WORDPRESS

Best Website Builders of 2024

Published

8 months ago

January 26, 2024

Best Website Builders of 2024

As you fire up your flux capacitor and set your sights on the web landscapes of 2024, you’ll find that the digital world has evolved in ways once thought to be the stuff of science fiction.

You’re in for a quest to uncover the best website builder that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Among the pantheon of website creators, a few have risen to prominence, each boasting unique features that cater to various niches—from the simplicity desired by beginners to the robustness required by e-commerce ventures.

As you stand at the crossroads, weighing the balance between ease of use and functionality, you must consider what matters most for your online journey. Will you go for the all-in-one solution, prioritize aesthetic appeal, or focus on the nitty-gritty of search engine optimization?

The choice is yours, but remember, the platform you choose could be the cornerstone of your online success. So, which builder will be your ally as you carve out your own corner of the internet? Stay tuned to uncover the key players in the website builder arena of 2024.

Unveiling the Contenders

As we delve into the competitive landscape of website builders in 2024, it’s essential to scrutinize the leading platforms that have set the bar for innovation and user-friendliness. You’ll notice that platform pricing varies significantly, reflecting the diversity in services offered. While some providers entice you with free plans, others champion their premium features, aiming to justify higher costs with advanced functionalities.

Builder usability is a critical factor you can’t afford to overlook. The top contenders offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, making it seamless for you to design without technical expertise. A steep learning curve can be a deal-breaker, so platforms that simplify the process without sacrificing control are in high demand.

Mobile optimization is no longer optional; it’s imperative. The platforms leading the pack ensure that your website is responsive and looks impeccable on all devices, which is vital as mobile browsing continues to surge.

SEO capabilities are woven into the fabric of these builders, empowering you to enhance your site’s visibility right from the get-go. However, the depth of these SEO tools can vary, so it’s worth examining each platform’s offerings.

Don’t underestimate the value of customer support. Whether it’s 24/7 live chat assistance or extensive knowledge bases, the level of support can greatly impact your website building experience.

Elementor: Intuitive Visual Website Builder, 100+ Pre Built Widgets & more

Regarding website builders, Elementor stands out as a powerful and versatile option. It’s not just about building pages; it’s about crafting an entire website experience that’s both beautiful and functional. Here’s a breakdown of why Elementor shines:

Intuitive Visual Website Builder:

Drag-and-drop simplicity: Elementor’s visual builder is renowned for its ease of use. No coding is required! Just drag and drop elements like text, images, buttons, and forms to create stunning layouts.
Live editing and instant preview: See your changes live as you make them, ensuring your website looks exactly how you envisioned it.
Design beyond pages: Go beyond individual pages and craft a cohesive brand identity with the Theme Builder. Control headers, footers, archives, and more for a consistent look and feel.
Pre-built templates and kits: Kickstart your website with a library of pre-designed templates and kits for various industries and purposes.

Extensive Widget Arsenal:

100+ widgets: Elementor comes packed with widgets for all your needs, from basic text and images to forms, galleries, sliders, popups, pricing tables, WooCommerce integration, and social media feeds..

WordPress Freedom and Flexibility:

Unleash the power of WordPress: Elementor seamlessly integrates with WordPress, giving you access to its vast ecosystem of plugins, themes, and developer tools.
Full control and customization: Unlike closed website builders, Elementor gives you complete control over your website’s code and files, allowing for deep customization.

WooCommerce (e-commerce) Integration:

E-commerce powerhouse: Elementor seamlessly integrates with WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce plugin for WordPress, making it easy to build and manage your online store.
Dedicated WooCommerce widgets: Design stunning product pages, carts, and checkout experiences with Elementor’s WooCommerce-specific widgets.

Elementor AI – A Glimpse into the Future:

AI-powered design assistance: Elementor AI is a game-changer, offering AI-powered suggestions for layouts, content, and images, making website creation faster and more intuitive.
Stay ahead of the curve: Elementor constantly innovates, and AI integration is just the beginning. Be part of the future of website building with Elementor.

Bonus Points:

Mobile-responsive design: Build websites that look and function flawlessly on all devices.
SEO optimization: Elementor helps you optimize your website for search engines, increasing your online visibility.
Active community and support: Get help and inspiration from a thriving community of Elementor users and developers.

Elementor’s philosophy goes beyond just providing tools. It’s about empowering users to create beautiful, functional websites without limitations. The emphasis on user experience and the constant innovation and development of new features make Elementor a truly future-proof platform.

While no single platform can be called the “absolute best” for everyone, Elementor’s combination of ease of use, powerful features, and seamless integration with WordPress and WooCommerce makes it a strong contender for the title. It’s a platform that caters to beginners and professionals alike, making it a valuable asset for anyone looking to build a website in today’s digital landscape.

Squarespace: Sleek and Stylish

Squarespace stands out as a trendsetter in design elegance, offering you a platform where style meets substance without compromising on functionality. The Squarespace templates are meticulously crafted, often garnering design awards for their aesthetic appeal and user-centric layouts. This builder caters to a wide array of creative professionals, but it’s particularly renowned for its stunning photography portfolios. The interface allows you to showcase your work with a polished and professional look, effectively captivating your audience.

If you’re a musician, Squarespace provides sleek templates tailored to your industry. The websites you can build aren’t only visually appealing but also equipped with features necessary for promoting music, managing event schedules, and selling merchandise. The integration of audio players and album displays means your site will resonate well with fans and industry stakeholders alike.

For those in event planning, Squarespace’s stylish templates ensure that every event gets the spotlight it deserves. The platform’s functionality allows for seamless RSVP integrations, calendar views, and ticketing systems, all within designs that speak to the sophistication of your events.

In essence, Squarespace delivers a balance of beauty and practicality, making it a compelling choice for professionals who need to impress with both their brand image and online presence.

Wix: Creative Freedom

While Squarespace offers a well-curated blend of style and functionality, Wix sets itself apart by providing unparalleled creative freedom, allowing you to craft a unique online presence from the ground up. With its diverse range of creative templates, Wix caters to virtually any aesthetic or industry. Whether you’re a budding artist or a seasoned entrepreneur, you’ll find a template that resonates with your brand’s ethos.

Wix’s intuitive editor champions a user-friendly experience. The drag-and-drop functionality empowers you to position elements precisely where you want them, without needing to know a single line of code. This hands-on approach ensures that each website you build is a true reflection of your personal taste or brand identity.

Beyond basic design elements, Wix enriches websites with dynamic animation effects, which can add a layer of sophistication or playfulness to your user interface. These subtle motions can guide visitors’ attention and enhance the overall user experience.

