Are you looking for an easy way to build a stunning website without diving into the complexities of coding? Strikingly might just be the tool you need. This user-friendly website builder promises to help you create beautiful, professional sites in minutes.
In this review, you’ll discover how Strikingly stacks up in terms of features, ease of use, and pricing. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative professional, or just someone wanting a personal site, we’ll explore if Strikingly is the right fit for your needs. Let’s dive in and see what makes this platform stand out.
Key Takeaways
- User-Friendly Interface: Strikingly is designed for ease of use, with drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive layout that allow users with little technical knowledge to create professional websites quickly.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensuring sites look great on mobile devices, Strikingly addresses over 50% of web traffic that comes from mobile users, enhancing user experience.
- E-Commerce Capabilities: Strikingly provides robust tools for setting up and managing online stores, making it suitable for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to sell products online.
- SEO and Analytics Tools: Built-in SEO features and analytics help users monitor traffic and improve search engine performance without needing external tools.
- Pricing Options: The platform offers various plans, from a free version with limited features to premium plans with advanced functionalities, catering to different business needs and budgets.
- Customer Support: With 24/7 live chat, an extensive knowledge base, and priority support for higher-tier plans, Strikingly ensures users have the help they need to overcome challenges swiftly.
Overview of Strikingly
Strikingly offers a user-friendly platform for building impressive websites. It’s perfect if you’re an entrepreneur, a startup enthusiast, or someone diving into side hustles.
Key Features
Strikingly provides a variety of standout features that streamline the website creation process.
- Templates: Access a wide range of customizable templates designed for different niches. Whether you’re starting an online store or a portfolio site, there’s a template to suit your brand.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensures your site looks great on mobile devices. Given that over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile, this is a key feature.
- E-Commerce Functionality: Set up an online store with ease. Manage products, payments, and shipping from a centralized dashboard.
- Blogging Tools: Create and manage blog posts. This can help increase your site’s traffic and improve SEO performance.
- Analytics and SEO: Monitor site traffic and optimize for search engines. Strikingly includes built-in analytics and SEO tools to help you track performance and make informed improvements.
Pricing Structure
Strikingly offers flexible pricing to fit various business needs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost (USD) | Annual Cost (USD) | Key Features Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Basic features, limited bandwidth, Strikingly branding. |
| Limited | $8 | $96 | Custom domain, 50GB bandwidth, 5 product listings in the store. |
| Pro | $16.66 | $192 | Unlimited bandwidth, multiple pages, membership features, up to 300 products. |
| VIP | $49 | $588 | Priority support, account management, up to 500 products, advanced customization. |
The Free plan is suitable for trying out the platform with basic features. The Limited plan offers essential features for small businesses or personal sites. Pro and VIP plans are ideal if you’re seeking advanced features and scalability.
Ease of Use
As an entrepreneur, you’re probably seeking a website builder that’s both powerful and easy to navigate. Strikingly offers a balance between functionality and simplicity, making it an excellent tool for your business endeavors.
User Interface
The user interface is intuitive, allowing you to create a website quickly, even with little technical knowledge. Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies adding and arranging elements. With a clear layout and straightforward menus, Strikingly ensures a smooth design process. You’ll find all essential options accessible without unnecessary clicks.
Customization Options
Customization options in Strikingly are robust yet manageable. You can personalize your site by choosing from various themes tailored to different niches. Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to fit your brand’s identity. While advanced customization might be limited compared to other builders, the platform provides ample flexibility for most business needs.
Overall, Strikingly’s ease of use, combined with its powerful features, makes it a valuable asset in your online business toolkit.
Performance and Reliability
Strikingly delivers a solid performance in site speed and uptime, critical factors for any entrepreneur. As someone who’s navigated the online business terrain, you’ll appreciate how these elements can influence your site’s success.
Site Speed
Fast-loading websites are non-negotiable in the digital world. Strikingly ensures quick load times by optimizing images, minimizing JavaScript, and leveraging efficient server networks. This speed can enhance user experience, decrease bounce rates, and improve your search engine rankings.
Uptime
Having experienced the frustrations of downtime, you know how it can impact customer trust and sales. Strikingly boasts an impressive 99.9% uptime, backed by reliable servers and robust infrastructure. Consistent uptime ensures your site remains accessible to your audience, reinforcing your brand’s reliability and credibility.
Customer Support
Strikingly offers customer support that enhances your website building experience. This section explores the accessibility and quality of their service, critical for entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts like you.
Accessibility
You can access Strikingly’s support through multiple channels. The platform provides a 24/7 live chat feature, ensuring help is available whenever you need it. Additionally, there’s an extensive knowledge base with detailed guides, FAQs, and video tutorials, catering specifically to your entrepreneurial needs.
