TL;DR

Wix offers the best balance of features and affordability for most Indian small businesses, starting at ₹199/month. Shopify is the clear winner if you're selling products online (from ₹1,499/month). For the absolute lowest budget, Hostinger's website builder starts at ₹129/month. And if you'd rather skip the learning curve entirely, QwikBuild uses AI to create your website in under 10 minutes for ₹499/month—just describe what you want or upload a screenshot of a site you like.

Which Website Builder Should You Actually Use?

The answer depends on what you're building and how much time you want to invest. A gym trainer in Pune needs something different from a boutique owner in Delhi. After testing 7 platforms against Indian pricing, UPI support, and ease of use for non-technical users, here's the breakdown:

For most service businesses (salons, trainers, tutors): Wix For selling products online: Shopify For the tightest budget: Hostinger For skipping the learning curve entirely: QwikBuild

71% of small businesses worldwide now have a website. In India, that number is catching up fast—96% of Indians access the internet via mobile phones, and 81% of consumers research online before making any purchase. If your business isn't online, you're invisible to most potential customers.

What Makes a Website Builder "Good" for Indian Small Businesses?

Before diving into specific platforms, here's what actually matters when you're running a salon in Mumbai or a coaching class in Bangalore:

INR pricing and GST invoices. Many international platforms bill in USD. A plan that looks affordable can fluctuate with exchange rates and often doesn't include GST.

UPI and Razorpay support. If your customers can't pay via UPI or their preferred Indian payment method, you'll lose sales. Not every international platform integrates smoothly with Indian payment gateways.

Mobile-first design. 83% of Indian internet users access the web primarily through mobile phones. Your website builder needs to create sites that look good on small screens first, big screens second.

Realistic time investment. Traditional drag-and-drop builders typically take 4-12 hours for first-time users to create a polished site. Newer AI-powered options can cut this significantly. Know what you're signing up for.

How Does Wix Compare for Indian Small Businesses?

Wix is the most popular website builder in India for good reason. It accounts for 45% of the global website builder market share and offers India-specific pricing that undercuts most competitors.

Pricing in India:

• Light plan: ₹199/month

• Core plan (for selling online): ₹399/month

• Business plan: ₹799/month

• Business Elite: ₹1,599/month

What Wix does well:

• Drag-and-drop editor with genuine flexibility once you learn it

• 800+ templates across industries including salons, fitness, restaurants, and professional services

• Wix ADI (their AI assistant) can generate a starting point based on your answers

• Wix Bookings for appointment-based businesses

• No transaction fees when using third-party payment processors

• Extensive documentation and tutorials

Where Wix falls short:

• First-time users should budget 4-8 hours to create a polished site

• Limited Indian payment gateway support (you'll need Razorpay integration)

• Once you choose a template, switching requires rebuilding your site

• Mobile editing needs separate attention—your desktop design doesn't always translate perfectly

Best for: Service-based businesses like makeup artists, photographers, coaches, tutors, and consultants who want control over their design and don't mind investing time to learn the platform.

A makeup artist in Bangalore could have a portfolio site with booking functionality live within a weekend using Wix's Core plan—total cost ₹4,788 for the first year.

Is Shopify Worth the Higher Price for Indian Sellers?

Shopify is built specifically for selling products online. If you're running a boutique, selling handmade items, or need serious ecommerce functionality, Shopify outperforms every other option on this list for that purpose.

Pricing in India:

• Starter: ₹399/month (limited to social selling)

• Basic: ₹1,994/month (full online store)

• Shopify: ₹7,447/month

• Advanced: ₹30,164/month

Note: Shopify often runs promotions offering the first 3 months at ₹20/month.

What Shopify does well:

• Best-in-class ecommerce features: inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, discount codes

• Native support for Razorpay, Paytm, and UPI payments

• Direct integration with Shiprocket, Delhivery, and other Indian logistics partners

• 7,500+ apps in the Shopify App Store for extending functionality

• Shopify POS for in-person sales at retail locations

• Handles high order volumes without breaking

Where Shopify falls short:

• Transaction fees of 0.5% to 2% unless you use Shopify Payments (limited in India)

• The dashboard has many settings—expect 6-12 hours to fully configure

• Overkill for businesses that don't need serious ecommerce

• Monthly costs add up when you factor in paid apps

Best for: Product-based businesses—clothing boutiques, handicraft sellers, D2C brands, online retailers. If you expect more than 50 orders/month, Shopify's infrastructure will handle it better than alternatives.

A boutique owner in Jaipur selling 100+ products would benefit from Shopify's inventory management alone. But a yoga instructor offering 3 online courses? Shopify would be unnecessarily complex and expensive.

