Creating a website is one thing, but making sure people can find it online is another challenge entirely. When you build a website, you need a platform that helps it show up in search results. The right website builder can give you the SEO tools you need to get your site noticed by search engines like Google.
Many website builders claim to be “SEO-friendly,” but they don’t all offer the same features. Some have basic SEO settings, while others provide advanced tools to help you climb the search rankings. Finding a builder that balances ease of use with strong SEO capabilities is key for anyone who wants their website to reach more people online.
1. Wix
Wix ranks as one of the most SEO-friendly website builders available today. It combines easy-to-use design tools with powerful optimization features that help websites rank better in search results.
The platform offers a complete suite of advanced SEO tools built into every site. These tools make it simple for beginners and experienced users alike to improve their search rankings without needing technical expertise.
One standout feature is the personalized SEO checklist. This helpful guide walks users through important optimization steps specific to their website, making the process much more manageable.
Wix also provides keyword support through integration with Semrush. This partnership helps users find valuable keywords to target in their content, giving them an edge in competitive markets.
The site structure on Wix is automatically optimized for search engines. Clean code, fast loading times, and mobile responsiveness all contribute to better SEO performance right from the start.
Users can easily customize meta titles, descriptions, and URLs for each page. These elements play a crucial role in telling search engines what content is on the page.
Wix stands out by offering keyword support from Semrush directly in the platform. This integration helps users research and implement effective keywords without switching between different tools.
For those who need extra guidance, Wix provides an SEO Wiz tool. This step-by-step assistant helps users optimize their entire site based on current SEO best practices.
The platform ensures websites are technically sound for search engines. It automatically generates sitemaps, uses proper heading structures, and creates search-engine friendly URLs.
Bloggers will appreciate the built-in tools for content optimization. These features help create and format blog posts that have the best chance of ranking well in search results.
Based on several expert reviews, Wix consistently ranks at the top for SEO capabilities among website builders. Its combination of automated features and manual controls gives users flexibility in their SEO approach.
2. WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular website builders for SEO. It powers about 43% of all websites on the internet, making it a trusted choice for many businesses and bloggers.
What makes WordPress stand out is its flexibility. You can install various SEO plugins that help optimize your site without needing to code anything yourself.
The platform works with many page builder plugins that let you create pages easily. These tools help you build good-looking sites while keeping SEO in mind.
Yoast SEO is a popular plugin for WordPress. It guides you through optimizing your content with simple color-coded indicators. Green means good, orange suggests improvements, and red shows problems that need fixing.
WordPress also offers clean code that search engines can read easily. This helps your site rank better in search results compared to some other website builders.
Site speed matters for SEO, and WordPress can be very fast when set up correctly. You can pick lightweight themes and optimize images to keep your pages loading quickly.
For those who want more SEO control, Beaver Builder is considered one of the best WordPress page builders for SEO plugins. It creates clean code that search engines love.
Elementor is another top choice, especially if page loading speed is important to you. Fast pages tend to rank better in search results.
WordPress does have a steeper learning curve than some other builders. You’ll need to manage your own updates and security if you self-host.
The platform offers thousands of themes and plugins, giving you nearly unlimited customization options. This makes it possible to build exactly the site you want while following SEO best practices.
With WordPress, you truly own your content and can move it between hosting providers if needed. This gives you long-term flexibility that some other platforms don’t offer.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace stands out as a popular choice for website builders with built-in SEO tools. The platform offers fully integrated features that help your site perform better in search results.
Many users appreciate Squarespace for its simplicity. It’s known as one of the easiest website builders to use, making SEO optimization accessible even for beginners.
The platform shines with its intuitive interface. You can adjust SEO elements without needing technical expertise, which is perfect for small business owners handling their own websites.
Squarespace lets you create custom URLs for all your pages. This basic but important feature helps search engines understand your content better and improves your chances of ranking well.
The platform also includes tools for metadata customization. You can edit title tags and meta descriptions for each page, giving you control over how your site appears in search results.
For local businesses, Squarespace offers specific SEO features. These help your business show up in local searches, which is crucial for attracting nearby customers.
Some photographers and creative professionals prefer Squarespace because it combines stylish templates with decent SEO capabilities. The visually appealing designs don’t sacrifice search engine performance.
The platform covers most basic SEO needs effectively. You get custom URLs, meta descriptions, alt text options, and clean HTML markup without extra effort.
Mobile optimization comes standard with Squarespace. All templates automatically adjust for mobile devices, which helps with SEO since mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor.
