If you’re interested in website hosting, you’ve definitely heard the name GoDaddy once or twice (they really do have a catchy and intriguing name). Though website hosting is not the only thing they specialize in, they have the GoDaddy website builder (also known as GoCentral). However, it’s not perfect for everyone and that’s why some people search for GoDaddy alternatives.
If that happens to be you, you’re exactly in the right place! Below you will find a short overview of the GoDaddy website builder, the reasons why people search for GoDaddy alternatives, and some of the best GoDaddy competitors.
Fun fact! If you’ve ever wondered what’s the story behind their name, I’ll tell you. Originally they were named “Jomax Technologies” but in 1999 they decided to rebrand. One of the employees suggested the name Big Daddy (like the movie) but this domain name was taken. Then someone said Go Daddy and the rest is history.
Now that you know, let’s get back to the point and dive into the list of the best GoDaddy alternatives.
Table of Contents
- 1. GoDaddy - Create a Website in No Time
- 2. Why do People Search for GoDaddy Alternatives?
- 3. The Greatest Alternatives to GoDaddy
- 3.1. Squarespace - the Top-Tier Website Builder
- 3.2. Zyro - a Website Builder from the Future
- 3.3. Webflow - All You Need in One Place
- 3.4. Shopify - the Ultimate Online Shop Creator
- 3.5. HostGator - Super Fast Website Builder
- 4. Conclusions
GoDaddy - Create a Website in No Time
As I mentioned earlier, GoDaddy firstly specializes in website hosting and domain name registration and the actual name of their website builder is GoCentral. However, since it’s not that well-known, it is mostly referred to as the GoDaddy website builder.
For those of you who don’t know what the terms website hosting and domain name are about, don’t worry, I’ll tell you. To put it simply, website hosting is an online service that allows you to publish your website on the internet so that people could access it. The domain name is what comes after “www.” or, simply, your website name.
Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s look at the benefits of the GoDaddy website builder. For starters, it’s really easy to use and you can create a website really fast. It has an intuitive and responsive user interface (UI) and all of the core functions are comfortably placed in it. There’s a very small chance that you’ll get confused, even if it’s your first time using a website builder.
Talking about fast website creation, it’s basically the main point of using a website builder. However, GoDaddy takes it to the next level of fast. That’s because it is especially easy to use and it doesn’t offer too much of advanced options or space for customization. So it’s both - good and bad - depending on how much of the creative process you want to take into your hands.
What’s also great is that GoDaddy offers an eCommerce option. It’s very important for a website builder because, usually, if you create a website for your business (whether it’s big or small), there’s a big chance that you’ll want to sell something. If that’s the case, GoDaddy is here for you!
Talking about business, GoDaddy has features such as automatic marketing emails and social media link integration. These are very useful for your business promotion.
The automatic marketing email function saves you from sending the same letter to thousands of people over and over again. Social media link integration is great because you can add links to any social media channel and GoDaddy even automatically updates your social media channels.
Now, remember I mentioned before that some people look for GoDaddy alternatives? You might be wondering why and I am here to answer this question.
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Why do People Search for GoDaddy Alternatives?
There are definitely some strong and worthy GoDaddy competitors out there. So you are probably asking yourself now: what does it lack and which alternatives to GoDaddy can compensate for it?
To answer your first question, there are two main drawbacks that turn people to search for GoDaddy alternatives: limited freedom of choice and the lack of the drag-and-drop feature.
Remember earlier I said that GoDaddy doesn’t offer many advanced options or space for customization? I think that’s the main reason that turns people to search for alternatives to GoDaddy. You can’t really do much with the templates and you might lack some features. Of course, for a true beginner, it might be enough, but for an advanced user - not so much.
This also leads to the lack of the drag-and-drop feature which is what really gives you the freedom to customize. GoDaddy uses the swipe-to-style feature. The essence of this feature is that you swipe through the designs until you find the one that suits you. Most of the other sites like GoDaddy have the drag-and-drop feature.
However, some user reviews say that the swipe-to-style feature is convenient because it is faster this way. You choose a template and then customize it by adding or removing necessary elements. That’s not a lie, it might be faster this way. Though, if you’re like me and you just hate having limitations in your creative process, this feature is not the best for you.
That being said, I would point out that GoDaddy is great for beginners, especially for those who don’t really care about the creative side of websites and simply want it done fast. However, it’s not that great for more advanced and creative users.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the list of the best GoDaddy alternatives.
