Final verdict
Carbonmade and Zoho Sites cater to different user needs, each excelling in specific areas.
-
Carbonmade (Overall Grade: 4.4/10)
is tailored for creatives looking to showcase their work with ease. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable layouts, and a focus on portfolio creation without the need for coding skills. However, it lacks ecommerce capabilities and advanced features, making it less suitable for businesses looking to sell products online. When comparing Carbonmade vs Zoho Sites, Carbonmade is ideal for photographers, illustrators, and designers who prioritize simplicity and design over functionality. -
Zoho Sites (Overall Grade: 7.6/10)
provides a more versatile platform with a wide range of customizable templates, robust ecommerce tools, and seamless integration with other Zoho products. It excels in hosting quality, website speed optimization, and customer support, making it a strong choice for businesses and individuals looking to create professional websites with advanced features. Considering Carbonmade vs Zoho Sites, Zoho Sites is better suited for users who need a comprehensive website builder with ecommerce capabilities and extensive customization options.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.3 |
7.4 |
|
Ease of use |
8.3 |
7.0 |
|
Ecommerce |
0 |
7.4 |
|
Website Editors |
7.6 |
7.5 |
|
Product testing options |
7.2 |
8.8 |
|
Price |
7.9 |
8.6 |
|
Hosting quality |
6.1 |
8.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
7.1 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
0 |
7.3 |
|
Marketing features |
1.0 |
7.6 |
|
Customer support |
5.8 |
8.3 |
|
Security |
5.8 |
8.1 |
|
AI capabilities |
0 |
7.5 |
|
User Management |
2.8 |
7.3 |
Best for ecommerce
0
7.4
Verdict
: Carbonmade is not suitable for ecommerce, while Zoho Sites offers a robust set of ecommerce tools, making it the better choice for online stores.
-
Carbonmade
: Carbonmade is designed for creatives to showcase their work and does not offer any ecommerce features. It is ideal for photographers, illustrators, and other professionals who need a simple, visually appealing portfolio. However, when comparing Carbonmade vs Zoho Sites, Carbonmade falls short in the ecommerce department. -
Zoho Sites
: Zoho Sites, integrated with Zoho Commerce, provides a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, including product and inventory management, payment processing, and marketing features. It is suitable for businesses of various sizes looking to establish an online store.
Best for informational & business websites
5.9
7.9
Verdict
: Zoho Sites is the superior choice for informational and business websites, offering a more comprehensive set of features and better performance metrics compared to Carbonmade.
-
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 easy to create and manage online portfolios. However, its focus on simplicity and lack of advanced features make it less suitable for broader business needs. With a score of 5.9, Carbonmade is best for users who prioritize ease of use and portfolio presentation over extensive functionality. -
Zoho Sites
: Zoho Sites excels with a score of 7.9, providing a user-friendly platform with a wide range of customizable templates and advanced features. It supports various website types, including business, blogging, and art, and offers robust tools for website speed optimization, security, and customer support. Zoho Sites is ideal for users who need a versatile and reliable website builder for their informational and business needs. When comparing Carbonmade vs Zoho Sites, Zoho Sites stands out for its comprehensive approach and higher performance in key areas.
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
7.4
🏆
Winner: Zoho Sites.
If you need a platform with a wide range of customizable templates and creative design possibilities, Zoho Sites is the better 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 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.
Zoho Sites is a user-friendly website building platform that enables you to create websites for various purposes, such as blogging, photography, business, or art. It offers a collection of customizable templates to quickly start your website creation. Key features include a visual editor for easy customization without coding, predesigned layouts to beat designer’s block, and responsive templates ensuring your website looks great on any device.
Compared to shopify, Wix stands out with its wide range of highly customizable templates suitable for various website types, not just ecommerce. It offers creative freedom in design, appealing to a diverse user base. While Wix doesn’t have a premium template marketplace like shopify, it has 3-rd party theme shops that allow you to get more sophisticated design choices.
