A personal website is a site built around you as an individual: your name, your work, and your story – a professional home base you own and control. The benefits are long-term: a personal website strengthens your career prospects, helps you win freelance clients, and supports side projects, serving as your ultimate online business card.

The good news is that creating a personal website is easier than you might think. Thanks to modern website builders, even complete beginners can create a professional personal website without needing any coding or design skills.

Which Website Builder Is Best for a Personal Website?

What You’ll Learn in This Guide:

• What you need to create your personal website
• What to put on a personal website
• Basic SEO every personal website needs
• How to build a personal website using Webnode
• How much does a personal website cost with Webnode
• Personal website FAQ

By the end, you’ll know how to create your own site, what it should contain, and how much you’re likely to spend.

TL, DR: Building a personal website involves defining your goal, choosing a website platform, selecting a domain name, and creating key pages like “About Me” or a portfolio. Ensure the site is mobile-friendly and set SEO. To create your personal website quickly and easily, use a website builder that also includes domain registration and hosting, and is one of the cheapest options.

What Do You Need to Build a Personal Website?

When you start creating your personal website, it’s essential to have a clear idea of your website’s purpose, where you’ll build it, and what you’ll name it. By planning ahead, the entire creative process will be much easier and the result will be better.

Define Your Website Goal and Audience

First, clarify the purpose of your personal website and choose the appropriate type. A clear goal will guide every decision you make regarding design and content. Your goals will determine which pages are necessary and what you include on the home page.

Common goals and types of personal websites:

• Get hired faster → A resume / portfolio site that impresses recruiters
• Win freelance clients → A simple services site with case studies and testimonials
• Build a personal brand → A blog or content hub around your expertise or interests
• Showcase creative work → A digital portfolio for design, photography, writing, or art
• Create a digital business card → A one‑page site with your key links and contact info

Ask yourself:

• Who is my main audience? (recruiters, clients, collaborators, readers…)
• What do I want visitors to do on my site? (e.g., contact me, download my CV, book a call)
• What do they need to see to trust me? (experience, projects, social proof, credentials)

Which Platform Should I Use for My Personal Website?

There are many ways to build a website. For a beginner who doesn’t want to code a website but wants to build it quickly on their own, a website builder is a great option.

A website builder is an online platform that allows you to create, design, and publish websites without writing code, using a drag-and-drop editor, pre-designed templates, or AI. This all-in-one solution handles hosting and domain registration, making it ideal for beginners. With Webnode’s AI website builder, you can generate a first draft of your site in seconds.

Webnode

• Best for beginners and freelancers who want a fast, low-cost professional site
• 15+ templates for resumes, portfolios, and personal pages, plus an AI site builder
• Built-in forms, blogging, and SEO settings, with a free plan to start

Wix

• Best for users who want maximum design flexibility and are willing to spend time customizing
• Large template library with a drag-and-drop editor and AI site builder
• Extensive app market for extra features, plus a free plan to start

Squarespace

• Best for design-focused creatives who want visually polished templates
• Modern, visual-first designs with strong typography
• Blogging and SEO settings, but no free plan, a 14-day trial only

Format

• Best for photographers and artists building an image-focused portfolio
• Clean, image-centric templates with high display quality
• Focused specifically on portfolio and gallery sites, no free plan

Choose a Domain Name

Every website needs two things:

1. Hosting – The space on a server where your site lives
2. Domain – The web address

With a website builder such as Webnode:

• Hosting is included in your builder subscription (even on the free plan).
• You can start with a free subdomain (e.g., yourname.webnode.page) and later connect your own custom domain (yourname.com).

Explore our guide to domains and hosting

Should you use a free subdomain or buy a custom domain?

Free subdomain

• Costs nothing
• Good for testing ideas or a temporary portfolio
• Looks less professional on a resume, LinkedIn, or business card

Custom domain

• Looks credible and serious to recruiters and clients
• Easier to remember and share
• Small annual cost, bought through a website builder or a domain registrar

Use your real name if possible:

• firstname.lastname.com – Best option if available
• If taken, add a keyword: firstnameLastnameDesign.com, firstnameDev.com, DrFirstnameLastname.com

Read the full article about the difference between own domain and a free subdomain

What Should I Put on a Personal Website?

Core Pages Every Personal Site Needs

No matter your goal, most effective personal websites share a small set of core pages:

1. Homepage

Your homepage is the “front door” of your site. It should instantly answer:

• Who you are
• What you do
• Who you help / work with
• What the visitor should do next

Think of it as a short version of your pitch, not your entire biography.

2. About Page

The About page gives context and personality:

• A short story of how you got here
• Your key skills and expertise
• The type of work or opportunities you’re interested in
• A friendly photo to humanize the page

For recruiters, this page shows culture fit, communication style, and motivation – not just job titles. If you’re actively job‑hunting or freelancing, mention your availability and preferred ways of working.

3. Portfolio / Projects Page

Especially important if your goal is to impress recruiters or clients. Include:

• Selected projects with short descriptions
• Your specific role and contributions
• Concrete outcomes (e.g., “Reduced processing time”, “Improved conversion rate”)
• Links, screenshots, or samples of your work

For non‑visual roles, focus on case studies: explain a problem, your approach, and the result.

4. Contact Page

Make it easy to reach you:

• A simple contact form
• Email address
• Optional: LinkedIn, GitHub, Behance, or other key profiles

Optional Sections That Add Credibility

Beyond the basics, some sections can significantly boost trust:

• Testimonials – Short quotes from colleagues, managers, clients, or professors
• Skills section – Grouped by categories (e.g., “Frontend”, “Data Analysis”, “Writing”)
• Certifications & awards – Especially good for tech, design, and academic fields
• Press / media mentions – Articles, podcasts, or conferences you appeared in
• Blog – Shows your thinking, communication skills, and ongoing learning
• Downloadable resume – A well‑formatted PDF for recruiters
• Speaking & events – Talks, workshops, or meetups you led or spoke at
• Volunteer work & community projects – Often valued highly by employers

You don’t need all of these. Start small, then add sections as you gather more experience and proof points.

What Should Be on My Personal Website Homepage?

Use this simple homepage checklist to make sure you cover the essentials:

• A clear headline that states who you are and what you do
• A short subheadline describing your focus or value (e.g., “Product designer specializing in accessible mobile experiences.”)
• A friendly, professional photo of you
• A concise intro paragraph (2–4 sentences) about your background and goals
• One primary call‑to‑action (CTA): “View my portfolio”, “Download my resume”, “Contact me”
• Highlights of your best projects or achievements
• Logos or short quotes for social proof (if available)
• Simple navigation to About, Portfolio/Projects, and Contact pages
• Visible links to key profiles (LinkedIn, GitHub, Behance, etc.)

How Do I Get My Personal Website Found on Google?

Search engines rank pages based on how well they answer specific questions or needs. If your goal is clear, your content naturally becomes more focused and relevant, which is exactly what both search engines and human visitors want to see.

For a personal website, there are typically two situations:

1. You want to be found by name — recruiters, collaborators, or clients who already know you search for your name. This is the most common case.

“When someone googles your name, social profiles show what the platform decides to display. A personal website is the only result on that page where you control the title, the description, and every word.”

Romana Jurůjová, SEO Team Leader at Webnode

2. You want to be found by topic or skill — you write a blog, share expertise, or offer services in a niche, and you want to attract people searching for that topic.

Basic SEO Every Personal Website Needs

You don’t need deep technical SEO knowledge to cover the essentials. Focus on these fundamentals:

• Page titles — each page should have a clear, descriptive title that includes your name and your role or focus. For example: “Jane Doe – UX Designer | Portfolio” or “Mark Chen – Freelance Web Developer”. This helps search engines understand who you are and what your site is about.

• Page descriptions — write a short summary (around 150 characters) for each page. This appears in search results and should briefly explain what the visitor will find on that page.

• Your name in the content — use your full name naturally in your homepage headline and About page. If you’re trying to rank for your name, it needs to appear in the text, not just the page title.

• Your role or specialization — include relevant terms that describe what you do. “Front-end developer,” “brand strategist,” “freelance copywriter” — these are the phrases people might search alongside your name.

• Clean, descriptive URLs — most website builders handle this automatically, but make sure your pages have readable URLs (e.g., /portfolio or /about) rather than random strings of numbers.

Not sure how to do SEO? Our DIY SEO guide will help you get started on your own

How To Build A Personal Website With Webnode

Webnode is designed for non-technical users and beginners, and has powered over 50 million websites since its launch in 2008. Today, the platform is available in 24 countries. You can build a complete personal website without any coding by following a simple flow.

Create a free account and choose AI-design or a website template

1. Go to Webnode’s website and click on Create my website button
2. Describe your site type and goal for AI creation or choose a template
   Choose options like “Personal website” or “Portfolio”, depending on your main goal.
3. Enter your registration details to finish your website
4. Select your design or template

Describe your site type and goal for AI creation, or start with a template

Webnode website templates

Add Pages and Content

Once your design/template is loaded, you’ll use Webnode’s visual editor to build the site. Now you can:

• Customize your homepage content
• Edit or add pages
• Fill in your About page
• Build your Portfolio/Projects page
• Configure your Contact page
• Set SEO options
• Adjust design basics

Customize your website design with colors and fonts you like

Connect A Domain And Publish

When your content and design exist, it’s time to put your site online.

Choose a domain
At this stage you can:

• Keep using the free Webnode subdomain (good for testing).
• Or connect/buy a custom domain (ideal when sharing with recruiters or clients). To connect a custom domain and remove Webnode branding, you’ll need a paid plan.

Publish your site
Click publish. Webnode handles the technical work in the background. After a short time, your site will be live. You can keep improving your site gradually.

How Much Does a Personal Website Cost with Webnode

Free personal website

You can create your personal website on a free Webnode subdomain. This option is excellent for students, hobbyists, those whose businesses are just starting out, or anyone trying website building for the first time. 

Premium plans

If you want a custom domain and a more professional look without Webnode branding, you need to buy a Premium Plan. For a personal site you’ll share with recruiters, clients, or on business cards, a paid plan with a custom domain is usually worth it.

MINI ($8.50/month): connect a domain name, premium customer support, website statistics, and everything else you need to run a simple yet stunning website. Great for beginners who want to hit the ground running.

STANDARD ($12.90/month): select the flexible option chosen by more than 50% of customers. Enjoy the benefits of the MINI plan plus open an online store, remove Webnode branding, and get better integration with Google (Analytics, Adsense, etc.). Perfect for growing businesses and freelancers ready to take the next step.

PROFI ($22.90/month): go professional with a fully-equipped website that includes all the features of the above plans, more storage and bandwidth, unlimited member registration, unlimited backup and recovery, and more. If you’re a professional, this is the plan for you. 

Conclusion

A personal website gives you one place to share your skills, your story, and your work—and helps you stand out to employers, clients, or collaborators. Now that you know the steps, you can start building your site today. Webnode makes the process simple and beginner-friendly.

FAQ About Creating a Personal Website

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Jamie Faulkner writes and edits copy to build community, inform, and inspire action through blogs, newsletters, and email strategy. He is particularly interested in sustainability, technology, travel, health and fitness, and education. Above all, he is passionate about storytelling—both in the marketing world, helping brands connect with their audiences, and through his published short fiction. Jamie is also the co-founder of education provider Discourse Hub, where he teaches and creates content for blogs, newsletters, and social media.

The post How to Build a Personal Website for Beginners (No Coding) appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

A small business website builder is a no-code tool that lets you create, design, and publish a professional website without hiring a developer or writing any code. It combines templates, drag-and-drop editing, hosting, and business features like contact forms, online stores, and SEO settings in one platform.

Below, we compare the best website builders for small businesses in 2026, with pros, cons, and pricing for each.

Which Website Builder Is Best for Small Business in 2026

How Do I Choose the Right Website Builder for My Small Business?

1. Easy to use – Simple menus, no coding.
   
2. Good templates – Modern designs that work on phones.
   
3. Visitor stats – See how many people visit your site.
   
4. Own domain – Use yourname.com for a professional look.
   
5. Contact forms – Let customers send you messages or bookings.
   
6. Photo tools – Upload, crop, and show photos in galleries.
   
7. Video & music – Add YouTube, Vimeo, or Spotify easily.
   
8. SEO basics – Edit titles and descriptions so Google finds you.
   
9. Social buttons – Add “Share” or “Like” for Facebook, etc.
   
10. File uploads – Share PDFs, price lists, or menus.
    
11. Support – Helpful guides and customer service.
    
12. Fair price – Choose value, not just the cheapest option.

1. Webnode — quick, multilingual, no-code (great for beginners)

Why start here 🚀

Webnode is built for small business owners who want a professional website without coding. You write to the AI Website Builder what you do and where you are located, and then it creates a ready-to-use website with text, images, and structure. AI generates a ready-to-use first draft in seconds.

Webnode powers more than 50 million websites worldwide and is available in 24 languages, making built-in multilingual websites and multilingual customer support among its key strengths.

Key features ✨

• AI Website Builder → Describe your business and get the first site draft in seconds.
  
• Multilingual websites out of the box are included in paid plans (rare among builders). Webnode’s Standard plan supports 2 languages; the Profi plan supports unlimited language versions – built in, with no third-party translation tool required.
  
• Beginner-friendly editor → Drag-and-drop blocks, swap images, update text.
  
• Free forever plan → Try Webnode without paying before you upgrade.

Pros ➕

• No-code AI-powered setup that saves time; beginner-friendly editor. Start with AI, finish with a drag-and-drop editor.
  
• Multilingual customer support for 20+ languages. Mon-Fri, replies usually within 24h.
  
• Low-cost: paid plans start at $4.50/month, with the $8.50/month Mini plan recommended for a first business website.
  
• 200+ responsive templates to choose from for any industry.
  

Cons ➖

• Focused on simplicity — fewer extras than Wix or Shopify, but easier to manage if you just want a clean, functional site.
  
• Best for small–medium projects; very complex custom websites may need Webflow or WordPress.
  

Best for 🎯

• Trades & services: plumbers, electricians, landscapers, cleaners, repair shops.
  
• Health & care: vets, dentists, therapists, wellness professionals.
  
• Professional services: accountants, consultants, lawyers, real estate agents.
  
• Local shops & cafés: bakeries, restaurants, boutiques, salons.
  
• And many more…

Pricing 💵

Free Website Builder — $0 forever (while your account stays active)

• Great for testing ideas or very small projects.
  
• Your site address looks like yoursite.webnode.page (not yourownname.com).
  
• Shows a small Webnode banner at the bottom.
  
• Enough space for a few pages with text and photos.
  

Limited — $4.50/month

• Reduces Webnode branding: the blue banner is replaced with a smaller gray one.
  
• Let’s you connect your own domain (e.g., mybakery.com).
  
• Includes 200 MB of storage and 1 GB of bandwidth.
  
• Best for hobby projects or simple family/personal websites.
  
• Priority customer support for faster replies (included in all paid plans).
  

Mini — $8.50/month

• Ideal for your first business website.
  
• Free custom domain for 1 year (e.g., plumber-john.com).
  
• Professional email address with your domain (e.g., info@plumber-john.com).
  
• Contact forms so customers can send you inquiries directly.
  
• Storage increases to 1 GB, with 3 GB of bandwidth.
  
• Unlocks access to website traffic history and enables video backgrounds in headers and sections.
  

Standard — $12.90/month (Most popular for small businesses)

• Everything in Mini, plus:
  
• Room for more pages, photos, and text: 3 GB storage and 10 GB bandwidth.
  
• Full removal of Webnode branding with the option to add your own Favicon.
  
• Up to 20 professional email accounts with your domain.
  
• Built-in AI assistant to help create content and page sections.
  
• Connect to marketing tools as Google Analytics (a free Google tool that shows how many people visit your site and where they come from), Google Tag Manager and Google AdSense.
  
• The website can be presented in up to 2 languages (main + one additional).
  
• Create private member pages for clients, employees, or students.
  
• Website backups (restore your site if you make a mistake).
  
• Basic e-shop setup: add products, prices, checkout, and manage sales.
  

Profi — $22.90/month

• Everything in Standard, plus features designed for growing businesses:
  
• Site search for faster navigation through pages, products, or blog posts.
  
• Unlimited Multilingual websites (e.g., English + Spanish or English + French versions).
  
• Unlimited Membership registration for private content pages.
  
• Extra space for bigger projects: 7 GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth.
  
• Up to 100 professional email accounts with your domain.
  
• Enhanced e-shop tools, including product variants, discounts, and international shipping options.
  

Business — $31.90/month

• Everything in Profi, plus:
  
• Professional e-commerce management: create manual orders, accept multiple currencies, and generate invoices automatically.
  
• Unlimited growth potential: 15 GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth let your site handle as much content and traffic as you need.

See which plan fits your business or

Start for free

2. Wix — huge template library & app market, strong AI

Why start here 🚀

Wix is the largest website builder worldwide, with millions of users and one of the biggest template and app collections on the market. It’s designed to give you complete creative freedom, and its AI Site Builder can help you design your pages faster. 

However, many small business owners find Wix harder to finish on their own—its wide range of settings and options can feel overwhelming compared to simpler tools like Webnode, where you can be online in a single day.