The Greatest Alternatives to GoDaddy
In the list of the best GoDaddy alternatives, you will definitely find the one that is most suitable for you. Whether you’re an advanced user, searching for more space for creative freedom, or a beginner, weighing the options, you’ll find your answers here.
Squarespace - the Top-Tier Website Builder
Reasons why Squarespace is one of the best alternatives to GoDaddy:
- Simple UI
- Modern and sleek templates
- A huge variety of features
- The drag-and-drop feature
Squarespace is one of the best options in our website builder list. Therefore, it’s a must to include it in the list of the best GoDaddy alternatives. Why? Because it has a user-friendly interface, a huge variety of useful features, and aesthetically pleasing templates (their “secret” weapon).
If you're a newbie, you'll definitely get the hang of Squarespace quickly. It’s easy to use because it doesn’t have overpacked UI and it has the well-known drag-and-drop feature. If by any chance you don’t know what that feature is about - it’s literally what the name says. You simply take an item and drop it wherever you want.
Well, maybe not completely wherever. Squarespace has these fixed boxes (fields) that limit your free dragging will a little bit. Though this is because Squarespace has a responsive design which is a huge plus for mobile-friendliness.
For those of you who don’t know, your site's design will adjust automatically to look great on any device thanks to responsive design, which positions page elements relative to the viewing device's screen.
Moving on, as I stated before, Squarespace is known for its trendy and cool-looking templates. This is the feature that has received the most positive feedback from users. Squarespace has a large number of templates to pick from, and you can sort them by several categories, which is very useful.
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Table: Squarespace features vs. GoDaddy features
I also previously mentioned that Squarespace provides you with a lot of cool features. Its list of features is likely to be limitless. You can pick from essential features, as well as some odd ones. Regardless of whether you're a newbie or a pro, you'll certainly discover what you're looking for.
However, the main drawback of Squarespace, mostly for beginners, is that its pricing is considerably high in comparison to the GoDaddy website builder. Read further to check what kind of plans you can choose from.
What is the Pricing of the Squarespace Website Builder?
So, as I just said a few seconds ago, Squarespace is a bit high-priced compared to the pricing of other websites like GoDaddy. However, the quality of Squarespace as a website builder is definitely worth the price. It’s not a secret that inexpensive or free things usually have poorer quality.
If you decide to go with Squarespace, you can choose from two plan options - for Websites and for Online Stores. The plans are further subdivided into sub-plans.
The options for Websites:
The options for Online Stores:
Note! Always check the official website because the prices may change over time.
The prices are not completely unaffordable but they could definitely be considered more high-end in comparison to some other GoDaddy competitors. Either way, Squarespace is definitely one of the best GoDaddy alternatives.
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Zyro - a Website Builder from the Future
Reasons why Zyro is better than GoDaddy:
- AI tools
- Simple to use
- Live customer support
- The drag-and-drop feature
If you're looking for a more futuristic website like GoDaddy, then Zyro is the one for you. It’s mostly known for its artificial intelligence tool integration. Pretty cool, right? Apart from that, Zyro is user-friendly, has the drag-and-drop feature, and offers some other pretty neat features.
I should probably begin with AI tools because it’s something that not every other site like GoDaddy has to offer. Zyro offers tools such as AI Logo Maker, AI Heatmap, AI Writer, and so on. They are all pretty intriguing and useful.
Let’s begin with the tool that is the most controversial of the three - the AI Writer. As a writer myself, I was skeptical about this one. However, it really surprised me because it’s actually helpful. It generates professionally-looking text content for you on whatever topic or section you specify. It’s a great help when you run out of ideas.
The Heatmap is the tool that receives the most positive feedback from users. Essentially, it directs you to the specific areas of your website where customers will pay the most attention. It's useful since it tells you which areas of your site need the most work.
The AI Logo Maker, however, is the tool that I would recommend the most. It will undoubtedly assist you, even if you are not particularly creative or have no experience creating logos. You can quickly build a professional-looking logo for your website using a variety of templates.
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Table: Zyro features vs. GoDaddy features
For newbies, Zyro is an excellent GoDaddy alternative because it is so simple to use. It doesn't have a ton of features, but it does have the well-known drag-and-drop feature that GoDaddy lacks. If you're a more experienced user, you could notice that several features are missing. However, Zyro is constantly updating the variety of features it has.
