Final verdict
Carbonmade and Network Solutions cater to different user needs, with each platform excelling in specific areas.
-
Carbonmade (Overall Grade: 4.4/10)
is tailored for creatives looking to showcase their work online. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable layouts, and a range of features designed for portfolio creation. However, it lacks ecommerce capabilities and advanced security features, making it less suitable for businesses looking to sell products online. When comparing Carbonmade vs Network Solutions, Carbonmade is ideal for photographers, illustrators, and other creatives who prioritize ease of use and design flexibility. -
Network Solutions (Overall Grade: 5.4/10)
provides a comprehensive solution for small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence. It offers a variety of templates, ecommerce capabilities, and robust customer support. While it may feel outdated compared to more modern platforms, it excels in providing a wide range of services, including domain registration and email services. Considering Carbonmade vs Network Solutions, Network Solutions is better suited for users who need a versatile platform with ecommerce and marketing tools.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.3 |
7.2 |
|
Ease of use |
8.3 |
6.8 |
|
Ecommerce |
0 |
6.3 |
|
Website Editors |
7.6 |
6.3 |
|
Product testing options |
7.2 |
0.5 |
|
Price |
7.9 |
6.4 |
|
Hosting quality |
6.1 |
7.8 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
6.7 |
|
Plugins/extensions and integrations |
0 |
4.8 |
|
Marketing features |
1.0 |
7.2 |
|
Customer support |
5.8 |
6.6 |
|
Website security |
5.8 |
7.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
0 |
1.1 |
|
User Management |
2.8 |
3.2 |
Best for ecommerce
0
6.3
Verdict
: Network Solutions is the clear choice for ecommerce, offering a range of features suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Carbonmade, while excellent for portfolio creation, lacks any ecommerce capabilities.
-
Carbonmade
: This platform is designed specifically for creatives to showcase their work online. It offers customizable layouts and pre-designed templates, making it easy for users to create and manage online portfolios. However, Carbonmade does not provide any ecommerce features, making it unsuitable for online selling. When comparing Carbonmade vs Network Solutions, Carbonmade falls short in the ecommerce department. -
Network Solutions
: This platform provides a variety of ecommerce features, including customizable templates, secure payment processing, and inventory management tools. It is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish an online store. Network Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to the needs of ecommerce businesses, making it a more robust option compared to Carbonmade.
Best for informational & business websites
5.9
7.4
Verdict
: Network Solutions is the better choice for informational and business websites due to its comprehensive features and higher score of 7.4, compared to Carbonmade’s 5.9.
-
Carbonmade
: Carbonmade is tailored for creatives who want to showcase their work online without needing coding skills. It offers customizable layouts and pre-designed templates, making it ideal for photographers, illustrators, and designers. However, its focus on portfolio creation means it lacks some of the advanced features and flexibility needed for broader business applications. For those in creative fields, Carbonmade provides an easy and visually appealing way to present their work. -
Network Solutions
: Network Solutions is a versatile platform that caters to small businesses and individuals looking to establish a professional online presence. It offers a variety of templates, domain registration, email services, and e-commerce capabilities. With a higher score of 7.4, it provides a more comprehensive solution for business websites, including robust customer support and a wide range of tools for website creation and management. When comparing Carbonmade vs Network Solutions, Network Solutions stands out for its broader functionality and support for business needs.
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.
7.3
7.2
🏆
Winner: Carbonmade.
If you’re a creative professional looking for a platform that offers high customization flexibility without traditional templates, Carbonmade is the preferred choice.
Carbonmade is designed specifically for creatives who want to showcase their work online without the need for coding skills. It offers fully customizable layouts that are perfect for a wide range of professionals such as photographers, illustrators, motion designers, graphic designers, and copywriters. Carbonmade provides an easy and fast way to create and manage online portfolios, featuring pre-designed templates along with various features and tools. It emphasizes simplicity in the portfolio creation process, making it accessible to users regardless of their technical background.
