Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Strikingly to get well-informed before we make a choice.
I will provide a comprehensive analysis of both the positive and negative aspects of Strikingly.
I will also be shedding light on its various implications.
By delving into the strikingly advantageous and disadvantageous facets, you can gain a nuanced understanding of its overall impact.
But before that, let’s begin by understanding Strikingly.
What is Strikingly?
Strikingly is a website builder platform that allows users to create websites with ease, even if they have little to no coding or design experience.
It’s known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, catering primarily to individuals and small businesses.
Some of the key features of Strikingly include:
One-Page Websites: Strikingly specializes in one-page websites.
This makes it suitable for personal portfolios, small business sites, and other projects that don’t require complex structures.
Templates: The platform offers a variety of templates, allowing users to choose a design that fits their needs.
These templates are customizable, allowing for flexibility in design.
Mobile Optimization: Strikingly emphasizes mobile responsiveness.
This ensures that websites created on the platform look good and function well on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Domain Registration: Users can register a domain directly through Strikingly, streamlining the process of getting a website up and running.
Built-in Analytics: Users can quickly see what’s happening with their site, check visits, and learn from easy-to-read charts.
Simple Blog: Strikingly allows users to write and manage a blog without any hassle.
E-commerce Integration: The platform offers e-commerce integration, allowing users to set up a simple online store to sell products.
Free Plan: Strikingly offers a free plan with limited features.
This provides users with the opportunity to explore the platform before committing to a paid subscription.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): While Strikingly’s SEO features are somewhat limited, users can add a site title and description for each page and blog post on their site.
24/7 Support: The platform offers 24/7 support through a live chat option or a web forum, as well as a robust help center with detailed instructions on using the website editor.
Image Editor and Gallery: Strikingly includes a built-in image editor and gallery, allowing users to edit and display images on their site.
Security: Strikingly has a team of security experts to ensure the stability and security of the websites built on its platform.
Strikingly Advantages
1. Easy to use
Strikingly offers extreme ease of use and appealing site design, making it effortless to create a well-designed site.
Users can quickly set up a website with clean and aesthetically simple templates, suitable for basic website needs.
The platform is praised for its simplicity, with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for customization.
2. One-page website focus
Strikingly provides a one-page website focus, making it easy to build and customize one-page sites with dedicated sections.
It suits bloggers, freelancers, and small businesses looking to create simple projects or sell a few items online.
The platform’s design is section-oriented, allowing for the management and sale of a limited number of items.
3. Reasonably priced
Strikingly stands out as a cost-effective choice for both individuals and small businesses due to its reasonably priced plans.
In comparison to many competitors, Strikingly’s pricing is considered affordable.
This makes it an attractive option for those seeking an economical website builder.
4. Mobile app
Strikingly’s mobile app allows for remote editing and website management, making it convenient for users to manage their websites on the go.
This makes it convenient for users to make updates and manage their website from anywhere.
5. Built-in SEO features
Strikingly offers built-in SEO features, making it easier for users to optimize their websites for search engines.
This improves their website’s visibility and search engine rankings.
Strikingly’s built-in SEO features are highlighted as a key benefit of the platform.
6. E-commerce features
Strikingly offers e-commerce features that allow users to sell products online.
These include the ability to apply coupons to orders, set up different shipping options, and accept various forms of payment.
7. Free plan
Strikingly offers a free plan with limited features, making it a great option for beginners to explore the platform before committing.
It is a popular choice for individuals and small businesses due to its simplistic nature and ease of use.
The platform’s simplicity and ease of use are highlighted as its key benefits.
In the light of these advantages, let’s look at the disadvantages of Strikingly.
Striking Disadvantages
1. Pricing plans Limitation
Strikingly’s pricing plans come with limitations, such as restricted domains, the number of “pro” sites that can be published, and storage.
The platform’s pricing may not be suitable for those seeking more flexibility and advanced features.
Small businesses and individuals may find the pricing limitations restrictive, especially when compared to other website builders that offer more flexibility and storage options.
2. Limited customization
Strikingly’s section-based approach limits free-form editing, making it difficult to customize the website beyond the available templates.
This may limit the flexibility and customization potential for users who prefer more control over the design and layout of their websites.
Concurrently, Strikingly templates and design approaches may limit the ability to achieve highly custom designs, particularly without opting for the Kickstarter program.
Users aiming for highly customized designs may find Strikingly limitations restrictive to their needs.
3. Lack of advanced e-commerce capabilities and blogging features
Strikingly’s e-commerce features are limited, and users need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan to sell more products online.
Additionally, the platform’s core e-commerce and blogging features lack the advanced functionality needed for substantial growth.
4. Limited template selection
Strikingly provides a more restricted array of templates compared to its counterparts in the website-building industry.
This limited selection may constrain users in terms of design options.
Hence, it could potentially make it challenging to achieve a unique and personalized website appearance.
5. Limited storage
Unlike some of its competitors offering unlimited storage, Strikingly imposes restrictions even on its VIP tier, capping storage at 100 GB.
This limitation might pose challenges for users with content-heavy websites or those anticipating future expansions.
6. Limited SEO features
Strikingly’s suite of SEO tools is often considered basic in comparison to the more comprehensive offerings of other website builders.
This limitation may hinder users from optimizing their content for search engines.
Eventually, it could potentially affect the visibility and discoverability of their websites.
7. Poor value for money
Considering its starting price at $8 per month for the cheapest yearly plan, Strikingly’s value for money is perceived as lacking.
This is especially true when compared to other website builders offering more extensive design options and features within similar or even lower price ranges.
8. Limited product integrations
Strikingly falls short in terms of product integrations and additional technical features.
This limitation may impact users seeking seamless connections with third-party tools, apps, or advanced functionalities.
It might restrict the overall capabilities and flexibility of their websites.
Do the Advantages of Strikingly outweigh the Disadvantages?
The best answer to this is “inconclusive”.
The interplay between its benefits and limitations underscores the complexity of navigating the landscape of strikingly.
Some users may find that the advantages of Strikingly outweigh its limitations. Contrarily, others may find that the platform’s disadvantages are significant drawbacks.
It becomes evident that the impact is intricately tied to specific contexts and individual or business needs.
Ultimately, the decision on whether the advantages of Strikingly outweigh the disadvantages depends on the specific needs and priorities of the user.
Conclusion
The striking nature of strikingly lies in its ability to simultaneously present compelling advantages and notable disadvantages.
This can shape the decisions and strategies of individuals and businesses alike.
For some, the benefits of strikingly may indeed outweigh the drawbacks, while others may find that the limitations pose significant hurdles in achieving their objectives.
Therefore, the balance between Strikingly advantages and disadvantages is inherently subjective and contingent on unique circumstances.