Key features ✨

• AI Site Builder → Conversational setup that helps you design your site.
  
• Large template library → 900+ designs for many industries and styles.
  
• App Market → Add advanced booking systems, marketing apps, and custom integrations.
  
• Built-in tools → Blogging, ecommerce, chat, online ordering, and bookings (also available in Webnode, but Wix offers more variations through apps).
  
• Free plan available → Start without paying (includes Wix ads).
  

Pros ➕

• Powerful drag-and-drop + AI builder for flexibility.
  
• Huge template and app selection for different niches.
  
• Well-known platform with plenty of tutorials and resources.
  

Cons ➖

• Can feel overwhelming for beginners (too many settings and options).
  
• Costs add up as you add apps and advanced features.
  
• Customer support is limited — many users rely on forums, where replies can take time (some premium tiers include more help, but it’s often cited as a pain point).
  
• Many business owners end up hiring someone to finish or fix their Wix website, which adds to the overall cost.
  
• Free plan shows Wix ads and uses a Wix subdomain.

Best for 🎯

• Creative professionals: photographers, designers, coaches, stylists.
  
• Hospitality & food: restaurants, cafés, caterers.
  
• Freelancers & small brands who want lots of design control and extras.
  
• And many more.
  

👉 Want a simpler start? Learn how to make a website for small business in this step-by-step guide.

Pricing 💵

• Free plan: test Wix on a yoursite.wixsite.com address, with Wix ads.
  
• Light — ~$17/month: custom domain, no ads, basic features.
  
• Core — ~$29/month: ecommerce features, more storage, customer accounts.
  
• Business — ~$36/month: larger online store, analytics, more advanced apps.
  
• Business Elite — ~$159/month: for scaling shops with high volume.

Exact pricing varies by region. 

3. Canva — ultra-easy “design-to-site” (best for simple, visual sites)

Why start here 🚀

Canva is extremely popular because it’s fast and simple. If you already use it to create social media graphics, posters, or presentations, you can also publish a basic website directly from Canva. This makes it feel like the easiest way to get something online.

But it’s important to know: a Canva site is more like an online business card than a real website. It works for portfolios, events, or a quick ‘about me’ page, but it doesn’t include the tools most small businesses need—like showing up on Google, selling products online, or adding forms and other features as you grow.

Key features ✨

• Design-to-site → Turn your Canva design into a website instantly.
  
• Free hosting → Publish on a my.canva.site domain; connect a custom domain on paid plans.
  
• Simple navigation → Good for one-pagers or very small multi-page sites.
  
• Integrated design tools → Use Canva’s graphics, templates, and stock assets for social media, posters, and more.
  

Pros ➕

• Ultra-easy setup — no tech skills required.
  
• Seamlessly connected to Canva’s design platform (social media, graphics, posters).
  
• Free hosting included.
  

Cons ➖

• Not SEO-friendly and limited for search visibility.
  
• Very basic structure — not suitable for larger or growing businesses.
  
• No robust ecommerce or blogging tools.
  
• Pricing isn’t always cheaper than “real” website builders once you upgrade.

👉 Find out how to attract more visitors by making your website visible on Google. 

Best for 🎯

• Creative portfolios: artists, photographers, designers.
  
• Personal brands: freelancers, speakers, coaches.
  
• Event pages & link-in-bio hubs for Instagram/TikTok.
  
• Great as a quick online business card — but not a full business website.
  

Pricing 💵

• Free plan: publish up to 5 websites on a Canva domain (yoursite.my.canva.site).
  
• Pro/Teams (from ~$12.99/month): unlock custom domains, more templates, brand assets, and larger design capacity.

Want more than a simple online card?

Create your website

4. GoDaddy — fast “one-roof” setup with domains + builder

Why start here 🚀

GoDaddy is best known as one of the world’s largest domain registrars (where you buy website names). Their Website Maker is designed for convenience: you can register your domain, set up hosting, build your site, and even manage marketing emails in one place. They also added Airo AI tools to help generate text and layouts. 

While it’s quick to publish, GoDaddy’s website builder is more limited in design and growth features compared to platforms like Webnode, which lets you build a more complete small business site.

Key features ✨

• Section-based editor → Simple layouts with ready-made content blocks.
  
• Airo AI tools → Generate starter text and designs.
  
• All-in-one bundle → Domain, hosting, website, email, and marketing in one account.
  
• 24/7 customer support → Always available by phone or chat.
  
• Basic ecommerce tools → Add products and checkout (better for very small shops).
  

Pros ➕

• Fast to set up — domain, hosting, and site all under one roof.
  
• AI tools can save time creating starter content.
  
• 24/7 support and phone line available.

👉 Want to attract more customers without big ad spend? Discover content marketing strategies for small businesses that really work.

Cons ➖

• Limited design flexibility compared to Webnode, Wix or Squarespace.
  
• Ecommerce features are simpler and less powerful than Shopify.
  
• Best for very basic websites — many businesses outgrow it quickly.
  

Best for 🎯

• Local service providers who already buy their domain from GoDaddy.
  
• Small shops or individuals who want a very quick, simple website.
  
• Anyone who prefers an all-in-one provider and values phone support.
  
• And many more.

👉 Want more design freedom and multilingual options? Make a small business website with Webnode.

Pricing 💵

• Free trial: start your website with no cost.
  
• Paid plans: vary by region (Basic, Premium, Commerce). Typically include domain, SSL, and builder access.
  
• E-commerce plan adds product listings, payments, and shipping tools.
  
• Prices generally start around $10/month, with higher tiers for online stores.
  

Check your local GoDaddy site for exact pricing in your region. 

5. WordPress (self-hosted) — ultimate flexibility, more upkeep

Why start here 🚀

WordPress is the world’s most widely used website platform. With WordPress.org (the self-hosted version), you can build anything from a simple blog to a huge online store—because you can add thousands of themes and plugins for extra features. That flexibility is powerful, but it comes with responsibilities.

Most small businesses end up hiring someone not only to build the site, but also to maintain it—keeping it secure, updating plugins, fixing issues. You can have a fully custom website (which is not cheap), or save money by using premium themes and plugins, but those can also add significant ongoing costs. For many local businesses, a website builder like Webnode is a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective way to get online quickly.

Key features ✨

• Thousands of themes & plugins → Customize design and add almost any feature.
  
• Full control → Choose your hosting, domain, and tech stack.
  
• Scalable → From small blogs to enterprise-level websites.
  
• SEO plugins → Advanced tools for optimizing your site.
  
• Community support → Huge global user base and tutorials.
  

Pros ➕

• Unlimited customization.
  
• Enormous plugin ecosystem (e.g., ecommerce, booking, SEO, memberships).
  
• Scales well for complex sites with lots of content.
  

Cons ➖

• Not no-code → setup requires hosting and some technical knowledge.
  
• Ongoing maintenance: you need to update plugins, themes, and security yourself.
  
• Costs can add up (hosting, premium themes, plugins).
  
• Many small business owners end up hiring a developer to manage it.
  

Best for 🎯

• Content-heavy sites: blogs, magazines, online publications.
  
• Custom builds: membership platforms, e-learning, large ecommerce.
  
• Companies with tech help or budget for developers.
  

👉 Want a simpler option? See Website builder vs. self-hosted CMS and learn why Webnode is often a better fit for small businesses.

Pricing 💵

• Software itself is free (WordPress.org).
  
• Hosting: You need to rent server space from a hosting provider. For small sites this is typically $5–$20/month, but for higher traffic or better performance, costs rise.
  
• Domain: Around $10–$15/year (unless bundled with hosting).
  
• Premium themes: While free themes exist, many businesses buy a professional one for better design and features — usually $40–$100 (one-time).
  
• Plugins: Essential add-ons like SEO, security, ecommerce, or booking tools often require $50–$200/year in total.
  
• Maintenance/development help: Many small businesses hire someone to install, update, and secure the site. Depending on scope, this can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands per year.
  

In practice, a “basic” WordPress business site often costs $200–$600/year to run. A more advanced setup with premium plugins, custom work, and support can cost far more.

Webnode’s all-in-one plans starting at $8.50/month — domain included, support, updates handled automatically.

Start today

6. Shopify — best for product-led ecommerce

Why start here 🚀

Shopify is the leading ecommerce platform for building and scaling online stores. It’s trusted by brands worldwide and can handle thousands of products, warehouses, delivery options, and multiple payment gateways. If you run a large retail operation or plan to grow into one, Shopify gives you the infrastructure.

But here’s the reality: most small business owners won’t build or maintain a Shopify site themselves. It’s often managed by agencies or specialists because connecting warehouses, deliveries, and payment systems can get complex. For a business that’s just starting out or isn’t sure if the idea will work long-term, Shopify is usually too expensive and heavy. A simpler website creator like Webnode is a much easier way to validate your idea before scaling.

From side hustles to full-time businesses — see the best small business ideas for 2026 and choose your path.

Key features ✨

• Industrial-strength ecommerce → Manage inventory, shipping, discounts, product variations.
  
• Multi-channel selling → Sell on your website, social platforms, and marketplaces.
  
• POS system → Sync online and in-person sales.
  
• App ecosystem → Thousands of apps for marketing, accounting, reviews, subscriptions.
  
• Scalable → Built for growing from small shops to enterprise-level brands.
  

Pros ➕

• Robus ecommerce features for growing stores.
  
• Handles complex needs (warehouses, delivery options, multiple currencies).
  
• Huge app ecosystem for almost any feature.
  
• Scales smoothly for high-volume stores.
  

Cons ➖

• Not suitable for small or uncertain businesses — high cost makes it risky for testing ideas.
  
• Setup is complex (inventory, shipping, payment gateways).
  
• Most business owners hire experts or agencies to build and maintain Shopify stores.
  
• Monthly cost is higher than Webnode; apps and transaction fees add even more.
  

Best for 🎯

• Retailers & DTC brands with significant product catalogs.
  
• Businesses with physical + online stores that need warehouse and delivery integrations.
  
• Scaling ecommerce brands with resources for management and marketing.
  

👉 Want to validate your idea first? Find out how to open an online store step by step — faster, easier, and lower cost.

Pricing 💵

• Trial offers: Shopify often runs promos like $1 for 3 months (check their site).
  
• Basic — $39/month: basic store, 2 staff accounts, limited reports.
  
• Shopify — $105/month: better reporting, more staff accounts, lower fees.
  
• Advanced — $399/month: advanced reporting and shipping.
  
• Plus — from $2,000/month: enterprise plan for big brands.
  
• Extra costs: apps, payment fees, and external help often raise costs well above the plan price.

New to selling online?

Create an online store

7. Squarespace — beautiful designs for creatives & services

Why start here 🚀

Squarespace is known for its stunning, modern templates that make almost any site look polished right away. It’s popular with creatives, coaches, and boutique businesses who want a visually strong online presence without heavy customization. Squarespace also offers blogging, scheduling/booking, and small online shop features.

However, it has some limits: there’s no free forever plan (only a 14-day trial), and multilingual sites require third-party tools like Weglot, which add costs. For businesses in bilingual regions like the US (English + Spanish) or Canada (English + French), Webnode is a much simpler choice for multilingual websites.

Key features ✨

• Beautiful templates → Sleek, modern designs that look professional.
  
• Built-in tools → Blogging, scheduling/appointments, and simple ecommerce.
  
• Branding polish → Typography and layouts that look premium out of the box.
  
• Integrations → Connect services like booking tools, social media, or Weglot for translations.
  

Pros ➕

• Elegant templates and branding polish out of the box.
  
• Good for portfolios, personal brands, and boutique services.
  
• Easy blogging and simple ecommerce built in.
  

Cons ➖

• No free forever plan — only a 14-day trial.
  
• Multilingual requires workarounds or external tools (e.g., Weglot).
  
• Less flexible for larger, more complex websites.
  

Best for 🎯

• Creatives: photographers, designers, artists.
  
• Boutique services: studios, coaches, consultants.
  
• Small shops & personal brands wanting a strong visual presence.
  
• And many more.

👉 Discover the secrets of good web design and apply them to your next website.

Pricing 💵

• Free trial: 14 days.
  
• Paid plans: Personal (~$16/month), Business (~$23/month), Basic Commerce (~$27/month), Advanced Commerce (~$49/month).
  
• Includes hosting, templates, and basic ecommerce.

Exact pricing varies by region.

Need a portfolio, gallery, or creative site?

Launch your website for free

8. Hostinger — low-cost bundle with AI site generator

Why start here 🚀

Hostinger combines web hosting + a website maker into one low-cost package. It’s known for very cheap intro deals (sometimes just a few dollars a month) and comes with an AI site generator that creates starter text, images, and layouts for you. With 150+ templates, it’s appealing if budget is the main concern.

However, Hostinger’s builder is simpler in design flexibility and its pricing jumps significantly after the first promotional period. For many small businesses, Webnode offers more stability and built-in multilingual support without surprise renewal costs.

Key features ✨

• AI generator → Creates starter site content and images.
  
• Bundle deal → Hosting + builder + templates in one package.
  
• 150+ templates → Basic but modern designs.
  
• Ecommerce tools → Simple store options included.
  
• Value pricing → Very cheap intro offers.
  

Pros ➕

• Great value with hosting included in the price.
  
• AI tools for quick setup.
  
• Easy publishing for first-time websites.
  

Cons ➖

• Less design flexibility.
  
• Renewal rates are much higher than the initial promo.
  
• Fewer built-in advanced features compared to Webnode.
  

Best for 🎯

• Budget-minded small businesses: tutors, tradespeople, hobbyists.
  
• Micro-retail or side hustles that want a basic online presence.
  
• Individuals testing an idea before investing more.
  

👉 New to builders? Read: What is a website builder & how to use it.

Pricing 💵

• Intro promo plans: often start around $2.99/month.
  
• Includes hosting, SSL, and builder.
  
• Prices increase after the first term (renewal closer to $7–$12/month).
  
• No free forever plan.

9. Bluehost — hosting-first with a website builder

Why start here 🚀

Bluehost is mainly known as a place to buy hosting (the online “space” where your website lives). It’s officially recommended by WordPress and includes a basic website builder so you can design pages with drag-and-drop tools. This can be useful if you want to run your site on WordPress but don’t want to set up everything from scratch.

But Bluehost is really a hosting company first. That means you’ll need to take care of things like updates, security, and sometimes plugins. Many small businesses end up hiring someone to build and maintain their WordPress site on Bluehost. If you want a simpler path with no technical upkeep, Webnode is the easier choice — everything (hosting, updates, templates, and support) is included.

Key features ✨

• Hosting + website builder bundled together.
  
• Works closely with WordPress (good if you want to expand later).
  
• Includes a free domain name for the first year.
  
• 24/7 support available.
  

Pros ➕

• Low introductory pricing.
  
• Access to WordPress features and flexibility.
  
• Hosting, domain, and builder in one package.
  

Cons ➖

• More technical than builders like Webnode or Wix.
  
• Ongoing work needed to keep your site secure and updated.
  
• Extra costs for premium designs or plugins.
  
• Many businesses hire outside help to manage it.
  

Best for 🎯

• Businesses that know they want WordPress and don’t mind the extra work.
  
• Owners who plan to hire someone for setup and maintenance.
  
• Entrepreneurs who want to start simple but later add advanced WordPress features.
  

Pricing 💵

• Intro offers from about $2.95/month for hosting + builder.
  
• Renewal usually $9–$12/month or higher.
  
• Domain free for the first year.
  
• Extra plugins and themes may add costs.

Want to avoid tech maintenance? Make a small business website with Webnode — no hosting setup, no updates, just drag-and-drop.

Try our AI builder and get started today

10. Webflow — pixel-perfect for advanced users & agencies

Why start here 🚀

Webflow is built for designers and agencies who want complete control over how a website looks and behaves. It offers near-code-level freedom to build custom layouts, animations, and even advanced content systems. If you want a truly unique design and have the time (or a designer) to build it, Webflow delivers.

But for small business owners, Webflow often feels like learning a new profession. The editor has a steep learning curve, and many users end up hiring designers or agencies to build and manage their sites. Webnode, by contrast, gives you ready-made templates and AI tools so you can launch in a day—without needing design training.

Key features ✨

• Pixel-perfect design control → Build layouts and interactions like a designer.
  
• CMS (Content Management System) → Manage blogs, projects, or product catalogs.
  
• Animations & interactions → Add motion, transitions, and advanced UX.
  
• Hosting + domains → Included in paid plans.
  
• Free Starter plan → Learn and test before going live.
  

Pros ➕

• Near-code-level layout control for designers.
  
• Strong CMS tools for blogs, content hubs, and portfolios.
  
• Professional-grade animations and design options.

Blogging builds trust and attracts new clients. Learn how to create your business blog.

Cons ➖

• Steep learning curve — not friendly for beginners.
  
• Costs add up quickly for teams or ecommerce.
  
• Overkill for small business sites that just need pages, contact forms, and SEO basics.
  

Best for 🎯

• Agencies and freelance designers creating sites for clients.
  
• Startups that need a custom look and have a budget for design.
  
• Advanced users who want full creative control.
  

👉 Want to avoid the design learning curve? Make a small business website with Webnode — no training required.

