TechRadar Verdict
B12 is an AI-powered professional website builder that wears its customer-centricity on its sleeve. We love the focus on providing tailored support and consultancy, despite the higher price point.
Pros
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AI-generated website in seconds
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Integrated business management tools
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Expert design and support
Cons
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Pricing can be steep
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Only suitable for service providers
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Not ideal for ecommerce
Why you can trust TechRadar
B12 is a powerful AI platform with a focus on speed and support, blending the power of artificial intelligence with a human touch to help professional service providers create polished websites. Founded in 2015, the company's mission is to be one of the best AI website builders, alongside being an all-in-one platform that enables professionals and businesses to attract, win, and serve clients online.
In just 60 seconds, B12's AI engine generates a personalized website draft tailored to your industry, complete with relevant copy, images, and page layouts. This gives you a solid foundation to build upon. From there, you can customize your site using the drag-and-drop editor, or lean on their team of design and copywriting consultants to refine your site to perfection.
We were impressed by the quality of the AI-generated website drafts and how B12 equips you with an array of tools to engage visitors and run your business. Contact forms, online scheduling, invoicing, and email marketing features are seamlessly integrated. It also offers free hosting, a custom domain, and built-in SEO. The level of support offered by B12 is on par with a professional web design agency, unlike most no-code website building software.
On the downside, B12 comes off as a bit more expensive than some of the best website builders. While comprehensive, the sheer number of features could overwhelm some users. The platform is also geared towards service-based small businesses, so it may not be the best fit for every type of website. For example, there is no support for the best ecommerce platform integrations like Shopify.
We found B12 to be a compelling option for service providers and small businesses that want a full-featured website without spending countless hours building one from scratch. The level of support it offers, complete with consultants to help design and write your website content, is a true differentiator. Though it may not be for everyone, B12's a platform worth considering if you’re a service provider looking for a premium service and don’t mind the higher price point.
B12 plans and pricing
B12 follows a straightforward pricing structure with a focus on transparency, eliminating the need for add-ons or tacked-on hidden fees. While it may seem more expensive compared to some competitors, it’s worth remembering that this is a focused solution for service providers that also comes with the added benefit of human consultants, which is not very common in the website builder space.
The entry-level plan, called Starter, is free and allows users to build their own website, intake clients, and receive online payments. But, like most free website builder plans, this option includes B12 branded banners on the site and invoices. Basic, priced at $49 per month or $42 per month when billed annually, includes features like a custom domain, online scheduling, and client intake forms, without any platform branding.
For more established businesses, the Professional package at $199 per month or $169 per month when billed annually, offers additional features such as email marketing, contact management, contracts, and eSignatures. It also provides a higher level of support.
The most comprehensive plan is the Advanced package, priced at $399 per month or $339 per month when billed annually. This plan is best suited for businesses with staff or regular collaborators, as it includes access for up to 5 team members and premium features to ensure efficient operations.
B12 also offers a limited-time promotion allowing users to try the platform for $1 per month for the first three months. All plans also include online scheduling, invoicing, and payments, which are often add-ons charged separately by other website builders.
B12 website builder features
With its bevy of tools and expert support, B12 simplifies the process of creating, launching, and managing a website. It has a range of specific offerings that cater specifically to service-based businesses. Here’s a look at some of its standout features.
AI-generated website draft
B12's AI technology instantly generates a personalized website draft tailored to your industry in just 60 seconds. This draft includes relevant content, images, and a layout optimized for your business, providing a solid foundation to build upon.
Customizable design
Using the user-friendly B12 Editor, you can easily customize your website's design, color scheme, and content to match your brand. Alternatively, you can collaborate with B12's team of professional designers and copywriters to refine your site further.
Client engagement tools
B12 offers a suite of integrated tools to help you engage with clients and manage your business more efficiently. These include contact forms, online appointment scheduling, invoicing, and email marketing features, all seamlessly integrated into your website.
SEO optimization
From the start, B12 websites are search engine optimized to improve your online visibility. The platform also provides website analytics, allowing you to track your site's performance and make data-driven decisions to enhance your online presence.
Expert support and maintenance
B12's team of web design, copywriting, and SEO experts are available to help you create, launch, and maintain your website. This ongoing support ensures that your site remains up-to-date and optimized for the best chance of success.
B12 AI website builder: Setup
To begin, you'll need to register for an account on the B12 website. The registration process is quick and easy, requiring only your basic information and a valid email address. Once your account is created, B12's onboarding process will guide you through the initial setup, helping you familiarize yourself with the platform's features and capabilities.
When using B12 for the first time, AI-powered systems will generate a personalized website draft based on your industry and preferences. This draft serves as a starting point for your website, which you can then customize using the B12 Editor. The editor allows you to modify your site's design, color scheme, and content to align with your brand and vision. If you need assistance during this process, B12's team of design and copywriting experts is available to help you refine your website.
Configuring your B12 website is simple, thanks to the platform's user-friendly interface. You can easily add and manage pages, integrate your social media accounts, and set up essential features like contact forms and online scheduling. B12 also offers a range of built-in tools to help you engage with your audience and run your business more efficiently, such as email marketing and invoicing.
The platform is designed to grow with your business. You can easily update your website's content, add new features, and expand your online presence as needed. B12's team of experts is always available to provide support and guidance, ensuring that your website remains up-to-date and optimized for success.
Maintaining your website is a breeze, thanks to the automatic software updates and security measures. B12 takes care of the technical aspects of running your website, allowing you to focus on growing your business. With its comprehensive suite of tools and dedicated support team, B12 can help you create and manage your AI-powered website with ease.
B12 help and support
Customers can reach B12's dedicated Customer Success team through multiple channels, including chat, email, and scheduled phone calls. The support team is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET, and strives to respond to inquiries within one business day.
B12's support team is known for its efficiency and customer-friendly approach. They take the time to understand each customer's unique needs and provide personalized assistance. When scheduling a call, the support team member reviews the customer's site beforehand to identify potential issues and formulate solutions, resulting in faster resolution and more thorough answers. Many reviews highlight the excellent work of individual team members, citing their expertise and dedication.
In addition to direct support, B12 offers a comprehensive Help Center with articles and guides covering various topics, from getting started with the platform to advanced features like email marketing and integrations. The self-service resource allows customers to find answers to common questions and learn the best practices for using B12's website builder.
B12 AI website builder: Final verdict
B12 is a premium AI-powered website builder designed specifically for service providers. While it isn’t a good fit for professionals or businesses outside this demographic, it still manages to carve out a niche for itself with its feature-rich platform and excellent support.
We really like the level of support on offer here, with the option to consult with dedicated design, copy, and marketing experts to help take your website to the next level. The level of dedication towards customers really is on par with a professional web design firm rather than a software-as-a-service company. However, if you’re looking for strong ecommerce features or just something at a lower price point, this may not be the platform for you.
Ritoban Mukherjee is a freelance tech and innovations journalist from West Bengal, India. His work focuses on reviews, guides, and features about consumer and business software, such as AI website builders and CRM platforms, among other things. He has been published on Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Creative Bloq, IT Pro Portal, Gizmodo, Medium, Quartz, and Mental Floss.
- Owain WilliamsB2B Editor, Website Builders & CRM