Final verdict
Carrd and Strikingly offer unique strengths, making them suitable for different user needs.
-
Carrd (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)
excels in simplicity and speed, ideal for users looking to create single-page websites quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and emphasis on mobile responsiveness make it a great choice for personal profiles, portfolios, and landing pages. However, its limitations in ecommerce and multi-page website capabilities may not suit users looking for more comprehensive online store features. -
Strikingly (Overall Grade: 6.6/10)
stands out for its versatility and ecommerce integration, making it a better option for users seeking to build professional-looking websites with additional functionalities. With features like blogging tools, SEO optimization, and a more robust ecommerce platform, Strikingly caters to a wider range of website building needs, from personal projects to small businesses.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.5 |
7.2 |
|
Ease of use |
9.0 |
8.1 |
|
Ecommerce |
3.5 |
7.2 |
|
Website Editors |
7.0 |
7.5 |
|
Product testing options |
6.0 |
7.1 |
|
Price |
8.9 |
8.1 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
7.2 |
|
Website speed optimization |
8.2 |
7.9 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
5.1 |
|
Marketing features |
5.8 |
7.2 |
|
Customer support |
6.2 |
7.2 |
|
Security |
7.6 |
7.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
1.6 |
|
User Management |
4.3 |
7.3 |
| Overall |
6.1 |
6.6 |
Best for ecommerce
3.5
7.2
Verdict
: For users seeking to build ecommerce sites, Strikingly offers a more robust set of features compared to Carrd, making it the better choice for online stores.
-
Carrd
: Best suited for simple, one-page websites, Carrd’s ecommerce capabilities are limited and largely dependent on external integrations. It’s a viable option for those needing basic product listings or payment options through platforms like PayPal and Stripe. -
Strikingly
: With comprehensive ecommerce features such as product listings, inventory management, and various payment gateways, Strikingly stands out as the superior choice for creating online stores. Its platform is designed to support a wider range of ecommerce activities, making it ideal for businesses looking to grow online.
Best for informational & business websites
7.9
7.4
Verdict
: Carrd edges out Strikingly for informational business websites, particularly due to its higher score and focus on simplicity and speed, making it ideal for creating single-page, responsive sites efficiently.
-
Carrd
: Carrd shines for informational sites with its emphasis on simplicity, ease of use, and quick setup. Its score of 7.9 reflects its suitability for users who need to create straightforward, effective single-page websites without the need for extensive features or complex functionalities. -
Strikingly
: While Strikingly is a strong contender with a score of 7.4, it is slightly more geared towards users who may require a bit more functionality than Carrd offers. Its platform is user-friendly and versatile, but when it comes to purely informational sites, Carrd’s streamlined approach gives it the upper hand.
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.
7.5
7.2
Winner: Carrd.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers a simple yet powerful platform for building fully responsive, single-page websites, Carrd is the preferred choice.
Carrd is a versatile platform that offers a wide variety of templates and designs, catering to different needs and preferences. Users can choose from a broad selection of themes, ranging from simple and minimalist to complex and dynamic layouts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Compared to Carrd, 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.
9.0
8.1
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Scoring a solid 9.0, Carrd stands out for its simplicity and straightforward approach to website building, making it ideal for beginners and those seeking to create single-page websites quickly. Strikingly, with a score of 8.1, offers a user-friendly platform but might be limiting for users requiring advanced functionalities. If ease of use is a priority, Carrd is the clear winner in this category.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Carrd goes a step further with its wide array of detailed tutorials and documentation, making it easier for users to learn and adapt.
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.
3.5
7.2
When it comes to ecommerce, Strikingly has a clear advantage over Carrd. Strikingly offers a range of ecommerce features, including product listings, inventory management, coupons and discounts, SEO tools, analytics, and social media integration. Carrd, on the other hand, is primarily designed for building one-page websites and does not offer robust ecommerce features out of the box. Users looking to incorporate ecommerce functionalities would need to integrate third-party services or use external links to platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.5 |
6.5 |
|
Product page customization |
3.0 |
6.0 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
5.0 |
6.8 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
5.5 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
2.0 |
5.5 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
6.5 |
Carrd ecommerce features:
- Paypal and Stripe Integration
- External Widgets integrations
- Basic Product Listing options
Strikingly ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Inventory Management
- Coupons and Discounts
- SEO tools
- Analytics
- Social Media Integration
Ecommerce themes & templates
Carrd provides a selection of 14 e-commerce templates aimed at users looking to quickly launch online stores for products ranging from e-books to physical goods. These templates are crafted with a focus on simplicity and conversion optimization. Strikingly, on the other hand, offers a variety of eCommerce website templates tailored to meet various website building needs. These templates are designed by a world-class team of website designers and developers, focusing on modern trends and best practices.