Pricing 💵

• Free Starter: build and learn, hosted on a Webflow subdomain.
  
• Site Plans: from around $14–$29/month for custom domain + hosting.
  
• Ecommerce Plans: from $29–$212/month depending on volume.
  
• Workspace Plans: for teams and agencies, priced separately.

Which Website Builder Should I Choose Based on My Business Type?

• Hairdresser/Salon, Barber, Spa, Nail Tech, Makeup Artist: Webnode or Wix (booking + gallery).
  
• Plumber, Electrician, HVAC, Roofer, Handyman, Cleaner, Landscaper: Webnode (service pages, contact/quotes, multilingual for diverse neighborhoods).
  
• Therapist/Psychologist, Vet, Accountant, Consultant, Attorney, Realtor, Dentist: Webnode or Squarespace (professional look + forms/booking).
  
• Boutique Retail / DTC: Start Webnode or Wix; scale to Shopify when inventory/channels grow.
  
• Portfolio/Creator/Link-in-bio: Canva (quick) → Webnode/Wix for more structure later.

Why Webnode is a strong pick for 2026

• 1-day website for beginners via AI builder — no code.
  
• Webnode’s AI migration tool — makes it simple and fast to move content from another platform and update it with a fresh AI-generated design.
  
• Multilingual sites are built-in — ideal for businesses serving diverse markets worldwide (US, South America, Europe, and beyond).
  
• Affordable plans and a free forever tier to start.
  
• Responsive support (in 20+ languages, typical 24-hour reply, Mon–Fri).
  
• Continuous template/feature improvements (see AI and support docs).

If you want a professional small-business website fast—without coding or tech chores—Webnode is the easiest place to start. Use the AI Website Builder to go live, add multilingual versions as needed, and grow with affordable plans and friendly support.

FAQs About Website Builders

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Martina Zrzavá Libřická is a Freelance SEO Consultant at MartiSEO with 13+ years experience both in-house (IKEA, Emplifi – formerly Socialbakers) and agency (Accenture). She specializes in International SEO, Product Management and Strategy. Martina is an active mentor at Women in Tech SEO, The Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries and privately. She enjoys organizing workshops and trainings for organizations or individuals. Martina actively publishes about SEO on LinkedIn in the Czech Republic to dispel the myths and educate people in organic search topics.

The post 10 Best Website Builders for Small Business in 2026  appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

You’re thinking about moving to a new website platform. But one big question is holding you back: Can I move my website without losing SEO rankings?

You can, if you set up 301 redirects for every changed URL, keep your site structure consistent, and submit a new XML sitemap to Google Search Console. Most well-planned migrations recover fully within four to six weeks.

Read everything you need in one place: a plain-language explanation of what a website migration actually does to your SEO, a practical before/during/after checklist you can follow without being a developer, and an introduction to Webnode’s AI Migration Tool, a free tool that automates the technically complex parts of the process.

CONTENTS:

• What is Website Migration
• Common Reasons People Migrate Their Website
• What Types of Website Migration Exist
• Does Website Migration Affect SEO?
• What Google Re-Evaluates During Migration
• Website Migration SEO checklist
• The Most Common Migration Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
• How to Migrate Your Website the Easy Way
• Website Migration FAQ

TL;DR: Website migration means moving your site to a new platform, a new hosting provider, or a new domain, which causes Google to crawl the site again and evaluate it almost as if it were a new site. Skipping redirects is the single biggest cause of lasting SEO damage. Done correctly, rankings typically stabilize within 4–6 weeks (2–3 months if you’re also changing your domain). Webnode’s free AI Migration Tool automates the technical steps, so most owners complete the move in an afternoon.

What Is Website Migration

Website migration is the process of moving your website from one platform, host, or domain to another. In practice this means your pages, content, and URLs are changing location—and Google has to find and re-evaluate everything in its new home. That’s the simple explanation.

The more complete explanation is that website migration is any significant change to your site’s infrastructure that requires Google to re-crawl and re-index your content, which helps the search engine display relevant content in search engine results pages. That could mean switching to a new website builder, moving to a different web host, changing your domain name, or completely redesigning the structure of your site.

For many small business owners reading this, the most common scenario is a platform migration, moving from an older or difficult-to-manage builder to something more modern or interesting. Whether you’re weighing a website builder against a custom site or just ready to move on from a platform that no longer fits your needs, the principles in this guide apply.

Why Do People Migrate Their Websites? 7 Common Reasons

Let’s take a closer look at why people migrate, as the decision rarely comes out of nowhere. Most small business owners arrive at this point after months of frustration. Common triggers include:

• Outdated design: A competitor has a cleaner, faster, more professional-looking site and you’re losing customers before they even read your content
• Poor mobile experience: Your site looks fine on desktop but falls short or breaks on smartphones, which is where the majority of customers are
• High maintenance cost: WordPress in particular can become expensive once you factor in hosting, plugin subscriptions, security updates, and developer fees
• Platform limitations: Your current builder doesn’t support features you need, like online booking, ecommerce, or a blog
• No longer working with a developer: Maybe your relationship has changed with the professional who built your site, and now you cannot make basic updates yourself
• Speed issues: Your site loads slowly, which hurts both your visitor experience and your rankings
• Simply wanting something easier: You want a website you can actually manage yourself, without needing to understand code

Any one of the above is a legitimate reason to move on. The good news is that any or all of them can be addressed through a well-planned migration.

Considering a website migration but don’t know which platform to choose?

Try Webnode’s website builder for free

Try Webnode Now

What Are the Types of Website Migration?

Not all migrations are the same, and the type you’re doing determines how much SEO risk is involved. Here are the details:

Platform migration

This means moving from one website builder or CMS to another, sometimes called website replatforming. For example, from WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to a modern no-code builder. This is the most common migration type for small businesses and the focus of this guide going forward. The SEO risk is manageable with proper redirects and preparation.

Domain migration

This type of migration means changing your website’s URL entirely. For example, moving from mybusiness.co.uk to mybusiness.com. While it carries more SEO risk—since the accumulated ranking signals and backlinks tied to your old domain need to transfer over, and Google re-evaluates the new domain from scratch—it is generally recoverable with correct redirects and patience.

HTTP to HTTPS migration

With this migration, you are switching your site to use a secure connection. It’s a much simpler migration and, in most cases, a positive SEO signal because Google has used HTTPS as a ranking factor since 2014. If you haven’t made this switch yet, it’s overdue.

Full structural redesign

This involves reorganizing the architecture of your site—collapsing sections, rebuilding navigation, or rethinking your URL structure—often as part of a website redesign, and sometimes but not necessarily alongside a platform switch. 

A redesign carries real SEO risk because there are a lot of unavoidable changes happening at once. For this reason, a website redesign SEO checklist looks a lot like the migration one outlined in this article: document your URLs, map redirects, and preserve internal linking.

If you’re redesigning without switching platforms, rest assured that the same principles in this guide apply, and the same preventable mistakes lose Google rankings after a redesign.

In summary: there are four types of website migration of varying complexity and difficulty. Understanding which type applies to your situation helps assess the level of preparation required. Avoid mixing too many changes at once, when possible. The main focus of this guide is platform migration.

Does Website Migration Affect SEO?

Yes, but only temporarily, provided you plan carefully. Lasting damage almost always comes from skipped redirects, broken links, or launching without testing.

When you migrate a website, Google needs to re-crawl your content in its new location and reassign rankings accordingly. What does it mean for Google to “crawl” your website? Imagine digital spiders weaving a digital web between your webpages and figuring out how it all connects to the wider internet; that’s how Google evaluates you.

During this re-evaluation period, it’s completely normal to see some fluctuation in where your pages appear in search results. But rest assured, Google is working in the background. Think of it like updating your address at the post office: there’s a short window where some letters go to the wrong place before everything settles.

The businesses that experience lasting SEO damage after a migration are almost always the ones who skipped redirects, left broken links behind, or launched without testing. You can expect ranking fluctuation to be heaviest in the first two to four weeks after launch—this is normal and nothing to worry about.

A well-planned, same-domain migration, one that includes proper redirects, an updated sitemap, and careful monitoring, typically stabilizes within four to six weeks, often returning to or exceeding previous levels.

A migration that also changes your domain usually takes longer to stabilize, even if done correctly. You can expect results in two to three months.

What Google Re-Evaluates During a Website Migration

When you migrate your website, Google doesn’t simply “follow” it to the new location. It re-crawls the new site and evaluates it largely as it would a new property. According to Google Search Central, Google’s official documentation on site migrations, this re-evaluation covers several key signals.

Understanding what Google looks at most closely helps you focus your effort in the right places. For a deeper look at how these signals influence your visibility, see Webnode’s overview of the Google ranking factors that affect your website’s positioning.

Google Search Central.

URL Structure and Redirects

URLs are among the most critical factors in any migration. Every page on your current site has accumulated SEO value over time, from external links pointing to it, being indexed, and from user engagement signals. That value is tied to the page’s specific URL address.

When you migrate and a URL changes (which happens in almost every platform switch), you need to set up a 301 redirect for that page. A 301 redirect is a permanent signal to Google that a page has moved to a new address and that all its accumulated SEO value should be transferred along with it. Without this redirect, Google treats the old page as simply gone, and the ranking power it carried disappears.

Let’s look at a straightforward example. If your service page was yoursite.com/our-services and your new platform changes the URL to a slightly simpler yoursite.com/services, a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one ensures Google arrives at the correct page, with all your SEO values intact. What’s more, this works for anyone who saved or linked to the old address on their blog or elsewhere.

Every important page needs a redirect, not just the homepage. Remember your product pages, blog posts, contact page, and any other page that has accumulated links or rankings over time that contributes to your business.

Internal Linking and Site Architecture

Google doesn’t evaluate individual pages in isolation. It maps how your pages connect to each other. Your internal link structure (the links between your own pages) helps Google understand which pages are important, how your content is organized, and how different topics on your site relate.

A migration that breaks internal links or reorganizes your navigation without care disrupts this map. If pages that used to link to each other no longer do, or if your structure becomes harder for Google to navigate, it can affect how well your content is understood and ranked.

The practical guidance is straightforward: keep your navigation structure and internal linking as consistent as possible during migration. Don’t reorganize everything at once; save structural improvements for after your new site has been indexed and rankings have stabilized. As noted above, this typically takes four to six weeks for a same-domain migration.

Page Speed and Core Web Vitals

Moving to a new platform almost always changes how fast your site loads. That change matters to Google.

Core Web Vitals are three specific metrics that Google uses as direct ranking signals. It’s worth knowing what they actually measure:

• LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) – how long it takes for the main content of a page to appear on screen. Google considers anything under 2.5 seconds good.
• INP (Interaction to Next Paint) – how quickly your page responds when a visitor clicks a button or taps a link. Under 200 milliseconds is the target.
• CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) – how much the page layout jumps around while content is loading. A score of 0.1 or below is considered stable.

Where can you measure your Core Web Vitals metrics? Check the metrics of any website you own directly with Google Search Console.

Here’s the silver lining: if you’re migrating from an older, clunkier platform, your Core Web Vitals are likely to improve on a modern builder. Migration is a genuine opportunity to give Google better performance signals than your current site delivers, strengthening your rankings in the long run.

Backlink Profile and Domain Authority

Every link from another website pointing to one of your pages enhances your SEO authority. The better the website directing to you, the more you benefit. These are called external links or backlinks, and they are one of the most important ranking factors for Google.

Bear in mind that during a migration, any link pointing to an old URL that no longer exists will redirect incorrectly. This will weaken your SEO authority, which is another reason proper 301 redirects are non-negotiable. They preserve the link equity you’ve earned from external sites, even when those site owners never update their links.

If your migration involves a full domain name change, expect a more significant re-evaluation period as Google transfers authority to the new domain. But don’t worry, this is nothing to lose sleep over. It’s simply part of the process. Your values are recoverable, but it takes longer than a same-domain platform migration. Be patient, keep watch, and your rankings will return.

Website Migration SEO Checklist: 21 Steps (Before, During, After)

The steps below are designed for small business owners, not developers. You don’t need technical know-how to follow this website migration checklist, just attention to detail and a willingness to check your work.

Move through the three phases in order: 1) prepare before you move, 2) protect what matters during the move, and 3) verify everything after you go live. Save or print this checklist and tick items off as you complete them.

Pre-Migration Checklist: What to Prepare Before You Move

1. Crawl your current site and export all your URLs

Use Screaming Frog (free for up to 500 URLs) to crawl your current website and export a list of every page address. This becomes your master reference document for the entire migration. Without it, you have no reliable way to confirm every page has been accounted for.

2. Record your current rankings and traffic

Log into Google Search Console and Google Analytics and take screenshots or exports of your current performance data. You need a before-snapshot so you can compare results after the migration and quickly identify anything that needs attention.

3. Identify your most important pages

Which pages drive the most traffic? Which rank for the keywords that bring in customers? Flag these in your exported Screaming Frog files and in any notes you make. These are the pages you cannot afford to lose during the migration.

4. Back up your entire current website

Before you change anything, create a full backup of your existing site. Most platforms have a built-in export or backup function (check if you need a premium package to access this feature from your provider). This is your safety net—if anything goes wrong, you can recover your site, no sweat!

5. Create a redirect map

Open a spreadsheet with two columns: old URL on the left, new URL on the right. Work through your exported file and map every page that will change address on the new platform. This document is what you’ll use to set up your 301 redirects during the migration.

Note: if you’re keeping your current domain name, Webnode will handle 301 redirects on your behalf.

6. Confirm your new platform supports everything you need

Before committing to the move, verify that your new platform supports the features your business depends on, such as contact forms, ecommerce, a blog, booking integrations, or anything else. Every platform is unique, and discovering a missing feature after you’ve migrated will be a headache and may be expensive to fix.

7. Set up Google Search Console for your new site in advance

Add your new domain or property to Google Search Console before you migrate. This ensures you can monitor the new site from the moment it goes live. You’ll need it to submit your sitemap straight after launch. More on that in a moment.

During Migration: What to Protect While You Move

1. Implement every 301 redirect from your redirect map

This is the most critical step in the entire migration. Using the redirect map you created in the pre-migration phase, set up a 301 redirect on your new platform for every URL that is changing. Don’t skip pages that seem unimportant. A link you’ve forgotten about could be driving customers to your site every day.

Remember, if you’re keeping the same domain name, Webnode can handle redirects so you don’t have to.

2. Transfer all page content accurately

Move your text, images, page titles, and meta descriptions to the new platform carefully. Critically, do not update your content at the same time as your platform. If you want to refresh website copy or replace images, do it after the migration has settled. Changing everything at once makes it nearly impossible to diagnose problems if something goes wrong.

3. Keep your URL structure as close to the original as possible

Even if your new platform uses slightly different URL formats, try to match your existing structure as closely as you can. The fewer URLs that change, the fewer redirects you need and the less risk you carry overall.

4. Make sure your new site has an XML sitemap

An XML sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website so that Google can find and index them easily. Your new platform should generate this automatically. Confirm that it does and that the sitemap covers all your important pages. You’ll submit it to Google right after going live.

5. Set canonical tags correctly

A canonical tag tells Google which version of a page is the definitive one, preventing duplicate content issues. Most modern website builders handle these automatically, but it’s worth confirming, especially if your site has multiple versions of similar pages.

6. Don’t launch on a Friday

Yes, really. This practical wisdom comes from experienced migration teams: launch mid-week. If something goes wrong after going live, you want your working week ahead of you to identify and fix it, not a weekend watching traffic drop with no support available.

7. Test everything before going live

Check your redirects using Redirect Checker. To do that, paste in your old URLs and confirm each one returns a 301 status code pointing to the correct new page. Test your contact forms, your checkout process if you have one, and every important page on both desktop and mobile before flipping the switch.

Post-Migration Checklist: What to Verify After You Go Live

1.     Submit your new XML sitemap to Google Search Console

Log into Google Search Console, go to sitemaps, and submit your new sitemap URL. This is the fastest way to prompt Google to crawl and index your new site.

2.     Check for crawl errors in Google Search Console

Monitor the coverage report in Google Search Console daily for at least the first two weeks after going live. Any 404 errors (pages not found) or other crawl issues should be investigated and resolved immediately. Don’t let them sit.

3.     Verify all redirects are working correctly

Run your old URLs through Redirect Checker again after going live. Confirm you’re seeing 301 responses, not 302s (temporary redirects) or 404s (broken pages).

4.     Test your site on mobile

Use a tool like PageSpeed Insights or SE Ranking to confirm your new site renders correctly on smartphones. Mobile usability is a direct ranking factor, and it’s easy to overlook in the rush of going live.

5.     Check your page speed and Core Web Vitals

Run your new site through PageSpeed Insights and compare the results to your pre-migration baseline. If your scores have dropped significantly, investigate the cause before it starts affecting your rankings.

6.     Monitor your rankings weekly for the first month

The first two to four weeks after a migration are the most important to monitor. Check your organic traffic and ranking positions weekly in Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Some fluctuation is expected. Continued drops after week four are the signal to investigate further.

7.     Confirm no important page is returning a 404

Cross-reference your list of top-performing pages against the coverage report in Google Search Console. Any important page returning a 404 needs an immediate redirect fix or content restoration.

