5. Automattic WordPress

• Reviewed on: 18 January 13
• RRP: Free
• Rating:

If you're planning to set up a blog, WordPress is probably all you need. While it's not as easy to use as a dedicated web design service, it's also very much cheaper than most and can be used to make sites that aren't blogs as well. It could do with a more hands-on approach to editing, but its very popularity suggests that most people don't find this much of a problem.

4. 1&1 MyWebsite Personal

• Reviewed on: 14 January 13
• RRP: £6 per month inc VAT
• Rating:

1&1 MyWebsite Personal is a decent tool for putting together a standard website, quickly. There are a lot of pre-defined templates, so finding something to work from is easy. Widgets which expand what your site can do are quick and easy to add, though there’s no shopping cart available in the Personal product.

3. Serif WebPlus X6

• Reviewed on: 16 January 13
• RRP: £81 inc VAT
• Rating:

While WebPlus X6 might be described as old school, in comparison with the newer online offerings, there’s a lot more flexibility and many in-depth design tools available in this package. Taking some time to get to grips with what it can do pays dividends, if you want to be able to tailor a complex site to your exact needs.

2. Moonfruit Standard

• Reviewed on: 15 January 13
• RRP: £7.50 per month inc VAT
• Rating:

Moonfruit claims that over two million sites have been built using SiteMaker, and it’s easy to see why. The interface is intuitive and very pleasant to use. While expert users will find the range of options rather limited, despite the various widgets that are included in paid packages, this will not bother the vast majority of people who simply need to get a good-looking site online quickly. This is a recommended service for inexperienced designers.

1. Jimdo Pro

• Reviewed on: 15 January 13
• RRP: £60 per year inc VAT
• Rating:

Jimdo Pro is a very practical website package, which even in its free form offers most of the basics. The Pro product adds in personalised domain and email, site stats and is free from ads. It’s easy to use and many of the templates are stylish and modern. The 15 item limit on store objects may be restrictive, but otherwise this is a good choice.