Format vs Strikingly: Final verdict
Format and Strikingly both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs.
-
Format (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, and designers. It excels in providing high-quality, customizable templates that showcase portfolios beautifully. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Format is user-friendly and ideal for those without technical skills. However, its ecommerce capabilities and customization options are limited compared to Strikingly, making it less suitable for users seeking extensive ecommerce features or advanced customization. -
Strikingly (Overall Grade: 6.6/10)
offers a more versatile platform with a wider range of templates and designs. It is user-friendly and provides comprehensive ecommerce solutions, making it suitable for small businesses and individuals looking to create professional websites quickly. Strikingly’s higher scores in ecommerce, hosting quality, and marketing features make it a more robust option for users who need a well-rounded website builder with advanced functionalities.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.0 |
7.2 |
Ease of use |
8.3 |
8.1 |
Ecommerce |
5.2 |
7.2 |
Website Editors |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Product testing options |
8.3 |
7.1 |
Price |
7.9 |
8.1 |
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
7.2 |
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
7.9 |
Plugins and integrations |
4.9 |
5.1 |
Marketing features |
5.3 |
7.2 |
Customer support |
7.0 |
7.2 |
Security |
7.4 |
7.5 |
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
1.6 |
User Management |
2.8 |
7.3 |
Which one is the best for ecommerce: Format or Strikingly?
Verdict
: Strikingly outshines Format in ecommerce capabilities, making it a more robust choice for online stores.
-
Format
: Designed for creative professionals, Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities like inventory management, discounts, and multiple currency options. However, it lacks ecommerce-specific templates and extensive customization options, making it less suitable for comprehensive online stores. When comparing Format vs Strikingly, Format’s ecommerce score is 5.2. -
Strikingly
: With a higher ecommerce score of 7.2, Strikingly provides a more complete ecommerce solution. It includes features like product listings, inventory management, SEO tools, and social media integration. Strikingly also offers a variety of ecommerce templates and extensive product page customization, making it a better choice for those looking to build and manage a professional online store.
Which one is the best for informational and business websites?
Verdict
: Strikingly slightly outperforms Format for informational business websites, thanks to its broader range of templates, better speed optimization, and more comprehensive customer support.
-
Format
: Format is tailored for creative professionals, offering nearly 100 customizable templates that are perfect for showcasing portfolios. Its drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, making it easy for users without coding knowledge to create visually appealing websites. However, its focus on portfolio websites may limit its versatility for other types of informational sites. With a score of 7.2, Format is a solid choice for creatives looking to display their work professionally. -
Strikingly
: Strikingly is a versatile website builder that caters to a wide range of users, from individuals to businesses. It offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and a variety of modern, customizable templates. Strikingly also excels in website speed optimization and customer support, making it a reliable choice for those looking to create and manage professional-looking informational websites. With a score of 7.4, Strikingly is slightly better suited for informational business websites compared to Format.
Format vs Strikingly: Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Winner: Strikingly.
Strikingly slightly edges out Format with a score of 7.2 against Format’s 7.0. Strikingly offers a wider variety of templates and designs, and its platform is more user-friendly.
Format is a website builder specifically designed for creatives, offering nearly 100 customizable templates tailored for various artistic disciplines. It emphasizes high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs, ensuring portfolios look professional on any device.
