Final verdict
IONOS and Sellfy both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs.
-
IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)
is a versatile website builder and hosting platform that excels in providing a wide range of customizable templates and design functionalities. It is ideal for users looking to create professional websites with ease, offering robust ecommerce features, comprehensive marketing tools, and strong security measures. IONOS is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized businesses that need a reliable and flexible website builder with extensive hosting options. -
Sellfy (Overall Grade: 6.0/10)
is an all-in-one ecommerce platform tailored for creators selling digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand products. It stands out for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it easy for creators to set up and manage their online stores. Sellfy offers essential ecommerce features and integrations, focusing on streamlining the selling process for creators. It is best suited for individuals and small businesses looking for a straightforward and efficient way to sell products online.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.2 |
5.2 |
Ease of use |
7.8 |
7.8 |
Ecommerce |
7.1 |
6.8 |
Website Editors |
7.8 |
6.8 |
Product testing options |
6.5 |
7.3 |
Price |
7.8 |
7.9 |
Hosting quality |
8.8 |
7.3 |
Website speed optimization |
7.2 |
5.4 |
Plugins and integrations |
6.5 |
6.7 |
Marketing features |
7.5 |
7.1 |
Customer support |
7.3 |
5.8 |
Security |
7.5 |
7.2 |
AI capabilities |
7.2 |
0 |
User Management |
3.1 |
2.0 |
Best for ecommerce
Verdict
: IONOS and Sellfy both offer solid ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. IONOS is more suitable for businesses looking for a comprehensive website builder with ecommerce features, while Sellfy is ideal for creators selling a variety of products, including digital and print-on-demand items.
-
IONOS
: With a score of 7.1, IONOS is a robust choice for businesses that want to manage an online store directly from their website. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, extensive product page customization, and supports various third-party payment processors. However, it may not be as specialized for creators as Sellfy. -
Sellfy
: Scoring 6.8, Sellfy is tailored for creators looking to sell digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand products. It offers a simple, user-friendly interface and focuses on simplifying the ecommerce process. While it may lack some advanced features compared to IONOS, it excels in providing tools for product protection and piracy prevention.
Best for informational & business websites
Verdict
: IONOS is the superior choice for informational business websites, offering a more comprehensive set of features and better customization options compared to Sellfy.
-
IONOS
: IONOS excels in providing a wide range of customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users to create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. Its robust hosting services and focus on SEO optimization ensure that websites are not only visually appealing but also perform well in search engine rankings. With a score of 7.4, IONOS is well-suited for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. -
Sellfy
: While Sellfy is primarily an eCommerce platform tailored for creators, it can also be used for informational websites. However, its design customization options are limited compared to IONOS, and it lacks some advanced features that are beneficial for informational sites. With a score of 5.7, Sellfy is more suitable for users who prioritize selling products over creating content-rich informational websites. When comparing IONOS vs Sellfy, IONOS stands out as the better option for informational business websites.
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: IONOS.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers a wide range of customizable templates and design, IONOS is the preferred choice.
IONOS offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder. With over 200 templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are categorized into different industries and styles, making it easy for users to find the perfect design for their website. Additionally, IONOS regularly updates their template library, ensuring that users have access to the latest design trends. Whether you’re creating a personal blog or an ecommerce website, IONOS has a template for every type of website.
Compared to IONOS, Sellfy provides a collection of design templates through its theme store, located in the Store Customizer. Users have the option to preview these themes before applying them to their websites. As of the latest information, Sellfy offers five main theme options: Lumi\u00e9re, Noir, Savant, Id\u00e9e, and Mode. These themes cater to various aesthetic preferences and can be published to go live on a user’s website after selection and customization.
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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: Tie
. Both IONOS and Sellfy score a 7.8 in ease of use. IONOS is known for its straightforward and intuitive interface, suitable for users ranging from beginners to small and medium-sized businesses. Sellfy, on the other hand, offers an intuitive user interface and a straightforward website builder, making it accessible for creators and small business owners without advanced technical skills.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. While both platforms offer learning resources, IONOS caters to users of all levels, offering guidance on setting up websites, utilizing custom layouts, starting blogs, and incorporating web apps. Sellfy’s resources are more focused on selling a variety of products.