Once your new site is stable and indexed, use Webnode’s guide on how to do SEO for your website to build on the foundation you’ve preserved. You can also use the tips in getting your website to show up on Google to accelerate your post-migration visibility.

That’s a thorough process—and if working through it manually sounds like more than you signed up for, there’s a shortcut.

Webnode’s free AI Migration Tool handles the most technical parts of this checklist automatically.

Try the Free AI Migration Tool

What Are The Most Common Migration Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Keep the following list close at hand so that you don’t have to unravel any complicated mistakes later.

Skipping 301 redirects entirely

This is the single most common cause of permanent SEO damage after a website migration. Some small business owners assume their new platform will handle redirects automatically. Most don’t, unless you specifically configure them.

But good news, the fix is straightforward: create your redirect map during the preparation phase and implement every redirect before going live. It’s the most important thing you’ll do in this entire process, and knowing about it in advance means it doesn’t catch you off-guard.

And in even better news, Webnode handles 301 redirects on your behalf if you keep the same domain name.

Forgetting to migrate meta titles and meta descriptions

Your meta title and meta description are what appear in Google search results and they’re a core element of your on-page SEO. Many platforms don’t automatically carry these over when you copy content across. After the migration, check every page to confirm these have transferred correctly and haven’t been replaced with generic defaults or left blank.

Launching without testing on mobile

According to DataReportal, more than half of website visits come from smartphones. A new platform might display beautifully on your laptop but break completely on mobile screens. Always test your new site on mobile using a mobile-friendly test in PageSpeed Insights, not just by looking at it on your own device. Your own phone may not represent the full range of screen sizes your visitors use.

Not setting up Google Search Console before the migration

If you don’t have Google Search Console configured on your new site before you launch, you’re flying blind from day one. You won’t be able to submit your sitemap, monitor for crawl errors, or spot ranking drops until you’ve set it up, by which point problems may already be accumulating. Set it up in advance, and it’s one less thing to manage after going live.

Changing too many things at once

Platform migration, plus a domain change, a full content refresh, and a structural reorganization—all at the same time—multiplies your SEO risk significantly. When something goes wrong in a complex migration, each additional change you’ve made makes it harder to identify the cause. If you want to change your domain name or significantly update your content and structure, plan to do each of those things separately. Ideally, with several weeks between them and your platform migration. Don’t rush it.

In summary: There are plenty of mistakes that can complicate your migration experience, but these can be easily avoided. What’s more, Webnode has an AI solution to help.

How to Migrate Your Website the Easy Way—With AI

Reading through this checklist, you might be thinking, This is exactly the kind of technical work I was trying to avoid, and that’s a fair reaction. 

Even clearly explained, there are a lot of steps—and for small business owners who are already stretched thin, the thought of managing redirects, sitemaps, and crawl error reports on top of running a business is often the exact reason many put off switching website builders for years.

This is where Webnode’s AI Migration Tool comes in. It’s built to handle the most technically complex parts of a website migration automatically, so you don’t have to do them manually. Webnode migration feels like an opportunity rather than an ordeal.

How Webnode’s AI Migration Tool Works—Step by Step

The process is designed to be simple from start to finish—just four simple steps. First, head over to the AI migration tool. Then: 

1. Enter your existing website URL. Paste in your current site’s address and Webnode’s AI will begin scanning it.

Webnode AI Migration Tool. Simply paste your URL.

This process may take a few minutes, but there’s no need to stay glued to your screen. Feel free to carry on browsing the internet, close your window, or even make a coffee. Once your migration is completed, you’ll receive email confirmation.

2. The AI imports your content. Your text, images, and page architecture/structure (not to be confused with layout/design) are pulled in automatically. You’re not rebuilding from zero.

3. Customize with Webnode’s drag-and-drop editor. You’ll have a basic structure based on the imported content. Now it’s time to adjust colors, fonts, text, and layout details. No coding at any stage.

Inside the drag-and-drop editor.

4. Publish and go live. Your migrated, redesigned site is ready.

And good news, the migration tool is free. You only upgrade to a paid plan when you’re ready to publish with a custom domain.

What It Migrates Automatically and What You Stay in Control Of

Now we know that migration can be accomplished in four short steps, let’s get into the details of what’s done automatically and what isn’t, which is where you come in.

What Webnode’s AI handles automatically:

• Preservation of existing URL paths for regular pages where possible, so pages that keep the same address don’t need a 301 redirect at all (only applies if you’re keeping the same domain name; blog post URLs work differently)
• Any existing page titles, meta descriptions, and keywords
• Scanning and importing your current content (text and images)
• Generating a basic layout based on your original site architecture, designed for you to build upon
• Mobile-responsive design built in by default

Migration Tool limitations at present:

• Only available in English language
• Migration limit is 20 pages (including hidden pages). If you migrate more than twenty pages, you’ll get an error message.
• No online stores (you need to recreate this after migration, if required)

What you control:

• Your domain name setup or transfer. See our domain transfer guide
• Redirects when migrating from a different URL structure (this also applies when you keep the same domain but a URL structure changes. For example, in Webnode blog posts)
• Website redesign, including favicons 
• Any content updates or refinements you want to make post-migration
• Email services connected to the domain
• Integrations with external services (Google Analytics, Search Console, Google Tags, etc.)
• Widgets are not transferred automatically

The most common scenario is that you want to keep your current domain name but move to the Webnode platform. Using the Webnode AI Migration Tool, you can migrate up to twenty pages without creating 301 redirects for regular pages. But your blog post URL structure will change. For these, you’ll need to manually create redirects directly in your new Webnode site once it’s live. 

How are blog articles migrated?

Unlike regular pages, Webnode blog posts always use the fixed URL structure (/l/article-url). As a result, the URLs of your migrated blog posts will change. To ensure visitors and search engines are redirected to the new URLs, you’ll need to manually configure 301 redirects in the editor. See more about alternative URLs here.

Who Is This Tool Best Suited For?

Webnode’s AI Migration Tool is designed for small business owners, bloggers, freelancers, and anyone running a personal website. It’s especially valuable if your current site looks outdated, was built on an ageing platform you can no longer easily update, or was originally created by a developer you no longer work with.

It’s not built for large enterprise sites with hundreds of complex pages, custom API integrations, or heavily bespoke functionality—those sites are better served by a fully custom developer-led migration.

That said, for most small businesses and personal brands, Webnode’s AI tool removes the technical barriers that have made migration feel impossible, and replaces them with a clear step-by-step process. The migration itself is something most people can complete in an afternoon.

Website Migration FAQ

Ready to migrate your website without technical headaches? Start with Webnode’s free AI Migration Tool

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Jamie Faulkner writes and edits copy to build community, inform, and inspire action through blogs, newsletters, and email strategy. He is particularly interested in sustainability, technology, travel, health and fitness, and education. Above all, he is passionate about storytelling—both in the marketing world, helping brands connect with their audiences, and through his published short fiction. Jamie is also the co-founder of education provider Discourse Hub, where he teaches and creates content for blogs, newsletters, and social media.

The post Website Migration SEO Checklist – How to Move Your Website Without Losing Rankings appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

To create a booking website, you need three things: a website, a booking system, and a form where clients can pick their own time slot.

The fastest way is to use a website builder with a built-in booking plugin, like Webnode with SimplyBook.me. This gets you a fully working site in an afternoon, where customers can book, pay, and receive confirmation without a single phone call or email.

What is a Booking Website

A booking website is a website that lets people reserve a time, service, or resource without needing to call or email you. It combines a normal business website with an online scheduling system so customers can see your availability, choose a date and time, and confirm an appointment or booking in a few clicks.

Behind the scenes, the booking system manages your calendar, prevents double‑bookings, and can handle online payments, deposits, and automated confirmations. Whether you run a salon, a consulting business, or a fitness studio, a booking website acts like a 24/7 receptionist that never misses a meeting or appointment.

Practically, a good booking website will:

• Show what services you offer and how much they cost
• Display real‑time availability and time slots
• Accept bookings, cancellations, and rescheduling
• Sync with your main calendar so your schedule is always up to date

Who Needs Booking Website

Any service‑based business that works on appointments or reservations can benefit from a booking website. Typical examples include:

• Beauty, wellness, and health providers (salons, spas, massage, clinics)
• Professional services (coaches, consultants, lawyers, accountants)
• Fitness and sports (gyms, trainers, classes, courts)
• Home services (cleaners, handymen, landscapers)

Even solo freelancers who sell 1:1 sessions or strategy calls can use a website so clients can book a meeting time that fits everyone’s calendar.

Why Businesses Use Online Scheduling

Having a booking website is the core of how service-based businesses get customers and stay fully booked. Whether you run a salon, a consultancy, or offer private classes, your clients expect to schedule online, quickly and easily. 

Businesses use online scheduling because it cuts admin work and makes it easier for customers to say yes. Instead of long email threads to find a time, people can book whenever it suits them – day or night, from their phone.

For a small business, that means:

• Fewer no‑shows and missed calls
• Less time spent on back‑and‑forth messages
• A clearer calendar and more predictable revenue
• Better customer experience, since clients feel in control of their appointments

How To Make A Booking Website

Choose A Website Builder With a Built-In Booking Plugin

The fastest, most reliable way to create a booking website is to use a website builder that offers a native booking plugin, like Webnode with its built-in SimplyBook.me Online Booking integration.

Webnode gives you a polished, mobile-friendly website in an afternoon, while the integrated booking engine handles all your scheduling. Together, they cover everything an appointment-based business needs, without hiring a developer or coding.

All-in-one website builders make adding online booking genuinely effortless:

• Ready-made, mobile-friendly templates designed for service businesses, salons, clinics, and consultants
• A native Online Booking plugin you add as a section, block, or page in the editor. No manual embed codes or HTML to paste
• A polished, responsive design that looks great on every device

You can also use content management systems with a booking plugin, but you will need to choose, install, and maintain extra software. For many small businesses, an all‑in‑one website builder is simpler and more reliable, especially if you don’t have technical skills.

Set Up Services, Availability, And Booking Rules

Once you have your website builder and booking system, configure how your services and time slots work.

Start by listing all the services customers can book: for example, “Haircut – 45 mins”, “Initial consultation – 60 mins”, or “Double room – per night”. For each service, define:

• Duration and any buffer time between appointments
• Available staff or resources (e.g., specific rooms, chairs, or therapists)
• Price and whether tax or fees apply

Next, set your availability. Most booking tools let you create a weekly schedule (for example, Monday–Friday, 9–5) and special rules for holidays or specific dates. This is where you decide:

• Which days and hours are open for online booking
• How far in advance customers can book
• Cut‑off times (e.g., no same‑day bookings after 3pm)

It is also important to define cancellation and rescheduling policies. Your system should let you set:

• How close to the appointment time customers can cancel or reschedule
• Whether there is a fee or loss of deposit for late changes
• Whether you approve or auto‑confirm new bookings

Clear booking rules protect your business while still giving clients flexibility.

Add Payments, Reminders, And Confirmation Emails

To turn your website into a complete online booking system, connect payments and automate communications.

Most modern website builders with booking tools support major payment providers so you can accept card payments, PayPal, or local options. Decide whether customers pay:

• In full at the time of booking
• A partial deposit
• On arrival, with a card on file as security

Adding online payments reduces no‑shows and increases commitment. For higher‑risk services, deposits and prepayments offer extra protection.

Next, set up automated emails and, if available, SMS notifications. At a minimum, your website should send:

• Immediate booking confirmation with date, time, location, and service details
• Reminder messages before the meeting or appointment
• Notifications about cancellations, rescheduling, or payment issues

Many systems also let clients cancel or reschedule themselves via a link, which saves you even more admin time while still enforcing your rules.

Create your Booking Website with Webnode

Ready to put this into practice? Here’s how to build a fully functional booking website with Webnode and the SimplyBook.me Online Booking plugin — start to finish, no coding required.

Step 1: Create Your Website And Customize Your Design

Start by building your site with Webnode. Choose a building with AI or pick one of the website templates suited to service businesses.

Then customize the colors, fonts, images, and content to match your brand. Add the essential pages your clients expect: services, pricing, about, and contact.

Step 2: Set Up Your Online Booking System

SimplyBook.me is one of the best tools out there for online scheduling. When you purchase SimplyBook for your Webnode site, you’ll be able to:

• Add and manage your services
• Define your availability
• Accept payments
• Send automated confirmations and reminders
• Reduce no-shows with easy rescheduling

To get started, open the SimplyBook.me administration (you can jump straight there from your Webnode project). Fill in the information about your company and your opening hours. Specifically, the hours during which visitors can book your services.

Then add your providers (the employees who perform the services) and set how many customers can book at the same time. Don’t forget to add the services you offer, along with their duration and price.

Once that’s done, your SimplyBook.me basic setup is complete. Your visitors can now see your availability and book right away. You just need to display the booking form on your site.

Step 3: Add The Booking Form To Your Website

You can add a SimplyBook.me form to your website in just a few clicks. In the Webnode editor, click the “+” to add a new content block, section, or page, then choose Online Booking from the available options.

The booking widget automatically matches your site’s color palette, so it blends in seamlessly with your design. Any changes you make later in the SimplyBook.me dashboard — new services, updated hours, different prices — appear on your website instantly.

That’s it. Your website is live, your clients can schedule appointments around the clock, and you can manage everything from one place. With Webnode and SimplyBook.me, you can have a professional, automated, and mobile-friendly site up and running today. No coding, no stress. 
 
Start now and let your clients book you anytime, from anywhere. 

FAQ

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

The post How To Make A Booking Website For Appointments And Reservations appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

With website localization, you adapt your site’s content to the language and culture of your target market. If any of the following goals sound like you, creating a multilingual website (with Webnode) is essential:

• I want to grow my customer base.
• I’d like to increase my website traffic.
• My content should be globally relevant.
• I want to sell my products internationally.

Website localization goes beyond simple translation. It includes market research, multilingual SEO, and appropriate translation management tools.

With Webnode, you can create your website in different languages. Follow our step-by-step guide to see exactly how it works and discover the benefits of offering your website, blog, or online store in multiple languages.

Index

• What is a multilingual website
• Benefits of multilingual websites
• How Webnode handles multilingual websites
• How to create a multilingual website with Webnode
• How to do SEO for multilingual Websites
• Multilingual websites – best practices
• How much a multilingual website with Webnode costs
• FAQs

What is a Multilingual Website

A multilingual website offers the same content in multiple languages, allowing users to view pages in their preferred language. Creating one, you need two core things:

1. A website builder or CMS that supports multilingual functionality

The website builder manages the site structure, creates separate language versions of pages, handles multilingual URLs, and provides a language switcher so visitors can easily change languages.

2. The content translation

Depending on how quickly you need the translation and which language the content is being localized into, this is done either through a professional translator or by an AI translation tool.

Webnode website builder supports multilingual functionality, letting you translate the content yourself, with professional help, or with Webnode’s AI Assistant.

The Benefit of Having a Website in More than One Localization

 Let’s take a closer look at some benefits:

High-quality content and improved SEO

Reading or speaking another language is like seeing things from different perspectives. When you write in another language, you’re addressing a different audience. This makes your content feel more personal and therefore more valuable to your visitors.

For example, a French customer will feel far more comfortable reading about your story, products, and offers in French rather than in English. Thus, your message will be easier to understand and more persuasive.

By offering content in multiple languages, you naturally broaden the range of keywords you can rank for. An e-bike, for example, can appear not only for searches like “electric bikes,” but also for “vélos électriques.”

Search engines also tend to prioritize regionally optimized content over simple auto-translations or single-language websites, giving multilingual websites a clear advantage in local search results.

Greater reach – more traffic

Next to English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, and Arabic are the five most spoken languages. Logically, a multilingual website is accessible to more people. When more people understand your content, they’re more likely to stay on your site and share it. As a result, your traffic can grow significantly.

Tip: English is often the starting point for global reach but it’s not the only one. If you want to attract a worldwide audience, consider offering your content in at least two more widely spoken languages.

More (potential) customers

Adding a new language to your website opens the door to a new country—and a new market. Imagine you run a business in Maine and ship internationally to Canada. Your neighbours will appreciate engaging with your brand in French, too.

Every visitor is much more likely to become a customer if you communicate in their language. It affects the entire customer journey.

Stronger trust

Studies have shown that 76% of consumers whose first language is not English will not purchase if the shop is not in their language. Speaking the language of your audience shows:

• Attention
• Appreciation
• Respect
• Commitment

When people feel understood and respected, they’re far more likely to trust you.

With languages, you are at home anywhere.

— Edmund de Waal

How Webnode Handles Multiple Languages

Webnode manages localized websites in the following ways:

1. Generates a new website version

When you create a second language in the Webnode website editor, it copies your existing content into new pages of your website. The copies include translated template elements, such as the page URL, page names, and the navigation line based on the template pages. Furthermore, they keep the same web design and layout as the original language.

It is important to know that Webnode does not translate written text, headings, subheadings, image descriptions, or buttons.

You need to translate the page content yourself, either with a professional translator or with Webnode’s AI Assistant.

2. Considers Browser language

The website detects the visitor’s browser language and automatically displays the same language version. If that language is not present on the website, it falls back to the site’s primary language. By default, Webnode uses the language you initially set for your website as the primary language. If you like, you can change it later in the website settings.

