Top 6 Website Builders You Can Use In Malaysia

Are you considering building a website in Malaysia but unsure where to start or which option to choose? Understanding the local digital landscape is essential when selecting a website builder in Malaysia. If you’re interested in creating your own website, you’re in the right place. This article will guide you through the selection process, helping you identify the most suitable option for your needs, with a special focus on users in Malaysia. We’ve rigorously evaluated various builders, including well-known platforms like Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, and Weebly. We’ve dissected the advantages and disadvantages of each, curating a list of the top 6 builders that we believe are the best choices based on our own experiences. 

Please keep in mind that these are our personal opinions, it’s crucial for you to define your objectives to find the most fitting builder for you, guided by our insights. However, if you are looking for a more professional and hassle-free solution, engaging a proffesional web design agency to craft your site might be the way to go.

What is a Website Builder?

Did you know that a website builder is actually a software that allows you to create your website in the simplest way possible? A website builder is a tool that enables individuals and businesses to construct a website without the need for manual coding or design expertise. With a user-friendly interface and a range of customizable templates, website builders make it possible for anyone to create a good looking website relatively quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking to establish an online presence for your personal brand, business, or creative project, website builders offer a range of features to support your goals.

Top 6 Website Builder You Can Use In Malaysia

1. Wix: The overall winner

Wix stands out for its ease of use and rich feature set, making it our top choice for those beginner to website building in Malaysia. It comes with a wide range of features and provides a comprehensive toolkit for creating your personal website. This so far is one of the most friendly builders we will recommend. You can use this builder to create website such as company website, ecommerce website and blog. However, if you looking use your own domain you must purchase one of their plan.

The pros 

• Affordable: Wix’s pricing plans are thoughtfully structured, offering Malaysian enterprises the flexibility to select an option that aligns with their financial plan and business needs.
• User Friendly: The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the website creation process, enabling a swift and efficient setup without the need for coding expertise.
• Ready template: A vast selection of templates allows for quick customization, ensuring that each website can have a unique aesthetic.

The cons 

• Not for advanced users: Advanced users might find Wix’s customization options somewhat restrictive when compared to other platforms that provide greater freedom for manual coding. Additionally, Wix is not as robust as other builders when it comes to integrating e-commerce functionality, which offers more sophisticated features for online stores.

• SEO Limitations: Although Wix has enhanced its SEO capabilities, some users believe that WordPress provides more advanced SEO tools and plugins. This difference can be crucial for the visibility of a website in search engines. Read this page to understand what is SEO

• Template Restrictions: After selecting a template on Wix, changing to a different template requires re-inserting your content. In contrast, WordPress allows you to switch themes without the risk of content loss.

Pricing Plan

Wix offers a variety of pricing options to accommodate the different needs of website builders, with monthly rates beginning at USD 4.50 and scaling up to USD 24.50. The cost varies depending on the package selected, each designed to match specific website functionalities and scales of operation. To gain a clearer understanding of what each plan includes, it is essential to review the detailed descriptions provided on their website.

2. Squarespace: Where Design Meets Functionality

Squarespace is known for its beautiful templates, making it a great pick for businesses that want a good-looking online shop. If you’re planning to sell things online, Squarespace is user-friendly and can help you get started without much hassle.

The pros 

• Stylist Theme: Squarespace has stylish designs that can make any business look sharp online.
• Great E-commerce Functionality: It’s got everything you need to sell products, all in one place.
• Mobile Responsive: Your website will look good on phones, tablets, and computers without any extra work.

The cons 

• Pricing: It’s a bit pricier than some other options out there.
• Not Friendly For New User: If you’ve never made a website before, there might be a bit of a learning curve.
• Hard to customize: If you want to really make the design your own, you might need to know a bit about coding.

Pricing Plan

Squarespace offers plans that range from RM 109 to RM 309 a month. The price depends on what features you want on your site. It’s a good idea to think about what you need and look at their pricing page to see what each plan includes.

For the most current details and to figure out which plan fits your needs, it’s best to check out the pricing plans on Squarespace’s website. 

3. Shopify: The Online Store Wizard

Shopify’s comprehensive set of tools makes it a powerhouse for Malaysian entrepreneurs keen on crafting the perfect online store. It’s packed with features that cover everything from inventory management to secure checkout, catering to the needs of both budding and established businesses.

The pros 

• Customizable Ecommerce template: Shopify offers a vast array of customizable templates to ensure your store looks professional.
• Robust Toolset: It has a powerful set of tools for inventory management, order processing, and analytics.
• Enhanced Security: The platform is known for its strong security features, giving both sellers and buyers peace of mind.

