With over 18 million websites currently utilizing website builders, these tools are revolutionizing how people design and manage their online presence. One of the most popular platforms in the market is Weebly, which has a 16.72% market share in the website builder space. 

Founded by David Rusenko, Chris Fanini, and Dan Veltri in 2006, Weebly has emerged as the best alternative for those looking to build user-friendly websites to compete in the digital market. With its ease and powerful features, it is a popular contender in the world of website builders.

Getting started with Weebly's website builder is super simple, and the great part is that it doesn’t even bust the budget. Small businesses usually have budget restrictions, but Weebly can easily help them deploy the website of their dreams and business requirements. 

However, is Weebly worth it when it comes to ease of use or versatility in templates for building a website that you have in mind? If you are in doubt, then this Weebly review will help you out. 

Weebly Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons Explained

Weebly is a popular website builder that offers several features to professionals and businesses. To understand the platform more comprehensively, let’s start by reading its key features. 

Key Features of Weebly

Most of the key features are similar to those offered by popular website builders, such as Neo, Wix, and Squarespace. 

1. The Weebly website builder supports a drag-and-drop editor, which makes it easy for non-technical users to customize the website. 
2. It has a library of 50 predesigned templates that can be easily modified and edited according to the brand’s tonality. 
3. All the themes are responsive, so you do not have to change the mobile version of the website to see whether it looks good on different screen sizes.
4. It supports eCommerce functionality so that you can set up an online store with all the necessary functionalities. 
5. The video background feature allows you to add a video to any element of the website, which can help improve engagement rates. 
6. The site search feature allows visitors to search your website easily without any problems.

Pros and Cons of Weebly

Despite having many advantages, it also possesses limitations. Here is what you need to know:

Pros

• Easy drag-and-drop interface and affordable price plans
• Customizable themes and templates with integrated eCommerce tools for small stores
• Subdomains are available in the free plan so that you can have a website name as yourwebsitename.weebly.com. 
• Seamless 301 redirect settings, like with this setting, you have to add an old URL and it redirects it to a new page.
• The App Center features hundreds of apps that you can integrate to enhance the website’s functionality.  
• Weebly allows free selling on its free plan, which is rare because Wix and Squarespace charge $23 and $29 per month, respectively, before you can accept any payment.

Cons

• There is a limited theme selection compared to other builders. Most of the themes have similar layouts; only the images are different. 
• Weebly doesn’t allow you to modify the website for mobile or tablets. 
• It doesn’t offer an AI website builder. 
• For SEO optimization, Weebly only allows H2 headings. You must rely on third-party apps to use other headings and structures for your website. 
• Weebly allows you to add a blogging feature to your website, but deploying blogs is not as seamless as it is with other website builders, like Wix, Squarespace, and even WordPress. 
• Weebly’s inventory management system is less advanced as there is no separate tool; there is only an Item List that displays the stock levels on the right-hand side. 
• Weebly only supports three payment processors: Square, Stripe, and PayPal. 
• It doesn’t support SEO checklists like Wix and Squarespace offers. 

Steps to Build a Website with Weebly

It is pretty easy to build your website using Weebly. You can create a professional website right away by following these easy steps:

Step 1: Sign Up for Weebly

To begin with, you will require only a password and an e-mail address. Head to Weebly's home page, click on "Sign Up" at the top and register. You are ready to build your site.

Step 2: Choose a Website Type

Weebly will ask you whether you want a standard website or an eCommerce site. Selecting the online store will take you to the Square Online Store editor because Square acquired Weebly. However, if you do not need to use the eCommerce feature, click "I just need a website" and stay in the Weebly editor.

Step 3: Pick a Theme

Weebly offers several themes that define your site's visual layout. Browse through the available templates and choose one that fits your brand. After choosing a theme, click on "Start Editing" to start customizing it with your content.

Step 4: Choose or Connect a Domain

Weebly will prompt you to choose a domain name. If you already have a registered domain, you can add it to your site. You will only have the option for custom domains if you have paid accounts. If you sign up with the free plan, your site will be hosted at the Weebly subdomain.

Step 5: Add Original Content

You can begin adding content using Weebly's drag-and-drop editor. You can upload images, edit the text, and replace default elements with your own. This is pretty easy and self-explanatory, which means you don't need to have coding skills to build your site.

Step 6: Customize with Weebly Apps

Weebly offers its App Center, which allows you to include several plugins and tools to make your website more powerful. For example, you can install applications related to marketing, social media, or sales to give the site extra functionality.

