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Weebly happens to be one of the earliest drag-and-drop website builders still standing today. It promises simplicity for beginners and no upfront costs to get started. It even maintains its affordable pricing structure, starting at just $10 monthly.
While there have been no major platform updates since the Square acquisition in 2018, Weebly still makes it onto our list of the best website builders, thanks largely to the fact that it lets you sell online with its free plan.
It’s still a great choice for those looking for simplicity and affordability. Others will find aspects of Weebly outdated and frustrating. This review will help you discover if it is the right platform for you.
Weebly pricing and plans
I found Weebly’s pricing extremely competitive, despite (or perhaps because of) the limited feature set.
It’s most competitive at its lower pricing tiers, though abandoned cart emails and product review support do cost more. Annual billing gets you a discount of 20%+ depending on the plan. Weebly is also the only website builder currently offering a free plan with full ecommerce access.
|
Plan |
Starting rate /mo (paid monthly) |
Starting rate /mo (paid yearly) |
Renewal rate /mo (paid yearly) |
|
Free |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Personal |
$13 |
$10 |
$10 |
|
Professional |
$16 |
$12 |
$12 |
|
Performance |
$29 |
$26 |
$26 |
Weebly plans: Explained
Reviewer’s experience: Getting started with Weebly
I decided to build a photography portfolio site to test out Weebly from scratch. The entire process took me about 45 minutes from signup to a publishable website. Here’s exactly how my experience unfolded.
Step 1: Creating my account
I navigated to Weebly.com and clicked the “Sign Up” button on the landing page. It immediately asked me to sign up for a Square account with an email address and password. I didn’t see any option for signing up with my Facebook, Google, or Apple account, all of which are common on other website builders.
Then, I had to choose between a personal website or online store. I wanted to build a portfolio, so I selected the “I just need a website” option.
Step 2: Selecting a template
Instead of confusing upsells or onboarding screens, I was directed straight to the template library from here.
Weebly presented me with approximately 50 templates organized by category. I browsed through portfolio, business, event, and blog options to find something suitable. Each theme was minimal, but decent. I’ll note here that there was an odd bug where I kept encountering a 404 error when trying to preview some themes on a bigger screen.
I eventually chose a photography-focused template called Modus Operandi.
Step 3: Using the editor
I clicked “Start Editing” on the top left, which led me to Weebly’s drag-and-drop WYSIWYG editor in an instant. The editing interface hasn’t changed a lot since I last visited, which made it a bit underwhelming..
There was a left sidebar full of components and my template in the center. I could drag text boxes, images, buttons, etc. directly onto the page. Clicking on any element on the site opened a pop-up contextual menu that let me adjust style settings and other attributes. Changes could be previewed live.
There was also a top bar with tabs that led me to options like adding new pages, changing the theme, or accessing the Weebly App Center.
Overall, the editor is simple to navigate and easy to get to grips with.
Step 4: Adding content and pages
I created new pages by clicking the “Pages” tab and selecting “Add Page”. Weebly automatically added them to my navigation menu, which saved time.
While the positioning and customization tools felt basic, they were easy to use and good enough for most personal websites and basic online stores. There was a simple image editor with a collection of basic filters I could choose from, I could upload videos and add forms, and so on.
Step 5: Connecting my domain
Weebly prompted me to either register a new domain or connect an existing one. I tested the domain connection feature, which walked me through updating nameservers. The instructions were clear, but there was no automatic option like with Wix or Webflow.
Once completed, the domain setup is finalized within minutes, though it can take a while for some due to the way DNS propagation works through no fault of Weebly’s. For those on the Professional or Performance plans, you get a free domain for the first year.
Step 6: Publishing the site
The final step was simply clicking the large “Publish” button at the top of the editor.
Weebly business tools
Weebly offers the following business tool:
- Inventory tracking
- Order management dashboard
- Square integration
- App Center for third-party tools
- Form builder for lead capture
Weebly covers the essentials but feels sparse compared to modern competitors. Still, I found the inventory management useful for small stores. But the Square integration added unnecessary complexity. I think this platform needs more sophisticated analytics and automation features to compete.
