Strikingly Review | Is It the Best Website Builder for You?

In the ever-expanding world of website builders, Strikingly has carved out a niche by focusing on simplicity and ease of use. As we step into 2024, many users are still on the hunt for the perfect website builder that balances functionality with simplicity. This comprehensive review of Strikingly will help you determine whether it’s the right choice for your website-building needs. We’ll dive into its features, pros and cons, pricing, and more to provide a clear picture of what Strikingly has to offer.

What is Strikingly?

Strikingly is a website builder that emphasizes creating single-page websites, though it also supports multi-page sites. Founded in 2012, Strikingly aims to simplify the process of website creation for individuals, businesses, and online entrepreneurs. It caters to users who need an elegant and professional online presence without the complexity of traditional web development.

Key Features of Strikingly

1. User-Friendly Interface

   • Drag-and-Drop Editor: Strikingly’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows users to design their websites effortlessly. You can easily add elements like text, images, and videos without any coding knowledge.
   • Pre-designed Templates: The platform offers a variety of modern and responsive templates tailored for different industries and personal use.

2. Mobile Optimization

   • Responsive Design: All Strikingly templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring that your website looks great on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
   • Mobile Editing: You can preview and edit your site’s mobile view directly within the editor.

3. Custom Domains and Branding

   • Custom Domain: Strikingly allows users to connect a custom domain to their website. This feature helps establish a professional online presence.
   • Branding Options: You can add your logo and customize the site’s color scheme and fonts to align with your brand identity.

4. E-Commerce Capabilities

   • Online Store: Strikingly supports basic e-commerce functionality, enabling users to set up a simple online store with product pages, shopping carts, and payment options.
   • Payment Integration: It integrates with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe, making it easy to manage transactions.

5. SEO and Analytics

   • SEO Tools: Strikingly provides essential SEO tools, including meta tags, URL customization, and image optimization, to help improve your site’s search engine ranking.
   • Analytics Integration: You can connect your site to Google Analytics to track visitor behavior and site performance.

6. Customer Support and Resources

   • 24/7 Support: Strikingly offers round-the-clock customer support via live chat and email.
   • Knowledge Base: The platform includes a comprehensive knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and FAQs.

Pros of Using Strikingly

1. Ease of Use

   • Simple Setup: Strikingly’s drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed templates make it easy for users of all skill levels to create and customize their websites quickly.
   • No Coding Required: The platform is designed for non-technical users, so you don’t need any coding skills to build a professional-looking site.

2. Cost-Effective

   • Affordable Plans: Strikingly offers competitive pricing, with a free plan available for basic needs and affordable premium plans for more advanced features.
   • Value for Money: The features provided, especially on the premium plans, offer excellent value for the price.

3. Responsive Design

   • Mobile-Friendly: Strikingly’s templates are automatically optimized for mobile devices, ensuring your site performs well on any screen size.

4. Quick Launch

   • Fast Publishing: You can launch your website in a matter of hours, thanks to the user-friendly interface and streamlined process.

5. Versatile Templates

   • Variety of Designs: Strikingly offers a range of templates that cater to different industries, including portfolios, blogs, and small businesses.

Cons of Using Strikingly

1. Limited Customization

   • Design Flexibility: While Strikingly provides a variety of templates, advanced customization options are limited compared to more robust website builders.
   • Feature Constraints: Some users may find the functionality lacking for more complex websites or specific needs.

2. Basic E-Commerce Features

   • Limited Store Options: The e-commerce capabilities are relatively basic, which may not be sufficient for users needing advanced online store features or larger inventories.

3. No App Marketplace

   • Limited Integrations: Unlike some competitors, Strikingly does not have an extensive app marketplace, which may limit third-party integrations and additional functionalities.

4. Performance and Speed

   • Page Load Times: Some users report slower page load times compared to other website builders, which can impact user experience and SEO.

Pricing Plans

Strikingly offers several pricing tiers to cater to different needs. As of 2024, the following are the main plans:

1. Free Plan

   • Features: Basic templates, Strikingly subdomain, limited storage, and bandwidth.
   • Ideal For: Personal use or testing the platform.

2. Limited Plan

   • Cost: $8 per month (billed annually).
   • Features: Custom domain, basic e-commerce features, more storage, and removal of Strikingly branding.

3. Pro Plan

   • Cost: $16 per month (billed annually).
   • Features: Advanced design customization, premium templates, enhanced e-commerce options, and priority support.

4. VIP Plan

   • Cost: $49 per month (billed annually).
   • Features: All Pro Plan features plus advanced analytics, phone support, and additional site capabilities.

Who Should Use Strikingly?

Strikingly is an excellent choice for:

• Small Business Owners: If you need a simple, professional website to showcase your products or services without the need for complex features.
• Freelancers and Portfolio Creators: Ideal for individuals looking to create a personal portfolio or resume site quickly and easily.
• Non-Technical Users: Perfect for those who want to build a website without learning coding or dealing with complicated design tools.
• Event Planners: Great for creating single-page event websites with essential information and RSVP options.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

While Strikingly is user-friendly and cost-effective, it may not be the best fit for:

• E-Commerce Entrepreneurs: If you need a robust online store with advanced features, other platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce might be better suited.
• Advanced Users: If you require extensive design customization or complex functionalities, platforms like WordPress with advanced themes and plugins may be more appropriate.
• Large Businesses: Companies needing a highly scalable website with custom development options may find more specialized solutions like Magento or custom-built websites more suitable.