Securing a custom domain through Wix is straightforward, reinforcing brand recognition and credibility. The combination of these features—creative templates, an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, animation effects, and custom domains—positions Wix as a powerful tool for those who value creative control in their web design endeavors.

Weebly: User-Friendly Experience

Nearly every aspect of Weebly’s platform is designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering a seamless experience even for those who’ve never built a website before. You’ll find Weebly advantages encompassing not just the ease of use, but also a comprehensive range of customization options that cater to your specific needs. Here’s how you can visualize the simplicity and efficiency of Weebly’s interface:

Drag-and-Drop Builder
Intuitively place elements on your page.
No coding required; ideal for beginners.
Real-time preview of your site as you build.
Customization Options
Rich library of themes and templates to kickstart your design.
Advanced tools for those who want more control over their site’s look.
Flexibility to integrate third-party apps for added functionality.
Support and Resources
Extensive educational tools guiding you through the building process.
Various pricing plans, ensuring there’s an option for every budget.
Strong community support for when you need advice or inspiration.

Analyzing Weebly’s offerings, it’s clear that the platform is committed to making website creation accessible. Whether you’re setting up an online store, a personal blog, or a portfolio, Weebly simplifies the process without compromising on the quality or depth of the final product.

Shopify: E-commerce Excellence

Shopify stands as a beacon of e-commerce excellence, offering robust tools and features that empower you to create a professional online store with remarkable ease. With Shopify analytics, you’ll gain insightful data to understand customer behavior and enhance your decision-making process. The platform excels in providing a variety of payment gateways, ensuring that your customers have the flexibility to pay in the manner most convenient for them.

Inventory management is another cornerstone of Shopify’s platform, allowing you to track stock levels, control inventory across multiple locations, and automate reorder points. Additionally, Shopify appreciates the importance of repeat business; hence, it simplifies the creation of customer accounts, fostering loyalty and encouraging return visits.

Theme customization is a breeze with Shopify, enabling you to tailor your store’s look to match your brand’s identity. You’re in control, whether you’re a design novice or a seasoned pro.

Below is a table to visualize some of Shopify’s key offerings:

Feature

Description

Shopify Analytics

Detailed insights into sales, customer behavior, and store performance.

Payment Gateways

Supports a multitude of payment options for customer convenience.

Inventory Management

Comprehensive tools to manage stock levels and product variations.

Customer Accounts

Easy setup of accounts to enhance customer retention and personalization.

Shopify’s platform is designed to facilitate your success in the digital marketplace, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for e-commerce mastery.

Zyro: AI-Driven Design

Zyro emerges as a game-changer in the website builder landscape, harnessing artificial intelligence to revolutionize the design process for creators like you. With its cutting-edge AI customization features, Zyro enables you to craft websites that aren’t just visually appealing but also tailored to your unique brand and audience. The platform’s design intelligence takes into account the latest web design trends, ensuring your site is both modern and functional.

Content automation is another standout feature, streamlining the task of populating your site with relevant text and images. This not only saves you time but also maintains branding consistency across your web presence. Zyro’s AI tools analyze your content to suggest and implement cohesive design elements that resonate with your brand’s voice and message.

Moreover, Zyro’s predictive layouts anticipate the needs of your visitors, creating intuitive interfaces that enhance user experience. This proactive approach to design ensures that your website isn’t only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to navigate, making it more likely that visitors will engage with your content and return in the future.

With Zyro, you’re not just building a website; you’re crafting a sophisticated digital experience that stands out in the crowded online space.

GoDaddy Website Builder: Marketing Integration

GoDaddy’s Website Builder integrates seamless marketing tools, empowering you to amplify your online presence and reach your target audience effectively. With its streamlined interface, you’re positioned to craft and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy without ever leaving the GoDaddy ecosystem.

GoDaddy SEO
Step-by-step SEO guidance to optimize your site for search engines
Strategic keyword recommendations to elevate your content
Performance tracking to fine-tune your approach

The GoDaddy SEO wizard simplifies the complexities of search engine optimization, offering you tailored advice that can enhance your site’s visibility. By focusing on relevant keywords and analyzing your site’s performance, you’re equipped to climb the search engine rankings methodically.

Social Media
Direct integration to share updates across multiple platforms
Templates to create cohesive branding
Scheduling tools to maintain consistent engagement

Leverage GoDaddy’s tools to synchronize your website with your social media profiles, ensuring a unified brand message. The scheduling feature allows you to plan posts in advance, keeping your audience engaged without constant manual input.

Email Campaigns and Local Listings
Intuitive email marketing suite for personalized outreach
Sync with local listings to boost regional discoverability
Analytics tracking to measure campaign effectiveness

Engage your audience with customized email campaigns and expand your local reach by syncing with essential local listings. Analytics tracking provides insights into user behavior, helping you refine your marketing tactics for better conversion rates.

Jimdo: Seamless Mobile Editing

While GoDaddy streamlines online marketing, Jimdo takes mobile website editing to the next level, allowing you to manage and update your site on-the-go with ease. Jimdo’s platform stands out for its mobile responsiveness, ensuring that your website automatically adjusts to look great on any device. This is crucial, as mobile internet usage continues to soar.

With an intuitive interface, you don’t need to be a tech whiz to make changes to your site. Jimdo’s app provides a user-friendly experience, complete with template designs that aren’t only stylish but also fully customizable using the drag and drop feature. You’re able to swap out text, images, and other elements effortlessly, maintaining a professional look whether you’re tweaking your site from a tablet or a smartphone.

The innovative Jimdo Dolphin feature simplifies the process even further. It’s an AI-powered design assistant that helps you create a website in minutes, which is a game-changer for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners. Dolphin asks you a few questions about your preferences and uses your answers to generate a unique, ready-to-use website, all through your mobile device.

Jimdo’s commitment to seamless mobile editing is a testament to the platform’s dedication to accessibility and convenience in website management.

Webflow: For Design Professionals

Webflow emerges as a robust platform for design professionals, offering unmatched control over the visual and functional aspects of website creation. As you delve into its extensive features, you’ll find that design versatility is at the forefront, allowing you to craft unique and responsive sites that stand out from the crowd.

Design Versatility
Customizable grid and flexbox layouts
A rich set of typography and color controls
An extensive library of interactive elements

Webflow doesn’t just stop at static designs. It offers a wide array of animation effects that can bring your website to life. With trigger-based interactions, you can create subtle or complex animations that engage your visitors.

Animation Effects
Scroll-based parallax motion
Hover and mouse interaction triggers
Timed animations and multi-step sequences

For content-rich sites, CMS integration is seamless, supporting everything from blogs to e-commerce. Template customization is straightforward, and you can tweak templates to your exact specifications or start from a blank canvas.

