Weebly Review - Experiences with the Website Builder

In the Weebly review, we take a closer look at the popular website builder from the USA. In the following review, we present all the features of the software in detail and guide you step by step through the website creation process.

Weebly is the website builder of the US-based digital conglomerate Square Inc., headquartered in San Francisco. Although the cloud-based software is particularly popular in the USA, Weebly is now offered in over 15 different languages and is used worldwide for creating online presences. According to their own statements, Weebly is currently used by several million users on more than 50 million websites.

The reason for its widespread use lies partly in its attractive freemium business model: users can use the website builder completely free of charge at the lowest tariff level to create professional websites with modern designs. Only for a more extensive range of features or professional web presences such as online shops and corporate websites, a paid tariff is required. Furthermore, Weebly is easy to use thanks to its simple drag-and-drop controls and clear WYSIWYG editor, making it easy for users without in-depth web design knowledge to create attractive websites in no time.

In terms of functionality and pricing model, Weebly, as a US-based website builder, competes directly with the internationally oriented website builder Wix from Israel (more information in the Wix Review) and the popular website builder Jimdo from Germany (more information in the Jimdo Review), especially popular in Germany.

As is typical with all website builders, Weebly's offering is primarily aimed at individuals, freelancers, and small businesses. The aim of the offerings is to enable the simple and quick creation of professional websites without the need for a high budget or complex expertise.

Website builders like Weebly therefore offer their users the opportunity to choose the basic structure of their own website from a variety of design templates, which can then be individually customised and filled with their own content using the easy-to-use editor. Weebly also provides numerous practical features such as templates or an App Center with plugins for this purpose.

A special feature of the Weebly website builder are the available apps for smartphones. Whether using an iPhone or Android device, users can manage their own website directly through their smartphone or tablet using the Weebly app. This allows for making minor changes on the go and keeping track of their website at any time.

The Pricing Model of Weebly

Weebly can be used completely free of charge within the Freemium model with some limitations. Those needing access to the full range of features must opt for one of the paid plans. Weebly's cost structure is very straightforward, with a total of five plans available:

Weebly Free for $0 per month

The basic version of Weebly is completely free to use. This plan includes 500 MB of storage space and full use of the editor. However, users cannot use their own domain and Weebly advertising is displayed on their website. Customers have access to the provider's chat and email support for any questions or issues.

Weebly Connect for $5 per month

In the cheapest Connect plan, Weebly offers users the option to use their own domain for the created website. Additionally, the Weebly advertising displayed in the free version is removed from the user's websites. Otherwise, the plan is similar to the free entry-level variant.

Weebly Pro for $12 per month

Starting from the Pro plan, additional e-commerce features are available for creating an online shop. For example, a shopping cart can be integrated and payments processed. Additionally, unlimited storage space is provided for the website content from this plan onwards. In addition to the provider's chat and email support, users can also make use of the convenient phone support.

Weebly Business for $25 per month

The Business plan offers users numerous additional e-commerce options such as a tax and shipping calculator, coupon codes, and product badges. Moreover, advanced marketing options are available, including more comprehensive statistics, popup notifications, and integrated Facebook Ads. Therefore, this package is primarily aimed at professional e-commerce retailers.

Weebly Business Plus £38 per month

With the highest tier Weebly Business Plus, the functionality of the website builder is enhanced with useful email marketing options. Additionally, some professional e-commerce features such as emails for abandoned carts and real-time shipping costs exclusively available for Business Plus customers.

Weebly Review: Step-by-Step Guide to Your Own Website

In the Weebly review, you will learn about the exact process of creating a website and which features can be used for it.

When visiting the domain https://www.weebly.com/?lang=de, you will be directed to the German-language website of Weebly. The stylish homepage provides visitors with a brief and compact overview of the key features of the website builder. In the main navigation at the top of the website, you will find the option to log in to the backend of the builder.

To start creating your own website, you first need to register as a user on Weebly. Unlike the competition, there is no direct option to sign up using a Facebook or Google account here. Registration is done in the traditional way by providing your name, email address, and a self-chosen password.

After successful registration, you can start building your own website right away.

First, you need to decide what type of online presence you want to create. Weebly offers the choice between creating a regular website or a website with an online shop. Both options use the same editor, but for a website with an online shop, there are additional settings for the shop functions and design templates specifically tailored for online shops.

Before entering the editor and starting to customise your online presence, you need to select a design template that will serve as the framework for your website. Various templates covering different themes are offered for this purpose.

Finally, you will enter the editor where you can customise your own website.

Design Templates

• Wide Range of Templates
• Special Designs for Online Shops
• Responsive Templates

Weebly offers a wide selection of design templates for your website. You can find templates for various purposes, from personal blogs to event and portfolio pages, as well as special designs for online shops. There is something for every taste. All templates are responsive, ensuring they look great on any device regardless of screen size.