Can Hostinger Really Build Websites for ₹129/Month?

Hostinger offers one of the cheapest website builder options in India. The company serves over 29 million users globally and has optimized specifically for the Indian market with Singapore-based servers, UPI payment support, and GST invoicing.

Pricing in India (with 48-month commitment):

• Premium Website Builder: ₹129/month (₹69/month promotional)

• Business Website Builder: ₹199/month

• Ecommerce: ₹299/month

Important: These prices require a 4-year upfront commitment. Monthly billing costs significantly more (₹399+/month).

What Hostinger does well:

• AI website builder generates a starting framework from text descriptions

• Includes free domain for one year and free SSL certificate

• Built-in SEO tools and Google Analytics integration

• hPanel dashboard is cleaner and simpler than most alternatives

• 24/7 support with fast response times

• Accepts UPI, Paytm, and all major Indian payment methods

Where Hostinger falls short:

• The advertised low prices lock you into multi-year contracts

• Renewal prices jump significantly (₹289-449/month)

• Fewer templates than Wix (around 150)

• Ecommerce features are basic compared to Shopify

• You'll still spend 3-5 hours customizing after AI generates the initial framework

Best for: Budget-conscious business owners who want a professional site without ongoing high costs and don't mind a multi-year commitment.

A driving instructor in Chennai could get a professional website with contact forms and location maps for ₹69/month on a promotional plan.

How Does QwikBuild Compare for Non-Technical Users?

QwikBuild takes a different approach than traditional builders. Instead of giving you tools to build with, it uses AI to build for you based on a conversation.

Pricing:

• Basic: ₹499/month

• Pro: ₹999/month

What QwikBuild does well:

• AI generates your complete website from a WhatsApp conversation—describe your business, answer a few questions, and you're live in under 10 minutes

• Upload a screenshot of any website you like, and QB creates a custom version for your business

• Works entirely through WhatsApp—no new interfaces to learn

• Built for Indian small business owners with INR pricing and UPI integration

• Includes hosting, SSL, and payment processing

Where QwikBuild falls short:

• Best suited for service businesses and simpler sites

• Not ideal for complex ecommerce with 100+ products

• Newer platform with a smaller user community than established players

• Less granular control if you want to tweak every detail yourself

Best for: Service providers who'd rather focus on their business than learning website software—gym trainers, tutors, makeup artists, photographers, caterers, physiotherapists, consultants.

A beautician in Bangalore could describe her services, upload a screenshot of a salon website she liked, and have a complete site with booking and payments live during a lunch break.

Why Do So Many People Recommend WordPress?

WordPress powers 43% of all websites on the internet—including major publications like Time Magazine and tech companies like Sony. It's genuinely powerful, but requires more technical effort than other options on this list.

Pricing breakdown (self-hosted WordPress):

• WordPress software: Free

• Hosting: ₹99-500/month

• Domain: ₹99-999/year

• Premium theme: ₹0-15,000 one-time

• Essential plugins: ₹0-8,000/year

Total first-year cost: ₹2,000-25,000+ depending on your setup.

What WordPress does well:

• Complete control over every aspect of your website

• 60,000+ plugins for adding any functionality imaginable

• Best SEO capabilities of any platform when properly configured

• WooCommerce plugin turns any WordPress site into a full online store

• No transaction fees—you keep 100% of sales minus payment processor fees

• Own your data and can move to any hosting provider anytime

Where WordPress falls short:

• Steeper learning curve—expect 15-25 hours before you're comfortable

• Requires ongoing maintenance (security updates, plugin compatibility)

• Performance depends heavily on your hosting quality

• No built-in support—you're relying on community forums and your hosting provider

• Security vulnerabilities if plugins aren't kept updated

Best for: Businesses with technical resources or budget to hire developers. Also great for content-heavy sites (blogs, news portals, educational platforms) where SEO and customization matter more than simplicity.

A photographer who just wants to showcase their portfolio shouldn't spend 20 hours learning WordPress when simpler options exist.

Is GoDaddy Good for Beginners in India?

GoDaddy is primarily known as a domain registrar, but their website builder has improved significantly. It's a reasonable option for businesses that want simplicity above all else.