CMS Integration & Template Customization
Dynamic content embedding with CMS Collections
Pre-built templates with full customization options
Layouts that automatically adjust to CMS content

Moreover, Webflow doesn’t neglect the technical side of things. Advanced SEO tools are built-in, giving you the ability to optimize your site for search engines right from the start.

Duda: Team Collaboration Features

Building on the comprehensive design capabilities of platforms like Webflow, Duda sets itself apart by offering exceptional team collaboration features that streamline website creation for agencies and large teams. You’ll notice that the platform is designed with the understanding that a seamless workflow is crucial for productivity.

Duda provides in-depth collaboration analytics, allowing you to track your team’s progress and efficiency. Role assignments are a breeze with Duda’s granular permission settings, enabling you to tailor access for each team member. This ensures that every individual can contribute without overstepping their bounds.

Design feedback is another area where Duda shines. The platform allows for direct communication on the design itself, reducing misunderstandings and speeding up the revision process. Shared libraries mean that your assets are accessible to everyone who needs them, maintaining consistency across projects. Moreover, Duda’s real-time editing feature means that multiple team members can work on a project simultaneously, making the most of your collective skills and time.

Here’s a quick overview of these features in a structured format:

Feature

Description

Benefit to Teams

Collaboration analytics

Track team activities and project progress

Optimize workflow and efficiency

Role assignments

Customize access and responsibilities per team member

Streamline management and security

Design feedback

Integrated system for providing design-related comments

Accelerate revision cycles

Real-time editing

Multiple users editing the site simultaneously

Enhance productivity and synergy

Duda’s focus on collaboration transforms the complex task of website building into a coordinated and enjoyable team effort.

BigCommerce: Scalable Online Stores

BigCommerce stands out as a robust e-commerce platform, offering scalable online stores that grow with your business needs. It’s designed to support business scaling, ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle increased traffic and sales without a hitch.

Here’s what sets BigCommerce apart:

Enterprise features:
High-capacity servers that ensure your site remains fast and reliable, even during peak traffic.
Advanced security protocols to protect your data and build customer trust.
Customizable themes and APIs that cater to your brand’s unique identity and technical requirements.
Advanced analytics:
Real-time data tracking to help you make informed decisions based on user behavior and sales trends.
Customer segmentation tools for targeted marketing campaigns and personalized shopping experiences.
SEO and marketing features to increase visibility and drive more organic traffic to your site.
Market expansion and Omnichannel integration:
Multi-currency support to reach customers globally and facilitate international sales.
Integration with social media and marketplaces for a seamless omnichannel presence.
Robust API for third-party apps to extend your store’s capabilities and streamline operations.

With BigCommerce, you’re investing in a platform that’s as ambitious as your growth plans, equipped with tools to master market expansion and omnichannel strategies.

Strikingly: Single-Page Specialist

While BigCommerce excels in fostering extensive e-commerce growth, Strikingly specializes in simplifying the online presence for individuals and small businesses with its efficient single-page website building platform. You’ll find that Strikingly’s advantages lie in its streamlined approach to web design, allowing for quick and easy site creation without sacrificing functionality.

A standout feature of Strikingly is its dedication to mobile optimization. As you’re likely aware, mobile traffic has overtaken desktop in many areas, making this feature crucial for reaching a wider audience. Strikingly ensures that your site will look great and function smoothly on any device.

The platform’s template variety is another key benefit, catering to different styles and industries. With a range of designs to choose from, you’re sure to find a template that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic.

Strikingly also provides robust analytics tools, giving you valuable insights into your website’s performance. This data can help you make informed decisions to further refine your online strategy.

Lastly, Strikingly’s membership features offer a way to create exclusive content for registered users, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among your audience.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

Feature

Description

Impact on User Experience

Mobile Optimization

Ensures your site is accessible and responsive on all devices

Increased engagement

Template Variety

Wide selection to suit different preferences and industries

Personalized branding

Analytics Tools

Tracks website performance and user behavior

Informed strategy tweaks

With Strikingly, you’re equipped to build a professional-looking, single-page website that doesn’t just impress at first glance but also delivers in performance.

Tilda: Visually Engaging Layouts

Tilda captivates users with its array of visually engaging layouts designed to create stunning websites that stand out in today’s digital landscape. Its strength lies in the versatility and ease of use provided by what they call ‘creative blocks’. These pre-designed sections are customizable, allowing you to piece together a unique site without needing extensive design experience.

Creative Blocks:
Modular elements that can be mixed and matched
Tailored for various content types, from image galleries to complex text layouts
Infinite combinations for a truly bespoke website design

Tilda’s appeal isn’t just in the aesthetics but also in the functionality. Their animation effects add a dynamic flair to your pages, ensuring that your content isn’t just seen but experienced. To help you master these tools, Tilda tutorials are available, offering step-by-step guidance to utilize the platform to its full potential.

Animation Effects:
Smooth transitions and hover effects
Interactive infographics
Engaging storytelling through motion

Considering a global audience? Tilda’s multilingual support ensures your message resonates across different languages. And with various subscription plans, you can find the right fit for your needs and budget.

Subscription Plans:
Scalable options from basic to comprehensive
Features tailored for individuals, businesses, and e-commerce
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Constant Contact Website Builder: Email Marketing Focus

Shifting focus from Tilda’s visually engaging platforms, Constant Contact Website Builder emerges as a formidable tool for those prioritizing email marketing in their online presence strategy. You’ll find its strength lies in sophisticated email deliverability capabilities, ensuring that your crafted messages reach subscribers’ inboxes consistently.

Analyzing its features, you’ll appreciate the robust list management options. They enable you to organize contacts efficiently, which is pivotal for any email campaign’s success. The platform doesn’t just store your contacts; it helps you make sense of them. Subscriber segmentation is a breeze, allowing you to tailor your messages based on demographics, behavior, or engagement levels. This precise targeting can significantly boost the relevancy of your communication.

Moreover, the automation workflows are a standout feature that streamlines your marketing efforts. You can set triggers based on user actions, which then automatically send personalized emails, saving you time and maintaining consistent contact engagement.

Evaluating Constant Contact Website Builder, it’s clear that it’s designed for those who see email marketing as more than just an afterthought. It’s a strategic choice for businesses aiming to nurture leads and maintain a dynamic dialogue with their audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you’ve got a wealth of top-tier website builders at your fingertips in 2024.

Elementor leads with unparalleled design freedom, ideal for beginners and e-commerce enthusiasts.

Wix and Squarespace offer intuitive use and stylish templates, respectively, while Weebly simplifies online store creation.

For retail dominance, Shopify is your go-to, and Strikingly shines for one-page sites.