On the other hand, Strikingly offers a wide variety of templates and designs for its website builder. With over 60 unique templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are modern, visually appealing, and customizable, allowing users to personalize their websites.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
🏆 Winner: Format
. With a score of 8.3, Format edges out Strikingly (8.1) in terms of ease of use. Format’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface and straightforward dashboard make it accessible for users without extensive technical skills, making it an attractive option for creative professionals. Strikingly, while also user-friendly, may be limiting for users requiring advanced functionalities.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but Strikingly goes a step further with its comprehensive support center, tutorials, guides, and direct customer support via live chat or tickets. Format, on the other hand, provides a help center and a YouTube channel with tutorials and updates.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
When it comes to ecommerce, Strikingly outperforms Format with a score of 7.2 against 5.2. While Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities tailored for creatives and photographers, it may not suit those looking for extensive ecommerce features. Strikingly, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive ecommerce solution, allowing users to create online stores, manage inventory, set up shipping and tax options, and accept payments through various payment gateways.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.0 |
6.5 |
Product page customization |
5.5 |
6.0 |
Payment processing and commissions |
4.5 |
6.8 |
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.0 |
Payment gateways |
6.5 |
7.0 |
Product numbers |
5.0 |
5.5 |
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
6.5 |
Format ecommerce features:
- Inventory management and tracking
- Discounts
- Multiple currency options
Strikingly ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Inventory Management
- Coupons and Discounts
- SEO tools
- Analytics
- Social Media Integration
Ecommerce themes & templates
Format does not offer ecommerce specific templates, limiting its appeal for those looking to build an online store. On the other hand, Strikingly offers a variety of ecommerce website templates designed by a world-class team of website designers and developers, ensuring your ecommerce site stands out.
Product page customization
Format offers limited specific details on product page customization, focusing on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions. Strikingly, however, allows for more extensive customization, including unique product URLs and region-specific pricing for a tailored shopping experience.
Payment processing
Format integrates with major payment gateways, including Paypal and Stripe, but charges a commission on sales. It does not have built-in POS (Point of Sale) capabilities. Strikingly supports secure payment processing through Stripe, Square, and other gateways like PayPal, offering a range of options for ecommerce sites. The transaction fees vary depending on the payment gateway and user location, with specific plans possibly incurring additional Strikingly fees, except for VIP users.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
🏆
Winner: Tie
. Both Format and Strikingly scored 7.5 for their website editors, indicating a similar level of quality and user-friendliness.
Format’s website editor is specifically designed for creative professionals, offering nearly 100 professionally designed templates and thousands of design variations without requiring any coding. It supports direct video hosting, high-quality image rendering, and easy template switching. However, its focus on portfolio websites limits its versatility for other uses.
Strikingly’s website editor is designed to be user-friendly and allows for a range of customizations to cater to users’ preferences. It supports drag-and-drop functionality for rearranging sections and offers a variety of settings for different elements. It also enables editing for mobile design, ensuring that sites are responsive across devices. Strikingly’s editor is more versatile and user-friendly compared to Format’s editor, making it a great tool for beginners and those looking to get online quickly.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: Format
. Both Format and Strikingly do not offer a dedicated mobile app for editing. While it is possible to edit your website using a mobile browser, the interfaces presented are the same as the desktop versions, making them difficult to use on a smartphone. However, Format scores higher than Strikingly in the mobile editor score, indicating that it provides a better mobile editing experience. Despite this, both platforms could benefit from improvements in their mobile editing capabilities.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
Overall Result
:
Format wins
. Format scores 8.3 in product testing options, while Strikingly scores 7.1. Format does not offer a free version, but it provides a 14-day free trial during which users can test all premium features. Additionally, Format offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. On the other hand, Strikingly offers a free version and a 14-day free trial with access to all features, but it does not provide a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No |
Yes |
Trial Duration |
14 days | 14 days |
Testing Premium Features |
Yes, during free trial |
Yes, during free trial |
Money Back Guarantee |
30 days |
No |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
Strikingly offers a more affordable range of plans, including a free option, and has a slightly higher price score than Format.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free |
No offering at this amount. |
Free ($0/month): Includes Strikingly.com subdomain, unlimited free sites, 5 GB monthly bandwidth, 500 MB total storage per site, simple store with 1 product per site, and 5 pages per site and 24/7 support. |
$10-$20 |
Basic ($12.00/month): Offers core services like mobile-optimized site, up to 10 web pages, and up to 70 high-resolution images. 3 client galleries, up to 2GB file transfers. No video uploads or custom code editor. Value for price: 5.0 |
Limited ($12/month): Allows connection to custom domain, includes 2 limited sites, unlimited free sites, 50 GB monthly bandwidth, 1 GB total storage per site, free domain with yearly plans, and allows selling a single product and 5 page per site. Value for price: 6.5 |
$20-$30 |
