TL;DR: The cheapest website builders in India that actually work for small businesses start at ₹69/month (Hostinger) and go up to ₹999/month for full-featured options. Hostinger offers the lowest price, Wix gives the best design flexibility at ₹199/month, and QwikBuild at ₹499/month is the only WhatsApp-native option that lets you build without a laptop.

Building a professional business website in India now costs less than a Zomato order. Hostinger starts at ₹69/month, Wix at ₹199/month, and GoDaddy at ₹249/month. The catch? Not every cheap builder works for every business. A salon owner in Pune needs different features than a tutor in Bangalore.

This comparison breaks down 7 website builders under ₹1000/month, covering real pricing (including hidden fees), actual features, and which option fits which type of business. We tested each platform specifically for Indian service businesses—gym trainers, photographers, makeup artists, doctors, and similar professionals.

Why Does Your Small Business Need a Website in 2026?

The numbers make this clear: 75% of customers judge a business's credibility based on its website design. Small businesses with websites grow 2X faster than those without one. And 81% of shoppers research a business online before making a purchase.

For Indian service businesses, this matters even more. A GoDaddy survey found that 63% of small businesses in India have been operating online for 1-5 years. The ones without websites? They're losing customers to competitors who appear in Google searches and WhatsApp forwards.

Here's what a website actually does for a service business:

• Shows up when someone searches "gym trainer near me" in your city

• Lets customers book appointments at 2 AM without calling you

• Looks more professional than a WhatsApp Business profile alone

• Collects payments without sharing your personal bank details

The question isn't whether you need a website. It's which builder gives you the most value under ₹1000/month.

What Makes a Website Builder "Cheap" for Indian Businesses?

Price alone doesn't make a builder cheap. A ₹99/month plan that forces you to buy a separate domain (₹800/year), SSL certificate (₹1500/year), and payment gateway integration (₹2000+ setup) ends up costing more than a ₹499/month plan that includes everything.

Real affordability means:

• Monthly cost after the first year (promotional pricing always increases)

• Included domain and hosting (not charged separately)

• Indian payment gateway support (Razorpay, Paytm, UPI)

• No transaction fees (some builders take 2-3% of every sale)

The global website builder market reached $2.32 billion in 2025, with 27% of small businesses still without any website. Cost remains the second biggest barrier—26% of business owners say building or maintaining a website is too expensive.

That's why this comparison focuses on total cost of ownership, not just the advertised monthly rate.

Which Website Builders Cost Under ₹500/month?

Hostinger: The Cheapest Option (₹69-₹199/month)

Hostinger dominates the budget segment. Their website builder starts at ₹69/month on a 48-month plan, or ₹129/month for shorter commitments. This includes free domain registration for the first year, SSL certificate, and email accounts.

What you get:

• AI-powered website builder with drag-and-drop editor

• 150+ templates optimized for mobile

• Free domain for 1 year (₹399 value)

• Free SSL and email

• Google Analytics and heatmaps built-in

What's missing:

• No Indian payment gateway integration on basic plans

• Limited e-commerce features below ₹199/month

• Support response times can be slow during Indian business hours

• Renewal price jumps to ₹289/month after the promotional period

Best for: Solo professionals who need a simple portfolio or service showcase—photographers, freelance designers, consultants who don't need online bookings.

Hostinger's renewal pricing is the hidden catch. That ₹69/month becomes ₹289/month when your 48-month term ends. Still affordable, but plan for the increase.

Wix: Best Design Flexibility (₹199-₹399/month)

Wix offers India-specific pricing that's significantly cheaper than their US rates. The Light plan starts at ₹199/month, while Core (which most businesses need) costs ₹399/month.

What you get:

• 800+ templates with complete design freedom

• AI website creation tools

• Multi-cloud hosting with fast loading in India

• 24/7 customer support

• Wix App Market with 500+ integrations

What's missing:

• E-commerce requires Core plan (₹399/month) minimum

• Transaction fees on cheaper plans (2.9% + ₹25)

• Annual billing required (no monthly payment option)

• Storage limits on all plans (50GB on Core)

Best for: Creative businesses where visual presentation matters—makeup artists, interior designers, wedding photographers, fashion boutiques.

