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12 Top-rated Software for Website Development in 2024 [Expert Picks] - Mageplaza
12 Leading Software for Website Development in 2024 [Expert Picks]
Summer Nguyen|07-24-2024
Your website is your digital storefront. But which tools will build it best? This guide dissects the top software for website development, from versatile content management systems to streamlined website builders and powerful e-commerce platforms. Check it out now!
Types of Website Development Software
Website development software can be broadly categorized into several types:
Content management systems (CMS): These are user-friendly platforms. They empower individuals to create, organize, and update website content. Importantly, this can all be done without needing to be a coding expert.
Website builders: These tools simplify the creation process. Think of them as digital construction sets. Users drag and drop elements to generate their site, no coding is required.
E-commerce platforms: Online stores have unique needs, and this specialized software caters to them. It handles everything from product listings and shopping carts to secure payments.
Code editors: For those who do write code, these are essential tools. They provide a streamlined environment for creating and editing the code that powers websites.
Integrated development environments (IDEs): IDEs are like code editors on steroids. They offer advanced features, including debugging tools and code completion suggestions, which speed up the development process for professional programmers.
[H2] 12 Best Software for Website Development
Before delving into the specifics of each website development software, let’s get a quick overview of all the best options available:
Top Content Management Systems (CMS)
Type
Software
Target users
Key Features
Pricing
Content Management Systems (CMS)
WordPress
Bloggers, small to medium-sized businesses, e-commerce ventures
Thousands of themes and plugins, easy-to-use editor, strong SEO, large community, regular updates
Free (core software)
Joomla
Medium to large businesses, community sites, complex websites
Advanced user management, multilingual support, extensive templates and extensions, strong SEO, flexible content management
Free (core software)
Drupal
Large enterprises, government websites, complex, high-traffic websites
WordPress dominates the global content management system (CMS) market. It powers over 40% of websites worldwide. Renowned for its flexibility, intuitive user interface, and vast array of plugins, it offers unparalleled customization options.
The platform proudly presents the following key features:
Thousands of themes and plugins
Easy-to-use editor
Strong SEO capabilities
Large and active community
Regular updates and security features
It’s particularly suitable for bloggers, small to medium-sized businesses, and e-commerce ventures using WooCommerce. While WordPress itself is free, premium themes, plugins, and hosting can incur costs.
Pros and cons of WordPress:
Pros:
Highly customizable with plugins and themes
User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
Strong community support
Scalable for small blogs to large enterprise websites
Cons:
Can become slow with too many plugins
Requires regular updates and maintenance
Security vulnerabilities if not properly managed
2. Joomla
Joomla is a powerful yet user-friendly CMS, offering a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality for website creation. It offers more built-in features than WordPress, but it can be slightly more complex to use.
Joomla’s key features include:
Advanced user management
Multilingual support out of the box
Extensive template and extension library
Strong SEO tools
Flexible content management
Joomla is suitable for medium to large businesses, community and membership sites, and complex websites requiring advanced user management. Although Joomla itself is free to use, premium templates, extensions, and hosting incur additional costs. This makes Joomla a strong choice for those needing robust functionality and flexibility, despite its complexity for newcomers.
Pros and Cons of Joomla
Pros:
Powerful and flexible CMS
Great for complex websites with multiple users
Strong built-in features
Good community support
Cons:
Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress
Fewer themes and extensions
Can be complex for beginners
3. Drupal
Drupal is a high-performance CMS renowned for its flexibility, scalability, and ability to handle demanding websites and applications. It’s particularly favored by developers for its advanced capabilities and robust performance.
The platform underscores the following key features:
Highly customizable
Advanced user permissions
Strong security features
Multilingual support
Extensive module library
Drupal is particularly well-suited for large enterprises, government websites, and other complex, high-traffic websites that require a high degree of customization and security. While the core software is free to use, additional costs may be incurred for premium modules and hosting services, which can enhance the overall functionality and performance of Drupal-based websites.