The features that it does have include integration with other platforms (like Google Analytics, Hotjar, Facebook Pixel, Messenger Live Chat, and Google Tag Manager), eCommerce option, live customer support, domain name transfer, and so forth.
What is especially cool about Zyro is its live customer support. No, it’s not the same as 24/7, it’s actually live. You can get an answer in 2 minutes (that’s the average response time). Therefore, you’ll probably never feel frustrated while using Zyro.
The only flaw that Zyro has is the smaller variety of templates. However, they still offer some pretty modern and dazzling templates. If you do want a bigger variety, you know who’s the king of modern templates (hint: you just read about it).
What is the Pricing of the Zyro Website Builder?
The pricing that Zyro offers is excellent, particularly for newcomers seeking for a low-cost first purchase.
Here are some options for you to consider:
- Website - $2,61/month
- Business - $4,41/month
- Online Store - $8,01/month
- Advanced Store - $14,31/month
Note! Always check the official website because the prices may change over time.
As you can see, even the most advanced plan is reasonably priced. Zyro could definitely be considered one of the top GoDaddy alternatives in one way or another, especially for beginners.
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Did you know?
Have you ever wondered which website builders are the best for your business?
See & compare TOP website builders side by sideWebflow - All You Need in One Place
Reasons why Webflow is a great alternative to GoDaddy:
- CMS and website builder hybrid
- Webflow University
- Modern templates
Webflow's key selling point is that its functionality is more complex in comparison to other websites like GoDaddy. It's both a website builder and a content management system (CMS) in one package. If you are a more advanced user seeking for a more complex website design process, Webflow is a perfect option for you.
Though this means it’s not better than GoDaddy for those who are true beginners.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term CMS, I'll give an example. You've most likely heard of WordPress if you're even remotely interested in website creation. That is the most widely used content management system.
It's similar to a website builder, but it allows you to make more complex changes to your website. It also expands your website management possibilities. So you get why it’s more complicated to use.
However, if you are a newbie but you’re really fascinated by Webflow and want to try it, you should! Just before doing that, check out Webflow University. What is that? It is a free e-learning platform where you can find various web creation courses. Admit it, it would be a shame not to take free learning material.
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Table: Webflow features vs. GoDaddy features
Now, if you’re searching for a GoDaddy alternative that offers modern and artistic templates, Webflow is also a great choice for that. You’ll definitely find the perfect option for you in the huge variety of sleek templates you can choose from.
What is the Pricing of the Webflow Website Builder?
In comparison to some other GoDaddy alternatives, I have to say that Webflow pricing is undoubtedly a more expensive option. However, it does offer a free plan option. No, there is no need to enter your credit card information, and it is not a free trial.
Webflow offers three types of plan options – Site, Workplace, and eCommerce. The Site option allows you to build or import your own website. The Workplace option allows you to manage multiple websites and collaborate with your colleagues. And it's obvious what eCommerce plans are about.
The options of Site plans:
- Starter - free
- Basic - $12/month billed annually
- CMS - $16/month billed annually
- Business - $36/month billed annually
The options of Workplace plans:
The options of eCommerce plans:
- Standart - $29/month billed annually
- Plus - $74/month billed annually
- Advances - $212/month billed annually
Besides, Webflow offers plans for enterprises (contact Webflow for the pricing).
Note! Always check the official website because the prices may change over time.
However, keep in mind that the free option of Webflow is very limited. Though this is understandable given that free plans typically have relatively restricted features.
That being said, Webflow is one of the better GoDaddy alternatives, especially for those seeking for a more complex website creation process and more management possibilities.
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Shopify - the Ultimate Online Shop Creator
Reasons why Shopify is one of the bigger GoDaddy competitors:
- Extensive eCommerce platform
- User-friendly interface
- The drag-and-drop feature
- More than 1,200 apps
If you want to start an eCommerce business, Shopify is probably the best option for you. Why? It is a feature-rich eCommerce website builder that manages to keep things simple to use while providing everything you need for a successful online store.
It goes without saying that ease of use is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a website builder. After all, nobody likes to overcomplicate their lives. Shopify is there to keep your life easy with its simple UI. It’s better than GoDaddy because it does have the drag-and-drop feature. Click, drag, drop, and save - all it takes to create an online store with Shopify (well, mostly).
Another reason Shopify is a great alternative to GoDaddy is the wide range of eCommerce tools and services it offers. You can choose from over 1,200 apps to help you scale your online business.