Final Thought

Strikingly offers a compelling option for users seeking an easy-to-use website builder with a focus on simplicity and fast setup. Its user-friendly interface, mobile optimization, and affordable pricing make it an attractive choice for individuals, small businesses, and freelancers. While it may have limitations in terms of customization and advanced features, it excels in providing a straightforward and efficient way to establish an online presence.

When choosing a website builder, consider your specific needs and objectives. If Strikingly’s offerings align with your goals and you appreciate its ease of use and affordability, it could be the right solution for you in 2024. However, if you require more advanced functionalities or customizability, exploring other options may be worthwhile.

Evaluating your needs, budget, and desired features will help you make an informed decision and find the best website builder for your unique requirements.

FAQ: 

1. What is Strikingly and what makes it different from other website builders?

Strikingly is a website builder designed to simplify the creation of professional websites. It focuses on providing an easy-to-use platform for building single-page and multi-page sites with minimal effort. What sets Strikingly apart is its emphasis on simplicity and speed, offering a drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed templates that cater to users who prefer a quick and straightforward website setup.

2. Is Strikingly suitable for beginners with no technical skills?

Yes, Strikingly is particularly well-suited for beginners and those with no technical skills. Its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor allows users to build and customize websites without any coding knowledge. The platform’s pre-designed templates and intuitive interface make it easy for newcomers to create a professional-looking site quickly.

3. What types of websites can I build with Strikingly?

With Strikingly, you can build a variety of websites, including:

• Personal Portfolios: Showcase your work and achievements with elegant design options.
• Business Websites: Create professional sites for small businesses or startups.
• Landing Pages: Design single-page sites for marketing campaigns, product launches, or events.
• Blogs: Set up simple blogs with essential features for content creation and management.
• Online Stores: Build basic online stores with essential e-commerce functionalities.

4. Can I use a custom domain with Strikingly?

Yes, Strikingly allows you to use a custom domain with your website. This feature is available on the Limited plan and above. Connecting a custom domain helps establish a professional online presence and enhances your brand’s credibility.

5. What e-commerce features does Strikingly offer?

Strikingly provides basic e-commerce features that include:

• Product Pages: Create and manage product listings.
• Shopping Cart: Allow customers to add items to their cart and proceed to checkout.
• Payment Integration: Accept payments through PayPal and Stripe.

For more advanced e-commerce needs, such as large inventories or extensive customization, you might need a more specialized platform like Shopify.

6. How does Strikingly handle mobile optimization?

Strikingly automatically ensures that all templates are mobile-responsive, meaning your website will look and function well on smartphones and tablets. Additionally, the platform offers a mobile editor so you can preview and make adjustments to how your site appears on mobile devices.

7. What SEO tools does Strikingly provide?

Strikingly includes basic SEO tools to help improve your site’s visibility on search engines. These tools include:

• Meta Tags: Customize title tags and meta descriptions for each page.
• URL Customization: Create SEO-friendly URLs for better indexing.
• Image Optimization: Add alt text to images for improved search engine ranking.

While these tools are helpful for basic SEO, more advanced users might need additional plugins or external tools for comprehensive optimization.

8. What kind of customer support does Strikingly offer?

Strikingly provides 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. Additionally, the platform has a comprehensive knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and frequently asked questions to assist users in resolving issues and learning more about the platform.

9. How much does Strikingly cost?

As of 2024, Strikingly offers several pricing plans:

• Free Plan: Basic features with a Strikingly subdomain.
• Limited Plan: $8 per month (billed annually) for a custom domain, basic e-commerce, and additional storage.
• Pro Plan: $16 per month (billed annually) for advanced design options, premium templates, enhanced e-commerce features, and priority support.
• VIP Plan: $49 per month (billed annually) for all Pro Plan features plus advanced analytics, phone support, and additional site capabilities.

10. Are there any limitations to Strikingly’s free plan?

Yes, the free plan has several limitations, including:

• Strikingly Subdomain: Your site will be hosted on a Strikingly subdomain (e.g., yoursite.strikingly.com).
• Limited Storage and Bandwidth: Restrictions on storage space and bandwidth usage.
• Basic Features Only: Access to only basic templates and features, with no custom domain or advanced functionalities.

11. Can I transfer my Strikingly site to another platform?

Transferring a site from Strikingly to another platform can be challenging due to the proprietary nature of the builder. It may involve recreating the site on the new platform and manually transferring content. Strikingly does not offer direct migration tools or services for moving your site to another platform.

12. Does Strikingly support multiple languages?

Strikingly does not natively support multiple languages for building multilingual websites. If you need a multilingual site, you might need to explore workarounds, such as creating separate pages for each language, or consider alternative platforms with built-in multilingual support.

13. How does Strikingly compare to other website builders like Wix or Squarespace?

Strikingly stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for quick and straightforward website creation. However, compared to more feature-rich platforms like Wix or Squarespace:

• Customization: Strikingly offers less customization and advanced design options.
• E-Commerce: Strikingly’s e-commerce features are more basic compared to Wix and Squarespace.
• App Integrations: Strikingly has fewer third-party app integrations compared to its competitors.

Each platform has its strengths, so the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.

14. Can I integrate third-party tools with Strikingly?

Strikingly has limited integration options compared to other website builders. While it does support basic tools and services like Google Analytics and social media integrations, it lacks a comprehensive app marketplace for extensive third-party tool integration.

15. What are the performance and speed of Strikingly websites?

Strikingly websites generally offer decent performance and speed, but some users have reported slower page load times compared to other website builders. Performance can be affected by factors like the size of the site, the number of elements, and hosting.