Weebly Review: Build Fast, Sell Smart
Updated On: September 5, 2024
Running a business today requires more than just a great product – you need an online presence that truly stands out. Many entrepreneurs face the challenge of building a website that looks professional, supports eCommerce, and doesn't demand extensive technical skills. That’s where Weebly website builder comes in, offering a platform that simplifies the web design and building process with essential tools to help businesses create functional, visually appealing websites without any coding. From the drag-and-drop editor to the integrated shopping cart and seamless inventory tracking, Weebly makes it easy to get your business online and poised for growth.
Pros
Cons
Content
Quick Stats
Weebly at a Glance
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, Weebly is a website builder that has grown to support over 50 million websites worldwide. Acquired by Square in 2018, Weebly's mission is to provide tools for businesses to grow from idea to launch. Their platform supports both online and in-person businesses with easy-to-use, professional websites. Known for their user-friendly interface, Weebly ensures security through integrations with Square's tools, allowing seamless store management, including tax and shipping features. The company also operates offices in New York, Scottsdale, and Toronto.
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Features
Video backgrounds: Weebly allows users to easily add video backgrounds to their websites, enhancing their visual appeal and making a memorable impression. You can choose videos from Weebly’s library or upload your own to create a dynamic and engaging header. This feature is especially useful for grabbing visitors' attention within seconds of arrival.
Drag-and-drop editor: Weebly's simple drag-and-drop editor enables users to build a professional website without needing any coding skills. You can add elements such as text, images, videos, and maps to your site in real time. This flexibility makes Weebly a beginner-friendly platform that still offers advanced customization options.
Fully integrated shopping cart and secure checkout: Weebly provides a fully integrated shopping cart system for eCommerce that ensures secure transactions. The platform supports various payment methods and SSL security for safe checkouts. Customers can easily navigate the buying process, enhancing trust and satisfaction.
Inventory tracking: Weebly includes robust inventory management tools that allow you to track your stock in real time. This feature helps ensure that customers are only able to purchase items that are in stock, reducing the chance of overselling and improving the accuracy of your online business.
Filtered search: Weebly's filtered search function improves user experience by allowing visitors to find specific products or information quickly. This is an essential feature for large online stores, as it boosts conversion rates by helping customers locate items efficiently.
Automatic tax calculator: Weebly simplifies tax management by providing an automatic tax calculator. This tool helps calculate the correct taxes based on customer location, ensuring compliance with local regulations and reducing the manual effort needed for tax calculations.
Coupon codes: The platform also supports coupon codes, allowing you to offer promotions and discounts to your customers. This feature is a valuable tool for boosting sales and rewarding loyal customers.
Plans & Prices
Free plan
The Free plan offers essential features, including unlimited items, SSL security for secure browsing, and basic SEO features and tools. However, your website will display Square ads, and you cannot connect a custom domain. You can create a simple online store, but all sales have a 3% transaction fee. This plan is excellent for personal websites or small projects that don’t require extensive customization or branding.
Personal plan
The Personal plan, priced at $10 per month (billed annually), includes all the Free plan features, along with several valuable upgrades. This plan lets you choose a custom domain name, display digital goods, utilize the shipping calculator and labels, and set up popup notifications. It's an ideal option for users seeking greater flexibility and enhanced branding for their website.
Professional plan
The Professional plan, priced at $12 per month (billed annually), expands on the Personal plan with several key upgrades. It includes a free custom domain for one year, unlimited storage, advanced site statistics, increased storage, and the removal of Square ads. Additionally, it offers password-protected pages for enhanced site access control and phone support. For eCommerce, this plan provides full store features like inventory management, shipping calculators, and coupon codes, all without transaction fees. It's a great option for small businesses seeking a more professional online presence.
Performance plan
The Performance plan, available for $26 per month (billed annually), offers everything from the Professional plan but is designed for businesses that need advanced eCommerce tools. It includes features such as abandoned cart emails, which help recover lost sales, and PayPal integration for payment flexibility. You also gain access to priority support, item reviews, and advanced analytics for better insights into your store’s performance. This plan is perfect for bigger online stores that need comprehensive sales tools to manage and scale their business.
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Pros
Convenient mobile app
Weebly’s mobile app is available for iOS and Android, allowing you to manage your website on the go. You can track performance, interact with visitors, and manage store orders from anywhere, making it convenient for entrepreneurs who need to monitor their business remotely.
Item reviews
One of Weebly's standout pros is the ability to add an item reviews section to your online store. This feature allows customers to leave product feedback, helping build trust and credibility with new visitors. By showcasing customer reviews, businesses can enhance transparency and encourage more purchases, as potential buyers can see real experiences from other users. This integration is particularly useful for eCommerce sites, as positive reviews can significantly boost conversion rates.