BigCommerce caters to e-commerce pros, Tilda impresses with visuals, and SITE123 streamlines web development.

Choose wisely to best showcase your online vision.

FAQs

What is a website builder?

A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without having to write any code. They typically use a drag-and-drop interface, so you can simply add the elements you want to your website by clicking and dragging them into place.

What are the benefits of using a website builder?

There are many benefits to using a website builder, including:

Ease of use: Website builders are designed to be easy to use, even for people with no prior experience.
Affordability: Website builders are typically much more affordable than hiring a web developer.
Scalability: Many website builders allow you to easily add new features and functionality to your website as your needs grow.
Mobile-friendly: Most website builders offer mobile-friendly templates, so your website will look great on all devices.

What are the drawbacks of using a website builder?

There are also a few drawbacks to using a website builder, including:

Limited design flexibility: Website builders typically offer a limited number of templates and design options.
Less control: You may have less control over the look and feel of your website when using a website builder than you would if you were coding it yourself.
Potential for vendor lock-in: Some website builders make it difficult to switch to another platform once you’ve started using them.

What about hosting? Do I need hosting for a website builder?

While some website builders include hosting in their subscription, others require you to purchase hosting separately. If you choose a builder without built-in hosting, you’ll need to find a hosting provider for your website’s files and databases.

How much does it cost to use a website builder?

Website builders typically offer a variety of pricing plans, so the cost can vary depending on the features you need. However, you can generally expect to pay between $5 and $50 per month for a basic website builder plan.

How do I choose the right website builder for me?

The best website builder for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. Some things to consider include:

Your level of experience: If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to choose a website builder that is easy to use.
The type of website you want to create: Some website builders are better suited for certain types of websites, such as blogs or e-commerce stores.
Your budget: Website builders can range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per month.

I hope this answers some of your questions about website builders. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

This article was written in cooperation with Itamar Haim, an SEO expert

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WORDPRESS

7 Best Small Business Website Builders (Tested & Compared)

Published

9 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Max

7 Best Small Business Website Builders (Tested & Compared)

For over 15 years, we have built and managed our websites using WordPress.org, and it has been an amazing platform for our needs. That’s why we thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking to start a small business website.

However, we recognize that every company has unique needs, which is why we have explored other small business website builders, including Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.com.

We reviewed and tested the most popular website builders by downloading and making real websites with them. This helped us gain firsthand experience with their features, user interfaces, and overall performance.

It also allowed us to identify each builder’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring we can offer accurate recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

In this article, we will share our list of the best small business website builders, along with their pros and cons.

If you are in a hurry, then take a quick look at our expert picks to make a decision.

#	Website Builder	Best For	Pricing
🥇	WordPress.org	Powerful small business website	Free
🥈	Wix	Appointment bookings and management	$4/month + Free
🥉	Squarespace	Photographers and subscription-based services	$25/month
4	HubSpot	Basic small business websites	Free
5	Gator Website Builder	Freelancers and simple business sites	$3.46/month
6	WooCommerce	Small online stores	Free
7	WordPress.com	Managed website builder	$9/month + Free

How We Tested and Reviewed Small Business Website Builders

If you want to launch a small business website without having to write any code, then using a website builder is the quickest and most cost-effective option. That being said, there are a lot of website builders to pick from.

We have downloaded and built real websites with the most popular website builders to help you choose the right one for your business. When doing that, we paid special attention to the following criteria.

Ease of use: We have prioritized website builders that have a beginner-friendly interface, an easy onboarding process, a huge community, and extensive documentation.
Features: An ideal builder for a small business site will have features like a drag-and-drop interface, premade templates, scalability, and affordable pricing.
Reliability: We have only included the small business website builders that we have tested ourselves. We also paid attention to customer reviews and support to look for common issues.

Why Trust WPBeginner?

WPBeginner is a team of experts with 15+ years of experience in WordPress, SEO, design, website creation, and more.

We thoroughly tested and reviewed each website builder on this list to give you the best recommendations. For more information, see our complete editorial process.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the best small business website builders on the market.

1. WordPress.org

WordPress.org is the best website builder for small businesses because it is free, open source, and scalable.

For over 15 years, we have built and managed successful websites like WPBeginner and WPForms using this website builder. WordPress.org has been instrumental in our growth because it’s easy to use and hasn’t slowed us down as our websites have become more popular.

For more details, see our complete WordPress review.

The platform is super flexible and allows you to add any kind of functionality to your site using its library of 59,000+ free WordPress plugins. Plus, you can use popular themes to customize your site and make it visually appealing for visitors.

For this reason, it is highly popular and used by over 43% of the sites on the internet.

WordPress.org gives you complete control over your site, and it can also integrate with popular page builders like SeedProd to launch your small business in just a few minutes.

SeedProd Website Builder for Business Theme

Other than that, opting for WordPress.org allows you to own your website and its content. This means that you are free from limitations and intrusive ads often found in free website builder plans.

Plus, as your business thrives, your website can scale alongside it, as WordPress.org can easily handle high traffic volumes, allowing you to build a website that grows with your ambition.

Expert Tip: Looking for a WordPress website without all the hassle of creating it? Our team of experts can design a custom, attractive WordPress site that is optimized for SEO and conversions. Check out our WPBeginner Website Design Services today!

Pros

We love WordPress.org’s huge community of users and developers because it makes it easier to find help and tutorials online if you run into any issues while building your website.
This platform is used by many popular brands like Sony Music, Disney Books, Taylor Swift, and more.
The website builder is translated into over 75 languages, meaning you can create a multilingual site with it.
It can be used to create any kind of website like a blog, membership site, online store, travel business, selling furniture, and more. We have used WordPress.org to build online stores and blogs and have had a great experience.

Cons

From years of using WordPress, we know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to maintain all the WordPress core, plugins, and theme updates yourself. This means you may need to pay for WordPress maintenance.
Even though WordPress.org itself is free, you will still need to purchase a domain name and hosting.

Why we recommend WordPress.org: Overall, WordPress.org is the best small business website builder because it is free and allows you to customize your site however you want. You won’t have to use a single line of code to launch your small business with this option.

For more details, see our beginner’s guide on how to make a WordPress website.

2. Wix

Wix is another great option for small businesses. It is a powerful website builder with a drag-and-drop editing interface and a vast library of pre-made templates for all kinds of industries and niches.

We evaluated Wix by creating a test website and found it to be a user-friendly platform particularly well-suited for people new to website building. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to create websites without requiring technical knowledge.

The platform is fully hosted, so you won’t have to purchase a hosting plan, and it offers a free SSL certificate to all its users. It also has hundreds of free and paid apps, which are like plugins, and will add different functionalities to your small business site.

