5 Best Website Builders for SEO [an SEO Expert’s Perspective]

Welcome to my review of top-rated SEO website builders for 2024. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why is it crucial to choose the right SEO-friendly CMS (Content Management System) for a successful online branding journey?

Well, the truth is the primary key to successful digital marketing is SEO, and it all begins with an efficient SEO-friendly CMS. Ensuring you choose the most suitable one will put your website at the forefront, increase its visibility, and drive more organic traffic. This, in turn, will generate leads and convert them into sales.

In essence, an SEO-friendly website builder can make or break your overall online presence. Therefore, getting it right from the start is absolutely paramount.

So be prepared to explore as I help you navigate the complex maze of the best website builders for SEO.

How I Determine the Best SEO-Friendly Website Builder Software

So you may now ask, how do I choose the best website builder for SEO? What parameters do I use?

I have used many website builders in my professional lifetime, so it is safe to say that I’ve evaluated each listed builder comprehensively.

Here are the main things I consider for determining the best SEO-friendly website builders:

- SEO Performance: I look at the raw SEO performance of these website builders and how easily you can optimize your website and improve your ranking on search engines with their tools and features.

- Ease of use: Choosing a CMS should not be a daunting task. Hence, the user-friendly nature of these builders is a decisive factor.

- Feature-set: My analysis does not solely rely on SEO capabilities. Instead, I aim to provide a broad overview by examining other essential features that complement SEO.

- User Reviews and Professional Ratings: Finding the best CMS for SEO is more than just ticking off a checklist. Hence, first-hand experiences from actual users, coupled with expert assessments, add a layer of trust and reliability.

Whether you are a marketer or an SEO manager, finding the best SEO-friendly CMS can be complicated, but do not worry; this comparison will offer clarity and expert insights to make a well-informed decision. Take a guided tour with me through the vast sea of SEO website builders, and let’s find the best fit for you.

Top 5 SEO Website Builders IMO: Review and Comparison

We will look at website builders’ SEO capabilities and general features here.

Wix: A Powerful Website Builder with Top-class SEO Features

First up is Wix, a household name in the arena of website builders. Wix prides itself on being a powerful platform well-equipped with SEO tools that can cover all your SEO needs.

Advantages:

Wix’s advantage primarily lies in its user-friendliness and intuitive design. A highly powerful builder, Wix comes with a diverse spectrum of stylish templates, easy drag-and-drop features, and extensive customization options. Its shining star is Wix SEO Wiz, a comprehensive tool that streamlines SEO tasks guiding even beginners who want to achieve better search engine rankings.

Disadvantages:

However, once a template is chosen, you cannot switch it without reconstructing your website. Also, despite having a generous library of apps, not all are well-integrated within the Wix ecosystem.

Key SEO Features of Wix:

- SEO Wiz: An intuitive tool that guides you through the SEO process step by step. It helps you create an SEO plan according to your needs and provides personalized recommendations to improve your website’s search engine performance.

- Meta Tag Editor: Allows you to customize meta tags for every page, an important aspect of gaining visibility on search engines.

- SEO Analytics: Wix offers an easily navigable dashboard to monitor your SEO performance.

- Mobile Optimization: Wix enables you to make your website mobile-friendly, which is crucial given Google’s mobile-first indexing.

- AI-powered SEO capabilities: Wix’s AI-powered features, like AI image creator and AI meta tag creator, elevate its functionality in optimizing websites for search engines.

Wix also offers an array of creative web design tools and templates, an easy-to-use interface, and great customer support.

You may also want to read Wix SEO Insights

Who Uses Wix?

Wix is an all-rounder suitable for different website types, from small businesses to musicians and online stores. Its prolific choice of design and user-friendly interface appeal to non-techy users and beginners.

Wix Pricing:

Pricing plans range from $16 per month for regular sites. For online stores, it’s $27-$159 a month. Their free plan, while available, comes with Wix branding.

Squarespace: Easy-to-use Website Builder with Optimal SEO Tools

Next, we have Squarespace, a website builder known for its sleek, design-focused templates. Consistent with its brand image, Squarespace offers easy-to-use SEO tools, keeping simplicity and effectiveness at the forefront.

Advantages:

Squarespace is loaded with designer-grade templates defined by their visually appealing aesthetics. This makes it an ideal choice for those in creative industries, such as photographers, artists, and designers. Its SEO approach is straightforward and includes features such as automatic tagging and 301 redirects.

Disadvantages:

On the downside, Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities are not as advanced as those of some competitors, and the website speeds could be faster. For beginners, the learning curve might be steeper owing to the builder’s focus on advanced features.

Key SEO Features of Squarespace:

- SEO Checklist: Provides a step-by-step guide on how to optimize your website for better visibility.

- Automatic Tags: Squarespace automatically tags your content, thus giving search engines more data about your website.

- 301 Redirects: Automatically creates redirected URLs for pages you’ve deleted to maintain your SEO ranking.

Squarespace is an excellent choice if you prioritize good design and ease of use.