Network Solutions, on the other hand, offers a variety of templates and tools that allow users to create professional-looking websites without needing to have any coding knowledge. The platform provides features such as domain registration, email services, and e-commerce capabilities, making it a comprehensive solution for users aiming to build and manage their websites efficiently. Network Solutions is known for its customer support and a wide range of services that accommodate the needs of its users, from website creation to online marketing strategies.
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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.
8.3
6.8
🏆 Winner: Carbonmade
. Scoring an impressive 8.3, Carbonmade is designed with creatives in mind, offering a straightforward drag-and-drop interface and customizable layouts that make portfolio creation a breeze. Network Solutions, with a score of 6.8, provides a reliable platform for small businesses but may feel outdated and limited in customization options compared to more modern competitors. For those prioritizing ease of use, Carbonmade is the superior choice.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Carbonmade
. Both platforms offer valuable learning resources, but Carbonmade’s comprehensive video tutorials and help center articles are particularly tailored to guide creatives through the portfolio-building process, making it easier for users to get started and customize their sites.
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.
0
6.3
When it comes to ecommerce capabilities, Carbonmade falls short as it does not offer any ecommerce features. This platform is primarily designed for creatives to showcase their portfolios and does not cater to online selling needs.
Network Solutions, on the other hand, provides a range of ecommerce features suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. It includes customizable templates, an easy-to-use shopping cart, secure payment processing, and inventory management tools. However, it may not be the best choice for larger businesses or those experiencing rapid growth due to its scalability limitations.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
0.0 |
6.5 |
|
Product page customization |
0.0 |
6.8 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
0.0 |
6.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
0.0 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
0.0 |
6.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
0.0 |
5.5 |
Network Solutions ecommerce features:
- Marketing Tools
- Personalized Email
- Product Listings
Ecommerce themes & templates
Network Solutions offers a variety of ecommerce templates designed to cater to businesses of different sizes and industries. Their templates are crafted to be responsive, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The platform provides a range of customizable templates, allowing users to tailor their online stores to their brand’s aesthetics and requirements.
Product page customization
Network Solutions offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to enhance the online shopping experience. Users can personalize product descriptions, images, and videos to showcase their items effectively. Additionally, the platform allows for the customization of product options such as size, color, and material, enabling a more interactive and tailored shopping experience for customers. Network Solutions also supports the integration of customer reviews and ratings, further enriching product pages and aiding in the decision-making process for potential buyers.
Payment processing
Network Solutions’ website builder is designed for online stores, small businesses, and personal websites, offering essential e-commerce features including a built-in shopping cart and support for a wide range of payment options such as PayPal, PayFlow, USA ePay, CyberSource, PlugNPay, making it convenient for businesses to process transactions. Network Solutions does not mention that they charge commissions on transactions, commissions are charged by the gateways themselves.
In summary, while Carbonmade is an excellent choice for creatives looking to showcase their portfolios, it lacks the necessary ecommerce features. Network Solutions, with its comprehensive ecommerce tools, is a more suitable option for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish an online store.
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.
7.6
6.3
🏆
Winner: Carbonmade
. Carbonmade, with a score of 7.6, is designed specifically for creatives who want to showcase their work online without the need for coding skills. Its editor provides responsive design across devices, 4K video support, unlimited image and video uploads, and premade blocks for customization. The platform also includes unique features such as private portfolios, a before/after block, gallery slideshows, and a talent pool to connect with other creatives and potential clients.
Network Solutions, scoring 6.3, offers a comprehensive suite of tools for website creation and management, catering to businesses and individuals alike. It provides an intuitive website editor that allows users to design, edit, and publish their websites without needing advanced technical skills. With a wide array of templates and customization options, users can create professional-looking websites that are responsive and optimized for search engines. However, some users may find the interface a bit outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern website builders.
Mobile editor/app
0
0
Winner: None
. Both Carbonmade and Network Solutions do not offer dedicated mobile editor apps. This means that users of these platforms will need to rely on desktop versions for editing and managing their websites. While both platforms provide robust features for website creation and management, the lack of mobile editing capabilities may be a limitation for users who prefer or require on-the-go website management.
