7 one-page DIY website builders to get your small business found online in South Africa

Building a website is daunting, especially if you don't have coding experience or a big budget. This is where one-page DIY website builders come in. User-friendly, mobile first and affordable (often free) tools allow you to create a professional-looking website with just a few clicks, perfect for showcasing your business and reaching new customers.

The best 7 DIY website builders in 2024:

1. Savvy Sites

2. Taplink

3. Univer.se

4. Beacons

5. Carrd

6. About.me

7. Cargo

Choosing the right website builder

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. In order to pick the right one for your needs there are some factors to consider first. Finding the right one with the right features and cost will set you apart from the rest. If you’re wondering what the difference is between one-page and multipage websites, read our article to learn more.

With so many options, how do you pick the right one-page website builder for your South African business?

Key factors to consider:

• Budget: Compare pricing plans and features to find a builder that fits your financial needs.

• Features: Do you need an online store, appointment booking, or specific integrations? Choose a builder that offers the functionalities you require.

• Design: Opt for a platform with templates that match your brand aesthetic and industry.

• Technical expertise: How comfortable are you with website creation? Opt for a builder with a user-friendly interface if you're new to this.

• Ease of use: Look for a builder with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions, especially if you're a beginner.

Now let’s talk about what you have to choose from. Consider all the factors before making a choice on which builder you’ll be using. A lot have a free version or have trials of their paid software so you know what to expect before forking over some cash.

1. Savvy Sites

A simple, DIY one-page website builder designed specifically for South African entrepreneurs. The most affordable website builder on the market packed with features. Made by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Offers an affordable Pro plan packed with features like seamless integration with local payment processors like Yoco and iKhokha for payments in South Africa, a free .co.za domain on paid plans, and a very functional free plan to get you started.

• Features: Accept local payment links, free domain name, free plan with great functionality, live site analytics, AI writer makes building a site super fast.

• Limitations: Less design flexibility but leaves design decisions to the designers.

• Pricing: Free plan available (Free. Forever), Paid plans start at a price at R890 for a year which also includes a free custom domain. R890/year.

2. Taplink

A user-friendly option catering to both individuals and businesses. Create clean, multi-link landing pages with custom backgrounds and buttons. Analytics track link clicks, audience locations, and devices used. Geared more towards Instagram and social media, not a ‘one for all’ use case site builder.

• Features: User-friendly interface, customization options, advanced analytics, affordable pricing.

• Limitations: Limited features in the free version, reported integration issues, limited design templates, and occasional delays in customer support.

• Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $2/month.

3. Univer.se

Ideal for showcasing your creative portfolio or personal brand with a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Focus on content creators and influencers. Does not have built in product cards. Not ideal for small businesses.

• Features: Clean, minimalist design, ideal for creative portfolios and personal branding.

• Limitations: Not suitable for complex websites with multiple pages or entrepreneurs looking to sell online.

• Pricing: Free plan with limited features, paid plans offer more customisation and functionality. $5.99/month.

4. Beacons

Offers a powerful free plan with a drag-and-drop editor that makes customisation super simple and easy to use. Very minimal technical experience needed. Big focus on content creators with great integrations to content tools and platforms. They call themselves “A full creator platform.” Feature rich.

• Features: Powerful free plan, drag-and-drop editor for easy customisation. Multi currency support, email lists and built in SEO.

• Limitations: Free plans may have limited features and branding.

• Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans unlock more features and remove branding limitations. $8.33/month for base plan.

5. Carrd

Simple and focused, Carrd lets you create beautiful one-page sites for specific purposes like landing pages or contact forms.

• Features: Simple and focused, ideal for creating targeted one-page websites.

• Limitations: Not suitable for complex websites with multiple pages.

• Pricing: No free plan, paid plans unlock more features and functionality. Starting “Pro Lite” plans at $9/year.

6. About.me

Perfect for freelancers and solopreneurs, About.me lets you build a professional online presence that highlights your skills and experience.

• Features: Ideal for freelancers and solopreneurs, easy to showcase skills and experience.

• Limitations: May not be suitable for businesses with complex product or service offerings.

• Pricing: Often has a free plan with limited features, paid plans offer more customization and functionality. $6.58/month.

7. Cargo

Focuses on personal branding, allowing you to create a sleek website that showcases your expertise and accomplishments. Great for freelancers and for portfolio building.

• Features: Focuses on personal branding, ideal for freelancers and consultants.

• Limitations: May not be suitable for businesses with a focus on products or services.

• Pricing: Pricing structures can vary, research specific plans for free and paid options. $19/month

Taking the next step

Many one-page website builders offer free trials, so you can experiment and see which platform feels most comfortable. With a bit of research and effort, you can have a professional and functional website up and running in no time, propelling your small business towards success in the South African market.

Best Features: User-friendly, good balance of ease of use and customization.Limitations: Free plan may have limitations on features and branding.Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans unlock more features and remove branding limitations.

By carefully considering these website builders and their strengths and limitations, you can choose the perfect platform to establish a powerful online presence for your South African business!