The Weebly vs. WordPress debate is popular among business owners, and for good reason. Weebly is a well-known free website creator, while WordPress is the most widely used open-source content management system (CMS) with one of the highest market shares.
If you've narrowed your options to Weebly or WordPress, we’ll compare their features, pricing, and other key factors to help you choose the best-suited website builder for your business.
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Weebly vs. WordPress: An Overview of Features
Both WordPress and Weebly offer unique tools tailored to different user needs. While Weebly emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, WordPress is known for its flexibility.
Here’s an overview of the main features of these two platforms:
Weebly Features
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder with its own fully hosted server, allowing you to work on the platform directly online without needing to install anything on your computer. It features a widget-based, drag-and-drop interface that requires no programming skills.
The platform offers unlimited storage across all plans, with no individual file size limits for uploads on most paid plans. However, the free plan has a 10MB file size limitation.
This free plan provides a free Weebly subdomain ending in “.weebly.com.” You can create a custom domain with a paid plan.
Its premium versions provide the following features:
- eCommerce benefits, including product or service reviews, inventory management, discount codes, shipping coupons, and a tax calculator
- Several client support levels, including live chat and over-the-phone assistance for higher-tier plans
- Password protection for end-user access
- HD audio and video for uploaded content
- Option to include a site search bar
- Free domain for the first year
- 50+ mobile-friendly themes
- Up to 100 administrators
- End-user registration
- Marketing functions
- Security features
- Video backgrounds
- Unlimited members
Notable websites powered by Weebly:
- The Box Bros
- Indy Plush
- Casky Beats
WordPress Features
WordPress is an open-source website-building CMS tool that allows you to create, launch, and manage online content without programming knowledge.
A WordPress site requires a domain name and a web host, both of which can be purchased from a hosting company, such as:
- Bluehost
- HostGator
- GoDaddy
- SiteGround
- GreenGeeks
- Hostinger
- DreamHost
WordPress.org, often referred to as the self-hosted version, requires installation to set you up for website development and design. However, many hosting providers offer a one-click installation to simplify the process for WordPress site builders.
WordPress offers the following features:
- Numerous customization options using HTML and CSS
- Access to a directory of 55,000+ plug-ins
- Access to a menu of 10,000+ themes, plus Magento themes integration
- Resources for documentation
- Social media and YouTube channel integration
- Unlimited blog functionalities
- Integration with: ActiveCampaign, Salesforce, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Hubspot
- Hybrid use with Laravel
Notable websites powered by WordPress:
- Microsoft
- Whitehouse.gov
- TechCrunch
- The New Yorker.
Weebly vs. WordPress Features Verdict
Both WordPress and Weebly are designed to make website creation accessible without coding. They offer simplified tools and interfaces suitable for users of all skill levels. While Weebly is excellent for a quick and easy website launch, WordPress offers advanced users the option to customize their site with code, though it’s not required.
It also offers a variety of functionalities not available on Weebly, such as:
- Complete user, file, and page management
- General and granular settings
- Advanced traffic statistics
- Automated spam protection via Akismet
- High-quality documentation
- Top-notch blogging features, including related posts, popular posts, and private blog posts
- 30+ drag-and-drop sidebar widgets
- Convenient migration process
Weebly vs. WordPress Pricing
Pricing is another crucial deciding factor when choosing a website builder. Let’s explore the costs associated with Weebly and WordPress:
Weebly Pricing
Weebly has a free plan with limited features for site modification. It also offers the following paid plans:
- Personal plan: $10/month (billed annually)
- Professional plan: $12/month (billed annually)
- Performance plan: $26/month (billed annually)
WordPress Pricing
The WordPress offers a range of paid plans:
- Personal plan: $4/month (billed annually)
- eCommerce plan: $45/month (billed annually)
On top of the premium fees, here are five other factors to account for in your budget:
- Domain name: from $12 per year
- Hosting plan: from $5 per month
- Template themes: $0 to $200, one-off charge
- Plug-ins: $0 to $1,000, one-off charge
- Security: from $50, ongoing or one-time payment
Weebly vs. WordPress Pricing Verdict
When it comes to website creation, Weebly generally offers a more predictable pricing structure compared to WordPress. Although you can use WordPress for free, the total costs can quickly increase when you factor in hosting, premium themes, and plugins.
Weebly offers a more straightforward pricing plan that includes hosting and several built-in features. This direct approach makes it easier to estimate costs upfront.
However, WordPress offers greater flexibility and scalability. Despite potential additional costs, many consider WordPress a more affordable option, particularly for those needing extensive customization and advanced features.
Weebly vs. WordPress Ease of Use
When choosing between Weebly and WordPress, you should consider how seamlessly you or your team can integrate the platform into your processes. Let's take a look at their ease of use:
Weebly’s Ease of Use
So, how user-friendly is Weebly, and what skill level does it require?