3. Introduces a distinct URL structure

The website URL is automatically added to each page in a different language, for example, mydomainname.com/es and mydomainname.com/es-about. You can fully customize the URL of each page and optimize it for search engines.

Spanish navigation line in Webnode CMS for B&B example website.

Note that Webnode creates subdirectories for your pages in different  languages. This means Webnode keeps your domain extension and page structure, which simplifies indexing your site for search engines.

4. Website builder with built-in language switcher

Webnode automatically adds a language switcher to the website header and footer on all pages to enhance the user experience.

5. Automatically includes hreflang tags

Webnode automatically includes the hreflang tag in its code for your new language pages.

The hreflang tag is information in the website code, which tells search engines separate language versions of a website exists. It ensures that the correct language version appears in search results.

Webnode’s implementation of the hreflang tag for the B&B example website. The code view is achieved with a right click anywhere on the open website and selecting “inspect”.

You can check whether the hreflang tag exists with Hreflang Checker.

How to create a multilingual website with Webnode Website Builder

Depending on the source, the cost of localizing a medium-sized website ranges from 1000 to 3000 USD when translated into 2 to 3 more languages.

The good news? You do not need to invest in any translation service or extra software, because the multilingual feature in Webnode’s website builder automatically generates all your existing page structure and design into your additional language versions.

All you need is a Premium Plan Standard or higher to run your website in two or more languages and follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Create your primary language website first

Build the website in your primary language first by starting it on the US Webnode Portal. The AI Website builder will speed up this process and generate all necessary pages, including text and image content, according to your prompt. Publish your website.

2. Activate your Premium Plan

If you haven’t already, now is the time to upgrade your website to a Premium Plan, Standard or higher.

Not sure which plan to choose? Have a look at the decision chart to help you decide which functions you need most:

Tip: If you aim to introduce your business to several markets and don’t know where to start, begin by localizing for one new language version first, and add other localizations as needed.

3. Add the multilingual feature

• Navigate to settings in the editor, choose “LANGUAGES”, and add your second website localization by clicking on “ADD NEW LANGUAGE”.
• Select the tick box to copy all existing content to the new language pages:

The multilingual website builder copies the entire structure of your existing website into the second language. Click “OK” to complete this step.

You can edit the language pages by switching the button in the CMS dashboard’s top menu. Equally, you can add new pages to your language version by selecting the language from the list in the PAGES menu and clicking on “Add page”:

Adding a new page for specific language versions in the page menu.

4. AI translation for multilingual websites

Webnode website builder copies the page structure and changes URLs and page titles. It does not yet change headings, the text, image descriptions, and other pages’ content. Here, Webnodes AI Assistant comes in handy. Utilize the AI Assistant to translate paragraphs, headlines, and blog text individually. The Assistant is part of the Standard and higher plan features.

English landing page of an example B&B in the Webnode editor with introductory text.

Translating example text from English to French with the AI Assistant.

Translated results from English to French in Webnode CMS

5. Publish your site

Click on “PUBLISH” to get your new language site online. Once your site is published, you will notice that URL in the second language will end with /fr for French, /es for Spanish, depending on the localization added.

Published version in French. Visitors can select their language at the top right of the header.

In the mobile version of your website, you find the language switcher in the hamburger menu:

Language switcher on the mobile version.

If you like to change the appearance of the header, click on the white gear wheel to the right of your nav line and open the “Additional Panel Settings”:

Additional panel settings to change the website header.

Tip: Similarly, you can add social media icons or your contact information to your header. It helps people connect with you at once, rather than having to scroll to the footer or click through all your pages.

In addition, the footer of each page displays the language versions more discreetly:

Different language versions in the footer of the published page.

You can fully edit the footer to your needs. The footer partially mirrors the navigation menu, as it serves as a reminder and provides information, such as your contact data.

Tip: The footer supplements your navigation menu. Put your adequately translated legal information or link to your certificates here to testify to your competence and increased credibility.

Multilingual website SEO

Your website localization is almost complete. The next step? Multilingual SEO. It requires setting up your new language content so that each page URL, header, text, blog, video, and photo matches your new audience’s search request and intent.

On Page SEO

We recommend you begin by adjusting all SEO settings in your second localization. Here, make sure each page has a specific keyword that reflects its content in that language. This keyword then ideally should show up in the:

• Page URL
• Page Title
• Text

Adding the page title and page address into Webnode SEO settings for the French version of an example B&B website.

Links, Images, and buttons

If you use external links, replace them with links to sources in your second language.

Adjust all image descriptions, alt tags, and file names to the new language. If your graphics include text, localize these images too.

Sure, most cultures read from left to right, but for some, that’s not the case, and this also changes the position of buttons, not just their text. Buttons guide the website visitor to the next step and prompt action; thus, they are crucial for your conversions.

Tip:

Localized SEO is all about refining your wording to match the language of your new audience. Their culture, expressions, sayings, and the way they ask questions about a topic may differ from region to region. Shopping preferences and behavior differ. All of this is equally important for making your content valuable, interesting, entertaining, and easy to follow.

You may want to consider reshaping your content to better address the topics, questions, or solutions relevant to your new pages. We suggest starting with a thorough analysis of your new market, followed by keyword research, before refining your text and finalizing your on-page SEO. This approach can help ensure everything fits together smoothly and effectively.

Getting your multilingual Website indexed faster with the Google Search Console

While it is not crucial to submit your different language versions of your website into the Google Search Console (GSC), it can help search engines discover your multilingual pages faster.

The general rule is simple: If you have already verified your website with GSC (Google Search Console), Google recognizes your different language versions through the hreflang tags embedded in the code.

This is especially true for multilingual websites created with Webnode, because these all run on the same domain. Once your main website (like mywebsitename.com/ ) is verified and indexed, the subdirectories (such as mywebsitename.com/fr, mywebsitename.com/es) will automatically be indexed.

Thus, you don’t need to submit your second and further language versions to the Google Search Console.

However, to help search engines discover your different language versions faster, it is recommended to submit your XML sitemap.

Run the URL-inspection in GSC, if you like an immediate scan of your newly added language pages on your website. This way you let Google know about your updates.

Multilingual websites – best practices

To better manage your multilingual website content, let’s go through things that people tend to miss out when creating a multilingual website:

Translating all pages and user flows

Translating all your website content, from the moment a customer arrives until checkout, can really make your site feel more unified and trustworthy. Remember to include translations for all legal pages, forms, emails, and other support communications.

Let machines translate everything

Auto-translation can produce awkward wording. It might not convey the nuances of the language necessary to address your audience. Let a native speaker proofread your text.

Testing your pages by native speakers.

Having a native speaker review your pages will give you valuable feedback and improve user experience.

Localization beyond translation

Dates, units, formats, payment methods, addresses, and phone numbers should all be aligned with your target region to avoid confusion. The same considerations apply to idioms, humor, and tone, as they can vary widely across diverse cultures. Being mindful of these differences helps ensure your message resonates warmly and clearly with your audience.

Local and multilingual SEO

Using specific keywords for each language, localizing all page titles, URLs, adding translated metadata, alt text and schema markup to your pages is crucial for being seen online.

Correct hreflang tags

Luckily, with Webnode’s website builder, the correct hreflang tags are already set in the code, so you don’t need to worry about this part.

Using a poor URL structure

Give your website pages specific URLs, not just “mydomainname.com/fr/about”, use “mydomainname.com/fr/apropos”.

Language switcher

While you can set a primary language in Webnode that will be displayed if a website visitor has their browser set to none of the languages on your site, the primary language might still not be the right one for the user. Letting your visitors change the language on your site will enhance the user experience.

Inconsistent features across language versions

Missing blog posts, filters, or checkout options, or calls to action such as buttons in certain language versions. Again, this inconsistency damages your credibility.

Different UX and design

Using different fonts, accidentally using more space on some pages, or varying text placement can make the translated version feel unfinished.

Webnode’s multilingual website builder is very handy, as it copies the existing page layout 1:1 into the second language, so you only need to focus on the text. Even using a unique design, color background, or header image may confuse your visitors unless the design difference is intentionally localized for cultural reasons.

Tip: Some languages need more text space than others. To avoid unwanted text expansion that could break a section’s layout, keep it as concise as possible.

Typography and not supporting RTL

Use fonts that support language-specific alphabets and a CMS compatible with right-to-left (RTL) languages. Webnode supports Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, and Hebrew scripts.

System messages

Translated error messages, cookie banners, pop-ups, and chatbots on your website will create a more pleasant user experience.

Inconsistent updates

Not updating both language versions at the same time or letting one version become outdated for an extended period while the other remains current, will ruin your local SEO.

Measuring multilingual performance

Include your language version in Google Analytics and check the statistics in Google Search Console. Without analysis, it is hard to measure your website’s success.

Assuming one translation fits all

Spanish varies between South America and Europe, while Dutch changes when spoken in Suriname or Belgium. Embracing these subtle differences can delight your users and give your local SEO a nice boost.

Multilingual support

Remember to incorporate multilingual support from the start, rather than leaving it as an afterthought. Localization should be a key part of your business plan, helping you connect better with a wider audience.

Launching without testing

Before you advertise or send links to your multilingual pages, make sure that:

• All internal links are working, and navigation is coherent.
• Forms are sent and answered correctly.
• All languages work on all devices equally.
• Features like search fields, checkout, etc., all work.
• You fine-tune all pages and their content for multilingual SEO.

How Much Does a Multilingual Website Cost

Webnode multilingual website pricing varies by plan. You can have a website in two languages for 24.90 USD per month with the Premium Standard Plan.

An unlimited number of languages is available with the Pro Plan for 37.90 USD per month or the Business Plan for 49.90 USD per month.

Note that you save up to 35% if you purchase Webnode’s yearly subscription.

FAQs

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Dorothea Eue, a creative person with a scientific and marketing background, likes to jump in the deep end, leaving no blank page for long. With her legal eye and strong research skills, she makes complex and complicated topics simple. She has been writing German and English copy for 5 years, appreciating the mix of creating infographics, tutorials, blog posts, and social media posts. When she is not typing, trail running or hiking fuels her to more actions.

The post How to Make a Multilingual Website with Webnode appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

According to a new large-scale study of more than 10,000 businesses across 32 European countries, nearly one in three business owners say that reaching customers online has become noticeably harder over the past two years.

The State of European Business 2026 Report, published by team.blue, the European digital group, paints a clear picture of what’s happening: the rules of online visibility are being rewritten, largely by AI, and most small businesses haven’t had time to catch up. The good news is that understanding the problem is the first step to solving it.

What you’ll learn in this article:

• Why reaching customers online is getting harder
• The AI readiness gap and why small businesses are most at risk
• Why your website is your most powerful tool
• Simple steps you can take right now to close the visibility gap

Inside the Data: Who Took Part in the Research

The survey gathered 10,059 valid responses, collected by 26 team.blue brands. Respondents answered in their own local language, which means the results capture how business owners across Europe really think, not just those comfortable answering in English.

Here’s who that includes:

• Mostly small and very small businesses.
  Over 8 in 10 respondents (80.1%) have 10 or fewer employees, and nearly half (48.3%) are solo founders or freelancers. If you run a one-person business or a small team, this research speaks directly to your situation.

• A genuinely pan-European mix.
  With 32 countries represented and a wide spread of sectors, from technology and retail to trades and creative services, the report captures the reality of doing business across Europe, not just in one market.

Why does this matter to you?

Because the businesses surveyed are, for the most part, exactly the kind facing the visibility challenges this report explores: small, owner-led, and often without a dedicated marketing team. When nearly half the respondents are solo founders and freelancers, the patterns they report aren’t abstract. They’re the day-to-day experiences of people in the same position as you.

Why Longer-Trading Businesses Feel Less Prepared

More than half of the businesses surveyed (53.8%) have been trading for over 10 years, and two-thirds of respondents (67.2%) are 45 or older. That experience is a real asset, with established workflows and hard-won knowledge of their customers.

But it also helps explain the AI readiness gap: when your habits were formed in a different digital era, the shift to AI-driven discovery can feel like unfamiliar ground. The report found that longer-trading businesses are more likely to feel unprepared for what’s coming, not less.

Why Reaching Customers Online Is Harder in 2026

There’s a term in the report that cuts straight to the heart of the problem: the “Visibility Gap”. It describes a growing disconnect between having an online presence and actually being able to understand, influence, and measure how customers discover you. For a small business owner, this might feel like shouting into a room where the acoustics keep changing.

When businesses were asked what makes reaching customers online so difficult, three challenges came up again and again:

• changing algorithms (38.8%)
• rising cost of advertising (37.2%)
• growing competition (35.2%).

The biggest challenges in getting discovered online. Source: State of European Business 2026 Report, team.blue 

Together, these three forces have created what the report calls “AI Fog”: a genuine uncertainty about which actions will actually drive growth. If you’ve ever changed your approach, tried a new channel, and still felt like you were guessing, that’s the fog the report is describing.

Perhaps the most striking data point: just 5.5% of businesses say they feel completely in control of how customers discover them online. For a florist, a freelance photographer, or a small family hotel, the loss of confidence in something as fundamental as being found is a real and daily problem.

AI Is Reshaping Discovery, and Small Businesses Are Twice as Vulnerable

Algorithms changing and ad costs rising are frustrating, but they’re familiar pressures. What’s new is how AI is reshaping the way customers search for and find businesses.

The research shows that awareness is high, but readiness is lagging far behind, and smaller businesses are feeling it most. A few numbers tell the story:

• 75.2% believe AI will change how customers find them. Three quarters of European businesses agree the shift is coming. That’s a near-consensus level of awareness.
• Fewer than 1 in 3 (29.6%) feel prepared for it. Most businesses can see the change coming but don’t yet feel ready to meet it. That’s the gap between knowing and doing.
• Small businesses are twice as likely to feel unprepared (30.7% vs 13.7%). Companies with fewer than 50 employees report feeling unready for AI-driven change at more than double the rate of larger firms.
• Yet small businesses are 99% of all EU companies. They make up the vast majority of European businesses and employ nearly half the region’s workforce, according to Eurostat, so this readiness gap affects the heart of the economy, not its edges.

What does this mean in practice?

Think about how your potential customers search for a service like yours. A few years ago, they’d type into Google and choose from a list of links. Increasingly, they’re asking an AI assistant, “What’s the best plumber in my area?” or “Find me a yoga studio with beginner classes,” and getting a direct answer. If your business isn’t visible to those AI systems, you don’t appear in the answer at all. No click, no discovery, no customer.

The opportunity, as the report notes, isn’t to chase every new AI tool. It’s to make sure the information that customers and AI systems rely on is accurate, trusted, and easy to find. That starts with what you already own.

Your Website Is Your Most Powerful Asset (but Most Businesses Are Not Using It That Way)

Here’s something worth sitting with: most European businesses already have a website. That’s encouraging. It suggests that small business owners understand that having a web presence matters. But having a website and making it work for your business are two very different things.

The numbers reveal the gap between having a website and getting value from one:

• 86.5% of European businesses have a website.
  Most small business owners already understand that a web presence matters, so the foundation is there.
• Only 9.7% accurately track how visitors become customers.
  Fewer than one in ten businesses can see whether their site is actually turning visitors into enquiries, bookings, or sales.
• More than half (50.9%) don’t track this at all.
  For most businesses, what happens after someone lands on the site is a complete blank, making it hard to know what’s working.

That means the majority of small business websites exist as a kind of digital brochure: they confirm that the business is real and legitimate, but they’re not actively working to turn visitors into customers.

There’s nothing wrong with a website that builds trust and credibility, and that matters enormously. But if you have no idea whether anyone who visits your site ever contacts you, books an appointment, or makes a purchase, you’re flying blind.

Why Your Website Matters More Now Than It Did Two Years Ago

As social platforms change their algorithms and AI assistants become a bigger part of how people find information, your website is one of the few digital assets you actually control. You don’t own your Instagram page; Instagram does. You don’t control how Google changes its rankings; Google does. But your website? That’s yours.

“As AI becomes a bigger part of how customers discover businesses, it is becoming harder to understand what drives visibility and growth.”

— Bilal Ahmed, Chief AI & Data Officer at team.blue

Not because the technology is complicated, but because it gives you a reliable home base where accurate information about your business lives. In plain terms: a site where your services, prices, opening hours, and contact details are written out clearly — the kind of information that both customers and AI systems can read and trust.

Action Plan: How to Close the Visibility Gap Right Now

The research paints a challenging picture, but it also points clearly toward what works. You don’t need to understand AI in depth to benefit from the right foundations. Here are the practical steps that follow directly from the findings:

1. Make sure your website information is complete and current. Your address, phone number, opening hours, services, and prices should all be accurate. AI systems and search engines prioritize businesses with consistent, trustworthy information.
2. Start tracking what happens on your website. You don’t need complex analytics software. Even knowing how many people visit your contact page, or whether anyone clicks your booking button, gives you something to work with. Modern website builders like Webnode include basic tracking tools built in.
3. Focus on channels you can control. Algorithms change, but your own website doesn’t. Prioritize building your own presence (email lists, a well-maintained website, and direct customer relationships) rather than relying entirely on spaces like social media profiles, where someone else owns the land and sets the rules.
4. Don’t try to do everything at once. When the pace of change feels overwhelming, it’s easy to freeze. Pick one thing to improve (your website, your contact details, your booking flow) and do that well before moving on.