You can install Abandoned Cart Recovery, Multi-Channel Integration, Variety of Payment Options, and many more other important features. Image how much more you can find choosing from 1,200 apps. I bet you can find anything there is needed for a successful online business.
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Table: Shopify features vs. GoDaddy features
Do you know what else is great? You’ll never feel hopeless. Shopify offers various support options. Their customer support works 24/7 so you can even contact them in the middle of the night. They also have a great FAQ section and plenty of video tutorials if you need a visual answer.
Anyhow, Shopify is definitely pricey, so it’s not the best GoDaddy alternative for those who are not willing to invest.
What is the Pricing of the Shopify Website Builder?
It is, as I just said, rather costly compared to the pricing of other sites like GoDaddy. It also doesn't have many plans to choose from. The better plan you choose, though, the more options and shipping discounts you will receive. Well, obviously.
These are the options you have:
Note! Always check the official website because the prices may change over time.
You see, you will spend a nice amount of money using Shopify. Though you will receive a quality product for the price you pay. You already know that cheaper is not usually better.
Overall, Shopify is the winner of GoDaddy alternatives if you are looking for the most comprehensive eCommerce website builder.
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HostGator - Super Fast Website Builder
Reasons why HostGator is a great alternative to GoDaddy:
- Free hosting and free domain
- Great usability
- Social media integration
- The drag-and-drop feature
- LogoMaker
When talking about GoDaddy alternatives, we should definitely talk about HostGator. Just like GoDaddy, HostGator is known for its website hosting services. They also decided to create a website builder and named it Gator. Their intention was to create a website builder for people with very minimal knowledge of website creation.
The process of website creation with Gator is, indeed, very simple. You sign up, choose a template, and then customize it however you like. If you face any difficulties, HostGator has a great customer support service that works 24/7/365 (this is how Gator calls it). Though I doubt that there would be any difficulties.
Now, originally HostGator offered the drag-and-drop feature and it still does. However, they also recently introduced something similar to Wix ADI where you fill in the basic information, choose a style and Gator creates a website for you in minutes. After that, you can still customize your website by changing layout sections or using the drag-and-drop feature.
The reason why HostGator is better than GoDaddy is that it offers free website hosting and free domain. That's pretty cool given that HostGator does specialize in website hosting in the first place. What's also cool is that it has something similar to AI integration like Zyro has. It offers you a LogoMaker feature that will help you create a logo in no time.
It’s also important to note that Gator has a pretty great social media integration that allows you to embed content from various social media platforms. As well as the email marketing tool which they didn't have in the past.
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Table: HostGator features vs. GoDaddy features
Now, the templates that HostGator offers were known to be quite plain and basic. Even though they have some modern templates right now, the variety is not that wide. Thus, if you want a bigger variety of sleek and modern templates, it is not the best option there is (though you have Squarespace coming to the rescue).
What is the Pricing of the HostGator Website Builder?
Now, the pricing of HostGator is really great for a beginner. It’s also a great alternative to GoDaddy because HostGator offers even lower prices than GoDaddy does (not that those are very high). However, there is no free trial, so you'll not be able to test it out before buying (that's a bummer).
There are three different plan options:
- Starter - starting at $3.84/month
- Premium - starting at $5.99/month
- eCommerce - starting at $9.22/per month
Note! Always check the official website because the prices may change over time.
Do you see that it says “starting at”? It means that you have to commit. You’ll get these prices if you subscribe to HostGator for two years. If that’s not the case, the plans for one year and one month will be slightly more expensive.
Either way, HostGator is a great alternative to GoDaddy, especially for a beginner.
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Conclusions
Here you have it - the complete list of the top 5 GoDaddy alternatives. Hope it helped you decide which option is the best for you. If you’re not sure yet, let’s rewind.
What are the main reasons that make people search for other sites like GoDaddy? Limited freedom of choice and customization, as well as the lack of the drag-and-drop feature. However, these two actually intertwine and make one big reason - the lack of control.
Which other websites like GoDaddy compensate for what it lacks? If you are a newbie in website creation, I would suggest you go with Squarespace. It has it all - simple UI, amazing templates, a huge variety of features, and so on. Though if you want a less expensive alternative, go with Zyro (its AI integration is a huge bonus).
If you’re a more advanced user and want even more control over the creation process of your website, I suggest you go with Webflow. The CMS integration in it will definitely give you the freedom of choice and customization.
That’ll be all. I hope you’ll find the perfect website builder for you (or already did). Good luck! Signing off.
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