Additionally, Wix offers basic SEO tools that suggest relevant keywords, generate sitemaps, optimize images, and customize meta tags.

We were highly impressed by Wix’s SEO Wizard, which simplifies the process of optimizing websites for search engines. Its step-by-step instructions make it an excellent choice for beginners who want to improve their website’s SEO.

For more information, you can see our comparison of Wix vs. WordPress.

Pros

When we were testing Wix, we were impressed by its built-in artificial design intelligence (Wix ADI) that can design a website for you.
It offers security tools to help protect your site from hackers and malicious viruses.
Wix is optimized for mobile phones and offers an analytics feature to track your business site performance.
It has a Wix booking feature that lets you manage appointments and bookings online.

Cons

The platform shows Wix-branded ads on your website, which can annoy users and hurt your branding. You will need to upgrade to the paid plan to remove these ads.
When building a website with the platform, we realized it can be difficult to move your website from Wix to any other builder.

Why we recommend Wix: We recommend this platform if you have a hotel and want to open a website to manage bookings online. This is because it has a built-in Wix Bookings feature, which can really help you.

It is also a good option for an online store because it offers features like product listings, secure payments, and shipping management.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is a great website builder known for its collection of modern templates. When creating a site with it, we found that the platform’s flexibility allows for easy switching between these layouts.

This enables users to explore different options and find the ideal design for their business.

You can create stunning websites in minutes thanks to the builder’s drag-and-drop interface and mobile-responsive design. Squarespace’s powerful features let you showcase your work using portfolios and galleries, making it ideal for creatives and businesses.

The platform even comes with a huge app market with thousands of apps that you can add to your website to extend its functionality, like contact forms, social media integration, popups, and more.

Other than that, Squarespace has a special eCommerce plan to create an online store, manage inventory, accept payments, and more.

Pros

You can also sell subscription-based services and products with the platform.
Upon testing, we found out that Squarespace lets you upload and edit images efficiently right in its builder.
It is a self-hosted platform, so you won’t have to worry about hosting plans.
Squarespace has some basic SEO and analytics features.

Cons

The website builder offers limited integrations with third-party tools, which can restrict your growing site.
We didn’t like that it offers limited customization options for its premade templates. This can be a con for those looking for a more flexible builder.
Squarespace can be a bit expensive if you are on a shoestring budget.

Why we recommend Squarespace: If your small business is related to photography, art, or design, then Squarespace is a good choice due to its huge library of visually appealing templates.

It is also a good choice for selling subscription-based services. For more details, see our comparison of Squarespace vs. WordPress.

4. HubSpot Website Builder

HubSpot Website Builder is an amazing choice for building a small business website. Our experience in building a demo site with it showed us its potential to streamline website creation and boost your online presence.

For more information on our experience with HubSpot, you can see our complete HubSpot review.

HubSpot has a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, comes with a bunch of pre-built themes, and integrates with the HubSpot CRM, where you can store all your customer data.

The builder also provides special SEO tools to optimize pages for search engines and offers built-in security to protect your website from malware and other attacks.

Additionally, we love that the website builder is free and comes with free hosting, making it a great choice if you are just starting your small business.

Pros

HubSpot has an AI-powered tool to help create a simple website by answering a few questions about your business.
We particularly liked the adaptive testing feature where you can choose up to five variations of a page, and HubSpot will monitor and serve the best-performing option.
You can create WordPress forms, landing pages, live chat, and chatbots on your website.
You can also track your website traffic and see how visitors are interacting with your website.

Cons

When evaluating the tool, we realized that HubSpot itself doesn’t have built-in eCommerce functionality. That is why we don’t recommend it if you plan on starting an online store.
As your site grows, the pricing can be expensive.

Why we recommend HubSpot Website Builder: If you have a small business and are planning to just have a small website, then this is an ideal solution.

5. Gator Website Builder

Gator is a popular website builder by HostGator that is a great option for making a small business site. We thoroughly tested the tool to evaluate its user interface and overall effectiveness in creating a visually appealing website and found it pretty easy to use.

Gator offers a free domain name, SSL certificate, and hosting plan to all its users at affordable prices, making it a great choice if you are just starting your business.

Other than that, it even has a library of stock photos that you can use in your blog posts to make your content visually appealing.

Pros

You can easily link a website created by Gator to any social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
We like its SEO and analytics tools that can improve site rankings and track your business performance.
Gator has eCommerce features like product listings, shopping carts, and payment processing to set up an online store.

Cons

Gator does not have a free plan.
When making a website with the tool, we found that it offers limited design and customization flexibility for your website.

Why we recommend Gator Website Builder: If you are looking for a tool to build a simple business site that shows your opening hours, contact information, and services, then Gator is a great choice.

It is also a good option if you are a freelancer and want to build a resume site to attract more clients.

6. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the best website builder for eCommerce sites. If you plan to sell any products on your small business site, then this is the best option for you.

Our experience with WooCommerce has been super positive. We have used the tool in the past to sell products online. It’s reliable and user-friendly, and you can learn more in our WooCommerce review.

Additionally, WooCommerce can seamlessly integrate with WordPress and has an easy onboarding process that allows you to set up a store in just a few minutes. You can efficiently manage your inventory, display products, and collect payments with 83+ payment options and many WooCommerce plugins and extensions.

WooCommerce also has a large and active community of users, which means you can find plenty of support and resources online if you run into any errors. Other than that, it is designed to be SEO-friendly and helps your store rank higher in the search results.

For more information, you can see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple.

Pros

The platform has a lot of free and paid WooCommerce plugins that can add all kinds of functionality to your website.
Upon testing, we realized that WooCommerce integrates with most third-party tools, such as email marketing services, help desk software, and live chat software.
With the help of All in One SEO, which is the best SEO plugin, you can also add product schema to your WooCommerce store products. This can boost your site rankings.

Cons

WooCommerce itself is free. However, to launch your small business site, you will need to purchase a domain name and hosting.
We didn’t like that you have to manually update WooCommerce, create backups, and perform routine maintenance tasks. This can be time-consuming and annoying for some users.

Why we recommend WooCommerce: If you plan to sell products like clothing, pet supplies, and more on your business site, then WooCommerce is the best option for you.

7. WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a managed WordPress hosting service and user-friendly platform for creating websites without technical knowledge.

Keep in mind that WordPress.com is completely different from WordPress.org, which is a self-hosted platform. For more details, see our comparison on WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org.

This platform offers pre-designed themes, core blogging features like creating and scheduling posts, and basic media management.

Plus, it handles backups and site maintenance automatically, so you won’t have to worry about anything.

However, while WordPress.com offers a free plan to get started, it displays ads and restricts plugin access, which can limit your website’s functionality and customization. The Personal and Premium plans also have these limitations.