In 2026, Visibility Is Earned, Not Guaranteed

The State of European Business 2026 Report is a useful reality check. If you’ve felt like it’s harder to reach new customers than it used to be, you’re not imagining it. The landscape is changing, and most small businesses are still catching up.

But the gap between the businesses that will grow and those that will struggle isn’t about who has the most sophisticated AI strategy. It’s about who has a reliable, accurate, trustworthy digital foundation. And that starts with something you may already have: a website, used more intentionally.

If your website feels more like a placeholder than a working part of your business, that’s the first thing worth changing. A well-built site that clearly describes what you offer, how to reach you, and what happens next for a potential customer is your best answer to the Visibility Gap, and one of the few parts of your online presence that’s entirely in your hands.

Ready to strengthen your online foundation? Build a professional website with Webnode: no coding needed, and you can be live today

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Written by Lívia Korčušková, Content & Localisation Specialist at team.blue.

The post Is Your Business Invisible Online? New 2026 Data on the European Small Business Visibility Gap appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Website security and protecting customer data are essential for the success, reputation, and smooth operation of any business. In this article, we’ll show you how to back up your website, maintain a valid SSL certificate, protect your web forms from spam, and comply with privacy protection requirements.

Why Website Security Matters

A secure website builds trust with your customers and protects both your business data and your clients’ personal information. Choosing reliable hosting and taking a few quick, affordable preventive measures can make the difference between dealing with outages and legal issues — or avoiding them entirely. Learn how to protect your website and your customers easily with Webnode.

Website Security Best Practices

Use this checklist to learn how to secure your website effectively.

Website security checklist: what a website needs to be secure

Reliable Hosting

At Webnode, we use continuous monitoring and automated testing. Our systems are regularly checked by bots from multiple locations to ensure everything runs smoothly. This minimizes technical outages and always keeps your website available to customers.

Automatic Website Backups

Automatic backups help prevent unwanted data loss, whether you’re building a new website or updating an existing one. Have you ever accidentally deleted important content? With automatic backups, you’re covered — you can restore your website from an available backup at any time. Voilà — your deleted content is back.

Automatic website backups: your safety net

Automatic backups are an add-on service available with premium plans. Backup pricing varies slightly depending on the plan, as each plan supports different amounts of website content. You can purchase this feature:

• together with your first service activation
• when renewing your plan
• when upgrading your plan

SSL Certificate: What Is It?

An SSL certificate is a digital confirmation that your website is secure and trustworthy. It works through the HTTPS protocol, which encrypts the data transferred between your website and its visitors. Thanks to an SSL certificate, your customers can trust that their personal information is protected from unauthorized access.

Customers trust websites hosted on secure domains.

Webnode automatically renews SSL certificates every 3 months. The SSL certificate is included in the price of domain registration or domain renewal managed through Webnode.

If your domain is managed by another provider, it’s important to configure your DNS records correctly. You can find your DNS settings in your project administration.

How do you know if a website has an SSL certificate? If a website is not secure, browsers will display a warning and the HTTPS protocol in the URL address will appear crossed out.

Website with an invalid SSL certificate: browser warning

Form Protection

Protected web forms help eliminate spam, save time, and ensure you never miss an important customer inquiry. Most importantly, they help prevent malware being distributed through forms that could potentially damage your computer.

Simply enabling premium security significantly reduces the amount of spam your website receives. The feature blocks approximately 400 unwanted messages per hour.

The service also offers manual form protection settings through reCAPTCHA and IP address filtering.

Eliminate spam from your website forms

Premium website security is an add-on service available with premium plans. You can purchase it through your administration panel:

• together with your first service activation
• when renewing your plan
• when upgrading your plan
• separately (if you already have a service plan)

Strong and Secure Passwords

All passwords used to access your Webnode accounts are encrypted and cannot be converted into readable text form.

The more unique and random a password is, the more secure it becomes. Instead of memorizing complex passwords with many different characters, store them in a password manager where you can also generate strong passwords easily.

If you sign in to Webnode after a longer period or from a new device, we may ask you to confirm your identity via email as part of our two-factor authentication process.

We also monitor potential password misuse involving email accounts. If the system detects suspicious activity, we will prompt you to change your password to help protect your email account.

Emails sent to your clients through webmail are encrypted to help prevent the misuse of sensitive information.

Website Updates

Another important principle of website security is keeping your website updated. At Webnode, we regularly update the platform and automatically adapt to new browser versions to ensure your website always displays correctly online.

If your website uses external elements such as calendars, live chat tools, or booking systems, Webnode cannot guarantee their updates or functionality. Malfunctioning third-party widgets may negatively affect your website’s appearance.

You can avoid this by choosing products from our partner companies — for example, the booking system SimplyBook.me. Together with our partners, we guarantee updates for plugins purchased through Webnode.

Privacy Policy Compliance

Complying with privacy protection regulations, especially regarding sensitive customer data, is equally important. The iubenda plugin helps you automatically generate privacy policy and cookie policy for your website in accordance with current legislation. The plugin also includes a cookie banner.

The iubenda compliance solution is integrated with Webnode and can be activated for both premium and free websites.

Tip: With Webnode, you can also easily add data consent to your contact forms.

Conclusion

Webnode offers reliable hosting, regular SSL certificate renewals for your domain, and automatic system updates. This ensures your website remains secure, trustworthy, and professional-looking for your customers.

You can further strengthen your website security with:

• automatic backups
• premium website security
• the iubenda plugin

Log in to your account and activate your security services today

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Simona Zelinka is a content writer with a background in journalism and environmental nonprofits in the Czech Republic and Estonia. She has over 3 years of experience in copywriting and focuses on interviews and articles about web design, digital marketing, and plant-based food. A lover of long-distance mountain treks, she’s currently renovating a cabin in the Moravian Karst with her husband — a project inspired by her travels through British Columbia and Alberta.

The post How to Secure Your Website: Website Security Best Practices appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Most websites are not hard to find because of technical failures. They are hard to find because the basics were never filled in. A missing page title here, a blank meta description there, images with no alt text.

Webnode SEO gives you direct control over all of this in the editor (no code required) and handles the technical groundwork like HTTPS, sitemap, and mobile responsiveness for you. This hands-on guide walks you through every setting, with real examples.

 You will know:

• What you can do with Webnode SEO settings
• Which settings to configure manually first
• What is already set up by Webnode for you
• How to submit your site to Google Search Console
• Webnode SEO Checklist
• FAQs

What SEO Can You Actually Do with Webnode

With Webnode Website Builder, a lot of the technical SEO groundwork is already done for you. That includes performance basics like Core Web Vitals, so your site loads fast, stays stable, and works smoothly across all devices. Webnode templates are also designed with mobile-first indexing in mind, which helps your site perform well in search results where mobile usability matters most.

The Webnode website builder gives you direct control over your on-page SEO. You can edit:

• page titles,
• meta descriptions, 
• Headings
• and page content.

If you want to go further, the HTML settings in the editor allow for a more advanced setup, such as connecting your site to Google Search Console or adding extra metadata. Webnode’s built-in AI assistant improves and organizes your content, so it reads better for people and makes more sense to modern search and AI systems.

If you are new to SEO, have a look into our beginners’ SEO DIY guide

Now, let’s walk through what you can optimize inside the Webnode editor.

Webnode SEO Features You Configure Manually

To show how these settings work in practice, we’ll use an example website for a B&B in Iceland. This site uses a Webnode subdomain and is not an official functioning website. Note that all text in this example website is written for testing and display purposes only.

Log in to Webnode and open your project in the website editor to begin with the on-page SEO:

Page Title (Title Tag)

The page title is the first thing people see in the search engine results. Sometimes it is even the only thing they will read to decide if they want to click further.

Therefore, it must catch their attention. It is also a great opportunity to give them a quick idea of what your page is about. To change your page title in the Webnode editor, head to Pages:

Webnode Editor dashboard of the example B&B project

Select the page you want to optimize:

SEO settings for the selected start page (home) with the name Magnius B&B

Enter your title in the Page title fields. In this example, the page title is “Bed and Breakfast Dream in Seyðisfjörður.” On the search result page (SERP), the page title is the clickable headline or SEO title:

Page title as a clickable link in Google search results

The page title also appears in the browser tab, so your title needs to do two jobs: tell search engines what the page is about and give people a reason to click.

A SEO-friendly page title:

• has the main keyword at the beginning,
• is 50-60 characters,
• and includes (when possible) your brand name

What happens if you don’t enter a page title into Webnode’s SEO settings?

Then search engines automatically select the main headline or H1 on your page.

Meta Description

A meta description is a summary of your page content. Think of the meta description as your search result pitch.

You cannot control whether the search engine algorithm shows your page, but an excellent meta description makes people click on it.

Meta description example of a B&B

Meta description results on Google SERP

Your meta description is SEO-friendly if it:

• is <160 characters,
• explains what the page covers,
• and includes the main keyword phrase naturally.

Keep in mind that search engines may take a little time to display an updated meta description. After you republish your site, you can use Google Search Console to request a faster refresh.

Tip: Use a SERP simulator to preview how your title and meta description may appear in search results.

URL Slug

The next SEO field lets you change the web address of a single page, also called the URL slug or just slug. It is the link that opens your page. Webnode website builder generates default slugs automatically based on the template pages.

These may not reflect what you changed for your business. Making these specific to your page content makes both users and search engines understand your page. Unchanged, the URL to your page loses trust before it even loads.

Register your custom domain as early as possible. It becomes your website’s address and sets the foundation for every other page. Even a well-optimized slug will have limited SEO value if the main domain looks generic or messy.

A custom domain looks professional, enhances your branding and credibility, and gives your pages a stronger foundation.

Page URL example for the About us page

SEO-friendly slugs are:

• short, descriptive, and easy to read,
• use lowercase letters,
• have 4 to 6 words (if possible),
• separate words with hyphens, no spaces or symbols,
• and include the main keyword for that page (if it fits naturally).

Note that you can’t change the URL field of your home page (start page) because it is your custom domain.

Page URL ending “about-magnius” as it appears in search engine results pages (SERPs)

A free site created with Webnode uses a Webnode subdomain.

Because this example uses a free Webnode subdomain, the resulting URL is webnode.page, thus it is shown as part of Webnode.

Heading Structure (H1, H2, H3)

Each headline on a page is marked with a small line of code. The Webnode templates already use header tags in their page structure. These are the head tags: H1-H3.

Having the tags generated automatically saves time and gives you a solid SEO starting point. The only thing left for you to do is to make sure the text you place in those headings is clear, relevant, and logically organized.

Search engines pay close attention to headings, especially the H1 tag, to decide what your page is about. Also, the headlines give your page a structure. Without a clear structure, search bots that scan your website may misread your content.

Therefore, your main page title should state the page’s main topic and include the primary keyword where it makes sense. Keep one main topic per page and reflect it in your headings. Use one H1 per page, then organize the rest of the page content in a clear order with H2s and subordinate H3s that break the content into sections easier to scan through and understand.

Webnode SEO header tags

The heading levels in Webnode work like this:

• Title = H1 or main page title
• Heading = H2 or headline of a section

If you add a new section, this header tag is already included.

• Subtitle = H3 or subsection heading
• Normal text = Section text

Changing the font size of your text will not affect the header tags. Elevating your headings from the main text makes reading a page with a lot of content and scrolling through it a more pleasant experience.

Find out more about modern web design and how you can enhance your website visually.

How to add alt text in Webnode

An alt tag or alternative text is a brief description added to an image to help search engines understand its content. Search engines can’t interpret images the same way people do, so you need to give them context.

The most useful signals here are the file name, image description, and alt text. 

Start by uploading an image to your site that is:

• is not pixelated,
• yet under 200KB,
• under 1200px
• and has a clear file name, avoid IMG345.jpg.

This image preparation is a small extra step, but it helps make your page more search-friendly. 

A good alt text has:

• <125 characters
• explains the image in the context of the written text block or article
• proper grammar and spelling
• no keyword stuffing

Moreover, the alt tag supports accessibility by helping screen readers describe the image more clearly.

Tip: If your keyword is in the slug, the H1 heading, the description, and the alt text, your image has a good chance of appearing in image search results.

In Webnode’s CMS, you can add the image alt tag by clicking on “Edit image”, which will open the editing window:

Image description and alt text in the Webnode editor. In this example, AI generated the alt text.

Select “Website address” to link your images to other pages on your website, or other sources like your social media profile. Linking your images within your website signals image relationships. It helps crawlers discover your visuals more efficiently and gives users a direct path to navigate your site. 

301 Redirects in Webnode

Every time search engines scan your page, they assign ranking value to it. If you change the page address, the old URL becomes a dead link. Your page visitors get a 404 message, and Google does not track this page anymore. A 301 redirect to a new or alternative link redirects traffic back to your original URL. It basically tells search engines that this page has moved therefore the ranking value will remain.

For example, the “/about-magnius” can become just “/about”.

Example of a redirect link in Webnode SEO settings

These redirects are SEO-friendly because they allow the alternative URL to inherit the original page’s rankings, authority, and backlinks. Also, they prevent 404 errors by redirecting visitors to the original link so they can find your content.

How to Add Custom HTML and Meta Tags to Your Webnode Website

Meta tags are code snippets added to a page that help search engines and browsers understand what the page is about and how it should appear online.

You can add SEO-related meta tags via your website and page settings as an effective workaround. This approach requires a bit of organization, as dedicated fields for these tags are not yet available in Webnode’s SEO Settings.

Ready for fast indexing and integrating HTML? See what Premium Standard can give you.

Browse Webnode’s plans

You can add the HTML code in two places:

1. Website settings for code that applies across the entire website

Example of embedding the meta tag for site verification to connect a website to Google Search Console in Webnode’s website settings

2. Individual page SEO settings for code that applies only to one page

Custom HTML settings on an individual page in Webnode’s CMS

Meta Tags in Webnode website settings

Meta tags you add to your website settings are, for example:

• The verification meta tag to connect your site to Google Search Console.

• Meta Pixel to connect your site to your Meta advertising account, so you can measure actions such as clicks and form submissions after someone visits your social media ad, which links to your site.

SEO tags in individual page settings

These meta tags make the content on your website pages more visible. The most common ones you can add here are Open Graph tags, canonical tags, and schema markup.

Open Graph tags

Open Graph tags, also called OG tags, control how a page with a selected image appears when you share its page link on social media.

Have you ever shared a link on social media, and the preview showed the wrong image or just a blank box? That happens when OG tags are missing. Open Graph tags give you control over how your page appears every time someone shares it.

A typical OG setup includes a title, description, page URL, and preview image, giving you more control over how your content appears when shared.

The selected image example that receives an OG tag

Here is what it looks like in code:

OpenGraph-Tag
<meta property=”og:type” content=”website” /> 
<meta property=”og:title” content=”Polyglot B&B” /> 
<meta property=”og:description” content=”Tucked in Iceland’s artsy Seyðisfjörður, this Nordic-hippie B&B blends driftwood minimalism with boho charm—think wool throws, wildflowers, and slow mornings under endless northern light.” /> 
<meta property=”og:url” content=”https://polyglot-b8d392.webnode.page/” /> 
<meta property=”og:image” content=”https://e333c6f9b6.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/230eb3fe6ed88aac7abbcc33ecdc64ff/200000001-318683186a/lake.webp?ph=e333c6f9b6″ /> 
<meta name=”twitter:card” content=”summary_large_image” /> 
<meta name=”twitter:title” content=”Polyglot B&B” /> 
<meta name=”twitter:description” content=”Tucked in Iceland’s artsy Seyðisfjörður, this Nordic-hippie B&B blends driftwood minimalism with boho charm—think wool throws, wildflowers, and slow mornings under endless northern light.” /> 
<meta name=”twitter:image” content=”https://e333c6f9b6.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/230eb3fe6ed88aac7abbcc33ecdc64ff/200000001-318683186a/lake.webp?ph=e333c6f9b6″ />

Check your OG Tags in tag validators like OrcaScan, for example, to see a preview of what your shared link would look like:

OG tag checker results for the B&B example. Previews for various social media platforms

Canonical Tags

These tags are there to reduce confusion when multiple URLs lead to the same page. Sometimes Google can see your page under several different URLs without you realizing it.

For example, the following versions of page URLs exist for Google:

• Yourwebsite.com/about-us
• www.yourwebsite.com/about-us
• Yourwebsite.com/about-us?ref=facebook

When that happens, Google splits its attention across all URLs at once, instead of ranking one clearly. The canonical tag points Google to the right URL by telling search engines which version of the page is the main one.

Canonical tags also help with what appears to be duplicate content and concentrate SEO authority on the main URL. Thus, it makes search engines understand which page should be ranked in search results.

In the example case, the canonical tag for the start page in the B&B example would look like this:

Canonical Tag
<head> 
<title>Polyglot B&B</title> 
<meta name=”description” content=”Tucked in Iceland’s artsy Seyðisfjörður…” /> 
<link rel=”canonical” href=”https://polyglot-b8d392.webnode.page/” /> 
</head>

When you change a page URL in Webnode SEO settings, the canonical tag is automatically set for that URL.