Who Uses Squarespace?

Creatives who place a high emphasis on visual aesthetics, including designers, artists, and photographers, find Squarespace to be their best fit.

Squarespace Pricing:

Ranges from $16 to $49 a month (billed annually). Although they don’t offer a permanent free plan, they provide a 14-day free trial.

WordPress.com: An Alternate SEO-friendly CMS

While WordPress.org requires self-hosting and is more technical, WordPress.com is a hosted platform and provides a more straightforward approach, but it still has solid SEO capabilities.

Advantages:

WordPress.com removes the hosting worries and provides a more streamlined, beginner-friendly experience. It also supports a huge variety of SEO plugins, with Yoast SEO leading the league.

Disadvantages:

WordPress.com, although easier to use, institutes restrictions on customization and monetization, making it less desirable for serious bloggers or businesses.

Key SEO Features of WordPress.com:

- SEO Settings Panel: Offers a settings panel where you can add your meta description, customize your post slugs, and manage 301 redirects.

- XML Sitemaps: It automatically generates XML sitemaps to facilitate better indexing of your site by search engines.

- Built-In Analytics: You’ll have access to in-depth statistics about your site’s performance and visitor demographics.

Who Uses WordPress.com?

WordPress.com is geared towards personal bloggers and small to medium-sized businesses.

WordPress.com Pricing:

Free with limitations. Premium plans range from $4 to $45 monthly (billed yearly).

Webflow: A Fresh Contender Among Best SEO Website Builders

Webflow is a relatively new player in the game, but don’t underestimate it. It’s already carving a niche for itself thanks to its unique combination of SEO, design capabilities, and advanced developer tools.

Advantages:

Webflow successfully blends the design freedom of sophisticated web design software with the simplicity of low-code website builders. It’s rich with SEO features like dynamic meta tags and automatic XML sitemap generation. Advanced tools like grid layout and easy CSS editing without coding make this a favorite among experienced designers.

Disadvantages:

The technical proficiency demanded by Webflow could pose a steep learning curve for beginners. Also, it falls short on the scale of available templates and third-party integrations compared to the likes of Wix or WordPress.

Key SEO Features of Webflow:

- Dynamic Meta Tags: Webflow can dynamically insert meta tags based on your CMS collection fields.

- Automatic XML Sitemaps: Webflow automatically generates and updates your XML sitemap as you publish new content.

- 301 Redirects: This feature helps you maintain your website’s SEO integrity when updating or altering your site’s content.

- Microdata Integration: Allows richer indexing of your site’s content and aids in creating rich snippets.

Webflow’s unique proposition is its ability to design visually while writing clean code for you in the background.

Who Uses Webflow?

Professional web designers, digital agencies, and freelancers who require advanced design and CMS tools find Webflow the perfect option.

Webflow Pricing:

Starts free with limitations. General site plans are $14-$39/month (billed annually), while e-commerce site plans start from $29 to $212 monthly (billed yearly).

Ghost: Empowering SEO-Centric Content Management

Ghost CMS emerges as a powerhouse designed to harmonize intricate SEO needs with a seamless content creation experience.

Advantages:

Its simplicity doesn’t compromise functionality; rather, it streamlines the content creation process, ensuring a laser-sharp focus on SEO essentials. The platform’s structured approach to content creation allows for easy integration of targeted keywords, crafting meta descriptions, and optimizing content for search engine visibility.

Disadvantages:

While Ghost CMS excels in its SEO-oriented approach, its ecosystem might seem relatively confined compared to more versatile platforms like Webflow. The limited array of themes and plugins might be considered a drawback for those seeking extensive customization options.

Key SEO Features of Ghost:

- Structured Data and Schema Markup: Ghost CMS facilitates structured data implementation and schema markup, empowering content for enhanced search engine visibility and richer snippets.

- Content SEO Settings: Robust tools for configuring meta titles, descriptions, and canonicals, enabling precise control over on-page optimization.

- Automatic XML Sitemaps: Ghost automatically generates XML sitemaps, simplifying the indexing process for search engines.

Who Uses Ghost CMS?

Professionals deeply invested in content-driven SEO strategies, bloggers, and publications aiming for a sleek, performance-driven web presence find Ghost CMS an invaluable asset.

Ghost CMS Pricing:

Ghost offers scalable pricing, starting at $9/month (billed annually) for the Starter plan, rising to $199/month (billed annually) for the Business plan, catering to diverse needs with features like custom branding, memberships, and advanced analytics.

Essential Steps to Optimize Your Website for Better SEO

Just like Rome, a successful website can’t be built in a day.

It is an ongoing process that requires dedication and consistent efforts. Whether your website is built on Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, or Webflow, certain golden rules apply to everyone wishing to make a mark in the digital landscape.

Here, we will uncover the steps to optimize your website for better SEO. From keyword research and on-page optimization to technical aspects, let’s make your website a traffic magnet!

Keyword Research: Finding the Right Words

The first step in your SEO journey is to identify the keywords related to your niche that your target audience is using when searching. These keywords, when integrated strategically throughout your content, can help potential users discover your website organically.