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.
IONOS and Sellfy both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. IONOS is a comprehensive website builder that includes ecommerce features, making it suitable for businesses that want to manage an online store directly from their website. On the other hand, Sellfy is an all-in-one ecommerce platform designed for creators selling a wide array of products, including digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand items.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.5 |
7.0 |
Product page customization |
6.8 |
6.5 |
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
8.0 |
POS capabilities |
5.5 |
4.0 |
Payment gateways |
7.2 |
6.0 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
7.5 |
Additional ecommerce features |
6.3 |
6.5 |
IONOS ecommerce features:
- Store Management
- Marketing Tools
- Payment and Shipping options
- Products and Inventory management
Sellfy ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Payment Gateways integration
- Product categories
Ecommerce themes & templates
IONOS offers a variety of ecommerce themes and templates designed to help businesses set up their online stores efficiently and effectively. Their online store builder is tailored to support a range of ecommerce needs, from selling on social media platforms to managing a scalable ecommerce website without any coding or design skills required. In contrast, all the templates of Sellfy are designed for online stores, making it a suitable choice for creators and merchants looking to sell online.
Product page customization
IONOS provides users with the ability to extensively customize product pages, including the flexibility to adjust the design and layout, ensuring that product images, descriptions, and specifications are displayed according to individual preferences. Additionally, IONOS allows for the setup and management of product options and variations, such as size and color, enabling customers to select their preferred version of a product. Sellfy, on the other hand, supports a diverse range of products including digital goods like music, videos, ebooks, and software, as well as physical products and print-on-demand merchandise such as t-shirts and mugs. The platform enables the sale of subscriptions, offering a means for recurring revenue. Sellfy provides tools for product protection and piracy prevention, ensuring secure file hosting and delivery.
Payment processing
When it comes to payment processing, IONOS supports a wide variety of third-party payment processors for its website builder, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without charging direct fees for payment processing. Users can choose from an extensive list of payment options to suit their business needs and customer preferences, enhancing the flexibility and security of online transactions. Sellfy supports two primary payment gateways, Stripe and PayPal, allowing for various payment options including credit/debit cards and localized payment methods in Europe. The platform does not charge transaction fees beyond its subscription cost, though payment processors’ standard fees apply. While Sellfy is robust in facilitating online sales with features for product management and marketing, it does not explicitly mention support for Point of Sale (POS) capabilities, indicating a focus on eCommerce rather than physical retail transactions.
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: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, provides an intuitive website builder equipped with AI assistance, designed for users to quickly create professional-looking websites without needing coding skills. This platform offers customizable templates, AI-generated content, and is optimized for mobile use, ensuring a responsive design across all devices. With features that cater to both basic and advanced website needs, including eCommerce capabilities, IONOS aims to simplify the web creation process.
Sellfy’s website builder, scoring 6.8, offers a straightforward and user-friendly platform for creating online stores, focusing on simplicity over advanced customization. It supports the sale of digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand products, alongside integrated marketing tools for promotion and sales optimization. Payment processing is secure and direct, utilizing popular gateways like Stripe and PayPal with no transaction fees. Despite some limitations in design customization and app integrations, Sellfy aims to provide a comprehensive e-commerce solution for entrepreneurs and creators.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: Sellfy
. Both IONOS and Sellfy offer mobile capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. IONOS does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, but users have access to limited editing abilities on a mobile browser. This might be a bit restrictive for users who prefer to manage their websites on the go.
Sellfy, on the other hand, offers a mobile app that enables store owners to manage their online stores on the go. It provides functionalities such as viewing store performance metrics, managing and tracking orders, and receiving customized notifications. Users can also access summary reports of their store’s performance on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. However, it’s not possible to change the layout or the design of the website itself.
