Image Credit: Pixabay Manuchi. /

In this post I aim to explore web-based design platforms that offer truly free web development. The criteria is that the user can design a web page, and have it hosted indefinitely, for absolutely no payment. I am comparing two options that I have heard the most about (Weebly.com and Wix.com) to an option that I am already using (WordPress.com)

Weebly.com 

Offers a free easy-to-use cloud-based drag-and-drop web site builder. According to PC Magazine’s Lead Software Analyst, Michael Muchmore, the web-editor does not let you place things anywhere you like similar to Squarespace ($12) but unlike Wix (free). The templates are clean and contemporary and present many image-rich options. Not to mention you get a free domain name (free includes “weebly”) and a $100 credit to Google Ads. The web-based builder boasts custom fonts that can be typed right onto the page (as opposed to typing text into a side-bar) and an image editor. You will have a weebly.com subdomain but will enjoy 500MB of storage with SSL Security. Muchmore states that the main thing that sets Weebly apart is that you can receive the HTML code of what you have created in a zip file via email, that does not include all of the store front code but most free editors do not offer any HTML save. So not bad at all for $0.00.

If you jump up to the Pro level it only sets you back a mere $12.00 a month and adds a good deal of goodies. You can add a search bar that helps your users find content. Media will jump up to video backgrounds and HD grade video and audio. Not to mention you get a free domain name (that does not include “weebly”) and a $100.00 credit to Google Ads. The pro level does have options to sell with a checkout on Weebly.com. If you jump up to the business level ($25USD/mo) you get a storefront right on your domain. For complete pricing options visit the Weebly Pricing Page.

 

WIX.com 

Offers a free easy-to-use cloud-based drag-and-drop web site builder that above all is free form. Wix has modern clean templates to start you off but you are not bound to them like you tend to be with the likes of Weebly and Squarspace. Wix is the free web developer / hosting program that truly gives to free reighn to create a unique online space. You are locked in to hosting it on their site but that’s a pretty fair trade off for having a more complete artistic freedom. Besides it is free, so it isn’t like you are locking into a paid service. Another nice attribute of Wix is that the features just seem to keep growing. The list of new features is well, just expansive! To get started with With Wix all you need is an email and the templates are much more diverse than the mere seven that Weebly offers.

The paid services that Wix offers are also very tempting. If you already own a domain name you can use that domain with your Wix content for only $5.00 per month. Bumping up to the VIP option includes some incredible offers, including: 20 GB of storage, shopping cart / storefront, a unique domain name and unlimited bandwidth. To check out all of the paid options check out the pricing chart here.

 

WordPress.com 

If you haven’t noticed the phrase wordpress is in the URL of this page. That is to say I am using the free wordpress platform to generate this blog. For blogging WordPress is fantastic and top of the line. There is not much leeway on having a freeform drag-and-drop experience without knowing some HTML. You can even use CSS language (but that will bump you up to $8/month). However, if you are composing a Blog, that’s not really the point anyway. All I want for a Blog is an ability to select my font, chose a size, maybe select some text color and have some basic controls on how my images appear. So, far WordPress.org has done all that I have wanted all for the price of zero dollars. Now if I wanted something a bit more creative, say to show of my artwork, or advertise my business I might something a bit more flashy. So, it’s really all about what you are trying to do; and to share my thoughts on Instructional Design and Educational Technology I am more than happy with the extremely easy-to-use interface of WordPress. It is true Web 2.0 and I haven’t even had to think of things like FTP and code not working.

Now as you start paying for WordPress the optimization and customization really kicks in pretty quickly. It really is only the free option that limits you to a basic blogger experience. At only $4 a month you are already well above what most other sites offer for their basic paid plans (Wix is the lowest and it starts at $5.) Just $4 gets you your own domain name with no WordPress Advertisements, templates, email tech support not to mention a hefty 6 GB of storage. If we jump up to the the top plan, the “Business” plan, It’s only $25 and it is loaded with all you need from exclusive pro templates to Google Analytics. The only thing really missing is a shopping cart for eCommerce. Worpress’ answer to that is third party plug ins. Shopify is a big trusted name and accounts that allow ecommerce start as low as $9 a month. If you want the details of the wordpress paid options check them out here.

Perspective

This blog is about designing instructional content…

…but just to put this all this business in perspective you can open up a storefront on Amazon that supports e-Commerce, as well as full logistical and Customer Service support, for roughly $35 a month. The win is that you have the name of Amazon backing up the legitimacy of your storefront. The loss is that you are not building your brand up you are building up Amazon’s name. So, if you want to sell on-line and building your brand is not important to you then Amazon.com might be a whole lot easier for the same.

Conclusion

All of these platforms have something to offer. If you want to design something and have a reasonable amount of creative control and be able to take the code with you then Weebly is a good fit for you. If you want a true drag and drop experience but don’t need a copy of the code then Wix would do you right. If you want a platform to simply, and quickly, share your thoughts and photos with the world the WordPress is for you.

 

 

Work Cited

Michael Muchmore (2017). Weebly Review
retrieved from: http://uk.pcmag.com/weebly/34504/review/weebly

Michael Muchmore (2017). Wix Review
retrieved from: http://uk.pcmag.com/wix/34506/review/wix