Tip: You can check your canonical tags using a tag checker.

Schema markup

Schema markup is structured data you add to a page to help search engines better understand the true meaning of your content.

When schema markup is read correctly, Google displays crucial details about your business directly in search results — such as your location, price range, or amenities — without the visitor even needing to click. This makes your result stand out from competitors who do not have it.

For example, this meta description may sound nice to people: “Tucked in Iceland’s artsy Seyðisfjörður, this Nordic-hippie B&B blends driftwood minimalism with boho charm—think wool throws, wildflowers, and slow mornings under endless northern light.”

However, it omits the structured details that generative search engines rely on heavily. Schema markup helps turn that meaning into machine-readable information.

This is what schema markup looks like in code:

<script type=”application/ld+json”>
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “BedAndBreakfast”,
“name”: “Magnius”,
“description”: “Nordic-hippie B&B with driftwood minimalism, boho interiors, wool throws, wildflowers, and slow mornings under Iceland’s northern light.”,
“address”: {
“@type”: “PostalAddress”,
“addressLocality”: “Seyðisfjörður”,
“addressCountry”: “Iceland”
},
“amenityFeature”: [
{
“@type”: “LocationFeatureSpecification”,
“name”: “Mountain views”
},
{
“@type”: “LocationFeatureSpecification”,
“name”: “Breakfast included”
}
],
“keywords”: [“boutique accommodation”, “boho B&B”, “Nordic design”, “Iceland stay”]
}
</script>

The markup makes it easier for search systems to understand:

• what the business is,
• where it is found,
• and what it offers.

Tip: You can test your schema markup with a validator by entering your website URL into a validator like Schema.org.

Schema markup test results for the B&B test webpage

Webnode SEO Features That Work Automatically

You can lean back. Webnode does the heavy lifting for you now. :-)

HTTPS, page speed, and mobile responsiveness are features Google checks before it even starts scanning your content. Luckily, Webnode manages these for you. They run automatically in the background, so even as you update your site, the technical SEO basics stay in place.

HTTPS and SSL Certificate

All Webnode websites, whether free or paid, use HTTPS. That means each page loads through a secure connection.

HTTPS protocol is active on the example B&B website

You can spot this by the https:// at the start of the URL. Secure pages are a worldwide standard, and search engines expect these. The SSL or TLS certificate is there to enable HTTPS encryption.

SSL security certificate for the example B&B website

Webnode keeps SSL certificates active and updates them automatically on both free and Premium websites.

An SSL certificate secures data transmitted over HTTPS and helps build trust with users and search engines. Websites without a valid SSL certificate appear as ‘Not Secure’ in browsers and can perform worse in search rankings.

Would you like to understand what else can affect your ranking? Find out about ranking factors that boost your website’s position.

Mobile-Responsive Templates

Webnode templates are responsive, which means they automatically adjust to phones, tablets, and desktops. Technically, this is achieved with a single clean code rather than separate code versions for mobile and desktop. The design then adapts automatically so that the website is displayed consistently and remains easy to read and navigate on any device.

Search engines such as Google prefer mobile-friendly websites (mobile-first indexing) and reward them with better visibility in search results.

Page Speed and Webnode’s Hosting Infrastructure

Webnode uses CDN-backed hosting. CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. It means that your website, created with Webnode, is stored across multiple servers simultaneously to optimize content delivery. When someone visits your site, it automatically loads content from the server closest to the visitor, resulting in fast loading times and a stable website performance.

This setup helps support the performance signals that Google cares about most, such as:

1. LCP: Largest Contentful Paint stays low

How long it takes for the largest visible element on your page (e.g. hero image  or banner) to load on the screen

2. INP: Interaction to Next Paint stays responsive

How quickly your page responds after a user’s interaction (e.g. a click)

3. CLS: Cumulative Layout Shift stays controlled

Measures unexpected movement while the page is loading (for example, buttons jumping around because ads load late).

CDN-backed hosting makes your website faster, more stable, and more efficient for users worldwide. As a result, more visitors will engage with your content and stay longer on your pages. Ultimately, this ranks your website higher in search results.

Connecting Webnode to Google Search Console

Your website can appear in Google without any extra manual setup, but it can take weeks, even several months, before Google fully discovers and indexes your pages. Connecting your site manually to the Google Search Console helps Google discover your pages faster (within a few days) and gives you useful data on how your site is performing in search.

Adding your website to the Search Console

Go to Google Search Console and sign in using your Google account. If this is your first property, click “Add Property”. Choose:

• URL Prefix

Then enter the full website address exactly as it appears in the browser.
Example: https://www.yourdomain.com/

Include the full version of the URL, with the https://
The URL needs to match exactly, as even slight differences can cause verification issues.

Verify ownership of your website

After you add the site, Google Search Console will prompt you to verify ownership. Scroll down to “Other verification methods”.

• Select “HTML tag”.

Copy the full verification tag Google gives you. It will look like this:

Google verification meta tag
<meta name=”google-site-verification” content=”example123″ />

Return to your website editor and paste the code into the website settings. For your Webnode website and the example, it looks like this:

Pasting the site verification meta-tag into the website settings of the Webnode editor

Click Save and publish your site. Only after (re-)publishing your site can Google verify it.

To complete this step, go back to Google Search Console and click:

• Verify

Google will check for the verification tag on your site and should confirm it at once.  Google can now index your website more efficiently. With the Search Console, you can:

• Monitor how visitors find your website.

• Submit updated or new pages directly to Google.

• Receive alerts about indexing or mobile usability issues.

Over time, Search Console becomes one of the most useful tools you have for improving search visibility and spotting issues early.

With the URL Inspection Tool, you can inform Google about any new content or updates to your website pages.

Automatic XML Sitemap 

An XML sitemap is a file listing the important pages on your website, so search engines can

• better understand how your website is structured, so that its content can be found more quickly and efficiently,

• index your pages more accurately,

• and notice updates on existing pages.

Webnode automatically generates the sitemap as you build your site, but you should still submit a sitemap.xml to Google Search Console after your site is verified.

Your Webnode SEO Checklist

Use this checklist as a summary or a reminder before you publish new pages or introduce major updates to your site.

Manual on-page SEO settings

• Unique page title including main keyword.

• A meta description that explains the page and gives people a reason to click.

• Short, readable, and relevant URL slugs

• One H1 per page, followed by H2s and H3s.

• Accurate image descriptions are added to all images.

Google integrations to set up

• Connect the website to Google Search Console

• Submit the sitemap after verification

• In case of updates: re-index website with URL-inspection

The checklist is your starting point. Come back to it every time you add a new page.

“Search is evolving rapidly — AI can now read, interpret, and summarise content directly from websites. Yet many of the core principles remain the same. Clear site structure, descriptive headings, and well-organised content help both search engines and AI systems understand what your pages are about. By getting these fundamentals right, you’re building content that performs well in both traditional search and AI-powered experiences.”

— Romana Jurůjová, Sr. SEO Specialist at Webnode

Webnode’s SEO features, such as page titles, meta descriptions, URL slugs, heading structure, image descriptions, and Search Console setup, all play a direct role in how easily search engines and AI can find and understand your website.

Your Webnode site already has the technical foundations in place. Now it is time to fill in the details.

Setting these up correctly is an important first step to your online visibility.

Ready to put this into practice? Get started with your website SEO. 

Create your website

FAQs

Is SEO Free with Webnode?

Basic page-level SEO settings are available on the free plan, while more advanced options, such as adding custom HTML code and integrating your website with Google Search Console, are available on the Premium Plan Standard and higher.

How much does Webnode’s advanced SEO cost?

With the Premium Standard Package or higher, or for 24.90 USD per month, you can embed custom HTML code on your website.

Is Webnode good for SEO?

Yes. Webnode includes built-in SEO settings covering everything a small business needs for competitive on-page SEO. Automatic HTTPS, responsive design, and an automated XML sitemap are running in the background. SEO settings are available and easy to fill out.

How to do SEO for a Webnode website?

Start with the SEO settings panel in the Webnode editor for each page: 

1. Set a unique meta title (50–60 characters)

2. meta description (up to 155 characters) for every page

3. Edit your URL slugs to be clean and keyword-rich

4. Add alt text to all images

5. and use a proper H1–H3 heading hierarchy in your content.

Once on-page settings are complete, connect Google Search Console (Standard plan) to submit your sitemap and monitor Google’s indexing of your site.

Does Webnode offer AI-SEO tools?

Webnode’s AI assistant can help you refine text for tone, length, and clarity, making content more useful for readers and easier for search systems to interpret.

Optimize written text for AI scans and SEO with Webnode’s AI assistant

Is Webnode a suitable website builder for SEO beginners?

Yes, Webnode SEO settings are clearly labeled and accessible directly in the page editor, with no coding needed. All technical SEO runs automatically in the background from day one; it means fewer steps for you to set up your on-page SEO.

How does Webnode help with creating multilingual websites optimized for search engines?

Webnode supports multilingual websites with separate language versions, allowing distinct meta titles, descriptions, and URL slugs per language. For effective multilingual SEO, ensure each language version has unique metadata and consider using the hreflang tag, which tells Google which language version to serve to which audience.

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Dorothea Eue, a creative person with a scientific and marketing background, likes to jump in the deep end, leaving no blank page for long. With her legal eye and strong research skills, she makes complex and complicated topics simple. She has been writing German and English copy for 5 years, appreciating the mix of creating infographics, tutorials, blog posts, and social media posts. When she is not typing, trail running or hiking fuels her to more actions.

The post Webnode SEO: A Practical Guide to Optimizing Each Page for Search Engines appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Building a website from scratch can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. The good news: you don’t need to be a programmer to create a professional site. Thanks to user-friendly website builders and AI, building a website from scratch is now easier than ever.

Whether you want to hand‑code, use a CMS, or build with a website builder, this guide walks you through website creation process.

You’ll learn:

• What “from scratch” really means (and what you actually need to do)
• The main ways to build a website and which is best for beginners
• How to plan your pages, structure, and content
• How to create a Webnode website from scratch
• FAQ

TL,DR: A website can be built from scratch using code, a CMS, or a website builder. Choosing a domain name, hosting, and platform are the key first steps. Site structure should include essential pages like Home, About, Contact, and Services. With Webnode, you can start from a template or AI-generated design, customize pages visually, connect a domain, and publish your website without coding.

How to Make a Website from Scratch

What Building From Scratch Really Means

“Building a website from scratch” can mean different things depending on your skills and goals. In practice, “from scratch” usually means:

• You start with a blank project (not just editing someone else’s finished site).
• You decide your site structure, pages, and navigation.
• You create or choose the design, layout, and visual style.
• You write the content and set up key features like forms, blog, or online store.

There are 3 main levels of “from scratch”:

1. Fully hand-coded
   You use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create every page and feature. Maximum control, highest learning curve.
2. CMS-based
   You install and configure a system like WordPress or a static site generator, then design with themes and plugins. More flexible, still some technical work.
3. Website builder-based
   You use a no-code website builder like Webnode, Wix, or Squarespace. The platform handles most of the technical side; you focus on structure, design, and content.

The Easiest Path for Beginners

If this is your first website, the easiest and most realistic way to build from scratch is usually:

• Plan your site (purpose, audience, pages).
• Choose a beginner-friendly platform (often a no-code builder).
• Start from a basic template and customize it heavily so the final result is truly your own.

You still build the site’s structure, create the pages, and write the content yourself, so you are very much “creating a website from scratch” in terms of planning and execution, just without reinventing the technical wheel.

Where Webnode Fits In

Webnode is one of the major no-code website builders aimed at beginners and small businesses. It is a strong choice if your goal is to build a website from scratch in terms of content, structure, and design choices, but you don’t want to manage the technical infrastructure yourself.

It’s designed particularly for people who:

• Want to create a site quickly.
• Don’t want to manage separate hosting or handle server setup.
• Prefer a guided interface instead of writing code.
• May want a free plan to start and upgrade later.

With Webnode, you can:

• Start a new project and choose a template built for your type of website (portfolio, business, blog, etc.).
• Customize every page: text, images, sections, and basic layout.
• Use built-in features such as contact forms, simple ecommerce, and basic SEO options.
• Connect a custom domain when you’re ready to look professional.

Choose the Right Way to Build Your Site

Before you start designing or writing, you need to decide how you’ll build the site. This choice affects how you work, how much you can customize, and how you maintain it over time.

Using a No-Code Website Builder

With no-code website builders you can design and launch a professional website in no time. Imagine a toolbox filled with pre-designed elements like text boxes, images, menus, and galleries. Simply drag these elements onto your page and arrange them to your liking. This makes it easy to create professional-looking websites without ever needing to write a single line of code.

Webnode offers a collection of over 100 responsive templates designed with mobile users in mind. This means your website will automatically adjust to fit perfectly on smartphones and tablets, ensuring a smooth experience for all your visitors. With its responsive design and built-in optimization features, your site will look great and perform flawlessly across all devices.

Benefits:

• No need to install or maintain separate hosting.
• Built-in responsiveness, so your site usually works on mobile automatically.
• Faster path from idea to live website.

This route is ideal if:

• You are a beginner focused on results rather than technology.
• You want to launch a business, portfolio, or project quickly.
• You prefer to spend time on content, branding, and marketing.

Webnode also offers the option of AI-powered creation. It can generate a custom website template based on your preferences.

Using a Content Management System (CMS)

Content Management Systems are platforms that act as the engine behind your website. They simplify website creation by handling most of the technical back-end stuff. A CMS sits between raw coding and a no-code site builder. With user-friendly interfaces and a vast array of plugins and themes, popular CMS options like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, make it easy to build and manage your website.

With a CMS you typically:

• Install the system on a web server or hosting account.
• Choose a theme or starter template.
• Use a dashboard to create pages and posts.
• Extend the site with plugins or add-ons.

Advantages:

• Easier content management: you can log in and edit content in a browser.
• Many pre-built features with plugins (SEO, forms, ecommerce).
• You can still customize using code when needed.

Consider this option if:

• You’re okay with some technical setup (database, hosting, updates).
• You want flexibility and room to grow.
• You may add a lot of content (e.g., a blog with many posts).

Hand-Coding With HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Hand-coding is best if you want to become a web developer or you are willing to spend more time up front for maximum control.

This method involves writing the website’s structure and design using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While it requires more time and effort to learn and read tutorials, this approach grants complete control and allows you to craft unique features and functionalities that may not be available with pre-built templates.

However, for beginners:

• The learning curve is steep. Even a basic site requires time to learn.
• You need tools: a code editor, a way to upload files to a server, and some knowledge of domains and hosting.
• You’ll handle responsive design manually (for mobile layout and different screens).

If you’re interested in this path, look for tutorials on “HTML and CSS basics” and “responsive web design.” Start with one simple page, then expand into a multi-page site.

How to plan your pages, structure, and content

Whether you’re creating a business website or a personal website, this step-by-step guide will equip you with the essentials to get your online presence up and running.

1. Define your goals and needs

• What’s the purpose of your website? Is it to showcase your work, sell products, or provide information?
• Who is your target audience? Understanding their needs will influence your design and content.
• What functionalities do you need? Contact forms, appointment booking, or an online store?

2. Pick a domain name and hosting

To make your website accessible to the world, you need two things:

1. A domain name – The web address (like yourname.com) people type to reach your site.
2. Hosting – The server space where your site files and data live.

For beginners wanting the simplest path:

• Choose a website builder that can manage both domain and hosting in one place.
• Or, if you expect to scale and are willing to learn more, use classic hosting and a CMS like WordPress.

3. Plan your website structure

Next, sketch out your site structure – the main pages and internal links (how they connect). For a beginner site, a simple structure is usually best.

Common core pages:

• Home – Overview of who you are and what you offer, with clear calls to action.
• About – Your story, mission, experience, or the story of your company.
• Services – What you offer and why it helps.
• Portfolio / Gallery – Examples of your work, case studies, or photos.
• Contact – Form, email, phone, and possibly address/map.

4. Focus on high-quality content

• Craft high-quality, engaging content relevant to your target audience.
• Optimize your content for search engines with relevant keywords to improve discoverability.
• Visuals are important: Use high-resolution images and graphics to enhance your website’s appeal.

5. Launch, promote and maintain your website

• Test your website thoroughly across different devices and browsers before going live.
• Promote your website: Utilize social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, and online directories to gain traction.
• Regularly update your website with fresh content and security patches.
• Monitor website analytics to understand user behavior and make data-driven improvements.
• Update your privacy policy whenever you add a new element that processes personal information (e.g., social media widgets). If you don’t know where to start, use the privacy policy template.

How to Create a Webnode Website from Scratch

Now let’s walk through exactly how to create a Webnode website from scratch. These steps assume you’re starting from zero and want a working, live site without writing code.

Start a new website in Webnode

1. Go to Webnode’s website and click on Create my website button
2. Describe your site type and goal for AI creation or choose a template
3. Enter your registration details to finish your website
4. Select your design

Describe your site type and goal for AI creation, or start with a template

Webnode website templates

Add pages and content

Once your design/template is loaded, you’ll use Webnode’s visual editor to build the site. Now you can:

• Customize your homepage content
• Edit or add pages
• Fill in your About page
• Build your Service/Portfolio page
• Configure your Contact page
• Set SEO options
• Adjust design basics

Customize your website design with colors and fonts you like

Connect a domain and publish

When your content and design exist, it’s time to put your site online.