Pricing in India:

• Basic: ₹249/month (around ₹99/month with promotions)

• Premium: ₹449/month

• Commerce: ₹649/month

• Commerce Plus: ₹999/month

What GoDaddy does well:

• AI generates a basic site in under 30 minutes

• 100+ mobile-responsive templates

• Built-in email marketing and social media tools

• Free SSL certificate included

• 14-day free trial with no credit card required

• Strong brand recognition and trust in India

Where GoDaddy falls short:

• Limited customization compared to Wix or Squarespace

• Product listings restricted to 3 variants per product (can't sell a shirt in 5 sizes and 4 colors)

• No app marketplace for extending functionality

• Aggressive upselling throughout the platform

• Basic ecommerce features

Best for: Complete beginners who want the fastest traditional builder path to a live website. Good for basic business sites, portfolios, and simple service listings.

A real estate agent who needs a basic site with contact information and property listings could use GoDaddy's AI builder and be live in an hour.

How Does Squarespace Compare for Design Quality?

Squarespace has the most visually polished templates of any website builder. Creative professionals often choose it when aesthetics matter as much as functionality.

Pricing (billed in USD):

• Personal: $16/month (approximately ₹1,344)

• Business: $23/month (approximately ₹1,932)

• Commerce Basic: $27/month (approximately ₹2,268)

• Commerce Advanced: $49/month (approximately ₹4,116)

Note: Squarespace doesn't offer India-specific pricing. You'll be billed in USD.

What Squarespace does well:

• Award-winning templates that look professionally designed

• Best option for photographers, artists, and fashion brands

• Built-in blogging and portfolio features

• 180+ templates with consistent high quality

• Strong mobile responsiveness

Where Squarespace falls short:

• USD billing with no INR option

• Limited Indian payment gateway integration

• No UPI support—problematic for Indian customers

• Fewer third-party integrations than competitors

• Transaction fees on cheaper plans (3% on Business plan)

Best for: Creative professionals who prioritize design—photographers, architects, fashion designers, artists. If your business depends on visual presentation and your customers primarily pay via international methods, Squarespace delivers.

For most Indian small businesses, the lack of UPI support and INR billing makes Squarespace impractical despite its design quality.

Website Builder Comparison Table

How Much Should You Actually Spend?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: most small businesses overpay for website features they never use.

If you're just starting out (under ₹500/month):

Hostinger (₹129/month with commitment) or Wix Light (₹199/month) work well. QwikBuild (₹499/month) costs slightly more but requires minimal setup time. A basic professional website is infinitely better than no website.

If you need booking or appointments (₹400-1,000/month):

Wix Core (₹399/month) includes booking functionality. QwikBuild (₹499/month) handles bookings as well.

If you're selling products (₹1,500-2,500/month):

Shopify Basic (₹1,994/month) is worth the premium. The inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integrations will save you time that's worth more than the monthly fee.

If you're a creative professional (₹1,500-2,500/month):

Squarespace (if UPI isn't critical) or Wix Business Elite (₹1,599/month) for the best visual presentation.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Website Builder

Mistake #1: Choosing based on the cheapest price alone.

A ₹99/month plan that doesn't include SSL, custom domain, or proper payment integration will cost you credibility and sales. The "free" and ultra-cheap tiers exist to upsell you, not to run a real business.

Mistake #2: Overbuying features you'll never use.

A yoga instructor doesn't need enterprise-level ecommerce. A single-person consultancy doesn't need unlimited staff accounts. Match the tool to your actual needs.

Mistake #3: Ignoring payment gateway compatibility.

If your customers can't pay via UPI, you've just eliminated how most Indians prefer to pay. Check payment integration before committing.

Mistake #4: Skipping mobile preview.

81% of Indian online purchases happen on mobile devices. If you're not previewing your site on a phone before publishing, you're designing for the minority.

Mistake #5: Forgetting about renewal pricing.

Hostinger's ₹129/month becomes ₹289/month on renewal. Shopify's promotional ₹20/month becomes ₹1,994/month. Budget for year 2, not just year 1.

Mistake #6: Underestimating setup time.

Traditional builders take 4-12 hours for first-time users. If you don't have that time, factor it into your decision or consider AI-powered alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest website builder in India?

Hostinger offers the lowest starting price at ₹129/month (with a 48-month commitment). For monthly billing without long-term contracts, Wix Light at ₹199/month is the most affordable option from established platforms. QwikBuild at ₹499/month costs more but requires significantly less setup time.

Can I build a website without knowing coding?

Yes. Wix, Shopify, Hostinger, GoDaddy, Squarespace, and QwikBuild all work without coding. Traditional builders use drag-and-drop editors; QwikBuild uses AI to build based on your description. WordPress is the only platform on this list that benefits from technical skills.

Which website builder is best for ecommerce in India?

Shopify is the best choice for serious ecommerce with native Razorpay and UPI integration, inventory management, and Indian shipping partner connections. For simpler stores (under 20 products), Wix or Hostinger work fine.

Do I need to buy hosting separately?

