In doing our research on the Weebly platform, we actually wound up making two different sites for the same (fictional) business. We only recorded one, but we did snag pictures of both. The main difference between the two sites we built was the template we used for each one.
We learned through our testing that website building on Weebly can vary a lot depending on which template you choose. For instance, our first build came with a content block that allowed us to use a collage-style collection of images next to a text block. On our second build, we weren’t even able to put a single image next to our newsletter sign-up.
Picking your template is the first step of setting up your site, and if our experience is any indication, you could wind up hitting your head against a wall halfway through your build if you select the wrong template for your needs. So no pressure or anything.
The best advice we can give? Take your time checking out the sample websites for each template; design differs drastically from template to template, which has a huge impact on how your users experience your Weebly site. If the example you’re being shown is for a restaurant and you run an e-commerce store, that may not be the best possible template for you.
And if you’re super into design and template customization, beware: Weebly isn’t open-source, meaning that while you can minimally edit the CSS and HTML codes, that’s . . . about it. And if that was all Greek to you, don’t worry about it; a basic Weebly build will suit you just fine, just like it did us.
In the end, in spite of some design frustrations, we wound up being pretty happy with both versions of our home and about pages. We didn’t think it was quite as posh as what we were able to build on Squarespace, but you can pretty much count on getting a professional-looking site with quality web design (even if you do happen to choose a less-than-ideal template).
Also remember that we didn’t have the time to sort through every option on the Weebly app store. The app store is extensive enough that finding customized workarounds to help your site stand out (like a contact form app or social media app) is doable and can bolster a lackluster template.