Pro ($24.00/month): Includes all from Basic, plus unlimited web pages, 1500 high-resolution images,15 mins video hosting, 100GB cloud storage, a free custom domain, Online Store with up to 15 products, 50 client galleries and up to 5GB file transfers. Value for price: 7.5 |
Pro ($20/month): Offers 3 pro sites, unlimited free sites, unlimited bandwidth, 3 GB total storage per site, simple store with 300 products per site and up to 100 pages per site, site membership, custom forms, multiple pages, and removal of Strikingly branding, among other advanced features. Value for price: 8.5 |
$30+ |
Pro Plus ($36.00/month): Adds on Pro features with priority support, unlimited pages and high-res images, 120 mins video hosting, and 1TB cloud storage. Online Store with up to 1000 products, 250 client galleries and 10GB file transfers. Value for price: 8.5 |
VIP ($59/month): Includes all Pro features plus 5 pro sites, 10 GB total storage per site, priority customer service, English phone support, account management, and allows selling unlimited products. Value for Price: 9.0 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly offers managed hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Although they do not disclose detailed information about their data centers, they use multiple data centers to ensure a secure and highly available service. On the other hand, Format does not provide detailed information about its hosting type, uptime, or data centers, which makes it difficult to assess its hosting quality.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes | Yes |
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed | Multiple, not disclosed |
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed | Managed Hosting |
Uptime: |
Not disclosed | 99.9% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
No | Yes, 99.9% |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
Both Format and Strikingly prioritize website performance and speed, but Strikingly has a higher website speed optimization score and employs a more comprehensive set of strategies for speed optimization.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
Image and video optimization |
CDN, Code Minification, Caching, Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression, Responsive Design |
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Key Strategies |
Image and video optimization |
CDN, Code Minification, Caching, Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression, Responsive Design |
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Can vary depending on different factors |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified |
80-90/100 average |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Strikingly, with a website speed optimization score of 7.9, employs a comprehensive set of strategies for speed optimization, including CDN, code minification, caching, optimized server response time, image optimization and compression, and responsive design. Although Strikingly does not disclose specific load times, it reports an average PageSpeed score range of 80-90/100. Information about Core Web Vitals improvements is not disclosed.
Format, on the other hand, focuses on image and video optimization for speed optimization. Load times and PageSpeed scores can vary depending on optimization and website complexity. Format does not disclose any specific information about their Core Web Vitals improvements. With a website speed optimization score of 5.0, Format’s speed optimization strategies are less comprehensive than Strikingly’s.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
🏆 Winner: Strikingly.
Strikingly scores slightly higher with a 5.1, offering a wider range of plugins and extensions to enhance website functionality. Format, scoring 4.9, offers a limited selection of plugins/integrations, which might be a drawback for users looking for extensive customization options.
While Format offers key integrations like Adobe Lightroom, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics, Strikingly provides a more diverse array of free apps and integrations, including Instagram Feed, Google Reviews, WhatsApp Chat, Social Feed, and more. These integrations cover various needs such as social media integration, customer reviews, communication, and content display, aimed at increasing user engagement and conversion.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Overall Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly stands out for its more comprehensive marketing tools, especially in SEO, email marketing, and social media integration. Format, while offering a range of marketing features, is more limited in its capabilities.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
Basic SEO tools for managing page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt tags | Comprehensive SEO features including customizable meta tags and descriptions, automatic sitemap generation, and Google Analytics integration |
Email Marketing |
Basic email marketing features with integration of branded email and email form subscriptions | Comprehensive email marketing tools including editing capabilities, personalization, A/B testing, and automated campaigns |
Blogging |
Basic blogging features including blog posts and comments | Comprehensive blogging features including an integrated blogging platform, customizable blog settings, and content creation flexibility |
Social Media Integration |
Direct Instagram integration for displaying Instagram feed on the website | Comprehensive social media integration including social media links, share buttons, displaying social media feeds on the site, and advanced tracking with Facebook Pixel |
Analytics and Reporting |
Google Analytics integration for tracking visitor traffic and page views | Built-in analytics for tracking site visitors, geographical distribution, traffic sources, store analytics, blog analytics, and data on contacts, signups, subscriptions, and file downloads |
Ads and Promotions |
Basic promotional features including discounts and discount codes | Comprehensive promotional features including SEO optimization, social media integration, e-commerce functionality, newsletter capabilities, and blogging |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Comparing Format vs Strikingly, Strikingly edges out Format with a slightly higher customer support score. Strikingly offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, and VIP users benefit from phone support, providing a more direct line of communication. Users appreciate the quick and friendly responses, which help in resolving issues efficiently.
