As a small business owner, having a strong online presence often means creating a website. However, building a website can be overwhelming if you’re not tech-savvy. Web.com Website Builder offers a simple solution for building your site, but is it the right tool for your business?
Web.com Website Builder: A Deep Dive
This review examines Web.com Website Builder’s features, pricing, and ease of use. We’ll also look at its strengths and weaknesses. We will consider user experiences and expert website builder reviews to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Ease of Use and AI-Powered Setup
Web.com promotes its AI-powered setup, where you answer a few simple questions about your business. Web.com then generates a basic website. This simplifies setup, especially for beginners.
Some users find the AI helpful for a basic structure (read more). However, others report generic designs needing extensive editing. Another review called it similar to filling out a simple online web form – practical but not revolutionary.
Web.com’s drag-and-drop editor is fairly user-friendly for basic changes. You add elements like text boxes, images, and navigation bars. The drag-and-drop operates within a grid.
This grid limits creative element placement. The restricted format may not offer complete design control.
Templates and Design Flexibility
Web.com provides over 200 templates â organized by industry and purpose. You also get site layout options. This includes single or multi-page structures.
You can start from scratch or choose a template. But, unlike some ecommerce website builder options, this must be decided before starting to build. Templates are clean and professional. However, they are fairly standard, especially for e-commerce. Shopify offers some of the best easy templates available to users who are looking to create a website fast.
Platforms like Squarespace might have wider template variety. Color and font customization within the ‘Theme’ tab are limited. Notably, you can’t switch themes if you’re unhappy. Access pre-designed sections for customization.
SEO and Marketing Tools
SEO tools include free keyword ranking tracking and a site-wide check with a backlink checker. It works through an interface resembling live chat. Basic assistance includes Google Site Verification. Template elements also offer improvement for on-page SEO score elements. They provide basic SEO tool elements including text headers, alt text, and metadata.
Additional professional site optimization for on-page and off-page scores requires upgrades to higher tier plans. They feature services like SEO tools. You would benefit from professional website services to get expert content on your website.
For marketing, Web.com plans include local directory listings. This plus search engine submissions expands your reach. Blog scheduling, blog posts, and posting to linked social media are possible. Popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are supported.
This streamlined approach manages social media content and offers professional email alongside email marketing and email campaigns with templates. Premium paid plans provide direct marketing features, including social media content creation features, for additional fees. Added features are not included with cheaper plans.
E-commerce Features
Web.com’s e-commerce plans include product listings, inventory management, and discount codes. You can connect shipping carriers and integrate with platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. Keep in mind there are fewer e-commerce specialized themes available than you may want. Other advanced customization or options aren’t offered compared to other platforms.
You can accept payments through payment gateways such as PayPal and Stripe. Web.com has limited payment options compared to competitors. This could restrict you and your customers.
Extra e-commerce tools, like premium SSL and abandoned cart functionality require upgrade packages. Other upgrades include features like tracking tools. Things like additional reporting capabilities may need separate monthly billing depending on your needs.
Pricing and Value
Web.com’s tiered pricing begins with an attractive introductory price for Website Essentials. This is particularly appealing with an annual billing cycle rather than monthly payments. Higher monthly pricing options increase after renewal. Plans include website setup basics, free domain, and a free SSL certificate.
This benefits small businesses. Included features for Business Essentials or Ecommerce plans are helpful. This might include LLC information, but using a dedicated service like Shopify may be a better option.
Costlier plans provide extra options. Added services include professional email, marketing features, and social media integrations. Web.com does not offer free trials or permanently free plans, unlike other website hosting competitors, and specifically Squarespace. So, all features can’t be tested before choosing. Other website hosts offer free plans or bundle hosting.
Introductory offers increase after annual renewal. Monthly billed prices increase significantly after renewal. Evaluate cost versus benefits. Premium features like premium/wildcard SSL, cart analysis, abandoned cart functionality, social media analytics, customer engagement insights, and business reporting tools require extra costs. POS capabilities are another potential upgrade.
Support and Resources
Web.com offers 24/7 live chat and phone support until midnight EST. Support quality varies. Some agents resolve problems effectively, while others direct you to potentially unhelpful, outdated documentation. Telephone contact for support teams who can provide a site manually may be better for those on paid tiers. But some teams offer quicker responses on cheaper plans than on costly ones, meaning users cannot rely on rapid support at higher prices. The Web.com support team will usually attempt to resolve your queries within a day, though in some instances they will redirect queries needing expert input towards expert team lines or specialized departments.
Their help center has resources. They have things such as video tutorials and FAQs. This can aid self-troubleshooting. Email, sales, and website plan issues are also addressed in their help materials. Dedicated tutorials can assist with website services and offer design support. Web hosting competitors may offer support as a separate service.
Conclusion
Web.com Website Builder has both advantages and disadvantages. Its AI-powered setup and drag-and-drop interface are helpful. They allow anyone to make a simple website, sometimes even in under an hour. This is useful for creating basic, quick sites and professional looking websites. But design flexibility and advanced SEO tools and other features are lacking. Be mindful of renewal pricing increases. It could be the ideal tool if you are selling online with a wide range of features.
Small businesses seeking a basic website builder may find this useful. This works particularly well for those seeking quick sites using standard templates on paid tiers. However, upgrade tiers and additional costs can add up. Competitors bundle web hosting or offer free website options.
If you need a free website and SEO tool help look elsewhere. Research options before selecting Web.com. Be sure to fully understand the costs for both standard and upgraded features and understand the support structure.