Product page customization
Carrd offers a streamlined approach to ecommerce product page customization, primarily through integrations with third-party platforms such as Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, and Gumroad. Users can create product pages within Carrd by adding product details like name, description, image, and price, and then integrate a checkout button using Carrd’s Widget element for platforms like Stripe. Strikingly, on the other hand, allows users to showcase their products with high-quality images in the “Portfolio” or “Product Catalog” section, emphasizing a premium feel to attract buyers. Adding products is streamlined through the “Simple Store” section, where users can detail product types, names, descriptions, and manage inventory and pricing.
Payment processing
Carrd allows for payment-enabled forms for Pro Plus users or higher, integrating with Stripe Checkout for payment processing. This setup enables creating forms for various transactions like order forms or paid email lists. The process requires setting up the payment through Stripe, either via a preconfigured price or a custom price, and entering Stripe API keys. Strikingly supports secure payment processing through Stripe, Square, and other gateways like PayPal, offering a range of options for ecommerce sites. The transaction fees for using these services 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.
7.0
7.5
🏆
Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly, with a score of 7.5, is renowned for its simplicity and user-friendliness, specifically tailored for individuals and small businesses to create stunning websites with minimal effort. It offers a straightforward, single-page layout design that makes it incredibly easy for users to add and edit content, with no prior coding knowledge required. The editor includes a variety of templates and sections that can be customized through simple drag-and-drop actions, enabling quick and easy website creation.
Carrd’s website builder editor, scoring 7.0, is designed for simplicity and efficiency, catering primarily to users looking to create single-page websites. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows for easy drag-and-drop functionality, enabling users to add, customize, and position elements such as text, images, buttons, and forms with minimal effort. The editor also provides a range of pre-designed templates and responsive design options, ensuring that websites look professional and work seamlessly across various devices.
Mobile editor/app
5.5
2.0
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Neither Carrd nor Strikingly offer a dedicated mobile app for editing websites. However, both platforms allow users to edit their websites via mobile browsers. Carrd’s mobile editing experience is rated higher than Strikingly’s, indicating a more user-friendly and efficient mobile editing process. Strikingly’s mobile editing interface is noted to be inconvenient, which may pose challenges for users who need to make quick changes on the go. Therefore, if mobile editing is a crucial factor for you, Carrd may be the better choice.
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.
6.0
7.1
Overall Result
:
Strikingly Wins
. Strikingly scores 7.1 in product testing options, while Carrd scores 6.0. Strikingly offers a 14-day free trial with access to all features, while Carrd offers a 7-day free trial with access to premium features. However, neither platform offers a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
7 days |
14 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
During free trial |
All features during free trial |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No | 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.
8.9
8.1
Carrd offers a more affordable pricing structure compared to Strikingly, making it a cost-effective choice for individuals and small businesses.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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. |
|
$0-$1 |
Pro Lite ($0.75/month): Basic features suitable for simple, personal websites. Up to 3 1-page websites. Value for price: 6.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$1-$3 |
Pro Standard ($1.58/month): Offers more features and flexibility, ideal for professional profiles and small projects. Up to 10 1-page websites. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$3-$10 |
Pro Plus ($4.08/month): Enhanced features for more complex sites, including additional customization options. Up to 25 1-page websites. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$10-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
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 |
|
$15-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
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 |
|
$50+ |
No offering at this amount. |
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.
5.0
7.2
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. Carrd, on the other hand, offers shared hosting but does not provide specific information on uptime, uptime guarantee, or details about their data centers. This lack of transparency and the limitations of shared hosting give Strikingly the edge in this category.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, shared hosting integrated with its website-building platform |
Yes, cloud-based hosting with varying storage and bandwidth options |
|
Data Centers: |
Not publicly disclosed |
Multiple data centers, detailed information not disclosed |
|
Type of hosting: |
Shared Hosting |
Managed Hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Not provided |
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.
8.2
7.9
🏆 Winner: Carrd
Both Carrd and Strikingly prioritize website performance and page speed, but Carrd’s simplicity and use of Cloudflare CDN gives it a slight edge in website speed optimization.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Mobile Responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN |
CDN, Code Minification, Caching, Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression, Responsive Design |
|
Performance Tools |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Key Strategies |
Mobile Responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN |
CDN, Code Minification, Caching, Optimized Server Response Time, Image Optimization and Compression, Responsive Design |
|
Load Times |
Minimal due to simplicity of websites |
Varies |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
High due to simplicity of websites |
80-90/100 average |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Carrd, a platform for building fully responsive, single-page websites, prioritizes speed and simplicity. Given that websites built with Carrd are fairly simple, load times are expected to be minimal, and page speed scores are expected to be high. Carrd’s strategies for speed optimization include mobile responsive design, caching, and the use of Cloudflare CDN. However, Carrd does not disclose any information related to Core Web Vitals improvements.