Pros and cons of Drupal:
Pros:
Extremely flexible and customizable
Strong performance and scalability
Excellent security features
Great for complex, large-scale websites
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Requires technical expertise
Smaller community compared to WordPress
Best Website Builders
Type
Software
Target users
Key Features
Pricing
Website Builders
Wix
Small businesses, personal websites, portfolios, basic e-commerce sites
Drag-and-drop interface, hundreds of templates, app market, mobile optimization, built-in SEO
Free plan, premium from $14/month
Squarespace
Creative professionals, small businesses, basic online stores
Stunning templates, drag-and-drop editor, built-in blogging and e-commerce tools, mobile-responsive designs, 24/7 customer support
From $12/month
Weebly
Small businesses, personal websites, simple online stores
Drag-and-drop builder, mobile-responsive themes, integrated e-commerce tools, app center, built-in SEO
Free plan, premium from $6/month
1. Wix
Wix stands out as a user-friendly website builder, celebrated for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and vast collection of professionally designed templates. It empowers individuals and businesses to craft visually appealing websites without needing any coding skills.
Key features of Wix include:
Drag-and-drop interface
Hundreds of designer-made templates
App market for added functionality
Mobile optimization
Built-in SEO tools
Wix is an excellent fit for small businesses aiming to establish an online presence, individuals seeking to create personal websites or portfolios, and basic e-commerce sites. With a free plan available and premium plans starting at $14 per month, Wix caters to various budgets.
Pros and cons of Wix
Pros:
Extremely user-friendly
No coding required
Wide range of templates and apps
Good customer support
Cons:
Limited customization options compared to CMS platforms
Free plan includes Wix branding
Not suitable for very complex websites
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder renowned for its visually striking, designer-quality templates. It’s a perfect fit for individuals and businesses who value aesthetics and a user-friendly experience.
Key features of Squarespace involve:
Stunning templates
Drag-and-drop editor
Built-in blogging and e-commerce tools
Mobile-responsive designs
24/7 customer support
Squarespace is an ideal choice for creative professionals showcasing their portfolios, small businesses aiming to create an elegant online presence, and basic online stores. With plans starting at $12 per month for personal websites, Squarespace serves various needs and budgets.
Pros and cons of Squarespace
Pros:
Beautiful, professional templates
User-friendly interface
Good integration with e-commerce and blogging tools
Reliable customer support
Cons:
Limited customization compared to CMS platforms
Can be expensive for larger sites
Less flexibility for advanced users
3. Weebly
Weebly is an affordable and accessible website builder, perfect for those who want to launch their online presence quickly and easily. Its intuitive interface, coupled with a various array of templates and features, makes it a great option for individuals and small businesses on a budget.
Weebly emphasizes the following key features:
Drag-and-drop builder
Mobile-responsive themes
Integrated e-commerce tools
App center for added functionality
Built-in SEO features
Weebly caters to the needs of small businesses seeking to create simple yet effective websites, individuals looking for an easy way to build personal websites, and those interested in setting up basic online stores. With a free plan and affordable premium plans starting at $6 per month, Weebly provides a cost-effective option that suits a range of requirements.
Pros and cons of Weebly:
Pros:
Easy to use
Good range of templates
Integrated e-commerce capabilities
Free plan available
Cons:
Limited customization options
Less powerful than some competitors
Fewer templates compared to Wix and Squarespace
Leading E-commerce Platforms
Type
Software
Target users
Key Features
Pricing
E-commerce Platforms
Shopify
Small to large e-commerce businesses, entrepreneurs, retailers expanding online
Comprehensive e-commerce tools, wide range of themes and apps, secure payment gateways, abandoned cart recovery, multichannel selling
From $29/month
BigCommerce
Medium to large e-commerce businesses, enterprises, stores with large inventories
Advanced e-commerce functionalities, flexible product management, SEO and marketing tools, no transaction fees, various payment gateways
From $29.95/month
WooCommerce
Existing WordPress users, small to medium e-commerce businesses, tech-savvy users
Seamless WordPress integration, extensive plugins and themes, customizable checkout, built-in blogging, large community
Free (core plugin)
1. Shopify
Shopify is the go-to e-commerce platform for businesses aiming to scale their online presence. Its intuitive interface and robust features enable seamless growth, from startups to established enterprises.