With Wix, Shopify, Hostinger Builder, GoDaddy, Squarespace, and QwikBuild—no. Hosting is included. With WordPress, you need to purchase hosting separately (₹99-500/month from providers like Hostinger, Bluehost, or SiteGround).

Which website builder works best on mobile phones?

QwikBuild works entirely through WhatsApp, making it the most phone-friendly option. Other builders have mobile apps but are primarily designed for desktop use.

Is Wix better than WordPress for beginners?

For most beginners, yes. Wix requires 4-8 hours to build a complete site; WordPress typically requires 15-25 hours plus ongoing maintenance. WordPress offers more flexibility but at the cost of simplicity.

Can I accept UPI payments on my website?

Shopify, Wix (via Razorpay), Hostinger, GoDaddy, and QwikBuild all support UPI payments. Squarespace does not currently support UPI or most Indian payment gateways.

How much does a website cost per month in India?

Budget ₹200-500/month for basic business websites, ₹500-1,500/month for sites with booking or simple ecommerce, and ₹1,500-3,000/month for serious online stores. Add ₹99-999/year for domain registration if not included.

Which website builder has the best templates for Indian businesses?

Wix offers the most variety with 800+ templates. Squarespace has the highest design quality but fewer options. QwikBuild takes a different approach—you can upload a screenshot of any website you like and get a custom design based on it.

Is WordPress free to use?

The WordPress software is free, but you'll pay for hosting (₹99-500/month), domain (₹99-999/year), and potentially themes and plugins (₹0-15,000). Total cost typically exceeds simple builders unless you do everything yourself.

Can I switch website builders later?

You can, but it's painful. Most content doesn't transfer automatically. You'll essentially rebuild your site from scratch. Choose carefully the first time, or start simple and commit to rebuilding if your needs dramatically change.

Which platform is best for service businesses like salons or tutors?

Wix with its built-in booking system (from ₹399/month) or QwikBuild (₹499/month) both work well for appointment-based businesses.

Do website builders affect SEO and Google rankings?

Yes, but not as much as content quality and user experience. WordPress offers the most SEO control. Wix and Squarespace have improved significantly. For local businesses in India, consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) and Google Business Profile matter more than your builder choice.

What's the difference between Wix and Squarespace?

Wix offers INR pricing (from ₹199/month), more templates (800+), and better Indian payment support. Squarespace has superior design quality but bills in USD (from ~₹1,344/month) and lacks UPI support. For Indian businesses, Wix is typically the better choice.

Is Shopify overkill for a small business?

For service businesses without physical products to sell—yes. Shopify's strength is inventory management, shipping integration, and multichannel selling. A yoga instructor or freelance designer would be better served by Wix, QwikBuild, or Hostinger.

How long does it take to build a website?

With QwikBuild: under 10 minutes. With GoDaddy AI: 30-60 minutes for basics. With Wix or Hostinger: 4-8 hours for a polished site. With Shopify (full configuration): 6-12 hours. With WordPress: 15-25+ hours for beginners.

Which website builder is best for photographers in India?

Squarespace offers the best portfolio templates but lacks INR pricing and UPI. Wix provides excellent portfolio options with Indian pricing and is the practical choice for photographers accepting payments from Indian clients.

Do I need SSL for my website?

Yes. SSL (the padlock icon in browsers) is now expected by users and required by Google for ranking. All platforms on this list include free SSL certificates except self-hosted WordPress, where it depends on your host.

What happens if my website builder company shuts down?

Your site goes offline unless you've backed up and can migrate. Established companies like Wix (public company, 238M+ users), Shopify (public company, 4M+ stores), and WordPress (open-source, 43% of web) are safer bets than newer platforms.

Final Verdict: Which Website Builder Should You Choose?

Choose Wix if: You run a service business, want solid features with Indian pricing, and don't mind spending a weekend learning the platform.

Choose Shopify if: You're selling physical or digital products and need real ecommerce functionality with Indian payment and shipping integration.

Choose Hostinger if: Budget is your primary constraint and you're willing to commit to a multi-year plan for the lowest prices.

Choose QwikBuild if: You'd rather describe what you want than learn to build it yourself, and your needs are straightforward (services, bookings, simple payments).

Choose GoDaddy if: You want the fastest traditional setup and have very basic requirements.

Choose WordPress if: You have technical skills or budget to hire developers, and need maximum flexibility and SEO control.

Choose Squarespace if: Design quality matters most and your customers can pay without UPI (international creative services, for example).

The best website builder is the one you'll actually use. A simple site that goes live today beats a perfect site you'll "get to eventually." Pick one, start building, and improve as you grow.