Weebly

What is Weebly?

Weebly is a user-friendly website builder and e-commerce platform that enables individuals and small businesses to create professional websites without coding knowledge. Founded in 2006 and acquired by Square in 2018, Weebly has helped millions of users build online presences through its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The platform combines website building, blogging, and e-commerce capabilities in a unified solution that prioritizes simplicity and ease of use.

What distinguishes Weebly is its focus on making website creation accessible to absolute beginners while still providing enough flexibility for growing businesses. The drag-and-drop editor works intuitively—users simply click elements and drag them where they want on the page. This visual approach eliminates the technical barriers that prevent many people from building websites, making Weebly popular among solopreneurs, local businesses, and anyone needing a simple online presence quickly.

Weebly serves over 50 million users worldwide, from personal bloggers to small e-commerce businesses. As part of Square, Weebly benefits from integration with Square’s payment processing and point-of-sale systems, making it particularly attractive for businesses already using Square. The platform offers free and paid plans, with e-commerce capabilities available on higher tiers, providing a growth path from simple website to online store.

Key Features

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Intuitive visual editor allowing users to build pages by dragging elements into place
• Mobile Responsive: Themes automatically adapt to mobile devices ensuring good experience across screen sizes
• E-Commerce: Built-in online store capabilities including product management, shopping cart, and checkout
• Square Integration: Seamless connection with Square payment processing and POS systems
• Blogging Platform: Integrated blogging tools with categories, tags, comments, and RSS feeds
• SEO Tools: Basic search engine optimization features including meta tags and custom URLs
• Template Library: Pre-designed themes for various industries and use cases
• Form Builder: Create contact forms, surveys, and lead capture forms without coding
• App Center: Marketplace of apps extending functionality with integrations and features
• Analytics: Basic website statistics tracking visitors, traffic sources, and popular pages

Latest Updates

Weebly continues to enhance its platform with improved e-commerce features and Square ecosystem integration.

• Enhanced Square Integration: Deeper connection with Square payment and business tools
• Improved Mobile Editor: Better mobile site editing and preview capabilities
• E-Commerce Updates: Enhanced product management, inventory tracking, and checkout options
• SEO Improvements: Better tools for optimizing sites for search engines
• Performance Optimization: Faster page loads and improved site speed
• Template Updates: New modern themes with better customization options
• Security Enhancements: Free SSL certificates and improved security features
• Marketing Tools: Expanded email marketing and promotional capabilities

System Requirements

For Building Sites

• Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Stable internet connection
• JavaScript enabled

For E-Commerce

• Square account (for payment processing)
• Business information for tax purposes
• Product photos and descriptions

Custom Domain (Optional)

• Domain name registered separately or through Weebly
• DNS access for domain connection

How to Install Weebly

Getting Started

1. Sign up for free Weebly account
2. Choose website type (business, portfolio, blog, store)
3. Select template from theme library
4. Customize design using drag-and-drop editor
5. Add pages and content
6. Connect custom domain (optional, paid plans)
7. Publish site to make it live

Building Your Site

1. Drag elements (text, images, buttons) onto page
2. Click elements to edit content and styling
3. Arrange layout by dragging elements around
4. Add new pages from pages menu
5. Configure site settings and SEO
6. Preview site before publishing
7. Click Publish when ready to go live

Setting Up E-Commerce

1. Upgrade to e-commerce plan
2. Connect Square payment processing
3. Add products with photos, prices, descriptions
4. Configure shipping rates and tax settings
5. Customize store design and checkout
6. Test purchase process thoroughly
7. Launch store and start selling

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Extremely Easy: One of the most beginner-friendly website builders with intuitive interface
• Free Plan Available: Build basic websites at no cost with Weebly subdomain
• Square Integration: Seamless payment processing and POS integration for retail businesses
• All-in-One: Website, blog, and e-commerce in single platform
• Mobile Responsive: Sites automatically work well on mobile devices
• Quick Setup: Can have a website live in hours, not days or weeks
• Reliable Hosting: Included hosting with good uptime and performance

Cons

• Limited Customization: Less design flexibility compared to WordPress or custom solutions
• Basic SEO: SEO capabilities lag behind competitors like Wix or Squarespace
• Template Switching: Changing themes after building site can break design
• App Ecosystem: Smaller app marketplace than some competitors
• E-Commerce Limitations: Advanced e-commerce features less robust than dedicated platforms

Weebly vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Weebly?

Weebly is ideal for:

• Absolute Beginners: People with no technical experience who need a simple website quickly
• Square Users: Businesses already using Square payments benefiting from seamless integration
• Small Local Businesses: Restaurants, salons, shops needing basic online presence
• Personal Websites: Portfolios, personal blogs, resume sites with simple requirements
• Budget-Conscious Users: Those wanting free or low-cost website solution
• Quick Launches: Anyone needing a website live quickly without learning curve

Weebly may not be ideal for:

• Design Perfectionists: Users wanting pixel-perfect custom designs need more flexible platforms
• SEO-Focused Sites: Businesses prioritizing search engine rankings might choose alternatives
• Complex E-Commerce: Large online stores with advanced needs should use dedicated platforms
• Scalability Needs: Fast-growing businesses may outgrow Weebly’s capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Weebly really free?

Yes, Weebly offers a free plan allowing you to build and publish websites with basic features. The free plan includes Weebly subdomain, limited storage, and Weebly branding. Paid plans ($10-29/month) remove branding, add custom domains, increase storage, and unlock e-commerce and advanced features. Many users start free and upgrade as needs grow.

Can I use my own domain with Weebly?

Yes, you can connect custom domains to Weebly sites on paid plans. You can either register a new domain through Weebly or connect a domain you already own by updating DNS settings. The free plan only allows Weebly subdomains (yoursite.weebly.com). Custom domains require at least the Connect plan ($10/month).

How does Weebly compare to Wix?

Weebly is simpler and more beginner-friendly with a cleaner interface. Wix offers more design flexibility and features but has a steeper learning curve. Weebly’s Square integration is unique advantage for Square users. Wix generally has better SEO tools and app marketplace. Choose Weebly for simplicity, Wix for design control.

Can I sell products on Weebly?

Yes, Weebly includes e-commerce capabilities on paid plans starting with Professional ($12/month). You can sell physical and digital products, manage inventory, process payments through Square, configure shipping, and handle taxes. The platform works well for small to medium online stores but large or complex e-commerce operations might need dedicated platforms.

Can I export my Weebly site?

Weebly doesn’t provide easy export functionality to move your entire site to another platform. You can export blog content but the site design and structure stay within Weebly. This lock-in is common with website builders. If you anticipate needing to migrate later, consider WordPress or other platforms with better export capabilities.

Final Verdict

Weebly has earned its position as one of the most accessible website builders through its commitment to simplicity and ease of use. The platform removes technical barriers that prevent many people from building websites, making online presence achievable for absolute beginners within hours rather than days or weeks.

The platform’s strengths lie in its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Square integration, and all-in-one approach combining websites, blogs, and e-commerce. Users appreciate how quickly they can go from idea to published website without getting stuck on technical details.

Beginners, small local businesses, and Square users should strongly consider Weebly for their website needs. The platform provides exactly what most small businesses need—a simple, professional online presence—without overwhelming them with complexity. While ambitious businesses may eventually outgrow Weebly, it offers an excellent starting point with low risk and minimal investment.