If you’re a small to large e-commerce business, an entrepreneur with a startup, or a retailer aiming to expand your online presence, Shopify is a strong contender. Its plans start at $29/month with a range of options to suit your budget and requirements.
Pros and cons of Shopify:
Pros:
Easy to use, even for beginners
Extensive range of e-commerce features
Great customer support
Scalable for small to large businesses
Cons:
Can be expensive, especially with add-ons
Limited customization compared to open-source platforms
Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce stands out as a powerful e-commerce platform meticulously designed for businesses of all sizes. It provides an extensive toolkit for building and expanding online stores, making it a top choice for businesses venturing into the e-commerce landscape.
What sets BigCommerce apart is:
Advanced e-commerce functionalities
Flexible product management
SEO and marketing tools
No transaction fees
Integration with various payment gateways
Businesses that thrive with BigCommerce include medium to large e-commerce enterprises seeking a comprehensive platform, those looking for a scalable solution to support their growth, and stores with extensive product inventories. About pricing, BigComemrce plans start at $29.95 per month
Pros and cons of BigCommerce
Pros:
Robust e-commerce features
No transaction fees
Scalable for growing businesses
Good SEO capabilities
Cons:
Higher cost compared to some competitors
The learning curve for advanced features
Limited design options without coding
3. WooCommerce
WooCommerce, an open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, empowers users to transform their WordPress sites into thriving online stores. Its seamless integration with WordPress makes it a popular choice for businesses seeking a unified platform for content and commerce.
Its appeal lies in:
Seamless integration with WordPress
Extensive range of plugins and themes
Customizable checkout process
Built-in blogging capabilities
Large community and support
WooCommerce shines for existing WordPress users who want to add an online store, small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses seeking flexibility, and developers or users with technical expertise. While WooCommerce itself is free, businesses should factor in the costs of premium plugins and hosting.
Pros and cons of WooCommerce:
Pros:
Highly customizable
Free to start with various paid add-ons
Strong community support
Flexible and scalable
Cons:
Requires some technical knowledge
Can be complex to set up and maintain
Additional costs for hosting and premium plugins
Best Code Editors and IDEs
Type
Software
Target users
Key Features
Pricing
Code Editors and IDEs
Visual Studio Code
Developers of all levels, projects of all sizes, cross-platform development
Developers who like customization, projects needing strong Git integration, cross-platform
Built-in package manager, smart autocompletion, file system browser, multiple panes, cross-platform support
Free
1. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft, known for its high degree of customization and broad support for various programming languages and frameworks. It has become a favorite among developers due to its versatility and extensive features.
Key features of VS Code include:
IntelliSense for smart code completion
Debugging and Git integration
Extensive plugin ecosystem
Cross-platform support
Built-in terminal
VS Code is suitable for developers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. It caters to projects of all sizes and supports cross-platform development, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of use cases. Best of all, VS Code is completely free to use.
Pros and cons of VS Code: Pros:
Highly customizable with plugins
Excellent support for various languages
Great performance
Strong community support
Cons:
Can be resource-intensive
Requires configuration for optimal use
Some features may require plugins
2. Sublime Text
Sublime Text, a sophisticated text editor renowned for its speed and simplicity, is a go-to choice for developers seeking a lightweight yet powerful tool for code, markup, and prose editing.
Its standout features include
Goto Anything for quick navigation
Multiple selections for quick edits
Command Palette for easy access to functions
Split editing for working on multiple files
Extensive customization options
Sublime Text shines for developers seeking a lightweight editor for quick coding tasks or projects requiring minimal setup. Its emphasis on speed and simplicity makes it a favorite among those who prioritize a distraction-free coding experience. The cost for a single-user license is $80, which may be a factor to consider compared to free alternatives.