Features

• Extensive Range of Features
• App Center for Extensions
• Special Features for Websites and Online Shops

Weebly's extensive range of features allows you to create and customise online presences of all kinds. Not only can you edit the content and design of your website using the editor, but you can also expand its functionality. The App Center offers extensions in areas such as communication and marketing that can be selected and integrated into your website. Additionally, various settings can be adjusted for search engine optimisation and for products, payment methods, and shipping options in online shops.

Usability

• Easy to Use
• Clean User Interface
• Intuitive Drag and Drop Controls

Weebly's editor is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. Even inexperienced users can quickly navigate through editing all sections and elements of their website. The user interface is intuitive, with all functions clearly visible and their purposes clearly stated. Elements can be easily added, moved, or removed on the website using the drag and drop controls. The view can be switched between desktop and mobile at any time from the top of the screen.

Support

• Comprehensive Help Centre
• Email and Phone Support
• Community Forum

Weebly offers its users an extensive help centre where hundreds of articles on frequently asked questions and issues can be found. Unfortunately, these resources are only available in English. In addition, users have the option to contact customer support directly via email. Customers who have subscribed to a paid premium plan can also use the provider's telephone hotline when facing issues. However, communication across all channels is conducted exclusively in English. Lastly, there is also an extensive community forum where users can engage with each other.

The three main strengths of Weebly

The following three points stand out as particularly positive aspects of Weebly:

Easy to use

Weebly makes it easy for users to make individual customisations to their website in the editor, despite the numerous features. All buttons and the entire user interface are self-explanatory and intuitive to use, requiring no specific expertise to operate the software.

Wide range of features

Weebly stands out for its wide range of features. In the editor, all elements can be customised individually, and thanks to the App Centre and the numerous settings menus, the website can be modularly expanded as needed. This allows even extensive web projects such as online shops to be easily implemented.

Clear pricing structure

Unlike some competing products, Weebly boasts a clear pricing structure. In addition to the free freemium offering, there are four paid plans to choose from, with their features clearly communicated. Therefore, customers looking to create a more extensive project, such as an online shop, should also expect higher monthly costs.

The three main weaknesses of Weebly

The following three points are perceived as rather negative aspects of Weebly:

English support

As Weebly is a project of a US digital conglomerate and primarily targets an international audience, the provider's focus is also on the English language. While the website builder is offered in several different languages, this only applies to the backend such as the customer menu and the editor. Other important elements, such as the App Centre or customer support, are only available in English.

High costs for premium plans

For the paid premium plans, users may have to dig deep into their pockets. While the initial tariff levels are still available at affordable prices, especially the higher tariff levels come with high monthly costs. Here, users should make sure whether competitor products may offer a better value for money.

Closed System

As is common with all website builders, Weebly is also a relatively rigid and closed system. This means specifically that online presences created with Weebly will only work here. If users want to move their own content to another provider or to their own web hosting at a later date, they have no way to do so.

Test Conclusion on Weebly

Weebly is a practical website builder, known for its simple operation and extensive range of functions. This way, even users without experience and expertise can create professional online presences in stylish designs. Thanks to the wide selection of templates and functions, both simple websites and extensive online shops can be easily put together using drag and drop. For those who can cope with the relatively high costs of the premium plans and have no issue with the English language in support matters, Weebly is definitely a very interesting alternative in the field of website builders.

Who is behind the Weebly website builder?

Weebly was originally founded in 2006 by three students at Pennsylvania State University in the eponymous state of the USA. Over the continuous development of the website builder, the team was steadily expanded, various awards were won, and more and more capital was raised through several rounds of financing. In 2018, Weebly was finally acquired by the US digital conglomerate Square Inc. based in San Francisco, which has since been managing the website builder.

Alternatives to Weebly

In the market for website builders, Weebly is not alone. Some competitors offer similar services to their customers:

Internationally, Wix.com is considered the biggest competitor to Weebly. The company from Israel offers its website builder in numerous languages and with similarly extensive features.

In the German-speaking region, Jimdo is a strong competitor. The German company also offers a fairly comprehensive website builder, which is also known for its easy operation.

In the field of blogging platforms, wordpress.com or Tumblr pose a serious competition to classic website builders like Weebly. However, these offerings are more suitable for dynamic web content such as blogs and less for static content like online shops.

Furthermore, offerings from specialised web hosts like the One.com website builder are also competitors.

Even traditional web hosting providers such as IONOS (1&1 IONOS MyWebsite review) or Webspace4All now offer website builders to their customers and are increasingly becoming competitors to specialised service providers.