There are so many platforms competing to be among the best website builders in 2025. With countless options promising fast results, simple tools and polished templates, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Not every builder is the same. The right choice depends on your business, your goals and how you plan to grow.

With so many claiming to be the best website builders in 2025, it can be hard to separate the hype from what actually works. This guide breaks it down clearly.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the top 6 best website builders in 2025. We’ll cover pricing, pros and cons, who they’re best suited for and how they stack up.

1. Wix

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

• Price: Starts at $17/month for basic business plans
• Pros: Very user-friendly. Quick to launch. Lots of templates and built-in tools
• Cons: Can get cluttered. Limited design control. Not ideal for long-term scale
• Best for: Solopreneurs and small local businesses looking for a quick, easy site

2. Squarespace

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

• Price: $23/month for Business, $27/month for Commerce Basic
• Pros: Clean, modern templates. Easy to use. All-in-one setup
• Cons: Less design flexibility. CMS isn’t built for large content libraries
• Best for: Designers, service providers, photographers and boutique shops

3. Shopify

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

• Price: $39/month for Basic, plus extra for apps and add-ons
• Pros: Great for e-commerce. Manages payments, inventory and shipping out of the box
• Cons: Can get pricey. Design customization may require a developer
• Best for: Product-based businesses or anyone building a serious online store

4. WordPress (with Elementor)

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

• Price: WordPress is free. Elementor Pro is around $59/year. Hosting starts around $10–25/month
• Pros: Total design freedom. SEO-friendly. Scales easily. Huge plugin library
• Cons: Slight learning curve. Needs separate hosting and maintenance
• Best for: Businesses that want a custom, flexible and powerful site built to grow

At Brownbag Design, we build exclusively in WordPress using Elementor, and we do it differently. No templates. Every site is custom-built from the ground up to reflect your brand and goals. Elementor gives us creative freedom. You get a site that looks and performs like no one else’s. That level of customization is one reason WordPress remains a top choice among the best website builders in 2025.

WordPress continues to set the standard for high-performance, scalable, and brand-driven websites. It is also ideal for SEO, long-term growth and user experience.

5. Framer

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

• Price: Free to start. Paid plans range from $10 to $30+/month
• Pros: Smooth animations. Real-time editing. Super fast to publish. Clean visual design
• Cons: Light on CMS features. Not ideal for large or complex content sites
• Best for: Startups and creatives who want a sleek, interactive site — fast

6. Webflow

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

• Price: Starts at $18/month for Basic, $29 for CMS, $49 for Business
• Pros: Built for designers. Responsive by default. Excellent animation tools
• Cons: Steep learning curve for non-designers
• Best for: Creative teams and marketers who want design precision and interaction

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

If you need something quick and simple, Wix or Squarespace can get the job done. If you are building an online store, Shopify is a solid choice. Webflow and Framer are ideal for brands that want strong visual design and interactivity.

But if you are looking for a fully custom website that grows with your business and performs just as well as it looks, WordPress with Elementor remains one of the best website builders in 2025 and our top recommendation.

At Brownbag Design, we do not use shortcuts. We build every site with intention, making sure it reflects your brand and connects with your audience.

Not sure which platform is right for you? Let’s talk. We’re happy to help you sort it out — no pressure, just honest advice.

Brownbag Design began long before it had a name. From an early age, Robert Brown knew he wanted to be a graphic designer. In third grade, he wrote a paper about his dream career, and the rest is history.

In 2008, at just 14 years old, Robert took a family trip to New York City. The bright lights, bold advertising, and energy of the city pulled him in, confirming that he wanted to create impactful visual experiences.

Fast forward to 2016, Robert graduated with his BFA in Graphic Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art. During his time there, he honed his design foundation, took on freelance projects, and developed a passion for data visualization. Wanting to deepen his understanding of the intersection between design and user experience, he pursued further coursework at Kent State University. There, he discovered design research and fell in love with UX design, giving him the perfect blend of creativity and strategy to provide data-driven solutions.

In 2021, Robert joined Signal, a full-service digital marketing agency, as a Digital Designer. His focus was on website design for clients across the United States. He gained invaluable experience in digital strategy, client collaboration, and what it takes to build a strong website, including copywriting, development, and SEO. This reinforced his ability to create digital experiences that not only look great but also perform effectively in a competitive online space.

Then, in the summer of 2024, he was unexpectedly laid off.

Instead of seeing this as an end, Robert saw an opportunity. In 2025, he founded Brownbag Design, a Cleveland-based website design and branding agency committed to crafting innovative, meaningful digital experiences that truly connect.

