Website builders are tools that allow the construction of websites without manual code-editing. They fall into two categories: on-line proprietary tools provided by web hosting companies, typically intended to for users to build their private site; and software which runs on a computer, creating pages off-line and which can then publish these pages on any host.

On-line website builders typically require customers to sign up with the web hosting company. The range of services varies anywhere between creating basic personal web pages or social network content (Widgets) to making full blown business/e-commerce websites, either template based or - on the more flexible platforms - totally design free.

Sites are generally created using either HTML or Adobe Flash. HTML is a standard format supported by all browsers. Flash has a growing popularity, but is proprietary and is not supported by all browsers. In addition it is more resource intensive. HTML tools are divided into those that allow editing of the source code and those who only have a WYSIWYG mode.

Off-line web builders cater to professional web designers who need to create pages for more than one client or web host. Modern off-line web builders are usually both WYSIWIG and allow direct editing of source code and CSS styling. They generally require a least a basic understanding of HTML and CSS code. They are more flexible than on-line builders, but may be expensive to buy. There are some open source web builders which may be downloaded free of charge.