Features
Designs and themes
Webnode has a good selection of high quality, modern-looking templates to start building your site from. There are around 100 in total, so not as many as you might find with other web builders, but they’re fairly easy to customize if you want to make any tweaks and changes.
The designs are broken down into some common business types such as restaurants, personal trainers, retail, jewelry, and musicians, to name a few. If you can’t find a theme that matches your business exactly, you can find one you like and swap in some content that’s relevant to you.
Apps and add-ons
You won’t find many extra apps and add-ons. It’s designed to be as easy to use as possible, and most of Webnode’s features are pre-built into your website. If you do some digging, you can find a few plug-ins that third-party developers have made to integrate with a Webnode site. However, you won’t find many, and they’re a little limited in scope.
While this means customization is a bit more limited when compared to some of its competitors, this doesn’t mean you aren't getting some powerful features. Some of the best include:
- Paypal integration in your online store
- Creation of exclusive members-only pages and content
- Built-in SEO tools
- Mobile ready shopping
- Set up discounted or free shipping
You’ll also find how-to guides on all of the features for free via the knowledge base on the website.
Language options
You can set up your store in 24 languages including English, Spanish and German. It’s a simple process to change your store’s language via the website and the host will do the translating for you.
Marketing
Social integration and sales channels
You’ll be able to easily integrate popular social media feeds into your website, but it’s a little more complicated if you want to connect your social media stores and other sales channels.
It’s certainly possible to do, but you’ll need some coding skills and will have to use third-party tools such as Facebook Developer if you want to fully integrate all of your online sales channels to your site.
SEO tools
The built-in SEO tool will give most small business-owners exactly what they need, but larger organizations might be left wanting more. Some key features include:
- URL customization
- Customizable titles and meta tags for individual store products
- Your website is designed to be mobile compatible to Google's optimized standards
- Support for Google Analytics
- A blogging tool
Custom fields
You can choose to use one of Webnode’s pre-built forms, or create your own. You can create dropdown boxes, add multiple choice questions and even include an option for customers to upload their own documents. This is a lot more customization than we’ve seen with other out of the box web builders, and is usually only something you’d find at an open-source builder.
Reporting tools
The host’s reporting tools are a little basic and focus on site visitors and the time spent on pages, and you’ll get the same sort of information if you integrate Google Analytics into your site. Store management reporting is also a little basic, and includes information like number of fulfilled and dispatched orders, changes in customer status and the total number of sales over a given period. If you’re after highly detailed analytics, you might want to try out another eCommerce builder.
Email marketing
Webnode doesn’t offer an email marketing option. You’ll need to use a separate piece of software, like MailChimp, and manage your email campaigns outside of your website’s framework.
Importing and exporting products
Importing products to your store can be done quickly and easily using a CSV file. You’ll need to limit your product headings to 16 categories as specified, including product name, price and description.
You’ll also be able to add any SEO keywords you’d like included with that particular product and create a product URL, which are nice additional features to see on a web builder like this. Exporting is just as simple, and can be done in just a couple of clicks.
Pricing
- Limited - $3.95 per month
This is the first tier of membership. It’s pretty basic and will only get you 100MB of storage on your site, and no access to the online store option. This tier is aimed at bloggers and isn’t suitable if you’ve got an eCommerce business to run.
- Mini - $5.95 per month
The Mini is a slight improvement on the Limited tier and includes an email account and domain name. As with the first tier, no eCommerce store is included.
- Standard - $11.95 per month
This is the first tier that gets you access to an online store on your site. You’ll also be able to create 20 email accounts and allow your staff to log in and manage the site and store too.
- PROFI - $19.95
You’ll get everything from the first three tiers, plus unlimited bandwidth for your site, up to 100 email accounts for your staff, unlimited customer registrations, full language options, and the option to add product videos to your store.
Other Features
Support | Webnode encourages users to first use the FAQ page or the knowledge base before contacting customer support. Both have a good range of topics and cover some of the most common issues you might have with a site here. However, if you’re still struggling, you can email customer support directly. |
Security | All sites come with an SSL certificate. If you’re on the PROFI package, you’ll also get unlimited website backups, meaning if there’s ever an issue with the servers that host your site, you won’t lose your data. Bear in mind, though, you won’t get a backup option on the lower tiers. |
Shipping | You can deliver through most major shipping companies such as DHL and FedEx. You can also set in-store pickups and offer a tracking option for customers. |
Payment options | Most major payment methods are covered including PayPal, Stripe, wire transfers and credit card payments. |
Tax | There’s no auto-tax calculator on offer. You’ll have to set the tax codes yourself when you import your products to your store. This means you’ll need to take care to stay up to date with all the latest tax law changes and update your products yourself. |
Dropshipping | There’s currently no drop shipping option available. |
Abandoned cart recovery | There’s no abandoned cart recovery option. |
Managing store on a mobile device | You can manage your store via your mobile, but the editor is a little limited. |
What is easy for users at Webnode
- It’s incredibly easy to set up an online store quickly. You won’t need any coding skills, and all the features you need come bundled with your package. Webnode even claims you can get a website up and running in just seven minutes
- It’s a great eCommerce builder if you’re not familiar with SEO. Some open-source packages can have hundreds of SEO add-ons and options, which can be confusing for newcomers. The host keeps things simple and walks you through how to get the most out of your site
- It’s an all-in-one web builder and hosting service. You don’t need to worry about finding a domain or arranging hosting. Everything will be included in your plan
What is difficult for users on Webnode
- With so few apps and add-ons available, it’s difficult to modify or customize your site. You’ll have to use one of the templates and won’t be able to add complex features, like email marketing campaigns, to your store
- Editing your site via mobile is also a little limited, so won’t be the package for you if you need to make changes on the go
Best Webnode stores
Webnode doesn’t make public the businesses that use its web builder. However, you can check out all of the templates on offer before you sign up. You’ll find the templates here.
Alternatives to Webnode
GoDaddy
This is another eCommerce builder that’s easy to use, but comes with more functionality and add-ons. It’s a little more expensive, but you’ll get extras like email marketing campaigns and detailed reporting.
OpenCart
This open-source builder gives you a lot more in the way of customization. However, you’ll need some developer skills and if you purchase a lot of add-ons, it can start to get pricey.
Volusion
A good middle ground between usability and customization, Volusion also has a detailed set of analytics tools.