Despite its strengths, Squarespace ranks slightly below Wix in some SEO comparisons. According to testing, Wix edges out Squarespace as the top SEO website builder.
Loading speed can be a concern with some Squarespace templates. Since page speed affects SEO performance, users should choose their templates carefully.
The platform works best for small to medium websites. Larger sites with complex SEO needs might find the tools somewhat limiting compared to WordPress with specialized plugins.
4. Shopify
Shopify stands out as a top choice for online store owners focused on SEO. This platform combines e-commerce functionality with strong search optimization features.
Shopify automatically generates sitemaps and includes canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues. These technical SEO elements help search engines properly index your site without manual coding.
The platform allows easy customization of title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs for all pages. These basic SEO elements are essential for telling search engines what your pages are about.
Shopify’s themes are mobile-friendly and load quickly, which are key factors in Google’s ranking algorithm. Fast loading times improve user experience and can boost your search rankings.
For store owners who want more SEO control, Shopify offers SEO apps that extend the platform’s capabilities. These tools can help with keyword research, content optimization, and performance tracking.
According to many users, Shopify is easy to use even for beginners with no coding knowledge. This accessibility makes it possible for small business owners to build SEO-friendly sites without technical expertise.
The platform’s built-in blogging feature allows you to create content that targets keywords and drives organic traffic. Regular blogging is a proven SEO strategy that Shopify makes simple to implement.
Shopify also offers Shopify Compass (formerly Shopify Academy), providing learning resources to help store owners improve their SEO knowledge.
One limitation is that Shopify’s URL structure isn’t fully customizable, which some SEO experts consider a drawback. However, this rarely causes significant ranking issues for most online stores.
Many SEO professionals rank Shopify highly among e-commerce website builders for its balance of user-friendliness and SEO capabilities. The platform continues to update its features to keep pace with search engine algorithm changes.
For businesses primarily selling products online, Shopify often emerges as the best website builder for e-commerce with solid SEO foundations. Its specialized focus on online selling gives it an edge for this specific use case.
5. Webflow
Webflow stands out as a powerful option for those seeking SEO-friendly website building. This platform combines visual design tools with the ability to create custom, responsive websites that search engines love.
Webflow sites offer clean code that loads quickly – a key factor in search rankings. The platform provides built-in SEO settings that make it easy to optimize each page properly.
One big advantage is Webflow’s flexible CMS and top-tier hosting, which helps maintain site performance. Fast-loading pages keep visitors happy and help with SEO rankings.
According to many users, Webflow ranks as a favorite choice after custom-built sites. While custom coding can be extremely expensive, Webflow offers a more affordable middle ground without sacrificing SEO quality.
The platform includes ready-to-use templates designed specifically with SEO in mind. For example, Onion 128 template works well for marketing agencies and businesses looking for strong search visibility.
Webflow makes technical SEO easier by automatically generating clean HTML, proper heading structures, and semantic markup. These technical elements matter greatly to search engines.
Another plus is Webflow’s built-in mobile responsiveness. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, having a site that works perfectly on all devices is essential for SEO.
For more advanced users, Webflow allows custom code injection. This means you can add structured data markup or other SEO enhancements that might not be available through the visual editor.
The platform also plays well with other tools through Zapier connections. You can connect your Webflow forms to email marketing tools or spreadsheets, helping you capture and organize leads.
Webflow offers excellent Site Audit tools through integrations with Ahrefs. These tools help identify and fix SEO issues quickly.
Creating clean URLs, adding meta descriptions, and setting alt text for images is straightforward in Webflow. These basic but crucial SEO elements are easy to implement without technical knowledge.
The learning curve for Webflow is steeper than some other builders, but the SEO benefits make the extra effort worthwhile for many businesses and professionals.
6. Weebly
Weebly offers a straightforward approach to creating websites with SEO features built into its platform. Users can customize page titles, descriptions, and URLs directly from the Weebly Editor to follow SEO best practices.
The platform provides a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for beginners to build websites without coding knowledge. This simplicity extends to its SEO tools, which are accessible and user-friendly.
For small businesses and personal websites, Weebly can be a good option. It handles basic SEO elements well but lacks some of the advanced features found in platforms like WordPress.
One advantage of Weebly is its built-in mobile responsiveness. This matters for SEO since mobile-friendly sites typically rank better in search results.
The free plan allows users to create a basic website, but it comes with Weebly branding. Upgrading to paid plans removes this branding and adds more SEO features.