Pros and cons of Subline Text:
Pros:
Extremely fast and lightweight
Highly customizable
Intuitive interface
Supports a wide range of languages
Cons:
Limited built-in features without plugins
Paid license required for continued use
Less integrated development features compared to IDEs
3. Atom
Atom, an open-source text editor crafted by GitHub, stands out as a haven for developers who thrive on personalizing their coding environment. Its deep customizability allows for a tailored workflow, making it a favorite among those who seek to optimize their productivity.
At its core, Atom boast:
Built-in package manager
Smart autocompletion
File system browser
Multiple panes for split editing
Cross-platform support
Atom is a compelling choice for developers who enjoy tailoring their tools to perfection. Its strong Git integration, user-friendly interface, and free availability make it a worthy contender in the realm of code editors.
Pros and cons of Atom Pros:
Highly customizable with packages
Strong Git and GitHub integration
User-friendly interface
Free and open-source
Cons:
Can be slower with many plugins
Requires configuration for optimal performance
Less performant than lightweight editors like Sublime Text
Criteria for Evaluating Website Development Software
When evaluating software for website development, it is vital to take into account various essential factors to make sure you choose the best tool for your needs:
User-friendliness: Even if you’re not a coding whiz, the tools should be intuitive as well as easy to navigate. Look for drag-and-drop interfaces and clear instructions to streamline the website-building process.
Customization options: Your website should embody your brand and meet your business objectives. Select a platform that offers a range of design options (themes, templates) and empowers you to customize both the look and feel, as well as the functionality. This ensure a user-friendly and on-brand experience.
Scalability: As your business grows, your website should be able to keep up. Choose software that is scalable, meaning it can handle increased traffic and functionality as your needs evolve.
Cost: Make sure the software’s cost fits your budget. Some software might be free, while others have monthly or yearly fees. You should compare prices and features to identify a good deal.
Support and community: Check if the software company offers customer support. A helpful community of users can also answer questions and give advice.
Integration capabilities: Prioritize website software that offers integrations with your essential tools (email marketing, social media, etc.). This will simplify your website management and create a more cohesive online presence.
Key Takeaways
In a general sense, we find that:
About CMS: WordPress is the most popular choice due to its flexibility and vast ecosystem, while Joomla and Drupal cater to more complex projects with their advanced features.
About Website Builders: Wix and Squarespace stand out with their user-friendly interfaces and beautiful designs, while Weebly offers a more budget-friendly option.
About E-commerce Platforms: Shopify is known for its ease of use and extensive features, BigCommerce for its scalability and powerful tools, and WooCommerce for its integration with WordPress and customization potential.
Related to Code Editors: Visual Studio Code offers extensive customizability and a wide range of features, Sublime Text excels in speed and simplicity, and Atom caters to developers who love personalization.
The choice of software ultimately depends on the project’s specific needs, the budget, and the users’ technical expertise.
Summer is the CMO and Digital Commerce Solution Expert with 10+ years of experience. She specializes in Magento, Shopify, ERP, CRM, AI, and Blockchain, delivering strategic solutions that transform businesses. With a deep understanding of digital commerce, she helps brands scale and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Discover a step-by-step framework for effective social media marketing. Learn how to optimize content, run ads, track KPIs, and future-proof your strategy across all major platforms.
Discover a step-by-step framework for effective social media marketing. Learn how to optimize content, run ads, track KPIs, and future-proof your strategy across all major platforms.
Discover a step-by-step framework for effective social media marketing. Learn how to optimize content, run ads, track KPIs, and future-proof your strategy across all major platforms.
Discover a step-by-step framework for effective social media marketing. Learn how to optimize content, run ads, track KPIs, and future-proof your strategy across all major platforms.