You can use premium SEO tools or Google Keyword Planner to identify primary & secondary keywords, long-tail keywords, location-based keywords, and any keyword to suit your strategy. Also, I suggest you use real user queries searching on search engines.

After determining the keywords, it’s important to remember that good content isn’t about stuffing your website with keywords but integrating them naturally and contextually. So, let’s move to how you can optimize your content.

On-Page SEO: Content is Queen

On-page SEO involves optimizing individual pages on your website. This not only helps search engines understand the content of these pages but also helps improve your website’s visibility.

While content should be keyword-rich, it should never seem forced. Write for your audience!

Optimize titles and headings to make your content more readable. Besides, craft enticing meta descriptions with your keywords. This is often what people read before deciding to click through to your site.

Don’t forget the importance of internal linking. Internal linking distributes link juice, aids in site navigation, helps in website hierarchy, and, most importantly, improves user experience.

Technical SEO: Behind-the-Scenes

Technical SEO addresses backend website and server optimizations. These help search engines crawl and index a website more effectively to improve organic rankings.

For this aim, focus on having a fast-loading website. This way, you can have an opportunity to improve user experience. Compressing images, removing unnecessary plugins, and enabling browser caching can improve your site speed.

And remember, more than half of all web traffic is from mobile devices. Ensure your site is responsive on all device types to gain favor with Google’s mobile-first indexing.

Additionally, structured data (schema markup) can be added to your website’s code to provide more information about your site to search engines.

Also, an XML sitemap lists a website’s important pages, allowing search engine crawlers to understand the website structure easily.

Off-Page SEO: What’s Happening Elsewhere

Off-page SEO refers to activities conducted outside the boundaries of your website to improve your website’s visibility and ranking.

Gaining high-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites is considered one of the most effective off-page SEO strategies. Consider guest posting or broken link building to earn backlinks.

Regularly sharing your website content on various social media platforms can also drive more traffic and improve your visibility.

Regularly responding to reviews and ratings of your brand, whether positive or negative, helps manage your online reputation and indirectly impacts your SEO efforts.

By understanding and implementing these core SEO practices in your website development process, you can achieve a significant advantage in the online space. SEO isn’t just a one-time affair; it’s a long game, and the key lies in consistency.

Overview: The Best Website Builder for SEO — A Comparative Analysis

Each platform we’ve examined — Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com, Webflow, Ghost — brings their unique strengths to the table for fulfilling diverse SEO needs.

Ease of Use

In terms of user-friendliness, Wix stands out. Its intuitive interface, coupled with the drag-and-drop feature, makes website building a breeze. The platform’s guided SEO plan via the Wix SEO Wiz also simplifies the SEO process for beginners.

Squarespace doesn’t lag far behind. Though its advanced design-led features may require a small learning curve, Squarespace is a delight to work with once you’ve got the hang of it.

WordPress.com and Ghost are particularly user-friendly for beginners.

On the other hand, Webflow’s sophistication and advanced features may pose a slight challenge to the uninitiated, making the platform typically more suited for web designers and developers.

SEO Tools and Features

Strictly in terms of SEO capabilities, it’s a close race between Wix and Webflow. Wix’s SEO Wiz, a comprehensive tool that simplifies SEO tasks, is a definitive advantage, especially for beginners.

Webflow has some impressive SEO-friendly features, such as dynamic meta tags and automatic XML sitemap generation.

While WordPress.com, Ghost CMS, and Squarespace don’t push the boundaries regarding SEO capabilities, they provide a sufficient toolbox to ensure your website is optimized for search engines.

Customization Flexibility

Webflow provides significant customization options, along with the unique advantage of visually designing while writing clean code in the background.

Both Wix and Squarespace provide a reasonable level of customization, perfect for the daily user. However, WordPress.com is somewhat restrictive regarding customization flexibility, making it less suited for those who want complete control over their site’s appearance and functionality.

Pricing

In terms of cost, Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com, Webflow, and Ghost CMS all offer diverse pricing plans to suit various needs and budgets. Keep in mind that higher-tier plans offer superior features and tools, which could result in better SEO performance.

Conclusion

Finally, it’s essential to understand that SEO is about more than just a state-of-the-art website builder. It’s a long-term commitment that involves constant tinkering, monitoring, learning, and adjusting.

The best website builder for SEO is simply a tool to help you on this journey. It’s up to you to make the most of these tools, carve your path, and conquer the digital landscape.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all SEO website builder; every builder serves unique goals and requirements. As each platform evolves, they are constantly improving their SEO capabilities. Your part in this is to stay updated and adaptable and continually strive to learn and leverage these tools.

I hope this comprehensive guide provides valuable insights to make a well-informed decision. Here’s to your digital success! May your website not only witness increased visibility and organic traffic but also serve as an authentic, relevant, and engaging platform for your audience.

I strongly recommend you also check out the 16 Best Website Builders for Small Businesses article!