Wix's strength is design flexibility. You can customize every pixel without knowing code. The downside: that freedom means more time building, and the editor has a learning curve.

GoDaddy: The Familiar Name (₹249/month)

GoDaddy is the name most Indians recognize. Their website builder starts at ₹249/month (promotional) and includes integrated marketing tools.

What you get:

• Simple drag-and-drop builder

• India data center for fast loading

• Built-in SEO tools

• Social media management from dashboard

• Free SSL and 24/7 support

What's missing:

• Very limited customization options

• E-commerce only on Premium plan (₹699/month)

• Promotional pricing jumps significantly at renewal

• Templates look generic compared to Wix or Squarespace

Best for: First-time website owners who want something simple and don't need design flexibility—small shops, local services, basic business cards online.

GoDaddy's biggest advantage is trust. Many Indian business owners already have domains registered with GoDaddy, making it easy to add a website. The builder itself is basic but functional.

Which Website Builders Cost ₹500-₹1000/month?

QwikBuild: The WhatsApp-Native Option (₹499-₹999/month)

QwikBuild takes a different approach. Instead of a traditional web-based builder, you create your entire website through WhatsApp. No laptop needed, no technical skills required.

What you get:

• Build websites entirely on your phone via WhatsApp

• Everything included: hosting, SSL, payments, AI features

• Payment pages, booking systems, and custom apps

• Indian payment gateways built-in (Razorpay, UPI)

• No transaction fees on sales

What's missing:

• Less design flexibility than desktop-based builders

• Newer platform with smaller user base

• No app marketplace for third-party integrations

• Limited template variety compared to Wix

Best for: Non-technical service professionals who work primarily from their phones—salon owners, fitness trainers, tutors, physiotherapists, coaches, and anyone who finds "tech tools" intimidating.

QwikBuild's real advantage is the build process. If you're comfortable with WhatsApp but freeze up at the sight of a website editor, this removes that barrier entirely. The ₹499/month plan includes booking and payments—features that cost extra on other platforms.

Shopify: The E-commerce Specialist (₹799-₹1499/month)

Shopify isn't cheap, but for product-based businesses, it's often worth the premium. Basic plans start at ₹799/month, though most businesses need the ₹1499/month tier.

What you get:

• 8000+ apps for any feature you need

• Best-in-class e-commerce features

• Indian payment gateway support

• Inventory management and shipping integration

• Abandoned cart recovery

What's missing:

• Overkill for service businesses

• Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments

• Theme costs add up (₹12,000-₹30,000 for premium)

• Updates sometimes break third-party apps

Best for: Product-based businesses serious about online sales—clothing stores, electronics, handmade goods, food products.

Shopify is the wrong choice for service businesses. A gym trainer or makeup artist doesn't need inventory management. But for actual product sellers, nothing else comes close to Shopify's e-commerce depth.

Zoho Commerce: The Zoho Ecosystem Play (₹500-₹1000/month)

If you already use Zoho CRM, Books, or Inventory, Zoho Commerce makes sense. It connects seamlessly with the rest of the Zoho suite.

What you get:

• Integration with Zoho apps (CRM, Books, Inventory)

• GST compliance built-in

• No transaction fees

• Indian payment gateway support

• Drag-and-drop builder

What's missing:

• Limited templates compared to Wix

• Primarily designed for product sales, not services

• Learning curve if you're not already in Zoho ecosystem

• Support can be slow for basic queries

Best for: Indian SMEs already using Zoho tools who want their e-commerce connected to their existing systems.

Zoho Commerce shines when you need accounting integration. Automatic GST calculation and inventory sync with Zoho Books saves hours of manual work each month.

How Do These Builders Compare on Key Features?

Price Comparison Table

Feature Comparison Table

What Hidden Costs Should You Watch For?
Domain Registration After Year One

Most builders offer a free domain for the first year. After that:

• .com domains: ₹800-₹1200/year

• .in domains: ₹400-₹600/year

• .co.in domains: ₹300-₹500/year

Budget ₹1000/year for domain renewal regardless of which builder you choose.