In summary, neither Carbonmade nor Network Solutions provide a mobile editor app, resulting in no clear winner in this category.
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.
7.2
0.5
Overall Result
:
Carbonmade wins
. Carbonmade scores 7.2, significantly higher than Network Solutions’ 0.5, due to its trial version and the ability to test all features within the trial period. Network Solutions does not offer a free trial and only allows access to its features after purchasing a plan, despite having a 30-day money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | No |
|
Trial Duration |
Yes | No |
|
Testing Premium Features |
All features within trial | Only after purchasing a plan |
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.
7.9
6.4
Carbonmade offers more affordable and flexible plans for creatives, while Network Solutions provides a comprehensive range of services at a slightly higher cost.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$0-$5 |
No offering at this amount. |
Website ($4.95/month): Easy-to-use website builder, Domain & Domain Privacy: 1 Year Free, Professional Email: 3 Months Free, SSL Certificate: 1 Month Free, 1-hour expert design support. Value for Price: 6.5 |
|
$5-$10 |
BEGINNER ($9/month): 8 Projects, Unlimited images/videos, Basic Blocks, Limited Support, 3 Navigations, SD Video, Audio Uploads. Value for Price: 5.0 |
Online Store ($9.95/month): Includes all features from the Website + Marketing plan, Sell products and services, Sell on Facebook & Instagram. Value for Price: 8.0 |
|
$10-$15 |
PRO ($12/month): 50 Projects, More Portfolio Grids, Premium Blocks, Unbranded, Portfolio statistics, Custom Pages, Private Portfolio, Unlimited images/videos, 5 Navigations, HD Video & Audio, Priority Support. Value for Price: 7.0 |
Website + Marketing ($7.95/month): Includes all features from the Website plan, Sell services, Appointment scheduling, Social and email marketing, AI copywriting tool (NEW). Value for Price: 7.5 |
|
$15+ |
UNLIMITED ($22/month): UNLIMITED projects/pages, Everything else, All features in PRO, Extra Karma. Value for Price: 8.5 |
Online Marketplaces ($19.95/month): Includes all features from the Online Store plan, Sell on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, & more. 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.
6.1
7.8
🏆
Winner: Network Solutions
Network Solutions outperforms Carbonmade with a variety of hosting options, a 99.99% uptime guarantee, and scalable cloud-based environments. Carbonmade, while offering unlimited storage, lacks transparency in uptime and data center locations, making it less reliable for hosting needs.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, with unlimited storage |
Yes, various hosting options including shared, VPS, and WordPress hosting |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Type of hosting: |
Managed Hosting |
Shared Hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress Hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
99.99% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
Yes, 99.99% |
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.
5.0
6.7
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
Both Carbonmade and Network Solutions offer tools for website creation, but Network Solutions has a more comprehensive approach to speed optimization, giving it an edge in this category.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Portfolio creation |
Small business websites |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Key Strategies |
Not specified |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization, SEO |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies widely, depending on optimization |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies widely, depending on optimization |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Network Solutions offers a more robust set of tools for speed optimization, including CDN, web caching, image optimization, and SEO strategies. These features help ensure that websites load quickly and perform well, regardless of their complexity. Network Solutions also focuses on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which are critical for user experience.
On the other hand, Carbonmade does not provide specific information on its speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. While it offers customizable layouts and templates for creatives, it lacks the comprehensive speed optimization features that Network Solutions provides. This makes Network Solutions a better choice for users who prioritize website performance and speed.
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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.
0
4.8
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions.
Network Solutions scores 4.8, offering a variety of plugins and extensions that enhance website functionality, including SEO tools, social media integration, and e-commerce capabilities. This makes it a more versatile option for users needing additional features. Carbonmade, with a score of 0, does not support any plugins or integrations, focusing instead on simplicity and ease of use for portfolio creation.
