“Ask David”: “Can you help recommend a drag-and-drop website builder that is not hosted so I can upload HTML to any hosting service?“
Finding a true drag-and-drop website builder that isn’t tied to a hosted platform is surprisingly difficult. Popular drag-and-drop builders – like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly – are cloud-based, i.e. hosted website builders. This means your site lives on their servers, and while they make building websites very easy, you cannot export your site’s HTML, CSS, and scripts in a way that allows you to host it anywhere else.
Builders That Offer Limited Export (e.g., Webflow)
Some platforms, like Webflow, offer more flexibility. Webflow is a drag-and-drop website builder, and you can visually design pages by placing elements like text, images, and buttons on a canvas. It also gives you advanced control over layout, responsive design, and CSS-style customization.
However, Webflow is more developer-focused than beginner-friendly. The interface can feel complex, and building sophisticated layouts often requires some understanding of HTML and CSS.
Export limitations: While Webflow allows you to export HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for static pages, any dynamic features like e-commerce, CMS content, or forms will not work outside Webflow’s hosting. Essentially, you can export simple static sites, but fully dynamic websites won’t function properly once moved.
Other Options for Truly Portable, Non-Hosted Websites
If you want a website that you can host anywhere, there are several approaches to consider.
Static site generators: Tools like Jekyll, Hugo, or Eleventy allow you to generate static HTML, CSS, and JS files that you can host anywhere. However, these are not drag-and-drop – they’re more developer-focused and require technical knowledge.
WordPress (self-hosted) with page builders: You can install WordPress on your own hosting and use plugins like Elementor or Divi. You get some drag-and-drop functionality, but the HTML is tied to WordPress’s system, making it difficult to export a fully functional standalone site.
Traditional desktop website builders: Software like Adobe Dreamweaver or Pinegrow lets you design visually on your computer and export static HTML/CSS/JS files. These are closer to what you’re asking for, but can have a steeper learning curve and are not as automated as modern online drag-and-drop editors.
The Practical Solution: UltimateWB
If your goal is a truly portable, flexible, and powerful website, UltimateWB is the most practical choice. While it doesn’t offer literal drag-and-drop, it is very user-friendly and feature-rich. You get:
- Full control to host your site wherever you like.
- A highly customizable platform with built-in tools for a contact form, blogs, e-commerce, memberships, and more.
- Easy-to-use content management without relying on third-party plugins.
- The ability to build dynamic, professional websites that are fully portable.
In short, if drag-and-drop convenience is less important than freedom, portability, and full control, UltimateWB offers a practical and scalable solution that most hosted drag-and-drop platforms – including Webflow – simply cannot match.
Related: Why Drag-and-Drop Website Builders Hold You Back (And What to Use Instead)
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.