Premium Templates and Add-ons

Free templates work for most businesses. But premium options can cost:

• Wix premium templates: Free (included)

• Shopify premium themes: ₹12,000-₹30,000 (one-time)

• WordPress premium themes: ₹2,000-₹15,000 (one-time)
  
  

Transaction Fees on Sales

If you're accepting payments:

• Wix: 2.9% + ₹25 per transaction

• GoDaddy: 2.3% per transaction

• Shopify: 2% unless using Shopify Payments

• Hostinger, QwikBuild, Zoho: No platform fees (payment gateway fees still apply)

For a business doing ₹50,000/month in online payments, 2.9% transaction fees mean ₹1,450 lost monthly—almost as much as some subscription costs.

Renewal Price Increases

The biggest hidden cost is renewal pricing:

Wix and QwikBuild keep pricing consistent. Hostinger and GoDaddy promotional pricing creates budget surprises later.

Which Builder Should You Choose Based on Your Business Type?

For Service Professionals (Trainers, Tutors, Coaches)

Best choice: QwikBuild (₹499/month) or Wix Core (₹399/month)

You need: online booking, payment collection, service showcasing You don't need: inventory management, shipping integration

QwikBuild wins if you hate tech and work from your phone. Wix wins if you want design control and don't mind using a laptop.

For Creative Professionals (Photographers, Designers, Artists)

Best choice: Wix Core (₹399/month)

You need: beautiful portfolio display, gallery features, contact forms You don't need: complex e-commerce, booking systems

Wix's template quality and design flexibility matter more for creative work. Squarespace is better but costs ₹1,600/month—outside our budget range.

For Local Retail Shops

Best choice: Shopify (₹799/month) or Zoho Commerce (₹500/month)

You need: product listings, inventory, delivery integration You don't need: service booking, portfolio features

Shopify for serious e-commerce growth. Zoho if you're already using Zoho for accounting.

For Budget-Conscious Starters

Best choice: Hostinger (₹129/month)

You need: basic online presence, professional email You don't need: payments, booking, complex features

Hostinger works for the simplest use cases. Upgrade when your business needs more.

What Do Users Say About These Builders?

Hostinger holds a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot with 2,457+ reviews. Users praise the AI website builder and affordability but mention support delays during peak hours.

Wix leads the global market with 45% market share and 8 million active websites. Indian users specifically mention the localized pricing as a major advantage—the same Combo plan costs $16/month in the US but ₹125/month in India.

Jennifer Dublino, Senior Business Writer with 30+ years of industry experience, notes: "A website may be your business's only chance to make a positive first impression." With 57% of internet users refusing to recommend a business with poor mobile design, the builder you choose directly impacts credibility.

GoDaddy receives mixed reviews—praised for simplicity, criticized for limited customization. The familiar brand name builds trust with first-time website owners, but power users find it restrictive.

How Do You Actually Get Started?

Step 1: Define What You Need

Before comparing prices, list your actual requirements:

• Do you need to accept payments online?

• Do customers need to book appointments?

• How many products/services will you display?

• Will you update the site weekly, monthly, or rarely?

Most service businesses overestimate their needs. A gym trainer needs: service showcase, pricing, contact form, maybe online booking. That's it. No need for a ₹1,499 Shopify plan.

Step 2: Try Free Trials

Every builder offers trials:

• Hostinger: 30-day money-back guarantee

• Wix: Free plan (limited features)

• GoDaddy: Free plan available

• QwikBuild: Free trial via WhatsApp

• Shopify: 14-day free trial

Test your actual use case. Build a rough version of your site. See if the interface makes sense to you.

Step 3: Calculate Total Year-One Cost

For a fair comparison, add up:

• 12 months of subscription

• Domain registration (if not included)

• Any paid add-ons you'll need

• Transaction fees on expected sales

A ₹69/month plan with separate domain (₹800) and SSL (₹1,500) costs more than a ₹199/month plan that includes both.

Step 4: Check Renewal Pricing

The promotional price lasts 12-48 months. After that, what's the renewal? This is your long-term cost. A 319% price increase at renewal (Hostinger) changes the math significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest website builder in India?

Hostinger at ₹69/month is the cheapest option, though this requires a 48-month commitment. For monthly billing, GoDaddy's free plan offers limited features at no cost, with paid plans starting at ₹249/month.

Can I build a website for under ₹500/month?