That is why we recommend the Business plan for $25 to create a fully customizable small business website with access to plugins. On the other hand, if your goal is to sell products online, then the Commerce plan for $45 is the better option. It includes all the features of the Business plan with WooCommerce integration.

Pros

WordPress.com has a clean interface, which makes it ideal for beginners.
We particularly liked its mobile responsiveness because about 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices.
WordPress.com offers great customer support to all the users who have upgraded to the paid version of the platform.

Cons

If you opt for the Commerce plan, then you will have to pay a transaction fee of 4-8% in addition to standard processing fees.
While WordPress.com offers a user-friendly platform to build websites, it functions more like a managed WordPress hosting service compared to self-hosted WordPress.org. This means you have less control over customization and functionality due to limitations on plugins.

Why we recommend WordPress.com: If you want to create a simple business site, then WordPress.com can be a good solution. However, if you are on a budget, then you are better off using self-hosted WordPress.org with other affordable hosting companies like Bluehost, Hostinger, or SiteGround.

Which Is the Best Small Business Website Builder?

In our expert opinion, WordPress.org is the best small business website builder because it is free, scalable, and flexible. Plus, it gives you complete control over your site by allowing you to add kinds of functions using different plugins and themes.

However, if your small business manages bookings and appointments, then Wix is also a great solution due to its Wix Bookings feature.

Similarly, Squarespace is a good choice for photographers, artists, and designers because it has modern template designs.

But if you just plan to create an online store, then we recommend WooCommerce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Website Builders

Here are some questions that are frequently asked by our readers about website builders for small businesses.

How much do website builders typically cost?

An average website builder can cost you about $3-$30/month. However, most builders also offer a free plan or a trial period where you can try out the builder before purchasing it.

You can also opt for WordPress.org, which is self-hosted and completely free. Just remember that you will still need to purchase a domain name and hosting plan and that can increase overall costs.

Can I switch website builders later on?

Yes, you can switch your website builder later on. However, the process can be difficult depending on the website builder you used previously and the complexity of your site.

That is why we recommend choosing the builder that meets all your needs right from the start. To get an idea of how to switch builders, see our tutorial on how to move your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

Do website builders offer SEO tools?

Some website builders like Gator offer basic SEO tools like keyword optimization, meta description editing, and sitemap creation.

However, to completely optimize your site for SEO, we recommend using a plugin like All in One SEO and following all the best practices. For more information, see our ultimate SEO guide.

Related Guides for Small Business Websites

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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WORDPRESS

A Guide to WordPress.org Badges – WordPress.com News

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2024

Max

WordPress is an open source project, meaning anyone can contribute to the software, regardless of skill level. You probably first think of writing code, but it goes beyond that: whether you’re submitting patches, translating content, or organizing events, your contributions matter and are essential to the ongoing success of the WordPress project.

This collective effort ensures WordPress remains accessible, secure, and innovative. Plus, it’s a chance to work alongside passionate individuals who share a love for WordPress and the open web.

When you contribute, you not only get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with giving back, but you also get a virtual badge on your WordPress.org profile. Today’s post is going to explore the ins and outs of these meaningful additions to your WordPress C.V.

What are WordPress.org profile badges?

In the WordPress community, badges aren’t just for scouts—they’re symbols of contributors’ dedication to the power of the open web and professional achievement. No matter your role in the WordPress ecosystem, profile badges highlight your contributions to the open source project that powers over 40% of the web.

If you’ve been part of the WordPress open source project in any capacity, you have a WordPress.org profile that looks something like this (you can find Daniel’s, which is pictured below, here: https://profiles.wordpress.org/danielbachhuber):

Note: this is your WordPress.org profile, not your WordPress.com profile.

What may be different about your own profile are all those cool badges—or lack thereof. If you don’t have (m)any, you’re probably thinking, “Those are cool! How do I get those?”

Think of these badges as your WordPress resume. They are visual markers that help showcase your contributions to the core WordPress project. As you can see, these badges appear on your WordPress.org profile, giving others a glimpse into your involvement and expertise.

Badges are earned for a number of contribution types—in fact, there are 30 different badges you can show off. Whether you’re writing code, answering questions in the forums, helping translate WordPress into other languages, or organizing meetups and WordCamps, there’s a badge for nearly every type of contribution.

Beyond just being a fun visual, though, profile badges are a way to build your reputation within the WordPress ecosystem and signal to others that you’re an engaged, knowledgeable, and reliable member of the community.

Why badges matter

Profile badges are more than just digital stickers—they come with a few tangible benefits:

Get recognized for your efforts: Whether you’re a plugin developer or an accessibility contributor, badges are a public way of being recognized for your hard work. It’s a way for the community to say, “Thank you!”
Build credibility: If your career is related to WordPress, your badges are a symbol of your expertise and commitment. Potential clients or hiring managers can see your dedication to the platform, which can set you apart from other providers or job candidates.
Increase your networking opportunities: Badges can also serve as a way to connect with others who share similar interests. If you’re active in the WordPress community, your badges show that you’re invested, making it easier to forge connections with others who are just as passionate.

Badges are a reflection of your journey within the WordPress community.

All the possible WordPress.org profile badges.

How to earn WordPress.org profile badges

Earning WordPress badges is all about getting involved. All you need to do is create your profile (if you haven’t already) and start contributing. Here’s a breakdown of some common badges and how you can earn them:

1. Core Contributor

The Core Contributor badge is awarded to those who contribute directly to WordPress Core. This can include submitting code patches, testing new features, or reporting bugs during development cycles.

To earn this badge, you don’t have to be a coding wizard—there are plenty of ways to contribute to WordPress core, even if you’re just getting started with development. Testing, providing feedback, and reporting bugs are all valuable contributions that can help you earn this badge.

2. Meetup Organizer

If you’re passionate about building local WordPress communities, organizing a meetup is a great way to get involved. To earn this badge, you’ll need to officially register your meetup group through WordPress.org and organize regular events. It’s a fantastic way to contribute to the community and make connections with fellow WordPressers in your area.

Don’t forget about WordPress.com’s free hosting offer for any local meetup website.

3. Accessibility

This badge is awarded to contributors who help ensure that WordPress remains inclusive and usable for everyone. Work in this area includes testing themes and plugins for accessibility compliance, contributing code that improves accessibility features, and helping write documentation and best practices. Your efforts here make WordPress more user-friendly for all. By working towards this badge, you’re playing a crucial role in making the web a more accessible place, one improvement at a time.

4. Polyglots (Translation)

WordPress is a global platform, and the Polyglots team is responsible for translating it into hundreds of languages. If you’re multilingual, contributing to translations is an incredibly valuable way to give back to the community.