You can:

• Use the default Webnode subdomain (e.g., yourname.webnode.page) on a free plan.
• Connect an existing domain you already own.
• Register a new custom domain directly through Webnode, depending on availability and plan.

Publish your site
Click publish. Webnode handles the technical work in the background. After a short time, your site will be live. You can keep improving your site gradually.

FAQs

How to build a website from scratch for free?

One option is to utilize website builders that offer free plans, such as Webnode. You can take advantage of free web hosting services or platforms that offer subdomains, allowing you to publish your website without incurring hosting costs.

However, it’s important to note that while building a website for free is feasible, there may be limitations in terms of features, customization options, and branding.

As your website grows and your needs evolve, you may eventually consider investing in premium plans to unlock additional functionalities. Webnode offers perfect packages for websites of all sizes, starting with just $3.95 per month.

How do you choose a domain name and hosting?

Choosing the right domain name involves finding a balance between simplicity, relevance, and memorability. It should reflect your brand and be easy for visitors to type and remember. When selecting hosting, consider factors like reliability, speed, customer support, and scalability to ensure your website performs well and grows with your needs.

How do you design a website that works on mobile?

Effective mobile website design requires a responsive layout that automatically adapts to different screen sizes and devices. Prioritizing fast loading times, intuitive navigation, and touch-friendly interfaces ensures an optimal experience for mobile users, which is crucial as mobile traffic continues to increase. Choose one of Webnode’s responsive templates to ensure your website works properly on mobile devices.

How do you plan a website structure and navigation?

Planning a website structure involves organizing your content logically and hierarchically so visitors can easily find information. Clear and intuitive navigation should guide users through your site seamlessly, using menus and links that align with their expectations and your business priorities.

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Jamie Faulkner is the co-founder of education provider Discourse Hub, where he teaches and creates content for blogs and social media. He writes and edits copy to build community and inspire action through blogs, newsletters, and email strategy. He is interested in sustainability, technology, travel, health and fitness, and education. Above all, he is passionate about storytelling—both in the marketing world, helping brands connect with their audiences, and through his published short fiction.

The post Building a Website from Scratch: What Beginners Need to Know appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

If you’ve been Googling “how much does a website cost for a small business,” you’ve probably already hit a wall of vague answers. “$500 to $50,000” doesn’t exactly help you plan a budget.

The truth is, website costs vary widely depending on how you build it, but for most small businesses, a professional website is far more affordable than you might expect. This guide breaks down the three realistic options: using a website builder, setting up WordPress, or hiring a freelance web designer.

By the end, you’ll know exactly what each path costs, what’s included, and which one makes the most sense for your situation.

CONTENTS

• What Does a Small Business Website Actually Cost
• What Factors Affect the Cost of a Small Business Website
• Website Builder Costs (Lowest Cost, No Coding Required)
• CMS Costs (More Flexibility, More Complexity)
• Freelance Web Designer Costs
• Which Option Is Right for Your Small Business
• Hidden Website Costs to Watch Out For
• What’s the Cheapest Way to Build a Professional Small Business Website
• FAQs

What Does a Small Business Website Actually Cost

Here’s the short answer before we get into the details:

A note on agencies: large web design agencies can cost $10,000–$100,000+ for a custom site build. That’s a legitimate option for enterprise businesses, but it’s out of scope for most small businesses and won’t be covered here.

Tip: See also Small Business Website Statistics for 2026

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Small Business Website

Before diving into each option, it’s worth understanding what actually drives the price up or down. The biggest variables are:

1. DIY vs. hiring someone. Building it yourself with a website builder is almost always the most cost-effective route. Hiring a freelancer or agency trades money for time and expertise.
   
2. Platform choice. A website builder bundles everything into one subscription. WordPress requires you to purchase and manage several components separately.
   
3. E-commerce functionality. Adding the ability to sell products online increases costs on almost every platform, either through a higher-tier plan or transaction fees.
   
4. Number of pages and custom features. A simple 5-page service website costs significantly less to build and maintain than a multi-location business site with custom connections to other software tools.
   
5. Design. Free templates are included in most website builder plans. Custom design work, whether from a paid design template or a hired designer, adds cost.

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost

Your domain name is your web address, something like mybusiness.com. Domain registration typically costs $10–$20 per year, though pricing varies by extension (.com vs. .co vs. .shop) and the company you buy it from.

There’s an important distinction worth knowing: a custom domain (mybusiness.com) is different from a free subdomain (mybusiness.webnode.page). Free subdomains come included on free plans, but look less professional. For a credible business presence, you’ll want a custom domain, and some website builders include one for free during the first year on paid plans.

How Much Does Web Hosting Cost for a Small Business

Think of web hosting as renting space on a computer that stays switched on around the clock. That computer is what keeps your website visible to anyone who types your address into a browser. Without it, your site simply doesn’t exist on the internet. 

For WordPress, the most common entry-level option is shared hosting, meaning your site shares that computer with other websites to keep costs low. That typically runs $3–$15/month from providers like Hostinger or Bluehost. If you want a premium, fully managed version where the host handles all the technical upkeep for you, that costs more, usually $25–$100/month.

Here’s where website builders have a significant advantage that many beginners overlook: hosting is bundled into the monthly subscription price. You don’t pay for it separately. That simplicity alone removes one of the trickiest parts of the traditional website setup process.

One-Time Costs vs. Recurring Monthly Costs

One of the most common budgeting mistakes small business owners make is planning only for upfront costs, then being surprised by ongoing fees. Here’s how costs typically break down:

One-time costs (you pay once):

• Initial website design or development work
• A paid design template (if using WordPress)
• A freelancer’s build fee

Recurring costs (you pay regularly):

• Monthly or annual website builder subscription
• Domain name renewal (~$15/year)
• Web hosting (if using WordPress)
• Add-on feature subscriptions (if using WordPress)
• Email hosting (not always bundled with your website plan)

Most small businesses end up paying $10–$30/month in ongoing costs once their site is live, regardless of how they built it. The key is knowing what’s included in your plan versus what you’ll be billed for separately.

Website Builder Costs (Lowest Cost, No Coding Required)

For most small businesses, a website builder is the most practical and affordable option. Not sure exactly what a website builder is? This overview explains what a website builder is and how to use one before you dive in.

In short: website builders are drag-and-drop platforms that let anyone create a professional-looking site without writing a single line of code. Platforms like Webnode, Wix, and Squarespace handle hosting, security (SSL certificates, which are what give your site an https:// address and the padlock icon in the browser), software updates, and templates, all in one bundled subscription.

You log in, pick a template, customize it with your text and images, and publish. That’s the whole process.

Webnode delivers responsive designs in all plans

Tip: If you want a step-by-step walkthrough specifically for a small business, see our guide on how to make a website for a small business.

Realistic cost range: Free to $25/month

Most major website builders offer a free plan and several paid tiers. Here’s what that typically looks like:

Annual billing usually saves you 20–30% compared to month-to-month pricing.

What Can You Get for Free

Free website builder plans are real and legitimate, but they come with trade-offs you should understand before committing.

On a free plan, you typically get:

• A functional website (templates, basic pages, contact forms)
• A subdomain instead of a custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.webnode.com)
• Platform branding displayed on your site
• Limited storage and the amount of traffic your site can handle
• No e-commerce or payment capabilities

For certain situations, a free plan is perfectly fine: testing out the platform, building a simple online presence quickly, or launching a very early-stage project. But for a business you want to look professional and credible, the subdomain and platform branding work against you. Most customers expect to see a real domain. Paid plans start at $5–$10/month, which is less than a monthly streaming subscription.

When Should You Upgrade to a Paid Plan

Here are the clearest signals that it’s time to move to a paid plan:

• You want a custom domain (mybusiness.com instead of mybusiness.webnode.page)
• You want to remove the platform’s branding from your site
• You need more storage for photos, a menu, or portfolio work
• You want to accept online payments or sell products
• You need a professional email address that matches your domain
• Your pages are loading slowly because your free plan has hit its traffic limit

In most cases, the jump from free to a basic paid plan pays for itself quickly in professional credibility alone.

Ready to see what a paid plan
actually includes? You can start free and upgrade only when you need to. 

Browse Webnode’s plans

CMS Costs (More Flexibility, More Complexity)

WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS, which stands for content management system. In plain terms, it’s software that runs your website behind the scenes and lets you add pages, posts, and updates through a dashboard. It’s not a hosted service you sign up for like a website builder.

It’s software you install and manage yourself, which is both its biggest strength and its biggest challenge. WordPress powers roughly 40% of all websites on the internet, so if you’ve been doing research, you’ve almost certainly come across it.

WordPress itself is free. According to WordPress.org, it’s free and publicly available for anyone to use. But here’s what you also need to budget for:

• Hosting: $3–$15/month for a shared plan (e.g., Hostinger or Bluehost at the entry level)
• Domain name: ~$15/year
• Paid design template (optional but common): $50–$100 one-time. This is a pre-built visual layout for your site that you customize with your own content.
• Add-ons: Free to $200+/year. In WordPress, these are called plugins, which are small pieces of software you install to add features your site doesn’t have by default, like a contact form, an online store, an SEO tool, automatic backups, or a security scanner.

Put that together and a WordPress site realistically costs $10–$80/month, with the lower end being a bare-bones setup and the upper end reflecting premium hosting plus several paid plugins.

The key trade-off is this: WordPress gives you maximum flexibility and control. You can build almost anything. But it also puts the maintenance burden on you. Security updates, add-on conflicts, and backups are your responsibility. If something breaks, you either fix it yourself or hire a developer. That ongoing effort, along with the potential developer cost, is what tips many small business owners toward a website builder instead.

Tip: See a detailed Webnode and WordPress comparison.

Freelance Web Designer Costs

Hiring a freelancer is the right choice when you have a specific vision that requires custom design, genuinely don’t have time to build the site yourself, or need features that go beyond what a template can offer.

Typical price range: $500–$5,000, depending on:

• Number of pages and complexity
• Whether e-commerce is involved
• The designer’s experience level and location
• How much content you provide vs. what they create

The process usually looks like this: you share your requirements and your logo, colors, and photos. The designer builds a mockup, you give feedback, and they build and launch the site. Timeline is typically 2–8 weeks.

The question many clients miss: who handles the site after launch?

If your freelancer builds on WordPress, you inherit a WordPress site, along with all the maintenance responsibility that comes with it. If they build on a website builder platform, you take it over from there, which is much simpler. Make sure who handles future responsibilities is clear before you agree to anything. For a deeper look at this trade-off, read our guide on website builder vs custom website.

Which Option Is Right for Your Small Business

Here’s a simple decision framework:

Choose a website builder (like Webnode) if you want the lowest ongoing cost, fastest setup, and zero technical maintenance. This is the right path for most small businesses, especially service businesses, local shops, restaurants, consultants, and anyone who just needs a clean, professional online presence.

Choose WordPress if you’re comfortable with technology, want full ownership and control of every aspect of your site, and you are willing to take on the ongoing responsibility of updates, security, and troubleshooting.

Hire a freelancer if you have a specific custom design vision that templates can’t accommodate, or if you genuinely have no time to build the site yourself and have the budget to delegate to it.

Tip: If a website builder sounds like the right fit, you can build your first site free on Webnode and only pay when you’re ready for a custom domain. 

Website Cost Examples: Three Realistic Scenarios

1: Local service business (plumber, salon, accountant) A 5-page site with a homepage, services page, about page, gallery, and contact form.

• Website builder (e.g., Webnode standard plan): ~$12/month
• Custom domain: included in plan or ~$15/year extra
• Total: ~$12–$15/month

2: Small online store (10–50 products) An e-commerce site with product listings, cart, and payment processing.

• Website builder e-commerce plan: ~$20–$25/month
• Payment processing fees: 2–3% per transaction (Stripe/PayPal standard rates)
• Total: ~$20–$25/month + transaction fees

3: Freelancer or consultant portfolio, a personal brand site with a bio, portfolio/work samples, testimonials, and contact.

• Website builder entry plan: ~$7–$10/month
• Custom domain: ~$15/year
• Total: ~$8–$12/month

Hidden Website Costs to Watch Out For

This is the section most website cost articles skip, and it’s where budgets get derailed. Before committing to any platform, it helps to understand what domains and hosting actually cost, so there are no surprises down the line.

Here are the costs that often catch small business owners off guard:

• Domain name (~$10–$20/year). Often discounted or free in year one, then billed at full price on renewal. Make sure you know what the renewal rate is, not just the introductory price.

• SSL certificate (free with most paid builder plans). This is what gives your site the padlock icon in the browser and an https:// address. It’s included in virtually all paid website builder plans. On a WordPress setup, you’ll need to enable it manually through your host; most include it for free, but it requires setup.

• Email hosting (not always bundled). A professional email address like hello@yourbusiness.com usually requires a separate Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 subscription (~$6–$12/month per user). Some website builders offer this as an add-on; most don’t include it in the base plan.

• Payment processing fees (1.5–3% per transaction). If you sell anything online, payment processors take a cut. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for standard card payments. PayPal and Square have comparable rates. This isn’t a platform fee. It’s the standard cost of accepting card payments online, and it applies regardless of which website builder you use.

• WordPress-specific: add-on costs and developer fees. This is where WordPress budgets can quietly balloon. A contact form add-on, an SEO tool, a page builder, a backup tool, a security scanner: each might be free or $20–$100/year individually. Add a developer to fix a conflict between add-ons or customize something, and you’re looking at $50–$150/hour. These costs don’t appear in the initial budget but show up over time.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Build a Professional Small Business Website

The most cost-effective path to a professional small business website is a paid website builder plan with a custom domain.

Here’s a concrete example: a Webnode standard plan with a custom domain comes to approximately $10–$15/month, covering hosting, an SSL certificate, a design template that automatically adjusts to look good on phones and tablets, software updates, and customer support. Those are all things you’d otherwise pay for and manage separately.

Compare that to the WordPress equivalent: $5–$10/month for hosting + $15/year for a domain + $50–$100 for a theme + time spent on setup and maintenance. The upfront numbers look similar, but the ongoing effort and hidden costs add up.

For most small businesses, the math and the experience both point in the same direction: start with a website builder, get online quickly, and grow your business from there.

Start free on Webnode. Upgrade to a paid plan when you’re ready.

See Webnode’s current pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a small business website cost on average?

The realistic range depends on how you build it. A website builder runs approximately $10–$25/month, WordPress costs $15–$40/month once you account for hosting, a domain, and common plugins, and a freelancer-built site is typically a $500–$5,000 one-time cost. You’ll still have ongoing hosting and domain fees after that. Most small businesses don’t need the most expensive option. A professional, effective website is achievable with a website builder for well under $20/month.

Is it cheaper to use a website builder or WordPress?

For most beginners, a website builder is cheaper in practice. WordPress itself is free, but you need to pay separately for hosting, a domain, and often a paid design template and several add-ons. A website builder bundles all of those components into one predictable monthly subscription with no technical setup required. When you factor in time, along with the potential cost of fixing things when they break, website builders win on total cost for the average small business owner.

Can I pay monthly for a website?

Yes. Most websites involve recurring costs: hosting, domain renewal, and (for website builder users) a subscription plan. Annual billing typically costs 20–30% less than paying month-to-month, so it’s worth considering if you’re committed to the platform. The primary one-time cost is upfront design or development work if you hire a freelancer.

Can I build a website for my small business for free?

Yes. Free plans exist on platforms like Webnode. The limitations are worth knowing upfront: you’ll get a subdomain (yourbusiness.webnode.com) instead of a custom domain, and the platform’s branding may appear on your site. For a genuinely professional result, a paid plan with a custom domain is recommended, at typically $5–$10/month, and the credibility difference is significant.

What is included in the cost of a website?

The core components are a domain name, web hosting (or a website builder subscription that bundles hosting), website design (template or custom), and any add-ons like e-commerce or email. A website builder typically includes domain registration (often free for year one), hosting, an SSL certificate, and access to templates in one monthly fee, making costs more predictable than assembling the same components separately.

How much does website maintenance cost per year?

For a website builder, ongoing maintenance costs are minimal because the platform handles security patches, software updates, and hosting automatically. For a WordPress site, budget $200–$1,200/year for hosting, domain renewal, add-on subscriptions, and occasional developer assistance when something needs fixing. This ongoing cost difference is one of the most practical reasons small business owners choose a website builder over WordPress.

A note on pricing: Cost data in this article reflects typical market pricing as of 2026, based on published rates from major platforms and registrars, including Webnode, WordPress.org, Hostinger, Bluehost, Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Prices may vary by region and plan.

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X
• WhatsApp

Csilla Huszárik has 8 years of content writing experience, combining her passion for storytelling with a tech background. She specializes in translating complex technical concepts into user-friendly, benefit-oriented content that delivers value while converting well. Having lived in multiple countries, she speaks and writes in four languages and loves exploring new destinations.

The post How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in 2026 appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.