Weebly is designed with user-friendliness in mind. It is easy to use and has a short learning curve, making it an ideal choice for those with minimal technical skills. Here’s why:
- Simple setup: Upon signup, you can choose between the Square Online site builder and Weebly site builder. If you need to sync your physical store’s inventory with your online shop’s, go for Square. If you do not have a brick-and-mortar shop to sync your online inventory with, Weebly is the easier choice for your business.
- Drag-and-drop interface: Its drag-and-drop website creator allows for easy editing, repositioning, and resizing of site elements, perfect for non-technical users.
- WYSIWYG interface: The platform provides a “What You See Is What You Get” interface, making site development and maintenance more convenient.
- Guides and tutorials: You can access how-to guides and useful tips throughout the web development process. Additionally, you can experiment with different themes to find out which will suit your brand best.
- No coding required: Coding and programming, like HTML, are not necessary.
- App store availability: It has an app store that offers additional functionalities to enhance your website.
WordPress’s Ease of Use
The learning curve for WordPress is steeper compared to drag-and-drop website builders, but it’s more manageable with the right resources. Here are some key points:
- Familiarization required: WordPress requires users to familiarize themselves with its CMS and blogging terminology, which can take some time. However, the platform has significantly improved its user experience with extensive documentation, tutorials, and community support.
- WYSIWYG editor: WordPress includes a Gutenberg block editor, which provides a more visual editing experience, though it still may not be as intuitive as some other drag-and-drop builders.
- Feature awareness: While WordPress does require a basic understanding of its features to manage updates and customize the site effectively, the platform’s extensive plugin ecosystem has made it easier for non-technical users to extend functionality without deep technical knowledge.
Weebly vs. WordPress Ease of Use Verdict
Weebly is the more beginner-friendly option, thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and simplified setup that makes it easier for users with little to no technical experience. In contrast, WordPress offers greater flexibility and customization but is technically demanding and requires more investment in learning and managing the platform.
Weebly vs. WordPress SEO
When choosing a website builder, you should also consider how well it supports your SEO efforts to improve your online visibility. Let’s break down the SEO features offered by Weebly and WordPress:
Weebly SEO
Weebly provides the most fundamental SEO functionalities that allow you to configure these elements for search visibility:
- Page title and meta description
- Built-in URL structure customization
- Limited number of headings
- Alt tags
- 301 redirects
- Limited underlying codes
- SSL security
- Google Analytics Code
Weebly’s SEO tools are useful for small to medium websites. However, for more advanced SEO needs, like editing multiple heading levels or adding more sections to a blog article, you may need to install a third-party application from the Weebly app store.
WordPress SEO
On WordPress, you can access the same SEO features as Weebly, plus these add-ons:
- Advanced SEO customization
- Complete control over multiple headings
- Customized appearance via CSS modification
- External solutions and plug-ins
- Manual code editor on the dashboard
- Over a dozen other SEO-related plug-ins for active installation
Weebly vs. WordPress SEO Verdict
WordPress is generally recognized as superior to Weebly in terms of SEO capabilities. While Weebly offers basic SEO tools sufficient for small to medium websites, WordPress provides a much more extensive and flexible range of SEO options, primarily due to its vast ecosystem of plugins like Yoast SEO.
These add-ons allow for advanced SEO customization, including control over permalinks, rich snippets, and more detailed on-page SEO analysis. Such features are simply not available to the same extent in Weebly.
Weebly vs. WordPress eCommerce
Both Weebly and WordPress offer eCommerce functionalities, but they cater to different business needs. Here’s an in-depth look at their eCommerce features:
Weebly for eCommerce
Since Square Inc. Acquired Weebly, the platform’s focus shifted to target eCommerce. Its business plans are well-suited for setting up online stores for both digital and physical products that need shipment and inventory management.
Under these premium plans, you can utilize the dashboard or mobile application to:
- Receive payments
- Execute transactions
- Let buyers check out securely within your domain and not to a redirected website
- Track orders
- Respond to customer inquiries
- Have flexibility with shipping and tax options
- Eliminate transaction fees
WordPress for eCommerce
Although WordPress is a robust blogging platform, it supports eCommerce functionalities through powerful plug-ins that can meet your store’s demands.
Some of the highly favored WordPress eCommerce plug-ins are:
- WooCommerce
- Easy Digital Downloads
- Shopify
- MemberPress
- BigCommerce
Using any of these add-ons, you can:
- Launch a business WordPress site
- Sell both digital and physical products
- Offer various services, such as web design
- Customize your business pages
- Manage every aspect of your online shop, from its design to functionality
Weebly vs. WordPress eCommerce Verdict
If your brand needs only a minimal eCommerce presence, Weebly is right for you. It offers a straightforward and easy-to-use eCommerce solution with integrated tools.