On the other hand, Strikingly, a user-friendly website builder, also places a high emphasis on website performance and page speed. Strikingly’s strategies for speed optimization include CDN, code minification, caching, optimized server response time, image optimization and compression, and responsive design. Load times can vary depending on different factors, and page speed scores average between 80-90/100. Like Carrd, Strikingly does not disclose any information about Core Web Vitals improvements.
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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.
5.8
5.1
🏆 Winner: Carrd.
Carrd scores 5.8, slightly ahead of Strikingly’s 5.1. Carrd offers a range of plugins and extensions, including both free and paid options, that enable functionalities beyond its base features. Strikingly also offers a wide range of plugins and extensions to enhance the functionality of your website. However, Carrd’s slightly higher score and its more diverse range of plugins give it the edge in this category.
Marketing Features
Marketing featuresAssesses tools and options available for marketing.Score Components:
- SEO tools (40%): Effectiveness of SEO features.
- Marketing automation (30%): Availability and quality of marketing tools.
- Social Media integration (20%): Ease and depth of social media connectivity.
- Email marketing (10%): Quality and usability of email marketing tools.
5.8
7.2
🏆
Overall Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly stands out for its more comprehensive marketing tools, especially in email marketing, blogging, and analytics. Carrd, while offering a simple and straightforward platform, relies heavily on third-party integrations for its marketing features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
Through third-party integrations |
|
|
Blogging |
Through third-party integrations |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Integration with Google Analytics |
Basic site performance tracking |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Through third-party integrations |
Essential tools like discount codes and coupons |
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.
6.2
7.2
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly takes the lead in this category with a customer support score of 7.2, compared to Carrd’s score of 6.2. Strikingly offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, ensuring assistance is available at any time for technical issues and questions. For VIP users, there is also phone support, enhancing the support experience with more direct communication.
On the other hand, Carrd provides 24/7 support via email which typically replies within 24 hours. However, it lacks the live chat and phone support that Strikingly offers. Neither platform provides enterprise support as they don’t have enterprise plans.
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.
7.6
7.5
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Carrd’s security measures are slightly superior, with a security score of 7.6 compared to Strikingly’s 7.5. Carrd ensures website security by automatically enabling SSL for all sites, including custom domains and subdomains. This commitment to data security and encryption safeguards websites against unauthorized access and hacking.
Strikingly also emphasizes the importance of website security through various measures, including two-factor authentication and DDoS protection. However, it falls slightly short in comparison to Carrd’s 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.
0.0
1.6
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
|
Limited AI features for website creation |
|
AI Ecommerce features |
|
|
|
AI content generation |
|
|
|
Additional AI features |
|
|
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Although both Carrd and Strikingly have limited AI capabilities, Strikingly has a slight edge with its integrated AI-powered features that aid in website creation. Carrd, on the other hand, does not have any AI 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.
4.3
7.3
🏆 Winner: Strikingly
. Strikingly offers a more comprehensive user management system compared to Carrd.
- Carrd is primarily designed for individual use or small teams, with each account managing its own sites. The platform introduced a Team feature to allow multiple users to collaborate, but traditionally, Carrd sites are managed by a single account holder with full control. The specifics of access levels and permissions for collaborators, if available, are less detailed but generally include editing capabilities.
- On a Strikingly website, you can 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
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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 overwhelmingly praise Carrd for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer support, and attractive templates, making website creation effortless and enjoyable. The drag-and-drop builder, affordability, and mobile-friendly designs are highlighted as significant benefits. However, some users express limitations, such as the inability to create multi-page websites or a desire for more design options. Overall, Carrd is praised for its affordability, ease of use, and suitability for creating quick, simple webpages.
On the other hand, users appreciate features like the ability to import data from LinkedIn, a variety of attractive templates, and responsive customer service in Strikingly. 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.
FAQ
Which is better for single-page websites, Carrd or Strikingly?
Can I use Carrd or Strikingly for ecommerce?
Which platform offers better customer support, Carrd or Strikingly?
How do Carrd and Strikingly compare in terms of pricing?
Which platform is easier to use for beginners?
Can I create a multi-page website with Carrd or Strikingly?
Which platform offers better templates and design options?
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