Step 7: Set Up an Online Store

If you have a business selling products, you can also host an online store right from Weebly. Add your products, select a method of payment, and then connect your shipping option. You can take it to the next level by connecting your website to Square for more advanced eCommerce features.

Step 8: Publish Your Website

Once you’re satisfied with your website, click the “Publish” button to make it live. Your website is now available for visitors to see.

Understanding Weebly Pricing Plans

The Weebly website builder offers several pricing plans with varying needs, from the free basic option to more advanced paid plans, including added features, which have different levels of customization, eCommerce tools, and support. Weebly mainly offers four major plans to build a website with them. Here are the details you need to know: 

1. Weebly Free Plan

Ideal for users on a budget who don't mind displaying Square ads on their site. Create a website for free using Weebly's free plan. This plan is ideal for those with tight budgets or just for a test run before an upgrade. It allows access to most of the same features as the paid plans, just with some limitations. 

• You will be capped at 500MB of storage. 
• You will not be able to use a custom domain. 
• Your site will be hosted on a Weebly-branded subdomain. 
• You'll also see Square ads on your site unless you pay to upgrade.

With all the drawbacks set aside, free plans are good for small businesses or personal websites that do not require much storage and do not require advanced features. They definitely suit creating a very basic online presence.

2. Weebly Personal Plan: Ideal for Custom Domains and Digital Sales

The first paid option is Weebly Personal, which begins at $10 per month, paid annually, or $13 per month if you commit monthly. This option has a few features not available with the free option.

• You can use a custom domain name.
• The plan still contains Square ads on your site.
• It is better suited to businesses that require extra functionality but not the complete capacity of an eCommerce website.

This plan is great for people who need a more professional look with their own domain name but do not yet require highly advanced eCommerce tools. It's great for creating a small business website or personal site that requires more customization than the free plan offers.

3. Weebly Professional Plan: Best for Custom Branding and More Features

Weebly Professional costs $12 per month if paying annually or $16 per month on a month-to-month plan. This plan is a step up from the Personal plan, adding features and customization options.

• All its features come from the Personal plan, except it adds unlimited storage.
• You will be allowed to seek telephone support for any problems you face.
• None of the Square ads will appear on your site, helping to create a more professional and branded experience.

The Weebly Professional plan offers more features than a personal plan or small online store. It's perfect for someone who desires a customized, branded website without unnecessary advertisements.

4. Weebly Performance Plan: Best for Advanced eCommerce Features and Performance

The Weebly Performance plan costs $26 per month if paid annually or $29 per month if paid on a month-to-month basis. This plan builds on the Professional plan with additional developed eCommerce functions and increased functionality.

• This plan includes everything in the Professional plan, including additional functionalities such as product reviews, abandoned cart emails, and eCommerce insights.
• Your customers can use PayPal for checkout, which will help you expand your flexible checkout options.

The Weebly Performance plan will give you the best eCommerce experience, so it's perfect for users who want to run their completely optimized online store and for businesses that would like to grow and manage their online store more effectively.

However, there is always a catch. While Weebly plans are affordable, it even offers a free plan to get started, the advanced plans are not worth the value. It is due to the fact that Square purchased Weebly back in 2018 and added it to its website development portfolio along side Square Online. Since then, there haven’t been any upgrades or releases of new features. 

While Wix and Squarespace both offer built-in booking systems, with Wix, you will have to rely on third-party integrations that could cost as much as $249/month. However, Weebly allows you to sell on its free plan. There are restrictions, but it is beneficial for small businesses. 

So, Who Should Consider Using Weebly?

Before we discuss Weebly's setup and pricing, consider whether it actually suits your needs. Whether you want to create a personal blog, business website, or online store, you really need to understand whether the Weebly website builder aligns with your goals. 

1. For Small Businesses Looking for a Basic Online Presence

Weebly is perfect for small businesses who want to create a simple business-like website. It is also an effortless solution for individuals who do not need an elaborately customized website but still need a site to display their services or products. Its drag-and-drop builder ensures that one can easily build a website without having technological knowledge, so it is a good option for small business owners.

2. For Businesses Not Planning to Grow Significantly

If you expect slow business growth, Weebly is the way to go. It is excellent for businesses that use basic functionalities, such as showing products or services or a contact form. As time progresses, however, your business's growth can demand advanced functionality so that you can look for a better platform.

3. For Beginners Seeking Ease of Use

Weebly website builder is the best option for beginners. Its user interface has drag-and-drop functionality that allows any person, regardless of their technical skills, to create a professional website. Be it an individual blog, a portfolio, or a simple business site, the easy-to-use tools of Weebly make it ensure the creation of the most effective website.