Read more about Weebly’s business tools ▼
Inventory tracking
I tested Weebly’s inventory tools by adding multiple products with size and color variations. The system let me track stock levels easily and display low stock alerts to create urgency. It’s very easy to learn for someone managing their first online store.
However, I noticed the Square integration made things unnecessarily confusing. Weebly’s gradual merger into Square’s Item Library means you’re sometimes working across two platforms instead of one. For businesses already using Square POS, this is good. But for anyone who would rather not add yet another platform to their stack, it’s a letdown.
Order management dashboard
Order management is clean and functional. I could search products by name, SKU, category, or description, then filter by stock status.
Managing a handful of orders felt effortless. Sadly, the system shows its limitations once you scale beyond simple operations.
If you want bulk order processing, automated fulfillment, or sophisticated shipping rules, you will need to upgrade to Square Dashboard. You can also export your order management data as a CSV file to analyze with third-party tools, but that’s about it.
Square payment processing integration
Square integration is Weebly’s standout business feature.
I could process credit cards online and sync inventory between my Weebly site and a Square point-of-sale system. Any inventory change in Square is automatically updated on Weebly.
App Center
App Center lets you expand your website builder beyond Weebly’s core features.
I browsed through apps for shipping, marketing, calendars, and social media integration. Most of them could be installed in just a couple clicks.
That said, I found the selection noticeably smaller than Wix’s App Market at just over 200. But, you can use Automate.io to connect Weebly to services not supported by the App Center.
Form builder
Weebly’s form element lets you collect customer information without coding. I created contact forms, newsletter signups, and surveys by dragging the form element onto pages. It can also be connected to third-party services like Google Sheets or MailChimp through automation apps.
The form builder handles basic needs adequately, but lacks sophisticated tools like conditional logic, multi-step forms, or built-in CRM integration. For complex lead capture needs, you’ll need third-party form apps from the App Center.
Weebly marketing tools
Weebly offers the following marketing tools:
- Site statistics and analytics
- Email marketing via Weebly Promote
- Built-in SEO optimization tools
- Blog functionality for content marketing
- Social media integration options
- Coupon and gift card features
Weebly’s marketing capabilities feel dated compared to what competitors offer today. The email marketing platform (Weebly Promote) worked well for basic campaigns, but I found the SEO tools disappointingly basic. You’ll find yourself relying on third-party integrations a lot.
Read more about Weebly’s marketing tools ▼
Site statistics and analytics
Weebly provides basic analytics directly in your dashboard. I could see visitor counts, popular pages, search terms, and referral sources without leaving the platform.
The built-in stats felt limiting for serious businesses. I ended up adding Google Analytics code for deeper insights. Or you can upgrade to a higher-tier plan for access to Square analytics.
Weebly Promote integrates directly with your site, making email campaigns straightforward.
I selected pre-made templates, customized messages with a drag-and-drop editor, and emailed contacts without leaving Weebly. However, Weebly Promote requires an additional subscription beyond your website plan.
Every Weebly page includes basic SEO fields.
I was able to edit meta titles or descriptions and customize URLs for each page. Product pages let me add more metadata fields to signal Google what I was selling.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t implement advanced structured data, create complex redirect rules, or optimize for rich snippets effectively without third-party tools.
This is fine for basic websites, but doesn’t offer enough to those that really want to compete in SERPs.
Blogging tools
Weebly’s blogging tools are adequate but uninspired.
I organized content using categories, tags, and sidebar customizations.
A comment system lets readers engage, with options for Disqus or Facebook login. You can set comments to open, closed, or moderated on a blog-wide basis, then override settings for individual posts.
Weebly connects to social platforms through the App Center. Weebly Promote also creates dynamic Facebook Ads automatically.
But the social media tools felt fragmented. Rather than cohesive native features, you’re piecing together functionality through multiple apps. I could easily spend more time configuring integrations than actually marketing my site.
Coupon and gift card features
Weebly’s ecommerce plans include coupon codes and gift cards. I could create percentage discounts, dollar-off coupons, and digital gift certificates to support store promotions.
The gift card functionality improves significantly on higher-tier plans, but the lower plans make it seem too restrictive. Advanced features like tiered loyalty programs and reward points only appear on the Performance plan.
