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7 Best Website Builders Provide 90s Web Design

May 03, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

Key Takeaways
Top 7 Website Builders Supporting 90s Website Building Style:
7 Best Website Builders Provide 90s Web Design

Drawing on over 15 years of expertise in web design and backed by real user reviews and expert insights, we present the top 7 website builders that excel in crafting 90s-style websites. These platforms combine nostalgia with modern functionality, offering personal advice and proven solutions for enthusiasts of retro web aesthetics.

Top 7 Website Builders Supporting 90s Website Building Style

Wix

Wix

Main features

  • Drag-and-Drop Interface: Enables easy placement of classic 90s elements like animated GIFs and marquee text.
  • Custom HTML Embedding: Allows users to embed 90s-style HTML elements directly.
  • Retro Font Options: Offers fonts that capture the 90s aesthetic.
  • Image Effects and Backgrounds: Users can apply old-school image effects and backgrounds reminiscent of the 90s.
  • Template Customization: Provides freedom to alter templates to mimic 90s web designs.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Wide range of templates
  • High customization flexibility

Cons:

  • Can be overwhelming for beginners
  • Limited data export capabilities

Who is it best for?

  • Ideal for Creatives and Design Enthusiasts: Best for users who enjoy exploring and implementing custom design elements, offering extensive tools to recreate 90s styles.
  • Small Business Owners: Suitable for those wanting unique, eye-catching websites without needing extensive technical skills.

Squarespace

Squarespace

Main features

  • Customizable Templates: Users can modify templates to include 90s design features like table layouts and frame borders.
  • Custom CSS Injection: Allows for adding custom CSS to create retro styles.
  • Retro-Style Fonts and Colors: Offers font and color choices that can be adjusted to a 90s look.
  • Grid Layout Options: Facilitates the creation of 90s-style grid layouts.
  • Background Customization: Enables the use of classic 90s patterns and textures as backgrounds.

Pros:

  • Sleek, professional designs
  • Responsive templates
  • Reliable customer support

Cons:

  • Limited third-party apps
  • Higher cost than some alternatives

Who is it best for?

  • Artists and Photographers: Ideal for creatives looking for stylish, retro-looking portfolios.
  • Small to Medium Businesses: Businesses aiming for a modern yet vintage web presence will find Squarespace’s customizable templates fitting.

Weebly

Weebly

Main features

  • Simple Drag-and-Drop Editor: Makes it easy to add and arrange elements reminiscent of the 90s.
  • Custom HTML/CSS: Users can input custom HTML or CSS for authentic 90s styling.
  • Retro Template Designs: Features templates that can be tweaked for a 90s look.
  • Image Editor: Allows editing images to give them a vintage feel.
  • Color Customization: Users can choose color schemes that reflect the 90s era.

Pros:

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop builder
  • Affordable pricing plans
  • Good for small businesses

Cons:

  • Less advanced features
  • Limited design flexibility

Who is it best for?

  • Beginners in Website Design: Its simple interface is excellent for novices experimenting with 90s design elements.
  • Small Business and Personal Sites: Offers easy tools for small-scale websites with a retro aesthetic.

WordPress

WordPress

Main features

  • 90s-Style Themes: Numerous themes are available that are inspired by or can be customized to 90s web design.
  • Plugin Versatility: Plugins are available to add retro functionalities like guestbooks or hit counters.
  • Custom CSS Capability: Users can apply custom CSS for detailed 90s styling.
  • Widget Use: Widgets can be used to add 90s-style elements to sites.
  • Retro Media Support: Supports media types prevalent in the 90s, like GIFs.

Pros:

  • Extensive customization
  • Large community support
  • Vast plugin ecosystem

Cons:

  • Requires more technical knowledge
  • Frequent updates and maintenance

Who is it best for?

  • Experienced Web Developers and Bloggers: With a vast array of plugins and themes, it’s ideal for those with technical knowledge looking to create detailed 90s designs.
  • Entrepreneurs with Unique Branding Needs: Perfect for those who want a highly customized, retro-styled online presence.

Webflow

Webflow

Main features

  • Total Design Control: Complete control over the design to create detailed 90s web aesthetics.
  • CSS Grid: Advanced grid capabilities for creating 90s-style layouts.
  • Custom Animations: Ability to add animations that mimic 90s web trends.
  • Custom Fonts and Colors: Extensive font and color customization for a retro look.
  • Responsive Design Options: Despite 90s aesthetics, sites remain functional on modern devices.

Pros:

  • Complete design control
  • Responsive design capabilities
  • Ideal for designers

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Higher pricing for advanced features

Who is it best for?

  • Professional Web Designers: Best for designers seeking high-level customization to create intricate 90s designs.
  • Tech-Savvy Users: Those with a good understanding of web design will benefit from Webflow’s advanced features.

Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver

Main features

  • Code-Level Customization: Offers the ability to code 90s-style elements and layouts manually.
  • Design View for Live Previews: See 90s designs take shape in real-time.
  • Custom CSS and JavaScript: Implementing custom scripts for vintage effects is straightforward.
  • Integrated FTP: Easily upload 90s-style assets and files.
  • Adobe Suite Compatibility: Seamlessly incorporate graphics made in other Adobe applications.

Pros:

  • Full control over code
  • Supports various coding languages
  • Integration with Adobe suite

Cons:

  • Requires coding knowledge
  • More suitable for professionals

Who is it best for?

  • Professional Web Developers: Ideal for developers with coding knowledge aiming to build bespoke 90s-style websites from the ground up.
  • Graphic Designers: Designers familiar with the Adobe ecosystem can seamlessly integrate their designs into a custom-built website.

Geocities-izer

Geocities-izer

Main features

  • One-Click 90s Web Design: Instantly transforms modern web designs into 90s style.
  • Easy to Use: No technical skill is required to achieve the retro look.
  • Retro Fonts and Colors: Automatically apply fonts and color schemes from the 90s.
  • Classic 90s Graphics: Integrates typical 90s web graphics like spinning logos.
  • Vintage Layouts: Creates layouts that mimic the characteristic 90s website structure.

Pros:

  • Instant 90s aesthetic
  • Fun and easy to use
  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Limited practical functionality
  • Not a full-fledged website builder

Who is it best for?

  • Nostalgia Enthusiasts: Perfect for individuals looking to relive or explore the 90s web aesthetic in a fun, straightforward manner.
  • Educators and Historians: Useful for teaching or showcasing the evolution of web design, particularly the 90s era.

FAQs

The top 7 website builders for 90s web design are Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, WordPress, Webflow, Adobe Dreamweaver, and Geocities-izer.
Yes, many modern website builders like Wix and Squarespace offer extensive customization options that allow you to create websites with a 90s aesthetic.
While most website builders don’t specifically focus on 90s design, platforms like Geocities-izer are dedicated to recreating the classic 90s web look.
You can use custom HTML/CSS, retro fonts, and vintage layouts available in builders like WordPress and Webflow to incorporate 90s design elements into your website.
Yes, builders like Webflow and Adobe Dreamweaver offer advanced design controls, allowing you to create responsive designs that maintain a 90s aesthetic.

In conclusion

These top 7 website builders, backed by extensive experience and validated by user testimonials and expert opinions, offer the best tools for recreating the unique 90s website style. They provide a perfect blend of nostalgic design and modern functionality, meeting the needs of users passionate about retro web aesthetics.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.