Format also provides 24/7 customer support through email and live chat, with a tech support team distributed across different countries to ensure round-the-clock availability. While Format’s support is reliable and accessible, it lacks the additional phone support option available to Strikingly’s VIP users, which can be a crucial factor for some users seeking more immediate assistance.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
🏆
Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly edges out Format with a slightly higher security score. Strikingly’s commitment to security is evident in its implementation of advanced technology infrastructure and security measures, including two-factor authentication and DDoS protection.
Format also prioritizes security, with encrypted data storage and strict access controls. However, it falls slightly short in comparison to Strikingly’s more comprehensive security measures.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
AI Builder |
|
Limited AI-powered features for website creation |
AI Ecommerce features |
|
|
AI content generation |
|
|
Additional AI features |
|
|
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly, with a score of 1.6, has limited AI capabilities, but it does integrate some AI-powered features to aid in website creation, such as a visual editor for direct element editing and layout suggestions, as well as automatic image resizing for optimal display across devices.
Format, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities and scored 0.0 in this category. It is a more traditional website builder that relies on user input for all aspects of website creation and management.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly offers a more comprehensive user management system compared to Format.
- Format allows only one user to manage and edit websites, which can be limiting for teams or businesses that require multiple people to manage different aspects of the website.
- On the other hand, Strikingly allows you to invite up to 10 teammates to edit and manage your site. You can assign different roles to these teammates, such as Admin, Editor, Store Manager, Blogger, and Agent, each with specific levels of access and permissions.
Strikingly User Roles and Access Levels:
Role | Description | Access Highlights |
---|---|---|
Admin | Has access similar to the site owner but with specific limitations. | Can edit content, manage store and events, and view analytics, but cannot add/remove teammates. |
Editor | Can make changes to the site with some restrictions. | Edits site content but lacks access to store management, settings panel, or analytics. |
Store Manager | Primarily focused on e-commerce functionalities of the site. | Manages products, orders, and store settings, with no capabilities to edit non-store content. |
Blogger | Specialized in writing and managing blog posts. | Can write and manage blog posts, with optional publishing rights. |
Agent | Dedicated to managing audience interactions, primarily through live chat. | Has access to audience data, can respond to live chats, and send individual messages, with no site editing access. |
Additional Features
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|
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---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
Format vs Strikingly: User Feedback
Users highly praise Format for its user-friendly website builder, particularly noting the ease of adding images and the effectiveness of customer service. Many reviewers appreciate the variety of modern templates and the platform’s suitability for users without technical expertise, especially photographers. Format’s mobile app and proofing section receive special mentions for their convenience and functionality. However, some users desire more customization options, particularly for mobile views, and mention minor limitations in template flexibility and SEO functionality. Overall, Format is celebrated for its ability to provide a professional online presence easily and efficiently, solving users’ needs for showcasing work and attracting new clients.
Users appreciate features like the ability to import data from LinkedIn, a variety of attractive templates, and responsive customer service. However, there are some reported issues, such as unexpected subscription renewals and limitations in customization options. Despite these drawbacks, Strikingly is valued for its ability to quickly create professional-looking websites, making it suitable for personal projects, startups, and small businesses. While pricing and customer service options may not appeal to everyone, those seeking an uncomplicated website building experience with diverse design choices may find Strikingly to be a suitable solution for their needs.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
Format vs Strikingly: FAQ
Which platform is better for creative professionals, Format or Strikingly?
Can I build an ecommerce website with Format or Strikingly?
How do Format and Strikingly compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform offers better customer support?
Are there any AI capabilities in Format or Strikingly?
Which platform is more suitable for users looking for a variety of plugins and integrations?
How do the platforms perform in website speed optimization?
What are the pricing options for Format and Strikingly?
Which platform is recommended for building informational and business websites?