Network Solutions’ ability to integrate with popular payment processors and other tools directly through the website editor provides users with a more comprehensive set of options to customize their websites according to their needs.
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.
1.0
7.2
🏆
Overall Winner: Network Solutions
. Network Solutions excels with a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO, email marketing, and ads management. Carbonmade, while excellent for portfolio creation, lacks many essential marketing features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
No |
✓ |
|
Email Marketing |
No |
✓ |
|
Blogging |
No |
✓ |
|
Social Media Integration |
Basic integration through social network links |
Advanced integration with major platforms |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Custom analytics and insights |
Comprehensive analytics with Google Analytics |
|
Ads and Promotions |
No |
PPC advertising management and social media marketing |
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.
5.8
6.6
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
. In the comparison of Carbonmade vs Network Solutions, Network Solutions takes the lead with its 24/7 live chat support, ensuring users can get immediate assistance whenever needed. This round-the-clock availability is a significant advantage for users who may encounter issues at any time of the day.
Carbonmade, on the other hand, offers support primarily through a ticket-based system. While the response times are generally quick, users do not have access to live support, which can be a drawback for those needing immediate help. Despite this, Carbonmade’s email support is efficient, with most inquiries being resolved within a few hours.
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.
5.8
7.5
🏆
Winner: Network Solutions
. Network Solutions scores higher in security (7.5) compared to Carbonmade (5.8). Network Solutions offers comprehensive security measures, including SSL certificates, malware scanning and removal, and DDoS protection. Their focus on encryption, secure data centers, and regular security audits ensures robust protection for users’ websites and data.
Carbonmade, while prioritizing the security of personal information through various safeguards, does not emphasize website security measures as strongly as Network Solutions. Their primary focus is on simplifying the creation of portfolio websites, which may not provide the same level of security features needed for more complex or data-sensitive sites.
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.
0
1.1
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
Not available |
Not available |
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
Not available |
Not available |
|
AI Content Generation |
Not available |
AI copywriting tool on higher plans |
|
Additional AI Features |
Not available |
Not available |
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
. With a score of 1.1, Network Solutions slightly edges out Carbonmade in terms of AI capabilities due to its AI copywriting tool available on higher plans. However, both platforms lack comprehensive AI features, making them less suitable for users seeking advanced AI-driven functionalities.
Carbonmade, with a score of 0, does not offer any AI capabilities. It focuses on providing a straightforward and user-friendly experience for creatives to build and manage their online portfolios without the need for AI tools.
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.
2.8
3.2
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
. When it comes to managing users, both Carbonmade and Network Solutions have significant limitations, but Network Solutions edges out slightly.
- Carbonmade allows only one user to manage and edit a website, making it less suitable for collaborative projects.
- Network Solutions offers very limited multi-user functionality and access levels compared to other platforms, but it still provides more flexibility than Carbonmade.
User Management Scores:
-
Carbonmade:
2.8 -
Network Solutions:
3.2
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
Users appreciate Carbonmade for its ease of use, modern design templates, and no-code platform, which simplifies creating professional portfolios. However, some express a desire for a freemium plan and note limitations in customization and mobile site loading times. The platform is highly recommended for creatives, particularly illustrators and graphic designers, for its variety of design options and efficient customer service. Despite concerns over pricing, the overall sentiment is positive, with users finding value in Carbonmade’s ability to showcase their work effectively and streamline portfolio management.
User reviews of Network Solutions are mixed, with some praising its prompt customer support and variety of domain management options. However, there are widespread complaints about the platform’s outdated business practices, high costs, and poor customer service. Users often find the website’s layout confusing and report instances of misleading promises regarding refunds. Overall, while Network Solutions has some positive attributes, its drawbacks suggest that users may want to consider alternatives when comparing Carbonmade vs Network Solutions.
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 creatives looking to showcase their portfolios?
Can I use Network Solutions for ecommerce?
How do the website editors of Carbonmade and Network Solutions compare?
What are the pricing options available for each platform?
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