Quality of Service
Strikingly’s support team is known for their responsiveness and expertise. They resolve queries efficiently and often go beyond to ensure your satisfaction. For instance, Pro and VIP plan users receive priority support, helping you tackle any challenges swiftly. Overall, Strikingly’s customer support is adept at addressing the common issues faced by startup founders and side-hustle enthusiasts, making it a reliable resource in your business toolkit.
Pros and Cons of Strikingly
Strikingly offers a mix of benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide if it’s right for your business.
Advantages
- Intuitive Interface: Strikingly’s user-friendly design saves you time, especially if you’re busy managing multiple side-hustles. Customizing your site becomes quick and hassle-free even for those with limited technical skills.
- Mobile Optimization: With a strong focus on mobile responsiveness, Strikingly ensures your site looks great on any device. This feature is crucial if you’re targeting on-the-go customers.
- E-commerce Tools: Running an online store is seamless with Strikingly’s integrated e-commerce features. Setup your product listings, manage orders, and accept payments easily, making it ideal for new online businesses.
- SEO Features: Improve your site’s visibility with built-in SEO tools. From customizing meta tags to integrating Google Analytics, you can enhance your site’s search engine ranking without needing external tools.
- Reliable Performance: Strikingly excels in uptime, ensuring your site remains accessible to visitors. A consistently performing website boosts trust and can ultimately increase conversions.
- Customer Support: Access helpful customer support through live chat and a well-organized knowledge base. Priority support for Pro and VIP users speeds up issue resolution, crucial when time is of the essence.
- Limited Customization: While easy to use, Strikingly’s templates can be limiting for those seeking extensive customization. For more advanced design needs, alternatives might offer better flexibility.
- Pricing Plans: Strikingly’s free plan has limitations, and some features require a Pro or VIP subscription. If you’re on a tight budget, the cost can add up, especially with additional e-commerce fees.
- Third-Party Integrations: The platform lacks some integrations found on other website builders. If you’re using specific third-party tools, you might face challenges integrating them with Strikingly.
- Advanced Features: For businesses needing advanced features like complex e-commerce capabilities or extensive site analytics, Strikingly’s offerings might feel inadequate.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you may find Strikingly’s features restrictive. If expecting significant growth, assess if the platform can meet your future needs.
Analyzing these pros and cons will guide you in understanding whether Strikingly aligns with your business goals.
Conclusion
Choosing the right website builder is crucial for your online presence. Strikingly offers a solid blend of ease-of-use and essential features, making it a great choice for those starting out or looking for a straightforward solution. Its user-friendly interface and reliable performance are definite highlights.
While it may not have all the advanced features some businesses might need as they grow, it’s a fantastic platform for small to medium-sized projects. Weighing the pros and cons can help you decide if Strikingly fits your unique needs and business goals.
Give it a try and see if it’s the right fit for your next web project!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Strikingly a user-friendly website builder?
Strikingly offers an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners. Its drag-and-drop functionality allows users to quickly customize their site without any coding knowledge.
Can I use Strikingly for e-commerce?
Yes, Strikingly provides built-in e-commerce tools that enable users to set up an online store, manage products, and process payments smoothly and efficiently.
How does Strikingly handle mobile optimization?
Strikingly ensures that all its templates are mobile-optimized, meaning your site will look great and function well on any device, enhancing the user experience.
What SEO features does Strikingly provide?
Strikingly includes essential SEO tools such as customizable meta tags, alt text for images, and URL slugs to help improve your site’s search engine ranking.
What are the pricing plans for Strikingly?
Strikingly offers multiple pricing plans, ranging from a free basic tier to more advanced paid options that include extra features and resources tailored for growing businesses.
What limitations should I be aware of when using Strikingly?
While user-friendly, Strikingly has some limitations including fewer customization options, limited third-party integrations, and insufficient advanced features for complex sites.
Does Strikingly offer good site speed and uptime?
Yes, Strikingly is known for its reliable performance with fast site speeds and impressive uptime, ensuring your site remains accessible to visitors.
Is Strikingly suitable for all business types?
Strikingly is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses, personal projects, and portfolios. It might not meet the needs of large businesses requiring advanced features and extensive scalability.
How accessible is Strikingly’s customer support?
Strikingly offers various customer support options, including live chat and email support, with a responsive team ready to assist with any inquiries or issues.
Can I switch to a different platform if my business grows?
While possible, migrating from Strikingly to a more complex platform can be challenging due to limitations in exporting site content and designs.