Weebly support
Weebly’s support structure varies dramatically based on your plan level.
Paid plan users get phone support at 1-844-493-3259 and live chat through their dashboard. Free users are limited to email tickets via the Help Center and Weebly’s community forums.
I tested the live chat on a paid plan and got connected within 5 minutes. The representative answered my technical question adequately, but didn’t seem to have deep product expertise.
However, Trustpilot reviews show customer dissatisfaction with the platform overall. Reddit users also warn against Weebly, with the overall consensus suggesting Weebly’s reputation has deteriorated since its Square acquisition.
Test results: Weebly
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|
Value for money |
Affordable pricing starts at $10/month annually, but limited features and outdated templates reduce overall value. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Ease of use |
Extremely easy drag-and-drop editor requires no tutorial, though template restrictions limit creative freedom. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Design |
50+ templates with clean and minimal yet basic designs, ranging from business to personal to ecommerce. |
★★☆☆☆ |
|
Business tools |
Basic inventory management features. Square integration works well. Abandoned cart notifications require the Performance plan. |
★★★☆☆ |
|
Marketing tools |
SEO tools are basic but functional. Email marketing requires add-on subscription. Basic blogging and social functionality. |
★★☆☆☆ |
|
Support |
Live chat and phone for paid plans, but user reviews indicate unhelpful responses and long delays. |
★★☆☆☆ |
Competitor comparison: Weebly
Below we show you how Weebly stacks up against Wix and Squarespace:
|
Platform |
Best for |
Our overall rating |
Free plan |
Paid plans start at |
Ease of use |
Support |
|
Weebly |
Budget-conscious beginners |
★★★☆☆ |
Yes |
$10/month |
★★★★☆ |
Live chat, phone, email (paid plans) |
|
Wix |
Feature-rich customization |
★★★★☆ |
Yes |
$17/month |
★★★★☆ |
24/7 live chat, callback, help center |
|
Squarespace |
Design-focused creatives |
★★★★☆ |
No |
$16/month |
★★★★☆ |
Live chat, email, extensive guides |
How we tested the Weebly website builder
Every website builder review on Techradar Pro is based on hands-on testing. I start from scratch, building test websites for every platform. Then I select templates, customize designs, add content, and test all major features hands-on.
We’ve been reviewing software vendors like Weebly since 2012 at TechRadar Pro. Our team has so far tested and reviewed over 80 website builders. For complete details on our evaluation process, see our guide to how we test website builders.
Weebly review: FAQs
Is Weebly really free?
Yes, Weebly offers a free plan indefinitely. You get 500MB storage and can even sell products for free — unlike Wix or Squarespace. But your site displays Square ads, uses a Weebly subdomain, and has limited features. For serious businesses, paid plans remove these restrictions.
Can I switch Weebly templates after publishing?
Yes, Weebly lets you change templates anytime without losing content. However, content may require repositioning after switching since templates have different layouts.
Does Weebly work for ecommerce?
Weebly handles basic ecommerce adequately, especially for small stores. You can sell unlimited products on all paid plans, manage inventory, and accept payments through Square. However, advanced features like abandoned cart emails and shipping labels require the $26/month Performance plan. Serious retailers may outgrow Weebly’s capabilities quickly.
How does Weebly compare to Wix?
Wix offers significantly more templates (2,000+ vs 50), better customization freedom, and more advanced features. Weebly costs less and is simpler to use, making it better for absolute beginners and store owners on tight budgets. However, Wix’s superior design flexibility and feature depth make it worth the extra cost for most businesses. You can read our full guide to Wix vs Weebly to learn more about how they stack up.
Is Weebly good for SEO?
Weebly provides basic SEO tools like editable meta tags, custom URLs, and sitemap generation. Every page is optimized for search engines by default. However, SEO capabilities remain basic compared to competitors, lacking advanced structured data and optimization options. Serious SEO requires third-party tools like MarketGoo.
What happened to Weebly after Square bought it?
Square acquired Weebly in 2018 and has since integrated it into the Square ecosystem. Weebly has received very few major updates since then, leading to outdated templates and features. Many users report confusion with the Square/Weebly inventory sync, declining support, and difficulties accessing their sites after the merger.