To earn this badge, you can join the Polyglots team and start translating WordPress Core, themes, and plugins into your native language. Every contribution counts, whether it’s a single string or an entire project.

5. Support

The WordPress support forums are a lifeline for users around the world, and those who actively help others solve their WordPress problems can earn the Support badge. Whether you’re answering questions, providing advice, or sharing your knowledge, this badge is for those who make the forums a valuable resource.

Earning this badge is simple: Get involved in the support forums and help other users navigate their WordPress questions.

This is just a sampling of what’s available. Remember, there are 30 total badges to earn!

Show your commitment to the WordPress community

While digital trophies are fun and all, WordPress.org profile badges are more than that—they’re a visual and visible reflection of your commitment to the WordPress community and open source project. No matter the type of contribution you’ve made, every badge tells a story of how you have helped make WordPress what it is today.

Whether you have one badge or all thirty, every contribution pathway is meaningful. Make it your own and go deep, go wide, or do both in contributing to this one-of-a-kind project and community.

No matter your skill level, there’s always more to do in this grand quest of democratizing publishing for the entire world. Get involved, make a difference, and show off your badges with pride.

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WORDPRESS

Best Crypto Payment Gateways for Businesses in 2024

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2024

Max

Best Crypto Payment Gateways for Businesses in 2024

In 2023, the total transaction value of crypto gateway payments recorded worldwide was $1.62 billion. This is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17% from 2023 to 2030. Since most crypto transactions are through direct wallet-to-wallet transactions, the actual value of cryptocurrency transactions used for payment of goods may actually be significantly higher than this value.

Businesses looking to get a piece of that pie are exploring ways to start accepting cryptocurrencies beyond the usual wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions. A crypto payment gateway allows businesses to accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether as payments within a more secure payment flow. Crypto payment gateways may also allow merchants to keep the payments as cryptocurrencies, convert cryptocurrencies to fiat currencies, and accept cross-border payments.

Aside from the increased adoption of crypto payments, some other benefits of accepting cryptocurrency payments are lower transaction costs, no risk of chargebacks, enhanced security, and access to a unique customer base.

Top crypto payment gateways comparison

The best crypto payment gateways offer a combination of seamless integration, extensive cryptocurrency support, robust security features, and competitive pricing. The comparison table below illustrates the transaction fees, number of crypto and fiat currencies supported, and e-commerce plugins for each crypto payment gateway.

	Our rating (out of 5)	Transaction fee*	Cryptocurrencies	Fiat settlement currencies	E-commerce plugins
NOWPayments	4.54	0.5% (if no currency exchange)	200+	20+	9
BitPay	4.30	1%–2% + 25 cents	15	9	6
Coinbase Commerce	4.25	1%	13	1	4
OpenNode	3.98	1%	1	8	6
Crypto.com	3.98	0	30+	4	6
*Crypto transactions always incur a network or gas fee for executing operations on the blockchain. The transaction fee charged by the payment gateway is a separate fee.

NOWPayments: Best overall

Image: NOWPayments

Our rating: 4.54 out of 5

NOWPayments is a flexible cryptocurrency payment gateway that allows businesses to accept both crypto and fiat payments. It offers a range of integration options and settlement methods, giving merchants control over how they manage their funds.

Why I chose NOWPayments

NOWPayments’ biggest strength is the complete flexibility it provides to merchants when it comes to accepting payments. It allows merchants to receive both fiat and cryptocurrencies. Upon receiving the payment, the merchant has continued flexibility on what to do with it (keep it in the same currency or convert it to a different currency) and where to put it (keep the payment in custody or withdraw it to a crypto wallet or bank account).

Aside from the settlement flexibility, NOWPayments offers all the possible ways to accept crypto payments. Its Custody feature allows merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments without a crypto wallet and make currency exchanges without paying network fees. It also has a network fee optimization that can help minimize blockchain fees when converting or transferring cryptocurrencies.

NOWPayments offers a more comprehensive set of features than other crypto payment gateways on this list. This makes it an excellent fit for businesses seeking full control and flexibility in managing their crypto payments.

Pricing

Transaction fee: 0.5% for payments without exchange.
Conversion fee: 0.5%.

Features

Instant account registration.
Accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies as payments.
Settles in more than 20 fiat currencies.
Custody feature.
Ways to accept crypto payments:
- API integration.
- Invoices or payment links.
- Ecommerce plugins: PrestaShop, Magento 2, OpenCart, Zen Cart, Shopware, WooCommerce, WHMCS, Ecwid, Shopify.
- QR code.
- Subscription.
- Donation button.
Payment flow:
- Accept crypto > keep in custody
- Accept crypto > convert to other cryptocurrency > keep in custody
- Accept fiat > convert to cryptocurrency > keep in custody
- Accept crypto > withdraw to your crypto wallet
- Accept crypto > convert to other cryptocurrency > withdraw to your crypto wallet
- Accept crypto > convert to fiat > withdraw to your bank account
- Custody balance > withdraw to your crypto wallet
- Custody balance > convert to fiat > withdraw to your bank account/
Fixed-rate exchange option.
Crypto-to-fiat withdrawal: 1 business day.
Mass payouts.
Network fee optimization.
API to integrate with any mobile POS terminal.
Sandbox environment for testing.
24/7 customer support.

The NOWPayments Dashboard. Source: CoinGate

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Settlement flexibility.	Complex refund process.
Custody feature to save on network. fees for currency exchanges.	Limited reporting tools.
Accepts both crypto and fiat payments.	Minimum payment fluctuates.
API integration with any mobile POS terminal.

BitPay: Best for multi-user access

Image: BitPay

Our rating: 4.30 out of 5

BitPay is a cryptocurrency payment gateway known for its user-friendly interface and multi-user account capabilities. It offers tiered transaction fees that decrease with higher monthly volumes. However, it provides limited flexibility to merchants as payments are automatically converted and settled into the merchant’s bank account or cryptocurrency wallet.

Why I chose BitPay

BitPay is the only crypto payment gateway on this list that allows multi-user access. This makes it a great choice for businesses that require multiple team members to manage payments. It also locks in exchange rates at the time of purchase, which helps protect merchants from crypto price fluctuations.

While its transaction fees may be higher than others on this list, BitPay is a reliable and well-known provider, and its mobile POS app makes it easy to accept crypto payments in-store.

