Final verdict
Format and Web.com end in a tie with identical final verdict scores of 5.8, each serving distinct user bases with their unique strengths.
-
Format
is tailored for creative professionals, offering nearly 100 customizable templates designed to showcase portfolios in a visually appealing manner. It shines with its user-friendly interface, scoring 8.3 in ease of use, and excels in design functionalities and website editors, making it ideal for photographers, artists, and designers. However, it falls short in ecommerce capabilities, product testing options, and lacks AI features, which may limit its appeal to users looking for advanced online store functionalities or cutting-edge technology. -
Web.com
caters to a broader audience, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for website creation and online selling. It outperforms Format in ecommerce, with a more robust set of features for online stores, and leads in hosting quality, website speed optimization, plugins and integrations, and marketing features. Web.com also offers superior customer support, security, and AI capabilities, making it a versatile choice for businesses of various sizes. However, it may not offer the same level of customization and creative freedom as Format, particularly for users in creative industries.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.0 |
6.4 |
|
Ease of use |
8.3 |
6.4 |
|
Ecommerce |
5.2 |
6.3 |
|
Website Editors |
7.5 |
6.6 |
|
Product testing options |
8.3 |
0.2 |
|
Price |
7.9 |
7.4 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
5.9 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
5.8 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
4.9 |
6.7 |
|
Marketing features |
5.3 |
7.0 |
|
Customer support |
7.0 |
7.3 |
|
Security |
7.4 |
7.6 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.3 |
|
User Management |
2.8 |
5.2 |
| Overall |
5.8 |
5.8 |
Best for ecommerce
5.2
6.3
Verdict
: Web.com edges out Format with a more comprehensive suite of ecommerce features, making it better suited for businesses looking to expand their online sales capabilities.
-
Format
: Tailored for creative professionals, Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities that are sufficient for showcasing and selling creative work. However, its ecommerce capabilities might be limited for those looking to scale their online store. -
Web.com
: With a higher ecommerce score and a broader range of features, Web.com is designed for businesses seeking a robust online selling platform. It provides more advanced ecommerce tools, including customizable templates and secure payment solutions, catering to a wider variety of online stores.
Best for informational & business websites
7.2
6.5
Verdict
: Format is better suited for creatives looking to build visually appealing informational sites, while Web.com offers a more rounded package for businesses in need of robust features beyond design.
-
Format
: Specializes in serving creative professionals with a platform that emphasizes visual presentation. Its templates and tools are designed to showcase portfolios, making it ideal for artists, photographers, and designers who need to create an impactful online presence. -
Web.com
: Provides a comprehensive set of tools that cater to a wider range of business needs, including eCommerce, SEO, and security. Its broader approach makes it a better fit for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution to establish their online presence.
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.
7.0
6.4
🏆
Winner: Format.
If you’re a creative professional looking for a platform that offers a range of customizable templates tailored to showcase portfolios in a visually appealing manner, Format is the preferred choice.
Format is a website builder specifically designed for creatives, offering nearly 100 customizable templates tailored for various artistic disciplines. It emphasizes high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs, ensuring portfolios look professional on any device.
On the other hand, Web.com offers over 100 website templates designed to cater to a broad spectrum of industries and personalization needs. These templates are structured to be straightforward in customization, allowing users to easily adapt their chosen designs to suit their unique brand identity through the platform’s editor.
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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
6.4
🏆 Winner: Format
. Scoring 8.3, Format is designed specifically for creative professionals, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a range of customizable templates. Web.com, with a score of 6.4, offers a robust platform but may not be the best fit for those seeking quick, simple website setup.
Learning Resources
Both Format and Web.com offer comprehensive learning resources. Format provides a help center with a wide array of articles and an official YouTube channel that features tutorials and updates. Web.com offers a range of AI-powered tools and a comprehensive knowledge base to assist users in building and managing their websites.
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.
5.2
6.3
When it comes to ecommerce, Web.com outperforms Format with a score of 6.3 against 5.2. While Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities tailored for creatives and photographers, Web.com provides a comprehensive suite of ecommerce features, including AI-driven design options, customizable templates, and secure payment solutions.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.0 |
5.5 |
|
Product page customization |
5.5 |
6.0 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
4.5 |
6.5 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
4.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
6.0 |
Format ecommerce features:
- Inventory management and tracking
- Discounts
- Multiple currency options
Web.com ecommerce features:
- Product listing
- Marketing Features
- Shipping options
- Payment Gateways integration
Ecommerce themes & templates
Format does not offer ecommerce-specific templates, limiting its appeal for those looking to build an online store. On the other hand, Web.com provides around 15 ecommerce templates designed to help businesses quickly launch and customize their online stores. These templates are compatible with Web.com’s website builder, facilitating straightforward customization and integration for digital storefronts.