Yes. Hostinger (₹69-₹199), Wix Light (₹199), and GoDaddy (₹249) all fall under ₹500/month. QwikBuild at ₹499/month is at the upper limit but includes payment and booking features.

Is Wix cheaper in India than other countries?

Yes. Wix uses location-based pricing. The Combo plan costs $16/month in the US but approximately ₹125/month in India—a significant difference due to regional pricing.

Do I need a laptop to build a website?

Not anymore. QwikBuild lets you build entirely through WhatsApp on your phone. Wix and GoDaddy also have mobile apps, though the desktop experience is better for initial setup.

What's the difference between promotional and renewal pricing?

Promotional pricing is the discounted rate for new customers, usually requiring 12-48 month commitments. Renewal pricing is what you pay after—often 200-300% higher with Hostinger and GoDaddy.

Should I use a free website builder?

Free plans work for testing but include limitations: builder branding on your site, no custom domain, restricted features. For any business use, paid plans are worth it.

Which builder is best for accepting payments?

Shopify for product sales, QwikBuild or Wix for service payments. All support Indian payment gateways (Razorpay, Paytm, UPI) on appropriate plans.

How long does it take to build a website?

With AI-powered builders, a basic site takes 1-3 hours. A complete business site with multiple pages, booking integration, and payment setup takes 1-2 days.

Do these builders work well on Indian mobile networks?

All major builders optimize for mobile viewing. QwikBuild specifically targets mobile-first users. Site speed depends more on image optimization than the builder itself.

Can I switch from one builder to another later?

Yes, but migration is manual. Your domain can transfer, but website content must be rebuilt. This is why testing before committing matters.

Is WordPress cheaper than website builders?

WordPress hosting starts at ₹149/month, but you'll spend more on themes (₹2,000-₹15,000), plugins, security, and maintenance. Website builders are simpler for non-technical users.

What if I only need a one-page website?

Most builders price by features, not pages. Hostinger's basic plan or Wix Light work fine for single-page sites. Don't overpay for e-commerce features you won't use.

How do I get found on Google?

All builders include basic SEO tools. Actual ranking depends on content quality, site speed, and local relevance. No builder guarantees Google ranking.

Which builder has the best customer support in India?

Hostinger offers 24/7 support but response times vary. GoDaddy has India-based support. Wix provides English support 24/7. QwikBuild offers direct WhatsApp support.

Are website builders secure?

All major builders include SSL certificates and basic security. For handling payments, ensure PCI compliance—all builders mentioned here meet this standard.

Can I use my existing domain?

Yes. All builders allow connecting existing domains. The process takes 24-48 hours for DNS propagation.

What happens if I stop paying?

Your site goes offline. Most builders retain your data for 30-90 days, allowing reactivation. After that, content may be deleted permanently.

Do I need separate hosting?

No. Website builders include hosting in the subscription. This is different from WordPress, which requires separate hosting purchases.

Which builder handles Indian GST invoicing?

Zoho Commerce has native GST support. Other builders require third-party integrations or manual invoice generation for GST compliance.

Can multiple people manage the site?

Yes, though team features vary. Wix Core allows 5 collaborators. Shopify includes staff accounts. Basic plans typically support 1-2 users.

The Bottom Line

For most Indian service businesses, the choice comes down to three options:

1. Hostinger at ₹129/month if you want the absolute cheapest functional website and can accept limited features

2. Wix Core at ₹399/month if design matters and you'll use a laptop for building

3. QwikBuild at ₹499/month if you want to build from your phone without technical skills

Shopify makes sense only for product-based e-commerce. Zoho Commerce only if you're already in the Zoho ecosystem.

The "best" builder depends on your specific needs, not the lowest price. A ₹499/month plan that includes booking and payments saves money compared to a ₹199/month plan where those features cost extra.

Start with a free trial. Build your actual site. Then commit to an annual plan for the best pricing. Most businesses get their website running in under a week—and start seeing results within the first month.

Your competitors already have websites. At under ₹1000/month, there's no reason you shouldn't too.

Running a service business and want to skip the tech hassle? QwikBuild lets you create your website, booking system, and payment pages directly through WhatsApp—no laptop required. Send "Hi" to get started.