In summary, Sellfy receives a higher rating due to its comprehensive mobile management capabilities, while IONOS is limited in its mobile editing abilities.
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
:
Sellfy Wins
. Sellfy scores 7.3, slightly higher than IONOS’s 6.5, in product testing options. Both platforms do not offer a free version, but Sellfy provides a 14-day free trial where users can test premium features. IONOS, on the other hand, does not offer a trial version but allows users to test premium features during a 30-day refundable period.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | No |
Trial Duration |
No (30-day money back guarantee) |
14 days |
Testing Premium Features |
During the 30-day refundable period |
During the free trial |
Money Back Guarantee |
30 days | 30 days |
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.
IONOS and Sellfy have similar price scores, indicating that they offer comparable value for money. Neither IONOS nor Sellfy offer enterprise plans.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$10-$15 |
Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. Value for price: 5.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
$15-$20 |
Plus ($18/month): Enhanced with 50GB space, 200 pages, custom HTML, SiteAnalytics, online booking, AI Text Generator & AI Text Improver, AI SEO Text Generator Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$20-$40 |
Pro ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for price: 9.0 |
Starter ($29/month): Ideal for growing businesses with sales up to $10k/year. Offers unlimited products, digital and subscription products, domain connection, and 2,000 email credits. Annual savings available. Value for price: 7.5 |
$70-$80 |
No offering at this amount. |
Business ($79/month): Targets businesses with up to $50k in yearly sales, offering everything in the Starter plan plus 10,000 email credits, product and store design migration, product upselling, cart abandonment tools, and Sellfy branding removal. Value for price: 8.0 |
$100+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Premium ($159/month): For businesses with up to $200k/year in sales. Includes everything in the Business plan plus 50,000 email credits, product migration, and priority support. Annual savings are also offered. Value for Price: 8.5 |
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: IONOS
IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with features like daily backups, and unlimited traffic. It also has a 99.99% uptime guarantee and 7 data centers in the EU and USA. On the other hand, Sellfy does not disclose the type of hosting it provides or the locations of its data centers, and it does not offer an uptime guarantee, which makes IONOS the clear winner in this category.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting. |
Yes, Sellfy offers hosting but does not disclose the type. |
Data Centers: |
Total of 7 data centers in EU(Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA(Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS) |
Sellfy does not disclose the locations of its data centers |
Type of hosting: |
Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting |
Sellfy does not disclose the hosting type |
Uptime: |
99.99% |
99.99% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.99% |
No |
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: IONOS
Both IONOS and Sellfy have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but IONOS takes the lead with a more comprehensive approach and a focus on Core Web Vital improvements.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization |
Code Minification |
Performance Tools |
Image and Multimedia Optimization |
Caching, Image Optimization |
Key Strategies |
Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN |
Code Minification, Caching, Image Optimization |
Load Times |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and user’s location |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and user’s location |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
No information provided |
IONOS uses a comprehensive approach to website speed optimization, focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, and CDN. This approach ensures that websites built with IONOS are optimized for speed, regardless of the user’s location. IONOS also places a strong emphasis on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically LCP, FID, and CLS.
On the other hand, Sellfy’s approach to website speed optimization is more limited, focusing on code minification, caching, and image optimization. However, Sellfy does not provide any information on their Core Web Vital improvements, which could be a potential area of improvement for the platform. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Sellfy websites vary depending on the level of optimization and the complexity of the website.
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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: Sellfy.
With a score of 6.7, Sellfy edges out IONOS (6.5) in the plugins and integrations category. Sellfy offers a range of integrations that enhance ecommerce functionality and automate workflows, including Google Analytics, Facebook Live Chat, and Zapier. IONOS also offers a variety of plugins, but Sellfy’s focus on ecommerce and automation gives it the advantage in this category.