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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
7.0
🏆 Winner: Carbonmade
. With a score of 8.3, Carbonmade excels in ease of use, particularly for creatives looking to showcase their work without needing coding skills. Its drag-and-drop interface and customizable layouts make it highly accessible. Zoho Sites, scoring 7.0, offers a user-friendly experience but may present challenges for users needing advanced features and integrations.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites
. Zoho Sites provides a comprehensive range of learning resources, including guides, video tutorials, and community support, making it easier for users to navigate and utilize the platform effectively. Carbonmade also offers valuable tutorials and a help center, but Zoho Sites’ extensive resources give it a slight advantage.
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
7.4
Carbonmade is primarily designed for creatives to showcase their work online and does not offer any ecommerce features. In contrast, Zoho Sites, when integrated with Zoho Commerce, provides a robust set of ecommerce tools suitable for businesses of various sizes.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
0.0 |
6.5 |
|
Product page customization |
0.0 |
7.0 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
0.0 |
6.8 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.5 |
|
Payment gateways |
0.0 |
7.2 |
|
Product numbers |
0.0 |
6.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
0.0 |
7.3 |
Carbonmade ecommerce features:
Carbonmade does not provide any ecommerce features.
Zoho Sites ecommerce features:
- Product and Inventory management
- Order management
- Payment Processing
- Marketing and Promotions
- SEO and Analytics
- Security
Ecommerce themes & templates
Carbonmade does not offer any ecommerce templates or themes. On the other hand, Zoho Sites provides a range of customizable ecommerce templates designed to cater to various industries and business needs. These templates can be tailored to match the brand and product offerings, enhancing the online shopping experience.
Product page customization
Carbonmade does not support product page customization as it lacks ecommerce capabilities. Zoho Sites, however, offers extensive product page customization options. Users can create visually appealing product displays with image galleries, sliders, and video integration. Additionally, Zoho Sites supports the configuration of product variants like size and color options, along with efficient inventory management directly from the product pages.
Payment processing
Carbonmade does not have payment processing capabilities. Zoho Sites, in conjunction with Zoho Commerce, supports robust payment processing capabilities and integrates with multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. This integration ensures secure online transactions and provides flexibility for businesses to manage both online and in-store sales efficiently.
In summary, while Carbonmade is an excellent platform for creatives to showcase their portfolios, it lacks the necessary features for ecommerce. Zoho Sites, with its integration with Zoho Commerce, offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, making it a more suitable choice for 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
7.5
🏆
Winner: Carbonmade
. Carbonmade, with a score of 7.6, offers a range of features designed for creatives to build personalized, professional online portfolios without requiring coding knowledge. 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.
Zoho Sites, scoring 7.5, is a user-friendly website builder that enables both businesses and individuals to create professional, responsive websites without coding skills, through its drag-and-drop interface. Integrated within the Zoho ecosystem, it offers customizable templates, SEO tools, social media integration, and ecommerce features, along with connectivity to other Zoho applications for enhanced functionality. Designed for users of all sizes, from freelancers to large organizations, Zoho Sites simplifies the process of creating and managing a secure and engaging online presence.
Mobile editor/app
0
5.5
🏆
Winner: Zoho Sites
. When it comes to mobile editing capabilities, both Carbonmade and Zoho Sites fall short of providing a dedicated mobile editor app. Carbonmade does not offer any mobile editing features, which can be a significant drawback for users who need to make quick changes on the go.
Zoho Sites, while also lacking a dedicated mobile editor app, does allow users to customize the visual aspects of their mobile website. This includes adjustments to font size, color, background, and shadow. However, it does not support content changes through the mobile interface.
In summary, Zoho Sites edges out Carbonmade in this category due to its limited visual customization options for mobile websites, even though both platforms have significant limitations in mobile editing.