Some users find Weebly’s SEO capabilities limited compared to other website builders. The platform works well for simple sites like blogs or portfolios but may not be ideal for complex online stores or websites that need advanced SEO optimization.
Weebly’s SEO strengths include automatic sitemap generation, customizable meta descriptions, and the ability to add alt text to images. These features help search engines understand and index website content properly.
The platform also offers integration with Google Analytics, allowing users to track traffic and visitor behavior. This data helps website owners adjust their SEO strategies based on actual performance.
For beginners concerned about SEO, Weebly provides enough tools to get started. The interface guides users through basic SEO practices without overwhelming them with technical details.
While not the most powerful option for SEO, Weebly strikes a balance between ease of use and functionality. It works well for those who want a professional website with decent search visibility without dealing with complex SEO techniques.
7. GoDaddy
GoDaddy offers a website builder that claims to be easy-to-use with no design or coding needed. It provides templates designed for specific industries to help users create professional-looking websites quickly.
When it comes to SEO features, GoDaddy includes some basic tools. They have an SEO tool that helps users add extra information about their sites to improve search engine rankings.
To access these SEO features, users can go to their Dashboard, expand the Marketing section, and then select SEO. This gives them access to the built-in optimization tools.
However, several reviews suggest GoDaddy’s SEO capabilities are limited. According to tests by independent reviewers, GoDaddy hasn’t improved their SEO functionality in the past three years, indicating it might not be a priority for the company.
User feedback on platforms like Reddit indicates mixed experiences. Some small business owners have expressed that GoDaddy is not a good service for the price, despite their strong marketing tactics.
The platform seems best suited for businesses looking for simplicity rather than advanced SEO features. Users who need basic website functionality with minimal SEO tools might find GoDaddy sufficient.
For businesses where search engine visibility is crucial, GoDaddy’s limited SEO tools might be a significant drawback. The lack of recent improvements to their SEO features is something to consider when evaluating this option.
Price is another factor to weigh. While GoDaddy’s marketing is strong, some users feel the value doesn’t match the cost, especially when comparing the SEO capabilities to other website builders.
GoDaddy might work well for very small businesses or personal websites where extensive SEO features aren’t needed. Their templates and ease of use remain selling points for users who prioritize simplicity.
8. 10Web AI Website Builder
The 10Web AI Website Builder combines AI technology with a user-friendly interface to help create SEO-friendly websites. It uses a no-code approach with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for beginners.
What makes this builder stand out is how it puts SEO at the forefront of its design. The platform was built with search engine optimization in mind from the ground up, helping users create sites that can rank well.
Users can describe what they want, and the AI generates a website based on those requirements. This speeds up the creation process significantly.
The customization options let you fine-tune your site without coding knowledge. You can adjust layouts, colors, and content to match your brand while maintaining SEO best practices.
One nice feature is the instant publishing capability. Once you’re happy with your design, you can launch your website quickly without technical hassles.
The builder comes with an AI Co-Pilot feature that helps users refine their sites. This assistant can suggest improvements that might boost SEO performance.
According to search results, 10Web has an intuitive onboarding process and produces decent designs. However, making edits to the site requires a paid plan, which might be a drawback for some users.
For those worried about maintaining SEO while scaling their business, 10Web offers solutions to build, host, and scale websites on a single platform. This integration can help maintain consistent SEO practices as your site grows.
The platform is particularly useful for entrepreneurs who need to launch and grow businesses online without getting caught in technical details. Its focus on both speed and search optimization makes it worth considering.
Reviews suggest it’s ideal for those who want stunning designs without sacrificing the ability to fine-tune SEO elements. The balance of automated creation and manual control gives users flexibility.
When comparing SEO website builders in 2025, 10Web consistently appears among the top choices. Its specialized approach to search optimization, combined with ease of use, explains its popularity.
9. HubSpot CMS
HubSpot CMS stands out as a website builder that combines powerful SEO features with marketing tools. It’s designed specifically for businesses looking to grow their online presence.
The platform offers a free Drag-and-Drop Website Builder that lets you create and customize your site without coding knowledge. This makes it accessible for small business owners who don’t have technical expertise.
One major advantage is the integration with HubSpot’s CRM. This connection helps businesses track visitors and turn them into leads more effectively.
The CMS includes hosting, security, and SEO suggestions all in one place. These features save time and reduce the need for multiple tools or plugins.
HubSpot’s themes are quite impressive, with users rating them 4.5/5 according to EmailToolTester’s review. However, the editor’s usability only scores 3/5, suggesting it might have a learning curve for beginners.