4. For Those on a Budget

If you want a budget-friendly website without any hefty price tags, Weebly is for you. Their pricing plans are super affordable and include everything you will need for a basic website. Whether you're launching a personal blog or a small business site, Weebly’s free and paid plans have you covered. You can create a website with all the essentials without breaking the bank.

Additional Weebly Cost Factors to Consider

Though Weebly's pricing tiers are very transparent, building and maintaining a unique website will incur additional costs.

1. Domain

Weebly provides free domain names to users of its Professional and Performance plans. Other prices range from $19.95 for a .com domain to $49 for .store domains with free WHOIS privacy.

2. Themes

You can use the completely free themes on Weebly. However, for custom ones, you can outsource a custom design via 99designs priced at $199 for a one-page storefront and from $450 for an all-new site. Alternatively, you can buy a template from different online marketplaces, like Webflow and Uizard. 

3. Square Photo Studio

If you want more professional-looking product photos, Weebly offers the Square Photo Studio service. For $19.95, you can have three pro photos taken and enhanced, especially for eCommerce. The service also has a free app, Photo Studio by Square.

4. Weebly Promote (Email Marketing)

Weebly Promote enables you to create an email marketing campaign. The app provides customizable templates and email stats; however, some higher-level functionality will cost extra.

5. Payment Processing

The site integrates with Square and other payment processors, including Apple Pay and regional payment apps, and there is a processing fee according to the processor.

6. Premium Apps

The app center has almost 400 apps, free and paid, available on Weebly for commerce, marketing, and communication. These include Google Ads by Kliken, Printful, and Paid Members.

Introducing Neo: The Best Alternative to Weebly

A highly versatile web builder with advanced features and ease of use. It is perfect if you are looking to replace Weebly, as it offers many robust customization opportunities and very smooth capabilities when it comes to eCommerce. 

Key Features

Neo offers a simple and effective way to create a website for your small business. Here are the key features it offers:

• Email-integrated Forms: Receive customer queries and quote requests directly in your inbox through email-integrated forms.
• Add Social Media Handles: Enhance brand visibility by adding social media links to your website.
• Easy Website Building Process: Create your website in three easy steps: select a theme, add details, and publish.
• Edit Website After Launching: Customize your one-page website even after it’s live with Neo's easy-to-use platform.

How to Build and Deploy a Website with Neo?

You can build your one-page website with Neo through two methods: 

Method 1: Build with AI 

Step 1. Visit the Neo website and click on Build with AI. 

Step 2. Enter your business name, and describe your business concisely and in a descriptive manner. 

Step 3. The Gen AI tool will generate an interactive and visually-appealing website layout as per the input. 

Step 4. Sign up for Neo to further customize your website. 

Step 5. Deploy it once done, or start from scratch by clicking on the Start all over again button. 

Method 2: Do It Yourself

Step 1. Visit Neo and create your business email account with your custom email domain name. 

Step 2. Open your Admin account and click on Neo Site. 

Step 3. Select a template and customize it using the drag-and-drop editor. 

Step 4. Add content and other functionalities, like lead generation forms and others. 

Step 5. Deploy it. 

Comparison Table

Are you confused about which one to choose? Neo or Weebly! Here is the ultimate comparison which will help you make the best decision: 

Summing Up

Weebly is a good website builder for beginners and small businesses who want something simple, straightforward, and user-friendly. Its low prices, custom templates, and drag-and-drop functionality make it one of the strongest contenders available to those seeking a very basic online presence. However, its restricted design capability and eCommerce options would not stand a chance for users with higher demands. 

For those who need heavy customization and a wide range of eCommerce options, Neo is the best option. Ultimately, the choice between Weebly and Neo would depend on your needs and budget allowances, as well as how you picture your business growth in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the main advantages of using Weebly for building a website?

With an easy drag-and-drop interface, Weebly is perfect for beginners. Moreover, it offers affordable pricing plans, customizable themes, and integrated eCommerce tools. The company's responsive customer support, which is available by phone, makes Weebly the ultimate solution for small businesses or individuals who want a simple setup to establish their online presence.

2. Can I use a custom domain with Weebly’s free plan? 

No, using a custom domain on Weebly is not free. Your site would be hosted on a Weebly-branded subdomain. Paid options, such as Personal or Professional, connect to your custom domain.

3. How does Weebly compare to Neo for website building? 

Weebly is less expensive and has an even simpler drag-and-drop builder, which is great for beginners. Neo offers more flexibility in terms of design and advanced eCommerce tools. Neo also allows for easier post-launch customization of your website, which is not seamless on Weebly. It depends on whether you prefer more ease of use or more advanced features.