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
8.8
Overall Result
:
Zoho Sites wins
. Zoho Sites scores 8.8, significantly higher than Carbonmade’s 7.2, offering more comprehensive product testing options. Zoho Sites provides a free version, a 15-day free trial with access to all features of each plan, and a generous money-back guarantee policy. Carbonmade, while offering a trial version with access to all features, lacks a free version and a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No |
Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
Yes |
15 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
All the features within the trial period |
All features of each plan during free trial |
|
Money-back Guarantee |
No |
Yes (30 days for monthly, 45 days for annual subscriptions) |
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
8.6
Zoho Sites offers more comprehensive plans with higher storage and bandwidth, while Carbonmade focuses on affordable options for creatives.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$0-$10 |
BEGINNER ($9/month): 8 Projects, Unlimited images/videos, Basic Blocks, Limited Support, 3 Navigations, SD Video, Audio Uploads Value for Price: 5.0 |
Starter ($8.00/month): Offers basic features suitable for small websites, including 5 pages, 500MB storage, 10GB bandwidth/month, SSL hosting, domain connection, ad-free experience, and more. Ideal for personal blogs or small business websites. Value for Price: 6.5 |
|
$10-$20 |
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 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$20-$30 |
UNLIMITED ($22/month): UNLIMITED projects/pages, Everything else, All features in PRO, Extra Karma Value for Price: 8.5 |
Pro ($23.00/month): Upgrades significantly on the Starter plan, offering 50 pages, 100GB storage, unmetered bandwidth, 50 forms, and advanced features like social share button, audio player, comment box, scheduled blog post, and dynamic content. Best suited for professional sites that require more resources and functionalities. Value for Price: 8.0 |
|
$30+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Agency ($32.00/month): Tailored for agencies managing multiple sites, providing a bundle plan that offers significant savings and flexibility. Includes all Starter features with the option to add Pro features as needed. 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.
6.1
8.0
🏆
Winner: Zoho Sites
Zoho Sites outperforms Carbonmade with a higher hosting quality score, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and 12 global data centers. Carbonmade, while offering unlimited storage, lacks transparency in uptime statistics and data center locations, making Zoho Sites the more reliable choice for hosting.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, with unlimited storage |
Yes, with various plans offering from 500MB to 100GB storage and unmetered bandwidth |
|
Data Centers: |
Carbonmade does not disclose the locations of its data centers |
12 Globally: Canada (Montreal and Toronto), US (Quincy and Dallas), India (Mumbai and Chennai), Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), China (Beijing and Shanghai), Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) |
|
Type of hosting: |
Managed Hosting |
Managed Hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Carbonmade does not disclose uptime statistics |
99.9% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Carbonmade does not disclose uptime guarantee |
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.
5.0
7.1
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites
While both Carbonmade and Zoho Sites offer tools for creating websites, Zoho Sites has a more comprehensive approach to speed optimization, making it the better choice for users prioritizing website performance.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Portfolio creation for creatives |
Versatile website creation |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Regular updates, Optimized code, Cache balancing |
|
Key Strategies |
Not specified |
Regularly testing and implementing updates, Optimized code and libraries, Cache balancing |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization |
Below 2-5 seconds average |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization |
70-80/100 average |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
Implementing various performance optimization techniques |
Zoho Sites stands out with its proactive approach to website speed optimization. The platform regularly tests and implements updates to ensure optimal performance. It uses optimized code and libraries, along with cache balancing, to maintain fast load times. Zoho Sites’ load times average below 2-5 seconds, and its PageSpeed scores range from 70 to 80 out of 100. Additionally, Zoho Sites focuses on improving Core Web Vitals by implementing various performance optimization techniques.
On the other hand, Carbonmade does not provide specific information on its speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Carbonmade vary depending on the level of optimization applied by the user. While Carbonmade is an excellent choice for creatives looking to showcase their work, it may not be the best option for those who prioritize website speed and performance.
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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
7.3
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites.
Zoho Sites scores 7.3, offering a wide range of integrations with Zoho’s suite of applications and third-party services. This allows users to enhance their websites with advanced functionalities like CRM integration, ecommerce, analytics, and live chat. Carbonmade, on the other hand, does not support any plugins or integrations, focusing solely on simplicity for online portfolio creation.
Zoho Sites’ approach to integrating features through its ecosystem provides a versatile and customized website building experience, making it the clear winner 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.