Built on Values, Designed for Impact

At Brownbag Design, we believe great design goes beyond aesthetics. It should be purposeful, intuitive, and rooted in strategy. Our agency is built on four key Brownbag Design values:

• Transparency – We communicate openly and authentically, fostering trust and ensuring every step of the process is aligned with shared goals.
• Synergy – Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We embrace diverse perspectives and build meaningful partnerships to drive innovation.
• Quality – Every design decision is made with precision and integrity, ensuring high-impact results that add value and authenticity.
• Curiosity – We push creative and technological boundaries, continuously learning to shape the future of digital experiences.

Looking Ahead

Brownbag Design is not just about building websites. We help businesses create connections, tell their story, and stand out through strategic website design and branding. Based in Cleveland, OH, our agency combines website design in Cleveland, graphic design, and SEO to deliver digital experiences that drive results.

With a foundation rooted in passion, expertise, and resilience, we are proud to help businesses across Cleveland and beyond bring their ideas to life online. Our mission is to provide thoughtful, intentional design solutions that not only look great but also help businesses achieve measurable growth.

Our Approach to Website Design and Branding

At Brownbag Design, we take a collaborative and strategy-driven approach to every project. We begin by learning about your business, goals, and audience. From there, we craft tailored solutions that blend creative vision with practical outcomes.

Our website design process focuses on creating clean, intuitive interfaces that drive engagement and conversions. Whether we are designing a brand new site or refreshing an existing one, we ensure every element supports your brand story and business objectives.

In addition to website design, our branding services help businesses build a cohesive and memorable visual identity. From logo design to typography, color palettes, and brand messaging, we help you present a consistent image across all touchpoints.

Our SEO strategies are integrated into every project to help your website perform in search and reach the right audience. We use a combination of on-page optimization, smart content planning, and technical best practices to improve visibility and drive traffic.

Why Work with Brownbag Design

We are a Cleveland-based agency with a passion for helping businesses succeed online. We take pride in our work and value transparency, collaboration, and quality. When you partner with us, you gain a dedicated creative team committed to delivering exceptional results.

Interested in working together? Let’s create something impactful.

The way we show up in every project, every conversation, and every decision comes back to four core principles that guide everything we build at Brownbag Design. These are the Brownbag Design values: Transparency, Synergy, Quality, and Curiosity.

These aren’t buzzwords. They’re how we stay grounded, do good work, and build partnerships that last. Here’s what they mean to us—and what they mean for you.

Transparency

Clear communication. No smoke and mirrors.

We believe in sharing what we know, how we work, and what things actually cost. You won’t get vague timelines, inflated jargon, or surprise invoices. Just honest conversations and realistic expectations—because that’s how trust is built.

Design is collaborative, and being open every step of the way makes for smoother projects and better outcomes. Transparency isn’t optional—it’s one of the Brownbag Design values that keeps everything on track.

Synergy

We’re not a vendor. We’re your partner.

We don’t just take orders and “make it pretty.” We listen, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and bring ideas to the table. That’s how the best work happens—through collaboration, alignment, and mutual respect.

When we’re in sync with your team, your goals, and your audience, we can create something truly impactful. That’s synergy—and it’s baked into the Brownbag Design values.

Quality

Thoughtful design, built to last.

We care about the craft. That means sharp visuals, clean structure, purposeful details, and a focus on long-term value. A good-looking site is one thing. A well-designed site that holds up, performs well, and reflects your brand? That’s the bar.

We design with care, not shortcuts—and it shows in the final product.

Curiosity

We ask. We explore. We dig deeper.

Great design starts with great questions. What do your users need? What makes your brand different? Why are we doing it this way? Curiosity keeps our process sharp, our thinking fresh, and our solutions better.

We’re always learning—about design, about business, about the people we’re designing for.

Why It Matters

Plenty of agencies can design a website. But when you’re investing in your brand, you want a partner who’s aligned with how you work. At Brownbag Design, these values aren’t just how we design—they’re how we show up.

And when values lead the process, better design follows.

Templated websites seem like a smart move: quick to launch, easy on the budget, and packed with features. But the cost of templated websites often shows up in unexpected ways. For businesses that care about how they show up online, those shortcuts can lead to setbacks.

Templates can be a good starting point, but only if your needs are simple and unlikely to grow. For most businesses, that’s not the case. What feels like a shortcut now can easily become a roadblock later.

At Brownbag Design, we’ve seen it happen over and over. What starts as a “good enough for now” site ends up holding your brand back. Here’s why the cost of templated websites is often higher than expected, especially when design matters.

1. You’ll Outgrow the Template Fast

Templates are built to serve a wide range of users. That might work at first, but it rarely supports a growing business. As your needs evolve, you’ll want more flexibility—more pages, smarter navigation, and better functionality.

