Strikingly Review A Comprehensive Guide to Building Stunning Websites

When it comes to creating a professional and eye-catching website, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. Strikingly is one such platform that has been gaining attention for its simplicity and efficiency. In this comprehensive review, we will explore Strikingly's features, pricing, and overall performance to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your website needs.

What is Strikingly?

Strikingly is a website builder designed to help users create stunning, single-page websites with ease. It is particularly popular among entrepreneurs, small business owners, and personal brand creators who need a quick and efficient way to establish their online presence.

Key Features of Strikingly

• User-Friendly Interface

  Strikingly offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows users to customize their websites without any coding knowledge. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners who want to create a professional-looking site quickly.

• Responsive Design

  All Strikingly templates are designed to be fully responsive, meaning your website will look great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This is crucial for ensuring a positive user experience and improving your site’s SEO.

• Built-In SEO Tools

  Strikingly includes built-in SEO tools to help optimize your website for search engines. These tools include customizable meta tags, alt text for images, and a site map generator, all of which can contribute to better search engine rankings.

• Social Media Integration

  Strikingly allows you to integrate your social media profiles directly into your website. This feature makes it easy to connect with your audience and keep them updated with your latest content.

• E-Commerce Capabilities

  For users looking to sell products or services online, Strikingly offers e-commerce functionality. You can set up a store, manage inventory, and process payments directly through your website.

Pros and Cons of Using Strikingly

Pros

• Ease of Use

  Strikingly is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for even the most inexperienced users to create a professional website. The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the design process, and the platform provides a variety of templates to choose from.

• Affordable Pricing

  Strikingly offers several pricing plans, including a free option. The premium plans are competitively priced and provide additional features such as custom domains, advanced analytics, and more storage.

• Responsive Templates

  All Strikingly templates are responsive, ensuring that your website looks great on any device. This is important for maintaining a professional appearance and improving user engagement.

• Customer Support

  Strikingly provides robust customer support, including a comprehensive knowledge base, live chat, and email support. This ensures that users can get assistance when needed.

Cons

• Limited Customization

  While Strikingly offers a range of templates, customization options can be somewhat limited compared to more advanced website builders. Users who require extensive design flexibility might find this restrictive.

• Single-Page Focus

  Strikingly is primarily designed for single-page websites. While this is ideal for certain use cases, users who need multi-page sites may find the platform less suitable.

• SEO Limitations

  Although Strikingly includes basic SEO tools, it may not offer the advanced features available on other platforms. Users seeking more comprehensive SEO capabilities might need to consider alternative options.

Strikingly Pricing Plans

Strikingly offers several pricing plans to accommodate different needs and budgets

• Free Plan

  • Features Basic templates, limited storage, and Strikingly branding.
  • Best For Personal websites and testing the platform.

• Limited Plan

  • Price $8/month (billed annually).
  • Features Custom domain, additional storage, and removal of Strikingly branding.
  • Best For Small businesses and personal sites needing more features.

• Pro Plan

  • Price $16/month (billed annually).
  • Features Advanced analytics, priority support, and access to premium templates.
  • Best For Growing businesses and professional users.

• VIP Plan

  • Price $49/month (billed annually).
  • Features Unlimited bandwidth, priority support, and advanced e-commerce features.
  • Best For Large businesses and e-commerce sites with high traffic.

How to Create a Website with Strikingly

Creating a website with Strikingly is a straightforward process

• Sign Up

  Start by signing up for a Strikingly account. You can choose to begin with the free plan or select one of the paid plans based on your needs.

• Choose a Template

  Browse through Strikingly’s selection of templates and choose one that suits your style and purpose. The templates are designed to be fully responsive and visually appealing.

• Customize Your Site

  Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize your site. You can add and edit text, images, and other elements to fit your brand and message.

• Set Up Your Domain

  If you’re on a paid plan, you can connect a custom domain to your site. This helps to establish a professional online presence and improve your site’s credibility.

• Publish Your Site

  Once you’re satisfied with your site, hit the publish button to make it live. You can also use Strikingly’s analytics tools to track your site’s performance and make improvements as needed.

Strikingly Alternatives

While Strikingly is a strong contender in the website builder market, there are other platforms worth considering

• Wix

  Wix is known for its extensive customization options and a large library of templates. It offers more design flexibility compared to Strikingly.

• Squarespace

  Squarespace provides a range of professionally designed templates and advanced features for users looking for a more polished and feature-rich platform.

• WordPress

  WordPress is a highly customizable platform with a vast range of plugins and themes. It is ideal for users who need advanced functionality and design options.

• Weebly

  Weebly offers an easy-to-use interface and various features for building e-commerce sites. It is a good alternative for users seeking a balance between simplicity and functionality.

Conclusion

Strikingly is a solid choice for those looking to create a single-page website quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly interface, responsive templates, and affordable pricing make it an attractive option for beginners and small businesses. However, its limitations in customization and SEO capabilities may prompt some users to explore alternative platforms.

Whether Strikingly is the right platform for you depends on your specific needs and goals. If you’re looking for a straightforward, visually appealing website builder with a focus on single-page sites, Strikingly is worth considering. For more advanced features and greater design flexibility, you might want to explore other options.

Detailed Comparison Strikingly vs. Competitors

To better understand where Strikingly stands in the website builder landscape, let’s dive deeper into how it compares to some of its main competitors.

Strikingly vs. Wix

Customization and Flexibility Wix is renowned for its extensive customization options, allowing users to design their websites from scratch with a high degree of flexibility. This is ideal for users who want complete control over their site’s appearance. In contrast, Strikingly’s customization options are more limited, focusing on a streamlined, single-page experience.