Product page customization
Format offers limited specific details on product page customization, focusing on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions. You can manage product specifics like shipping, availability, and pricing, with customization likely extending to layout and presentation styles to highlight products effectively. In contrast, Web.com offers a suite of tools for ecommerce stores, including product category management, product listing features, and support for various fulfillment types.
Payment processing
Format integrates with major payment gateways, including Paypal and Stripe, but charges a commission on the Pro and Pro Plus plans and does not have built-in POS capabilities. Web.com supports popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and all major debit and credit cards, ensuring a wide array of payment options for customers. However, details on transaction commissions were not clearly stated in the reviewed sources.
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.
7.5
6.6
🏆
Winner: Format
. Format, with a score of 7.5, offers a variety of features for creating online portfolios. It provides nearly 100 professionally designed templates and thousands of design variations without requiring any coding. Users can express creativity with custom pages, incorporating unique gallery layouts, colors, text formatting, and custom code embeds. The templates and pages are fully responsive, ensuring a mobile-first experience. Format also supports direct video hosting, high-quality image rendering, and easy template switching to give sites a new look. Additionally, it includes studio management tools, e-commerce capabilities, and SEO tools.
Web.com’s website builder, scoring 6.6, offers a user-friendly platform with a variety of templates and a drag-and-drop interface for easy customization, albeit with some creative limitations due to its row-based layout. It supports basic e-commerce capabilities suitable for small businesses, alongside features like analytics, social media integration, and email services. However, for more advanced functionalities like promotional pop-ups, calendars, or comprehensive blogging tools, the platform may fall short unless users are willing to add custom code.
Mobile editor/app
4.0
0
🏆
Winner: Format
. Neither Format nor Web.com offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, Format allows users to edit their website using a mobile browser, albeit with the same interface as the desktop version. This could be challenging to use on a smartphone. On the other hand, Web.com does not provide any mobile editing capabilities.
Therefore, Format scores higher in this category due to its limited mobile editing capabilities.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
8.3
0.2
Overall Result
:
Format wins
. Format scores 8.3, significantly higher than Web.com’s 0.2. Format offers a 14-day free trial during which users can test all premium features, and also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. Web.com, on the other hand, does not offer a free trial or the possibility to test any features before purchasing a plan, and only provides a 3-day money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | No |
|
Trial Duration |
14 days | No trial |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Yes, during free trial |
No |
|
Money-Back Guarantee |
30 days |
3 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.
7.9
7.4
Format and Web.com have similar pricing scores, with Format slightly ahead. Both offer significant discounts for annual billing, but neither has an enterprise plan.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$10-$20 |
Basic ($12.00/month): Offers core services like mobile-optimized site, up to 10 web pages, and up to 70 high-resolution images. 3 client galleries, up to 2GB file transfers. No video uploads or custom code editor. Value for price: 5.0 |
Website ($19.99/month): AI-powered Website Builder. Free domain & domain privacy for 1 year. Professional email for 3 months. SSL Certificate for 1 month. 1 hour expert design support. Social & email marketing tools. Value for price: 6.5 |
|
$20-$30 |
Pro ($24.00/month): Includes all from Basic, plus unlimited web pages, 1500 high-resolution images,15 mins video hosting, 100GB cloud storage, a free custom domain, Online Store with up to 15 products, 50 client galleries and up to 5GB file transfers. Value for price: 7.5 |
Website + Marketing ($24.99/month): All features in the Website plan. Enhanced marketing tools. Appointment scheduling. Value for price: 7.0 |
|
$30+ |
Pro Plus ($36.00/month): Adds on Pro features with priority support, unlimited pages and high-res images, 120 mins video hosting, and 1TB cloud storage. Online Store with up to 1000 products, 250 client galleries and 10GB file transfers. Value for price: 8.5 |
eCommerce ($34.99/month): All features in the Website + Marketing plan. Online store with secure checkout. Sell on multiple marketplaces like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, etc. 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.
5.0
5.9
🏆
Winner: Web.com
Both Format and Web.com offer hosting services, but Web.com provides more details about its hosting, including unlimited storage and daily backups. Neither builder provides information about their uptime, uptime guarantee, or data center locations. However, Web.com’s disclosed shared hosting and additional features give it a slight edge over Format.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes | Yes, with unlimited storage and daily backups |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed | Shared hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
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
5.8
🏆 Winner: Web.com
Both Format and Web.com have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but Web.com’s approach is more comprehensive, giving it a slight edge.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Image and video optimization |
Mobile Optimized design, Code Minification, Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Image and video optimization |
Mobile Optimized design, Code Minification, Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not provided |
Format, a website builder designed for creative professionals, focuses on image and video optimization to enhance website speed. However, they do not disclose any specific information about their load times, PageSpeed score ranges, or Core Web Vital improvements.