Setup can be somewhat challenging for first-time users. The review gives it a 3/5 for ease of setup, indicating that some patience might be needed when getting started.
Reddit users have noted that even the free version of HubSpot is intuitive and offers good CMS and CRM integration. Many find the web builder among the easiest to use in the market.
For SEO purposes, HubSpot offers built-in tools that help optimize content and track performance. The platform provides suggestions to improve your site’s search engine ranking.
The free version gives you a taste of what HubSpot can do, but more advanced features require paid plans. This makes it worthwhile to start with the free option to see if it fits your needs.
Small businesses particularly benefit from HubSpot’s all-in-one approach. The platform handles many aspects of online marketing beyond just website building, which can be valuable for growing companies.
10. Yola
Yola is a free website builder that offers users a simple way to create websites without needing technical expertise. It’s designed for small businesses and individuals who want a straightforward approach to website creation.
The platform is known for being a no-fuss website builder, making it accessible for beginners. Its setup process guides users through choosing the type of website they want to create, helping even complete novices get started quickly.
For businesses focused on SEO, Yola offers some helpful features. Their platform includes SEO-optimized tools that can help small businesses create websites that perform better in search results.
Users can build a website with Yola without spending money upfront. The service includes free hosting and a free website address, which helps new businesses save on initial costs while establishing their online presence.
The customization options allow businesses to create visually appealing websites that match their brand. This flexibility helps companies stand out online while maintaining professional appearances.
One advantage of Yola is that it helps businesses get listed on major search engines. Your site can be included on Google, Yahoo, and Bing, increasing visibility to potential customers who use these search platforms.
Small business owners with limited web design knowledge will find Yola accessible. The platform allows you to build your own website without needing expert design skills, saving time and resources on hiring professionals.
While Yola offers many benefits for basic websites, businesses with complex needs might want to compare options. Other platforms may offer more advanced features for specific industries or more sophisticated SEO capabilities.
The user-friendly interface focuses on making website creation simple rather than overwhelming users with options.
Understanding SEO Basics
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps websites rank higher in search results. Good SEO practices make it easier for people to find your website when they search for related topics online.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the practice of improving a website to increase its visibility in search engines like Google. When someone searches for products or information, search engines look through millions of websites to find the most relevant results.
SEO involves many techniques:
- On-page SEO: Optimizing content, headings, and HTML elements
- Off-page SEO: Building backlinks from other sites
- Technical SEO: Improving site speed, mobile-friendliness, and structure
Search engines use complex algorithms to decide which sites appear first. They consider factors like content quality, website structure, and user experience. Google’s SEO guide provides basic information to help beginners understand these concepts.
Importance of SEO for Websites
Without proper SEO, even the best websites may remain hidden from potential visitors. Good SEO practices can dramatically increase traffic to your site.
More than 90% of online experiences begin with a search engine, but most users rarely look beyond the first page of results. Higher rankings mean:
- More visibility for your brand
- Increased website traffic
- Better user experience
- Higher conversion rates
- Greater credibility
Different website builders offer varying SEO capabilities. Wix is rated as the best overall for SEO features, while Shopify excels for ecommerce SEO. The right builder depends on your specific needs.
SEO isn’t just a one-time task but an ongoing process that requires monitoring and adjustments as search engines update their algorithms.
Features of Website Builders That Enhance SEO
Website builders now come with built-in tools that can significantly improve your search engine rankings. These features help even beginners create search-friendly websites without needing technical expertise.
Mobile Optimization
Mobile optimization is no longer optional for good SEO. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results, since most internet users browse on smartphones and tablets.
Top website builders like Wix and WordPress automatically create responsive designs that adjust to different screen sizes. This means your site looks good and functions well on any device.
The best builders offer:
- Automatic mobile view adjustment
- Touch-friendly navigation
- Properly sized buttons and text for small screens
- Mobile preview tools so you can see how your site looks before publishing
Some platforms even let you make specific adjustments to your mobile layout without affecting the desktop version. This flexibility helps create the best experience for all visitors.
Customizable Meta Tags
Meta tags tell search engines what your pages are about. Good website builders make these tags easy to edit.
Wix offers keyword support from Semrush, helping you pick the right terms to include in your meta tags. This feature guides beginners through what might otherwise be a complex process.
Key meta elements you should be able to customize include:
- Title tags (what appears in search results)
- Meta descriptions (the snippet under the title)
- Image alt text (descriptions for images)
- Header tags (H1, H2, etc.)