Free domain hosting and management
Weebly allows users to register, manage, and host domains directly through their platform. They also offer a free subdomain for those not ready to purchase their own. The platform supports domain management features like CNAME, A records, and WHOIS information, ensuring full control over your domain without leaving the Weebly environment.
Robust third-party integrations
Weebly offers robust third-party integrations that allow businesses to enhance their websites with additional functionality. Users can easily integrate a wide range of apps and services through their Weebly App Center, from marketing tools and analytics to social media widgets and payment gateways. These integrations are designed to extend the platform’s capabilities seamlessly, enabling businesses to customize their sites according to their specific needs without complicated setups.
Password-protected pages
For users looking to add an extra layer of privacy to specific pages, Weebly offers the ability to create password-protected pages. This feature is useful for members-only content or sensitive information you want to keep secure.
DDoS mitigation
Weebly’s infrastructure includes security features like DDoS mitigation, protecting your site from malicious attacks that aim to overload your server and disrupt service. This ensures that your site remains operational and secure, even under threat.
Cons
Undisclosed bandwidth limit
One drawback of Weebly is the lack of transparency regarding bandwidth limits, even though their plans offer varying features and support. This can be problematic, as users might not be aware when they exceed their allotted bandwidth, potentially leading to slower website performance. This issue is particularly concerning for websites with heavy traffic or those that rely on custom media like images and videos.
Ads on plans below the professional tier
Even if you're paying for the Personal plan, Weebly still places ads on your website. To remove them, you need to upgrade to the mid-tier Professional plan, which starts at $12 per month (billed annually). This can be disappointing for entrepreneurs who expect an ad-free experience when they start paying but find they need to invest in a higher-tier plan to achieve it.
Limited phone support for lower-tier plans
Phone support is only available to subscribers of the Professional plan or higher, leaving those on lower tiers with just chat and email support. For small businesses or individuals just starting out, the lack of phone support can hinder quick problem resolution, which may be a disadvantage when immediate assistance is needed.
Customer Reviews
Weebly's customer reviews are mixed, with ratings varying widely across platforms. On G2, users rate the platform at a solid 4.2 out of 5, reflecting generally positive experiences. However, Trustpilot reviews tell a different story, with a much lower rating of 1.2, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction. Common complaints on Trustpilot focus on customer support and technical issues. At the same time, G2 feedback tends to be more favorable, particularly among users who appreciate the platform's ease of use and integration features.
Positive reviews
Positive reviews often highlight the simplicity and accessibility of Weebly's drag-and-drop interface. Many small business owners appreciate how quickly they can set up professional-looking websites without advanced technical skills. For instance, one reviewer praised how easy it was to integrate apps and software to create a merchandise store. Another customer shared their satisfaction with how seamless it was to link POS systems and Square Payments, making their business operations smoother. These examples highlight how Weebly meets the needs of users looking for a straightforward, effective website builder.
Negative reviews
Conversely, negative reviews emphasize customer service failures and technical limitations. A recurring issue is the difficulty in reaching support, with one user reporting that they lost customer leads due to broken contact forms that went unresolved for weeks. Others shared frustrations about being locked out of their accounts or facing problems with website functionality post-publishing. Many long-term users feel the platform's quality has declined since the acquisition by Square, citing technical bugs and reduced customer support as critical drawbacks. These complaints suggest that while the platform offers ease of use, its support infrastructure may not meet the needs of all users.
How Do I Contact Weebly?
If you'd like to contact Weebly's support team, they offer several options based on your needs. For general inquiries, you can send a message to their email address at [email protected]. For customers with a Professional plan or higher, phone support is available at 1-844-493-3259; however, you have to log in and get a temporary PIN before calling. Their knowledge base and community support are available through their Support Center page, with additional troubleshooting resources in the Support Center. Lastly, you can stay up to date with their latest updates by following them on their social media platforms: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
Takeaway
Weebly, founded in 2007 in San Francisco and now owned by Square, powers over 50 million websites globally. They offer a range of easy-to-use features, including a drag-and-drop editor, video backgrounds, and a fully integrated shopping cart with secure checkout. Weebly's platform supports eCommerce with inventory tracking, filtered search, and automatic tax calculators, making it ideal for small businesses. They also provide reliable hosting, free domains, and mobile apps for site management. However, Weebly has some disadvantages, such as undisclosed bandwidth limits, ads on lower-tier plans, and limited phone support for non-premium users. These aspects can be limiting for those looking for more comprehensive support and transparency, particularly if running a high-traffic site. Customer reviews simultaneously praise Weebly’s ease of use while expressing dissatisfaction with technical issues, particularly those related to the platform's services since the Square acquisition.
If you want to explore options beyond Weebly, be sure to check out our list of the best website builders to find the perfect fit for your needs. Our comparison tool can help you weigh the features and benefits of each platform. For more insights and updates, visit our blog for in-depth reviews and tips.