The more you try to stretch a template beyond what it was built for, the more time and money you spend on fixes. Eventually, you’re stuck deciding whether to settle or rebuild completely.

2. Your Brand Gets Lost in the Crowd

Your website is often your first impression. A generic template doesn’t tell your story. It just fills space. If your site looks like everyone else’s, it’s harder to stand out or build trust with your audience.

A custom site lets your brand take the lead. It’s designed around your visuals, voice, and goals. That’s what helps people remember you.

3. Design Flexibility Is Limited

Want to move a section or change the layout? Want your messaging to flow in a certain way? With templates, even small changes can be frustrating. You’re stuck working around someone else’s system.

The more you try to customize, the more problems show up. You end up dealing with rigid design, extra plugins, and sometimes expensive development work just to make it all function.

4. You’ll End Up Paying Twice

Templated sites often seem affordable at first. But when you hit the limits, you start paying for fixes, plugins, custom code, or workarounds. That’s on top of the time lost troubleshooting things that shouldn’t be breaking in the first place.

By the time you’re done, you’ve probably spent more than you would have on a custom site built right from the start.

5. You Miss the Bigger Opportunity

Yes, a template can get you online quickly. But it won’t position your brand as a leader. It’s not built for strategy, scalability, or performance. It’s built to be fast and generic.

That’s the real cost of templated websites. You’re not just losing money, you’re losing momentum and missing the chance to create a real connection with your audience. A custom site is an investment in how you show up—and how you grow.

Avoiding the True Cost of Templated Websites

Templates aren’t built around your business. They’re built around assumptions. And while they can serve as a quick fix, they often can’t keep up when your business needs more than just a digital placeholder.

A custom website isn’t about bells and whistles. It’s about building something with purpose that actually works for your business. One that reflects who you are, where you’re going, and why it matters.

At Brownbag Design, we build websites that are designed to scale with you. They’re thoughtful, flexible, and built with your brand at the center. No shortcuts. No copy-paste themes. Just smart, intentional design that does its job.

Not sure if a custom site is right for you? Let’s talk.

Effective homepage design isn’t just about how your website looks. It’s the first impression, the handshake, the “this feels right” moment. Your homepage sets the tone for your entire brand experience in just a few seconds.

And when it’s done right, it becomes an example of effective homepage design—something that connects, directs, and builds trust without wasting time.

So what does a homepage actually do when it’s designed with purpose?

Let’s break it down.

It Answers the Big Questions (Fast)

When someone lands on your homepage, they’re asking:

• Is this for me?
• Can I trust this brand?
• Do they understand what I need?

A well-designed homepage answers all three with clarity, confidence, and no fluff. That doesn’t mean cramming everything above the fold. It means guiding people through a clear story that helps them feel understood and points them in the right direction.

It Builds Trust Through Design

Before a visitor reads a word, they’re already forming an opinion based on how your site feels.

Design cues like:

• Clean, uncluttered layout
• Consistent typography and colors
• High-quality visuals
• Space to breathe (yes, white space is doing work)

These elements create a sense of credibility and professionalism. A homepage that feels intentional signals that your business is too.

It Guides People Where You Want Them to Go

Think of your homepage as a starting point, not a destination.

Design helps direct attention to what matters most:

• A standout call-to-action
• Clear paths to services, products, or contact
• Highlighted content or values
• A user flow that feels intuitive, not overwhelming

The goal? Make the next step obvious and friction-free.

It Reflects You

Your homepage isn’t just informative—it’s expressive. It should feel like your brand from top to bottom.

Whether that shows up in:

• A bold color palette
• A distinct tone of voice
• Custom graphics or photography
• A layout that breaks the mold

It all adds up to something uniquely yours—not something that could belong to just anyone.

What Makes a Homepage Homepage Effective Today

Effective homepage design today isn’t just about visuals. It’s about how well your homepage supports your goals—whether that’s driving sales, booking calls, or building credibility.

That means every element should have a job: headlines that hook attention, visuals that support your message, and navigation that’s clear and intuitive. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being focused.

Your homepage is the one page almost every visitor will see. That makes it your biggest opportunity to shape how people perceive your brand. A homepage shouldn’t just look good—it should help people understand who you are and what to do next.

The Bottom Line

If you’re aiming for an effective homepage design, the details matter. From the layout to the tone to how users move through the page.

A well-designed homepage isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a critical part of your brand experience. It brings clarity, creates connection, and invites users deeper into your world within seconds.

At Brownbag Design, we treat your homepage as more than a landing spot. It’s a strategic, beautifully crafted moment in your brand story.