Pricing

Transaction fee (based on monthly volume):
- $500,000–$999,999: 1.5% + 25 cents
- $1,000,000 and above: 1% + 25 cents
Application fee: $75
Minimum withdrawal amount: depends on currency; $20 for USD

Features

Instant account registration.
Accepts 15 cryptocurrencies as payments.
Settles in 9 fiat currencies.
Automatic volume discounts.
Daily settlement.
Ways to accept crypto payments:
- API integration.
- Invoices or payment links.
- Subscription.
- E-commerce plugins: Magento 2, Shopify, WHMCS, Wix, WooCommerce, BigCommerce.
- Easy to embed payment button.
- Donation button.
- Mobile POS app.
Payment flow:
- Accept crypto > converted to your chosen currency > daily settlement to your chosen bank account or cryptocurrency wallet.
Multi-user login access.
Locks in rate at the time of purchase.
Lightning network support.
Customer support via email within 1 business day.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Multi-user capability.	Fewer e-commerce plugins.
Mobile POS app for accepting payments in-store.	Application fee.
Locks in rate at time of purchase.	Higher transaction fees, even with the automatic volume discounts.
Low minimum withdrawal amount.

Coinbase Commerce: Best for instant settlement

Image: Coinbase Commerce

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Coinbase Commerce is a cryptocurrency payment gateway that makes it simple and straightforward for businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments. It automatically converts incoming crypto payments into USD or USDC and offers instant settlement to the deposit address provided by the merchant.

Why I chose Coinbase Commerce

Businesses that are just exploring crypto payments and would like to start small will find Coinbase Commerce simple and easy to use. Unlike other gateways on this list, Coinbase Commerce does not provide the option to keep other currencies except USD and USDC. Instead, it locks in exchange rates at the time of purchase and transfers funds directly to the merchant’s chosen deposit address.

While it lacks currency exchange options and is limited to website payments, its ease of use and support for popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce make it an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing straightforward, hassle-free transactions.

Pricing

Features

Accepts 13 cryptocurrencies as payments.
Settles in 1 fiat currency only.
Daily settlement.
Ways to accept crypto payments:
- API integration.
- E-commerce plugins: Jumpseller, Primer, Shopify, WooCommerce.
Payment flow: Instant settlement to deposit address indicated.
Locks in rate at the time of purchase.
Lightning network support.
Customer support via account dashboard only.

The Coinbase Commerce dashboard. Source: Coinbase Commerce

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Simple and straightforward.	No currency exchange.
Instant settlement eliminates rate volatility.	No sandbox environment for testing.
	All incoming payments are converted to USD or USDC.
	Only for accepting payments on a website.

OpenNode: Best for Bitcoin-only payments

Image: OpenNode

Our rating: 3.98 out of 5

A cryptocurrency payment gateway focused exclusively on Bitcoin, OpenNode offers features such as split settlement and scheduled payouts. Its Lightning network support makes it highly efficient for Bitcoin transactions.

Why I chose OpenNode

OpenNode stands out as the best option for businesses that want to accept Bitcoin and nothing else. Its features, like custom automatic settlement schedules, multiple ways to accept crypto payments, and limited settlement currencies, make it an ideal option for businesses that want to limit their crypto payment acceptance but would like to accept it in various payment channels.

Although limited to Bitcoin, OpenNode’s simplicity, combined with strong e-commerce integrations, makes it a great fit for businesses focused on Bitcoin payments.

Pricing

Transaction fee: 1%.
Withdrawal fee: 1% for on-demand bitcoin payout.

Features

Accepts 1 cryptocurrency only (Bitcoin).
Settles in 8 fiat currencies.
Ways to accept crypto payments:
- API integration.
- Payment button.
- Invoices or payment links.
- E-commerce plugins: Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Prestashop, WooCommerce, OpenCart.
- QR code.
Payment flow: Accept bitcoin > keep as bitcoin or convert to local currency > transfer to bank account or bitcoin wallet.
Merchant may choose to initiate payouts or to set them on a schedule.
Split settlement.
Lightning network.
KYC compliant.
24/7 customer support.

The OpenNode dashboard. Source: OpenNode

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Merchants may set a custom automatic settlement schedule.	Bitcoin only.
Lightning network support.	Withdrawal fee for on-demand bitcoin payout.
Split settlement.

Features

Instant account registration.
Accepts over 30 cryptocurrencies as payments.
Settles in 4 fiat currencies.
Ways to accept crypto payments:
- API integration.
- Invoices or payment links.
- Ecommerce plugins: Shopify, WooCommerce, OpenCart, Ecwid, NopCommerce, PrestaShop.
- Subscription.
Payment flow:
- Accept crypto > convert to your chosen currency.
- Account balance > withdraw to bank account or cryptocurrency wallet.
Any conversion and transfer fees are charged to the customer.
Customer can pay using a QR code or by linking to Crypto.com, Metamask, WalletConnect, or other cryptocurrency wallets.
The merchant receives the exact pricing amount.
Lightning network support.
24/7 customer support.

The Crypto.com Pay dashboard. Source: Crypto.com

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Merchants receive the exact price of the goods/services.	Limited fiat and cryptocurrencies for settlement.
Allows merchants to choose pricing currency in fiat or crypto.	No POS option for in-person payments.
Merchant is not subjected to exchange rate volatility.	No advanced reporting tools.

Benefits of using a crypto payment gateway

Using a crypto payment gateway offers some advantages for businesses, including:

Lower transaction fees compared to traditional payment processors.
Instant payments and quicker settlements.
Global reach.
No chargebacks or payment reversals.
Enhanced security with the blockchain technology.
For some gateways, flexibility to convert crypto into fiat or keep as digital currency.

How do I choose the best crypto payment gateway for my business?

When choosing a cryptocurrency payment gateway for your business, consider these key factors:

Transaction fees: To maximize your profits, look for a gateway with low fees, especially if you process a high volume of transactions.
Supported cryptocurrencies: Make sure the platform supports popular cryptocurrencies or those most relevant to your customer base.
Fiat conversion options: If you don’t want to hold crypto, choose a gateway that offers easy conversion to fiat currencies.
Ease of integration: Ensure the platform integrates smoothly with your website, POS, or e-commerce platforms.
Settlement times: Consider how fast the gateway settles payments into your bank or crypto wallet to maintain your cash flow.

Methodology

For this list of the best crypto payment gateways, I focused on solutions that offer flexibility, security, and ease of use for businesses looking to accept cryptocurrency payments. I evaluated each gateway based on specific criteria: integration, developer tools, and user experience (25%); supported cryptocurrencies and payment options (25%); security, compliance, and privacy (20%); pricing and transaction fees (15%); and customer support and resources (15%).

My research included a thorough review of product documentation, pricing pages, customer feedback, and hands-on testing or demo environments where available. The goal was to recommend gateways that offer a strong balance of features, ease of use, and security for businesses across different industries.

This article and methodology were reviewed by our retail expert, Meaghan Brophy

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