When evaluating a website builder, check if it provides easy access to edit these elements. The simpler it is to update your meta information, the more likely you’ll keep your SEO efforts consistent.
Fast Page Load Speeds
Page speed directly impacts both user experience and search rankings. Slow sites frustrate visitors and get penalized by search engines.
Good website builders optimize your images automatically and use efficient code. Some even include:
- Built-in caching systems
- Content delivery networks (CDNs)
- Image compression tools
- Code minification (removing unnecessary characters)
Weebly offers responsive design that helps with load times, while other platforms like 10Web advertise Google PageSpeed scores of 90+.
When choosing a builder, look for one that scores well on speed tests. Many now include performance dashboards that highlight issues slowing down your site and suggest fixes.
SEO-Friendly URL Structures
Clean, readable URLs help both users and search engines understand your content. They should be short, descriptive, and include relevant keywords.
The best website builders let you customize your page URLs (also called “slugs”). Instead of random numbers or code, you can create addresses like “yoursite.com/blue-hiking-boots.”
Features to look for include:
- Custom URL editing
- Automatic slug creation based on page titles
- Ability to set canonical URLs (to avoid duplicate content issues)
- Proper handling of redirects when URLs change
WordPress is widely considered search-friendly and gives you complete control over your URL structure. Other builders like Wix have improved their URL options significantly in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Website builders offer different SEO features that can help your site rank better. Let’s address some common questions about SEO capabilities of popular website platforms.
How can I optimize my Weebly site for search engines?
Weebly provides several basic SEO tools to help improve your site’s visibility. You can customize page titles, meta descriptions, and header tags for each page through the SEO settings menu.
Weebly also offers clear HTML structure and responsive design, which are important ranking factors. The platform automatically generates a sitemap for your website, making it easier for search engines to crawl your pages.
You can also add alt text to images and create SEO-friendly URLs on Weebly. For more advanced needs, you can access SEO plugins to extend functionality.
What features of WordPress make it a strong choice for SEO?
WordPress is often recommended by SEO professionals because of its robust SEO capabilities. The platform allows complete control over your site’s code, URLs, and metadata.
The Yoast SEO plugin is a game-changer for WordPress users. It provides real-time page analysis and suggestions to improve content readability and keyword optimization.
WordPress also offers fast loading speeds and mobile-friendly themes that boost SEO performance. The platform’s regular updates help maintain security and compatibility with search engine algorithms.
Are there any free website builders that offer good SEO capabilities?
Yes, several free website builders provide decent SEO features. Wix offers a free plan with detailed SEO features including title tags, meta descriptions, and structured data.
WordPress.com’s free version includes basic SEO controls like customizable permalinks and image alt text. However, more advanced features require paid upgrades.
Google Sites is another free option with built-in Google integration, which can help with indexing speed. Keep in mind that free plans often have limitations like branded domains that may impact SEO performance.
What makes Wix a good or bad choice for SEO in 2025?
Wix has improved its SEO features significantly in recent years. The platform now offers keyword support and social media integration, which help with visibility across different channels.
Wix’s SEO Wiz tool guides users through optimizing their websites with personalized plans. The platform also allows customization of canonical tags and structured data, which are valuable for advanced SEO.
On the downside, Wix sites can sometimes load slower than custom-coded websites, which may affect rankings. Some technical SEO experts also find Wix’s URL structure less than ideal for complex site architectures.
What are some examples of small business websites with excellent SEO?
Local bakeries like “Sweet Tooth Pastries” have achieved top rankings by optimizing location-based keywords and maintaining consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across platforms.
“Green Thumb Landscaping” ranks well for competitive terms by publishing regular blog content about seasonal gardening tips. They also collect and display customer reviews, which boost their local SEO.
“Sparrow Boutique” uses detailed product descriptions with relevant keywords and optimized images. Their site loads quickly and provides an excellent mobile experience, both critical ranking factors.
How does Google Sites fare in terms of SEO compared to other builders?
Google Sites has some natural advantages for SEO, particularly with Google indexing. Sites created on this platform typically get crawled and indexed quickly due to their Google connection.
However, Google Sites offers fewer customization options for SEO elements compared to platforms like Wix or WordPress. You can’t modify robots.txt files or implement certain types of structured data.
The platform works well for simple projects but lacks the meta tags and header customization that more robust website builders provide. For basic sites with modest SEO needs, it works fine, but serious business sites may outgrow its capabilities.