On the other hand, Web.com, a website builder aimed at users without coding expertise, employs a more comprehensive approach to website speed optimization. Their strategies include mobile-optimized design, code minification, caching, and image optimization. Like Format, they do not provide specific information about their load times, PageSpeed score ranges, or Core Web Vital improvements. However, their broader approach to speed optimization gives them a slight edge over Format.
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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.
4.9
6.7
🏆 Winner: Web.com.
With a score of 6.7, Web.com offers a more comprehensive suite of plugins and integrations compared to Format, which scores 4.9. Web.com’s plugins and integrations expand the website builder’s basic functionality, enabling advanced eCommerce features, comprehensive SEO tools, enhanced social media integration, and specialized functionalities like appointment scheduling. On the other hand, Format’s capabilities for expansion through plugins and integrations are notably limited, offering support for a limited selection of plugins/integrations, including Adobe Lightroom, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.
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.
5.3
7.0
🏆
Overall Winner: Web.com
. Web.com offers a more comprehensive set of marketing tools, including SEO features, email marketing, blogging, social media integration, analytics and reporting, and ads and promotions. Format, while offering similar features, is more limited in its offerings, particularly in terms of advanced promotional capabilities and third-party integrations.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
|
|
|
Ads and Promotions |
|
|
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.
7.0
7.3
🏆 Winner: Web.com
. Both Format and Web.com offer 24/7 customer support through various channels, including email and live chat. However, Web.com edges out Format with a slightly higher customer support score of 7.3 compared to Format’s 7.0. Web.com’s support also includes a 24/7 phone line, which is recommended for immediate support needs. Neither of the platforms offer specific support for enterprises.
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.
7.4
7.6
🏆
Winner: Web.com
. Web.com edges out Format with a slightly higher security score. Web.com’s partnership with SiteLock Security provides comprehensive protection for websites, including daily malware scans, automatic malware removal, and DDoS protection. They also offer SSL certificates and website backup solutions, ensuring a secure environment for users.
Format, while not as comprehensive as Web.com in terms of security features, still prioritizes user data protection. They employ encrypted data storage and strict access controls, and comply with data protection regulations like GDPR. They also provide resources to help users secure their accounts, including strong password guidelines and two-factor authentication options. However, specific details about Format’s security measures were not directly mentioned, which may have contributed to its slightly lower security score.
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
7.3
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Website Builder |
|
Web.com’s AI builder simplifies website creation |
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
|
Personalized product recommendations, automated inventory management, customer service chatbots, and insightful data analysis tools |
|
AI Content Generation |
|
AI Writer for versatile content creation in multiple languages |
|
Additional AI Features |
|
AI Domain Generator, AI Logo Builder |
🏆 Winner: Web.com
. Web.com, with a score of 7.3, offers a range of AI features designed to simplify the website creation process and enhance the online shopping experience. These include an AI website builder, personalized product recommendations, automated inventory management, customer service chatbots, insightful data analysis tools, and a versatile AI Writer for content creation.
Format, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This lack of AI features may limit the platform’s functionality and efficiency compared to other website builders that leverage AI technology.
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
5.2
🏆 Winner: Web.com
. When it comes to user management, Web.com outperforms Format.
- Format only allows one user to manage and edit websites, which can be limiting for larger projects or teams.
- Web.com, on the other hand, supports multiple user accounts, although the platform does not specify how many accounts are supported.
Web.com User Roles and Access Levels:
| Role | Description | Access Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | The main account holder or primary user. | Edit primary user info Purchase products Manage and renew products and services |
| Admin | Users with administrative privileges besides the primary. | Edit payment information Add/Edit/Delete user roles Manage and renew products and services Edit WHOIS Admin and Tech user info |
| Tech | Users with technical responsibilities. | Manage and renew products and services Edit WHOIS Admin and Tech user info |
Unfortunately, Format does not provide 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
Users highly praise Format for its user-friendly website builder, particularly noting the ease of adding images and the effectiveness of customer service. Many reviewers appreciate the variety of modern templates and the platform’s suitability for users without technical expertise, especially photographers. Format’s mobile app and proofing section receive special mentions for their convenience and functionality. However, some users desire more customization options, particularly for mobile views, and mention minor limitations in template flexibility and SEO functionality. Overall, Format is celebrated for its ability to provide a professional online presence easily and efficiently, solving users’ needs for showcasing work and attracting new clients.
Unfortunately, there is no user feedback available for Web.com.
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 creative professionals, Format or Web.com?
Can I sell products on both Format and Web.com?
Which platform offers better customer support?
How do Format and Web.com compare in terms of AI capabilities?
Which platform is more user-friendly?
Are there any free trials available for Format or Web.com?
Which platform is better for hosting quality and website speed optimization?
Can I manage multiple users on either platform?
Which platform offers more design flexibility?
How do the platforms compare in terms of pricing?
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