Strikingly is surprisingly feature-rich for a low-cost web site builder. Not solely does it have a beginner-friendly web site editor, pre-built templates, a free area title and SSL certificates, however each plan consists of the flexibility to promote on-line—one thing that’s not often out there with entry-level plans. Its midrange and top-tier plans additionally embrace reductions on transaction charges, the flexibility to promote memberships and extra.

Web site Editor

From the beginning, Strikingly’s web site editor may be very straightforward to make use of. Whereas it’s considered a drag-and-drop editor, I wouldn’t say it’s a real drag-and-drop editor like Wix or Elementor as you can not transfer parts anyplace on the web page. As an alternative, it provides a couple of structure choices to select from, enabling you to vary the structure of textual content and different parts, comparable to buttons and icons. Whereas this may increasingly sound as if it’s not factor, restricted design choices is usually a good factor for internet design learners because it ensures the location’s structure is at all times skilled.

Past layouts, I discovered it to be intuitive once I first began utilizing it. For instance, if you wish to change any textual content, you merely click on on the textual content to edit and it does job of labeling any parts that aren’t instantly obvious, such because the “background” button within the higher right-hand nook, which is the place you click on to vary the background. I additionally respect that you could change your template—even after deciding on one with out dropping your modifications. It is a distinctive function within the web site builder world and one that may be very useful in the long term as you possibly can rapidly redesign your web site with out having to rebuild your total web site like many different web site builders.

On-line Retailer

All Strikingly plans are e-commerce-ready with a user-friendly retailer interface full with product classes, transport, taxes and product opinions. Including a brand new product is straightforward, merely denote the product kind (bodily merchandise, service or digital obtain) and full the prompts. Customers are additionally in a position to create promotions with coupons, promote memberships (out there with mid- and top-tier plans), obtain e-mail notifications to maintain their prospects up to date on order standing, arrange deserted cart restoration and arrange their fee gateway of alternative (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay).

Templates

Strikingly has a surprisingly spectacular template library with a mixture of extra traditional internet designs and extra trendy internet designs. Customers can filter templates primarily based on use case, comparable to on-line retailer, enterprise web site, membership web site, weblog, touchdown web page, occasion or private in addition to by business, comparable to programs and training, restaurant and meals, actual property, journey, nonprofit, well being and wellness, companies, finance, leisure and extra. I discover that almost all of its templates are pretty easy, however for a lot of of them, I discover that this additionally makes them look extra skilled as do-it-yourself and dated templates tend to be extra cluttered.

Advertising and marketing and search engine optimisation Instruments

Strikingly has a handful of selling and search engine optimisation instruments, although it pales compared to lots of its high rivals on this space. Customers can simply design pop-ups to seize the eye of your guests and to generate leads, in addition to create newsletters. Although what I don’t like about its e-newsletter function is that you just can’t schedule a e-newsletter to ship at a later date and time. As an alternative, it’s a must to click on, “ship now” to ship it, so you possibly can’t put together newsletters upfront and set a time to deploy them.

One factor I do like is its coupons function, which helps you to create coupons primarily based on a share, flat low cost or free transport with situations comparable to apply to all gadgets, for orders over a sure amount of cash, particular merchandise or particular product classes.

Moreover, it has a built-in search engine optimisation guidelines, nevertheless it’s very fundamental and in my view, it’s too simplistic to make a lot of an affect when it comes to natural search.

Strikingly Setup

What’s good about Strikingly is how straightforward it’s to arrange a web site. To begin, you’ll be prompted to decide on a template. From there, you may be redirected to the location editor, which gives you with a walk-through tour of the interface to assist new customers get acquainted. One factor I don’t like concerning the setup course of is that it’s not evident how you can join a site. To take action, click on the small “exit” button within the backside left-hand nook of the display screen after which click on to the proper of your robotically assigned subdomain. From there, you possibly can search and purchase a site straight from Strikingly, which is straightforward, however for those who already personal a site, you have to switch your area to Strikingly.