1.0
7.6
🏆
Overall Winner: Zoho Sites
. Zoho Sites excels with a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO, email marketing, and advanced analytics. Carbonmade, while user-friendly for creatives, lacks many essential marketing features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
No |
✓ |
|
Email Marketing |
No |
✓ |
|
Blogging |
No |
✓ |
|
Social Media Integration |
Basic social network links |
Extensive management across platforms |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Custom analytics and insights |
Detailed traffic analytics and Google Analytics support |
|
Ads and Promotions |
No |
Integrated with Zoho Marketing Automation |
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
8.3
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites
. In the comparison of Carbonmade vs Zoho Sites, Zoho Sites takes the lead with a higher customer support score of 8.3. Zoho Sites offers 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone, ensuring that users can get assistance whenever they need it. Additionally, Zoho Sites provides a comprehensive knowledge base and community forum, making it easier for users to find answers to common questions and interact with other users.
On the other hand, Carbonmade offers support primarily through a ticket-based system, where users can submit inquiries via email. While the response times are generally quick, Carbonmade does not offer live customer support, which means users may have to wait for a response. This limitation is reflected in its lower customer support score of 5.8.
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
8.1
🏆
Winner: Zoho Sites
. Zoho Sites excels in security with a comprehensive approach that includes SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular software updates to address vulnerabilities. These measures ensure that both data transmission and storage are secure, providing a robust environment for website management.
Carbonmade, while focusing on the simplicity of portfolio creation, does not emphasize security measures as strongly. It does offer basic data protection through physical, electronic, and managerial safeguards, but lacks the advanced security features found in Zoho Sites.
Security Scores:
- Carbonmade: 5.8
- Zoho Sites: 8.1
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
7.5
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Personalized Design |
|
|
|
SEO Optimization |
|
|
|
Customer Behavior Analysis |
|
|
|
Sales Predictions |
|
Zia provides sales predictions based on customer data |
|
Inventory Management |
|
|
|
Content Generation |
|
Zia assists in creating optimized content for landing pages |
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites
. Zoho Sites, with a score of 7.5, leverages its AI assistant Zia to enhance various aspects of website management and eCommerce. Zia offers sales predictions, workflow automation, and customer service enhancements, making it a valuable tool for users looking to optimize their online presence and business operations.
Carbonmade, with a score of 0, does not offer any AI capabilities. It focuses on providing a straightforward and user-friendly platform for creatives to showcase their work without the need for advanced technological features.
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
7.3
🏆 Winner: Zoho Sites
. When it comes to managing users, Zoho Sites offers more flexibility and scalability compared to Carbonmade.
- Carbonmade allows only one user to manage and edit a website, making it less suitable for collaborative projects.
- Zoho Sites, on the other hand, provides varying levels of user access depending on the chosen plan. The Free Plan allows only the owner to edit, while paid plans like Pro, Business, and Enterprise offer access for up to 10, 25, and 50 users respectively.
Zoho Sites User Management:
| Role | Description | Access Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | Full editing rights and user management | Manage pages, settings, and user accounts. Full control over the website. |
| Contributor | Can edit content and create pages but cannot manage collaborators | Add/edit pages, modify text and images. No access to user management or settings. |
| Author | Limited to editing text content without access to settings or user management | Edit text content only. No access to other site areas or user management. |
User Management Scores:
| Platform | Score |
|---|---|
| Carbonmade | 2.8 |
| Zoho Sites | 7.3 |
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.
Zoho Sites receives mixed reviews, with users praising its user-friendly interface, extensive template library, and seamless integration with other Zoho products, which simplifies website development and management for small businesses. However, some users express dissatisfaction with its limited design flexibility and the inability to create custom features. Overall, Zoho Sites addresses the need for cost-effective website solutions, particularly for those without coding knowledge, offering a one-stop-shop for building and managing websites with varying degrees of customization and integration with other business tools.
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 creating an online portfolio, Carbonmade or Zoho Sites?
Can I use Zoho Sites for ecommerce?
What are the main differences in design flexibility between Carbonmade and Zoho Sites?
How do the platforms compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform offers better customer support?
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