The cons 

• Incremental Costs: Monthly costs can add up, especially with additional apps and transaction fees.
• Need sometime to learn: While it’s user-friendly, there’s a learning curve to fully utilize all its features.
• Limited Content Management Capabilities: Some users report that the content management capabilities are less intuitive compared to other aspects of the platform.

Pricing Plan

Shopify’s pricing begins at USD 25 per month for the most basic plan, which is ideal for new businesses just starting out. As your business grows and requires more features, you can move up to the more advanced plans. The highest-tier plan is priced at USD 399 per month, tailored for established businesses with large volumes of sales and the need for extensive analytics and reports. Each plan comes with different features, so it’s important to visit Shopify’s pricing page to get the full details and decide which plan meets the needs of your online store best.

4. Strikingly: The Beginner-friendly Website Builder

Strikingly offers many of the same features as Wix, with its own unique set of design customization options to meet the diverse needs of users.

Strikingly has become widely popular for its flexibility and functionality. This DIY website builder meets the expectations of various user groups and stands out for its user-friendly interface, convenience, and simplicity. I personally use it for my own blog and find it extremely user-friendly — I was able to publish my blog within a hour.

The pros 

• User-friendly interface: suitable for beginners.
• Quick setup: Allows for websites to go live in a matter of hours.
• Wide range of template: Offers a range of templates for various uses.

The cons 

• Limited advanced customization: While user-friendly, the design options can be limiting for advanced users looking for more customization.
• Customized e-commerce feature limitations: E-commerce is available, but if you are looking for advanced features, it might not meet the needs of a full-fledged online store.

Pricing Plan

Strikingly offers a free plan if you don’t mind using their domain. If you are looking to purchase your own domain, then you have to go with the Limited plan, which starts at USD 8 per month. The VIP plan begins at USD 49 per month and comes with a wealth of features that cater to businesses and membership-focused sites. If you want to know more about Strikingly , visit their website.

5. Elementor: The Leading WordPress Page Builder

Elementor is highly regarded in the WordPress community for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it a favorite among those who want to craft beautiful websites with ease.

Pros:

• Live Editing: Elementor’s visual builder allows for real-time editing, so you can see your changes as you make them.
• Extensive Widgets and Templates: It offers a wide array of widgets and templates, giving you plenty of design flexibility.
• Theme Compatibility:  The plugin is compatible with most WordPress themes, making it highly versatile. You can switch themes with a single click, and the pages and posts will remain intact.

Cons:

• Need to pay to unlock full features: To access the full range of features, you need the pro version, which comes at a cost.
• Need take some time to learn: Although it’s user-friendly, there may be a learning curve for complete beginners to grasp all functionalities.
• Potential Speed Impact: Some users find that Elementor can affect website loading speeds, especially when using complex designs.

Pricing Plan for Pro Version:

Elementor Pro offers several pricing tiers, beginning with the Essential plan at USD 59 per year, suitable for a single website. The Pro version’s pricing starts at an affordable rate for individual users and increases for plans designed to cater to businesses and web designers who manage multiple sites. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing details, and to view the full range of features included in each plan, it is recommended to visit Elementor’s official website.

6. EasyStore: A Unified Commerce Platform

EasyStore caters to the dynamic e-commerce landscape in Malaysia, offering a flexible platform that empowers entrepreneurs to build and manage their online stores with ease. It boasts a suite of features that facilitate everything from product listing to secure transactions, making it a viable option for both new and growing businesses.

The pros

User-Friendly Interface: EasyStore provides a straightforward dashboard that simplifies the setup and management of your online store.

Multichannel Selling: It allows integration with various marketplaces and social media platforms for wider reach.

Localized Features: Tailored for Malaysian users, it includes local payment gateways and shipping integrations.

The cons

Limited Template Selection: While customizable, the template options are less extensive than some competitors.

Basic Analytics: The insights and analytics provided are adequate for starters but might not suffice for data-driven businesses.

Support Channels: While support is available, it may not be as comprehensive as larger platforms like Shopify.

Pricing Plan

EasyStore’s pricing starts at MYR 199 per month for the standard plan, which is designed for newcomers in the e-commerce space. The most popular plan, the Business plan, comes in at MYR 399 per month, offering full features including referral program, loyalty program & points, and messages inbox & broadcast. To understand which plan is the most cost-effective for your business, it’s best to review EasyStore’s pricing page for detailed information on what each plan includes.

Conclusion

Selecting the website builders right for you is a pivotal decision that will impact the future success of your online ventures in Malaysia. It’s important to consider your business requirements, technical skills, and budget before settling on a platform. Whether your focus is on e-commerce functionality, design quality, or cost efficiency, there is a builder in this list that can fulfill your needs and assist in establishing an excellent website. It is beneficial to read the “10 Steps to Create a Website for Your Business” to understand the checklist you should follow when creating your own website.