Features and Tools Wix offers a broad range of features, including a large app market, advanced SEO tools, and extensive e-commerce capabilities. Strikingly provides essential features and tools but may not match the depth of functionality found in Wix, especially for users needing multi-page websites or advanced e-commerce features.

Ease of Use Both platforms are user-friendly, but Strikingly’s drag-and-drop editor is particularly simple, making it easier for beginners to get started. Wix’s editor is also intuitive but offers more advanced features that may have a steeper learning curve.

Strikingly vs. Squarespace

Design and Templates Squarespace is known for its elegant and professionally designed templates that cater to a variety of industries. These templates are highly customizable, offering more design options compared to Strikingly’s selection, which focuses primarily on single-page layouts.

Features and Integrations Squarespace provides advanced features such as built-in e-commerce, blogging tools, and analytics. It also offers a range of integrations with third-party services. Strikingly, while offering e-commerce and basic analytics, may lack the extensive integrations and advanced features available on Squarespace.

Pricing Both platforms offer competitive pricing, but Squarespace’s plans generally include more features and design options. Strikingly’s pricing is lower and may be more suitable for users seeking a budget-friendly solution with essential features.

Strikingly vs. WordPress

Flexibility and Customization WordPress is highly customizable with thousands of plugins and themes, making it a powerful choice for users with specific needs. Strikingly, on the other hand, is more restrictive in terms of customization, focusing on ease of use and simplicity rather than extensive design flexibility.

Content Management WordPress excels in content management and is suitable for creating blogs, portfolios, and complex websites. Strikingly is better suited for users who need a straightforward, single-page site rather than a content-rich platform.

Ease of Use WordPress can be complex for beginners, requiring more time to learn and set up. Strikingly’s simple interface makes it easier for users to create a professional website quickly without technical skills.

Strikingly vs. Weebly

Ease of Use Weebly offers a user-friendly interface similar to Strikingly, with a drag-and-drop editor that simplifies the website creation process. Both platforms are suitable for beginners, but Weebly provides a more traditional multi-page site structure, which may be more versatile for various use cases.

Features and Functionality Weebly includes a range of e-commerce features and design tools, offering more flexibility compared to Strikingly. It also provides more customization options for building multi-page sites, whereas Strikingly focuses on single-page designs.

Pricing Weebly’s pricing is competitive and includes several features that may appeal to users needing more than what Strikingly offers. Both platforms have free plans, but Weebly’s paid plans generally provide more functionality for users who need advanced features.

Best Use Cases for Strikingly

Strikingly excels in specific scenarios where its strengths can be fully utilized

• Personal Websites Ideal for personal portfolios, resumes, and landing pages where a single-page layout is sufficient. Its simplicity and ease of use make it a great choice for individuals looking to showcase their work or personal brand.

• Event Landing Pages Useful for creating single-page sites for events, conferences, or promotions. Strikingly’s quick setup and professional templates can effectively capture event details and drive registrations.

• Small Business Websites Suitable for small businesses and startups that need a basic online presence without the complexity of a multi-page site. Strikingly’s e-commerce features also allow small businesses to sell products directly from their site.

• Online Portfolios Great for creative professionals who need a visually appealing portfolio to showcase their work. The platform’s responsive design ensures that portfolios look good on any device.

Conclusion

Strikingly stands out as a user-friendly website builder with a focus on single-page websites. Its ease of use, responsive templates, and affordable pricing make it a solid choice for beginners, small businesses, and personal projects. However, its limitations in customization and advanced features might lead users to explore other platforms if they require more flexibility or multi-page functionality.

By evaluating your specific needs and comparing Strikingly with other website builders, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right platform for your website. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, a business site, or an event landing page, Strikingly offers a straightforward solution to get your online presence up and running quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Strikingly

1. What is Strikingly?

Strikingly is a website builder designed to create stunning single-page websites with ease. It is ideal for users who need a simple, effective way to establish an online presence, such as personal portfolios, event landing pages, or small business sites.

2. Is Strikingly easy to use?

Yes, Strikingly is known for its user-friendly interface. Its drag-and-drop editor allows users to customize their websites without any coding knowledge, making it accessible for beginners and those who want a quick setup.

3. Can I use Strikingly for free?

Strikingly offers a free plan that includes basic features and Strikingly branding. For more advanced features such as custom domains, additional storage, and removal of branding, you can choose from their paid plans.

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

Strikingly is particularly well-suited for single-page websites. It is ideal for personal portfolios, landing pages for events, product or service showcases, and small business websites. For multi-page websites, you might need to consider other platforms.

5. Are Strikingly websites mobile-friendly?

Yes, all Strikingly templates are designed to be fully responsive. This means your website will automatically adjust and look great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

6. Does Strikingly offer e-commerce functionality?

Yes, Strikingly provides e-commerce capabilities, allowing users to set up an online store, manage inventory, and process payments. This feature is available in the higher-tier plans.

7. Can I integrate social media with my Strikingly site?

Yes, Strikingly allows you to integrate your social media profiles into your website. You can add social media buttons and feeds to connect with your audience and keep them updated.

8. What SEO features does Strikingly offer?

Strikingly includes several built-in SEO tools such as customizable meta tags, alt text for images, and a site map generator. These tools help improve your site’s visibility in search engine results.

9. How does Strikingly compare to other website builders?

Strikingly is known for its simplicity and focus on single-page websites. Compared to competitors like Wix and Squarespace, it offers fewer customization options but excels in ease of use and affordability. For users needing multi-page sites or more advanced features, other platforms might be a better fit.

10. How do I get support if I have issues with Strikingly?

Strikingly provides several support options, including a comprehensive knowledge base, live chat, and email support. You can access these resources directly from the Strikingly website to get help with any issues or questions.