use Shopify Payments. The exact cost depends on your plan and payment method, so factor these into your budget when comparing website builders.
Pricing
- Basic: From $42 AUD/month
- Grow: From $114 AUD/month
- Advanced: From $575 AUD/month
- Plus: From $3,700 AUD/month
5. Weebly
Weebly is a simple website builder that's now part of Square. If you already use Square to accept in-store payments, Weebly lets you manage your website and physical sales from the same platform. You can also build a basic online store, although its e-commerce features aren't as advanced as Shopify's.
Features
If you want a simple website without a steep learning curve, Weebly is worth considering. It includes a content management system, mobile-friendly templates and basic SEO tools to help your website appear in search results.
Things to consider
Weebly has seen fewer feature updates in recent years, so businesses planning to scale may prefer platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
Pricing
- Free: $0/month
- Personal: From $19 AUD/month
- Professional: From $29 AUD/month
- Performance: From $38 AUD/month
6. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is best known as a domain registrar, but it also has its own website builder, now built around an AI tool called Airo. You describe your business, and Airo builds a complete site from your answers in under a minute.
Key features
Hosting is included on every plan. If you buy a domain through GoDaddy, Airo is included at no extra cost. You can update your content, connect a custom domain and add features such as online appointments or an online store.
Things to consider
GoDaddy's templates are more limited than Wix or Squarespace, so if design is a priority, it's worth comparing both before deciding.
Pricing
- Basic: AUD $14.95/month
- Premium: AUD $22.69/month
- Commerce: AUD $24.50/month
7. Webnode
Webnode is a website builder that includes a free AI tool to generate your first draft. You describe your business and where you're based, and it builds a working site with text, images and page structure, which you then edit by hand.
Webnode suits small businesses and freelancers who want a simple site without a big learning curve, especially if you need the site in more than one language.
Key features
Webnode supports multiple languages on the one site, so you can run an English and a second-language version side by side, which most builders on this list don't offer without extra setup.
Hosting is included on every plan, including the free one. A custom domain isn't included on the free plan, but paid plans include a free domain for the first year. Webnode has a built-in CMS for pages and blog posts, and basic SEO tools for titles and descriptions.
Things to consider
Webnode's e-commerce tools are built for small stores. If you're planning to sell a large or growing product range, you'll likely outgrow it faster than a platform built specifically for e-commerce.
Pricing
- Free plan: $0
- Limited: $7 AUD/month
- Mini: $13 AUD/month
- Standard: $20 AUD/month
- Business: $35 AUD/month
8. Duda
Duda is a website builder primarily for web professionals, freelancers and digital agencies that create websites for clients. If you are a developer, Duda’s developer mode lets you edit HTML and CSS for custom changes.
Key features
Since Duda is primarily focused on business-to-business users, it offers client management tools for agencies to coordinate their business. Agencies can also use white-label options to present the platform as their own service.
For teams without developers, Duda offers AI-assisted website creation and templates to create websites.
Things to consider
Duda is mainly built for agencies and website professionals. It may not be the best choice for a small business that only needs a website to promote its services.
Pricing
- Basic: From AUD $27/month
- Team: From AUD $41/month
- Agency: From AUD $74/month
- White Label: From AUD $213/month
- Custom: Contact Duda for pricing
9. Webflow
Webflow is ideal for designers and more advanced web developers to create their own website, but with more design freedom and flexibility compared to the ones offered by Weebly and Squarespace.
Key features
Webflow includes a visual editor, CMS tools, animations, interactions and e-commerce features. Developers can also add custom code when they need more control over website functionality.
Things to consider
Webflow is much harder to learn than simple drag-and-drop builders in this list and works best if you understand the basics of website development.
Pricing
- Starter: Free
- Basic: From $22 AUD/month
- CMS: From $35 AUD/month
- Ecommerce: From $42AUD/month
10. Ucraft
Ucraft offers template-based designs that help users create portfolios, personal websites and business websites without needing coding skills.
Key features
All plans include hosting, and paid plans come with domain options at affordable prices. Ucraft offers builders for landing pages, blogs and online stores, along with professionally designed templates and drag-and-drop editing.
Things to consider
Website development is mainly limited to its drag-and-drop builder, with no AI-powered website creation or prompt-based development options. Businesses with advanced custom development or complex website functionality may need a more flexible platform.
Pricing
- Free Website: $0 AUD/month
- Website: AUD $8 AUD/month
- Basic Shop: AUD $14 AUD/month
- Pro Shop: AUD $30 AUD /month
- Unlimited: AUD $98 AUD/month
Bottom line
Building your website is the first step. To get found online, you need SEO on top of it. Once your website is live, you also need to keep it running well and check on its health regularly.
Digital Treasury offers a complete service, from building your website to SEO for your business. Contact us today to see how we can help.
