Web Building apps

The best web building options, whether you’re an absolute beginner or an online expert

If you want complete control over everything, your own web space is hard to beat

These days, it’s easy to forget just how mind-blowing the World Wide Web was back in the 1990s. Not only could you read things from the other side of the planet, you could publish your own things too. All you needed was a web editor, which would turn your ideas into the HTML code that web browsers read.

Two decades on, it’s not so mind-blowing, but it’s never been easier to publish your work online. Big-name platforms such as WordPress, Medium and Tumblr make it easy for anybody to publish online, and of course, social networks like Facebook and Twitter are great for sharing jokes, rants, photos and memes. But if you want complete control over the way your content looks and works, over what you can and can’t, publish and the ability to share content without blasting people with adverts or tracking their every move, your own web space is hard to beat.

Whether you’re blogging or promoting your business, a dedicated web design app can turn your ideas into a working website in no time at all. Some apps are designed for beginners and come with stacks of templates that you can use for your own website; while others are for experts who want to take advantage of complex features or work in code. And there are those who sit between the two, offering user-friendly apps that don’t skimp on powerful features.

In this group test, we take a look at six Mac web design apps, ranging from simple and beginner-friendly options to all-singing, all-dancing pro tools. We’ll focus on how easy they are to use, how good they are at designing for smartphones and tablets, and which ones are best for what kinds of user. Whether you’re a complete newcomer or a grizzly veteran, there’s a web design Mac app for you.