If you prefer greater control over your eCommerce site, WordPress is preferable. It offers extensive customization and adequate flexibility from its plugins, catering to more complex business needs.
Weebly vs. WordPress Client Support
You'll likely encounter issues using a website builder, making effective client support crucial. Here’s how Weebly and WordPress compare in terms of support:
Weebly Client Support
If you ever run into trouble using Weebly, here are your support options:
- Professional services via the customer care team
- Dedicated knowledge base
- Fellow user support on community forums
It’s important to note that Weebly concentrates on centralized support for all its users. This means that you may not get premium helpdesk assistance, regardless of your plan.
WordPress Client Support
In terms of support, WordPress includes the following:
- User community and forums
- Free tutorials
- Free quick and comprehensive guides
- Documentation resources available on the internet
- Dedicated teams for topic- and niche-specific issues and concerns
- One-on-one support for premium solutions
Weebly vs. WordPress Client Support Verdict
Weebly offers basic support options, including a customer care team and community forums. However, the level of support is consistent across all plans, with no premium options available.
On the other hand, WordPress has diverse support resources, from community forums and tutorials to dedicated teams for specialized concerns. Premium support is also available for those using paid themes or plugins.
Overall, between WordPress vs. Weebly, the former generally provides a wider range of support options, making it the better option for users who may need expert help.
Weebly vs. WordPress Footer Ads
In terms of footer ads, Weebly can show:
- Free plan: Displays a Weebly and square ad
- Premium plan: You can remove either and use unlimited space for your content.
WordPress can display the following footer ads:
- Free plan: Displays a WordPress ad
- Paid plans: Allows you to remove the WordPress ad and add brand promotions or content-based ads.
Weebly vs. WordPress Footer Ads Verdict
Both WordPress and Weebly require users to upgrade to premium versions to remove footer ads.
Weebly vs. WordPress AdSense Earnings
When it comes to AdSense earnings and monetization through ads, here’s how Weebly and WordPress Compare:
Weebly AdSense
Weebly blocks AdSense on free subdomains altogether. It requires users to purchase a paid plan to access AdSense or other ad networks. Weebly also offers an AdSense element for easier ad placement, but only with a paid subscription.
WordPress AdSense
In WordPress.com, AdSense codes cannot be directly inserted on free plans. Users need to upgrade to a paid plan to access monetization through the WordAds program.
For self-hosted WordPress.org sites, AdSense can be used with a verified account, though approval for sites on subdomains can be difficult.
Weebly vs. WordPress AdSense Earnings Verdict
You can only fully leverage AdSense for monetization on either Weebly or WordPress if you upgrade to a paid plan. This is consistent with the policies of both platforms regarding ad placement and monetization.
Weebly vs. WordPress Reliability and Speed
Weebly
The Weebly editor was stable initially, but after the Carbon update, users reported that loading started taking longer than it should. To run business websites with complete Weebly features, it's recommended to rely on Weebly’s built-in management tools.
WordPress
WordPress offers robust stability and superior performance across content types, including:
- Blogging
- Portfolio
- Image and video galleries
- e-Commerce shop
Weebly vs. WordPress Reliability and Speed Verdict
Since its inception, WordPress has continued to showcase fortified stability and consistency compared to Weebly.
Weebly vs. WordPress Migration and Flexibility
Weebly
Migrating from Weebly can be complicated, especially for sites with several web pages. This is because users must manually recreate content after downloading an HTLM backup.
WordPress
The situation is completely different on WordPress. The platform supports efficient migration, even for sites with a large volume of pages and content. You simply need to export and import your website within minutes. Plus, it also offers a premium redirection service to assist with moving out of the platform.
Weebly vs. WordPress Migration and Flexibility Verdict
WordPress excels in migration and flexibility, offering a hassle-free transition and fast transfer.
Key Takeaways on Weebly vs. WordPress: Which Is Better for Your Business?
Choosing between Weebly and WordPress depends on your company’s specific needs for ease of use, pricing, customization, and eCommerce tools. Weebly offers a simple pricing structure and easy setup, while WordPress provides greater flexibility, customization, and control, but with a steeper learning curve.
To fully wrap up the comparison between Weebly and WordPress:
Weebly’s strengths cover:
- Ease of usage and user-friendliness
- Availability of centralized and professional customer care
- WYSIWYG interface
Weebly is best for you if:
- You prefer an intuitive, straightforward setup and publication.
- You do not need loads of customization.
- Your profits are not heavily reliant on your eCommerce site.
WordPress’ pros include:
- Superior customizability via pre-made themes and coding
- A substantial assortment of functions and features via innumerable plug-ins
- More control for the business owner
- Its open-source attribute
WordPress is best for you if:
- You intend to build a highly customized, professional, and dynamic website whose interface and navigation are dictated by your branding.
- You anticipate large amounts of content, multiple pages, and extensive features.
- Your organization requires a faster, more responsive website.
