Cheapest Website Builders for Small Businesses in South Africa (2025)

Nicole
Nicole
4 min read
Jul 24, 2025
Cheapest Website Builders for Small Businesses in South Africa (2025)

Ready to launch your business online but overwhelmed by website options?

You’re not alone. Whether you're starting an online store, offering services, or simply need a professional presence, building a website shouldn’t be expensive or complicated.

This guide breaks down the most affordable website builders for small businesses in South Africa with clear comparisons, pros and cons, and real insights to help you choose the right fit.

Why a website matters (even for small businesses)

A website is your digital shopfront. Whether you sell products, offer services, or run a side hustle, having a website helps you:

  • Look professional and trustworthy.

  • Get found on Google (so customers can actually discover you).

  • Sell online (products, bookings, or services).

  • Accept payments securely.

  • Share your story and show off your work.

What are the cheapest website builders for South African businesses?

Wix

  • Simple, beginner-friendly drag-and-drop website builder.
  • No coding needed and you can choose from 500+ beautiful templates.
  • Great for both service businesses (consultants, creatives, salons) and online stores.
  • SEO tools, mobile-friendly designs, and payment options (PayFast, Yoco, PayPal).

Pricing:

  1. Free plan: Includes Wix ads + .wixsite.com domain (good for testing).
  2. Basic business website: From R120–R150/month.
  3. E-commerce (sell products/services): From R275–R350/month.

Pro Tip: Start free to design, then upgrade when you’re ready to launch professionally.

Shopify

  • Built specifically for online stores.
  • Everything included: product listings, checkout, shipping, payment gateways.
  • Local payment support (Yoco, PayFast, SnapScan, Ozow).
  • App store for extra features (like product reviews, email marketing, etc.).

The downside is, it is more expensive than the other options, but it is packed with useful e-commerce features.

Pricing:

Starts from $19 USD/month (R350–R400) for the basic plan.

(Advanced plans go higher depending on features)

It is a good idea if your main business is e-commerce, and you need features like inventory, shipping, and discount codes.

WordPress + WooCommerce

  • Free to use, so you just pay for hosting.
  • Fully customisable with themes and plugins.
  • Add WooCommerce for an online store.
  • Great for bloggers, service businesses, or tech-savvy entrepreneurs.

The only thing to note is that there is a slight learning curve because it is not as “drag and drop” as Wix.

You handle updates, backups, and basic maintenance yourself (or pay someone else to do it).

Pricing:

  • Domain + hosting: From R50–R150/month (local hosts like Afrihost, Xneelo).
  • Plugins/themes: Many free, but some premium options at R500–R1,500 once-off.

It is a solid option for service businesses or stores needing flexibility, or anyone who doesn’t mind learning a bit of tech.

Shopstar

  • A South African e-commerce website builder.
  • Sell products online with delivery and payment integrations (PayFast, SnapScan, Ozow).
  • Simple setup designed for creatives, crafters, boutique businesses, and small brands.

Pricing:

  • Starts at R250/month for a full e-commerce store.
  • Includes hosting, security, and payment options.

This is good for e-commerce businesses that want a locally-based solution with support tailored to SA sellers.

Pro Tip: Don’t let “building a website” overwhelm you. Start simple. Many successful businesses start with a basic page then upgrade as they grow.

Build your website without breaking the bank

Whether you’re launching an online store, showcasing your services, or simply making your business easier to find, there’s a website builder that fits your budget.

Wix is flexible and beginner-friendly. Shopify is best for serious e-commerce. WordPress gives you full control. And local heroes like Shopstar make getting online even more accessible for South Africans.

While your website grows your business online, Govchain helps you run it right. From company registration to tax compliance, payroll, UIF, PAYE, and bookkeeping, we’ve got the admin handled.

Explore Govchain’s services and focus on building your business, not the paperwork pile.

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