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: IONOS
. IONOS stands out for its comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO optimization, social media integration, email marketing solutions, ecommerce capabilities, local listings, and Google Ads management. Sellfy, while strong in SEO and email marketing, lacks blogging capabilities.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Direct sales on Facebook and Instagram |
Basic social media profile integrations |
Analytics and Reporting |
Detailed insights through built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics |
Basic analytics for sales, traffic, and product performance |
Ads and Promotions |
Google Ads, and promotional tools like coupons and special offers |
Discount codes, upselling and cross-selling options |
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: IONOS
. In the comparison of IONOS vs Sellfy, IONOS takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.3. IONOS offers 24/7 support through multiple contact numbers, ensuring users can get assistance at any time. This round-the-clock availability is a significant advantage for users who may need help outside of regular business hours.
Sellfy, on the other hand, provides 24/7 support but lacks phone and live chat options, which limits the immediacy of the assistance users can receive. With a customer support score of 5.8, Sellfy’s support is primarily through email and possibly a knowledge base, which may not be as responsive as IONOS’s multi-channel support system.
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: IONOS
. IONOS and Sellfy both prioritize security, but IONOS edges out with a slightly higher security score. IONOS provides robust data storage and protection measures across its services, including HiDrive Cloud Storage and secure email solutions. It supports two-factor authentication for added security and offers end-to-end encryption as an option, ensuring that data is encrypted during transfer and stored securely.
Sellfy, on the other hand, employs several security measures to safeguard sellers and their digital products from unauthorized access, fraud, and piracy. These measures include the use of secure payment processors like Stripe and PayPal, unique download links for each purchase, limited download attempts, and additional tools like PDF stamping to deter content sharing. However, it recognizes the inherent challenges of completely eliminating piracy in the digital space and takes a pragmatic approach by providing tools that both protect creators’ content and assist in handling disputes effectively.
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.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Personalized Design |
IONOS AI offers tailored design suggestions based on user inputs |
|
SEO Optimization |
AI-driven recommendations for better search engine visibility |
|
Content Generation |
AI assistance in creating and optimizing site content |
|
Additional AI Features |
AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator |
|
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.2, utilizes AI to enhance the website creation process. Its AI features focus on personalized design recommendations, automatic content generation, and SEO optimization. Additionally, it offers unique features like the AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator, which aid in creating a visually cohesive website.
Sellfy, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This lack of AI features may limit the level of customization and optimization that users can achieve with Sellfy.
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: IONOS
. Both IONOS and Sellfy have limited user management capabilities, but IONOS comes out ahead.
- IONOS permits multiple users for website editing. However, there is no mention of user roles and permissions, nor is there information about limitations on the number of users allowed to edit a website.
- Sellfy does not support adding multiple users or staff to a single account.
Neither platform provides information about user roles and access levels.
Additional Features
|
|
|
---|---|---|
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 |
|
|
User Feedback
As IONOS is primarily a hosting provider with a website builder as an additional product, most reviews focus on its hosting services. Users have mixed experiences with IONOS 1&1 Websites & Shops. While praised for its comprehensive packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals, some users encounter issues with backend functionality and find customer service representatives too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.
The user feedback on Sellfy highlights its strengths in providing an efficient, compact online store setup that caters to specific needs with affordable pricing, including a 14-day trial period to familiarize users with the product. Many appreciate its user-friendly interface, internal marketing tools, and customization options, which enable sellers to tailor their storefronts to their brand, along with integrations for payment processing like PayPal and Stripe. However, criticisms include issues with mobile site speed, a desire for clearer insights, limitations on customization, and some customer service inefficiencies.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for ecommerce, IONOS or Sellfy?
Can I use IONOS or Sellfy to build a non-ecommerce website?
How do IONOS and Sellfy compare in terms of ease of use?
What are the main differences in hosting quality between IONOS and Sellfy?
Which platform offers better website speed optimization?
Can I manage multiple users with either IONOS or Sellfy?
Which platform has better customer support?
How do the AI capabilities of IONOS and Sellfy compare?
What are the pricing options for IONOS and Sellfy?
Which platform is recommended for digital creators?