CmonSite Has A Solid Set of E-commerce Features, but It’s Lacking in Other Areas
CmonSite promises to help you build a website quickly even if you’re a beginner. E-commerce functionality is included in all plans, and the prices are fairly affordable, which makes it an appealing option if you’re new to online selling or have a limited budget.
After testing CmonSite for myself, I’m happy to say that it’s quite easy to use – you get prebuilt layouts you can customize with an intuitive editor. That said, design options are fairly limited and there is no app market, which means you won’t be able to do much to extend your site’s functionality.
If you’re looking for a quick way to launch a simple website, CmonSite is a viable option. However, if you need a feature-rich solution with advanced customization options and apps, I’d suggest you try Wix. It offers plenty of creative freedom, a robust app market, and a range of plans dedicated to e-commerce businesses.
Features and Ease of Use
You only need an email address to create your CmonSite account. From there, you can pick and customize your template, set up your domain name and business email address, and install marketing tools such as Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel – with just a few clicks.
CmonSite offers up to 400 mobile-responsive designs, depending on the plan you choose. The templates look professional and versatile, but they aren’t divided into categories, so it can take some time to explore your options and find what you need.
On the plus side, if you change your mind about the design you picked, you can swap it out for another one at any time without losing your edits.
Once you’ve chosen a template, you can customize it by using tools in the Design tab. You can modify colors and fonts, and change layouts by adding elements (a.k.a. modules) such as calendars, image slideshows, and forms. You also get access to free stock images to enhance your site’s design.
That said, CmonSite’s editing capabilities can feel limited. The font and widget selections are smaller compared to what most other builders offer, and there aren’t many options to customize individual elements, such as a built-in image editor. In contrast, a website builder like Wix lets you customize every element’s shape and size down to a pixel.
If you plan to open an online store, you’ll be happy to hear that CmonSite has a surprisingly well-rounded set of e-commerce features. You can sell physical and digital products, manage inventory and orders, create gift cards, and send abandoned cart emails, among other things.
However, the lack of a proper app market can make it difficult to scale your store. There are a few integrations available, such as the free Google Search Console to track your website performance and the paid SEO Pro module to help boost your traffic rankings.
Still, if you want your business to grow, you’ll need easy access to integrations. For instance, Wix’s marketplace offers over 300 free and paid apps. You’ll find everything from contact forms and live chat apps to social media tools and loyalty programs.
Pricing and Support
CmonSite’s prices are quite affordable, considering what you get in return. There is no free plan available, but you can use the 7-day free trial of the Premium plan to test the platform.
The cheapest – Zen – plan is a good option for individuals. You get access to 50 templates, almost all design tools, and you can add up to 160 products to your store.
However, if you’re creating a website for your business, CmonSite’s Premium plan offers the best value. It unlocks access to more advanced business tools, such as online appointment booking and the ability to sell subscriptions.
That said, if you’d rather have an expert handle your website needs, the Pro plan is worth considering. For a few bucks more, you’ll get a dedicated CmonSite specialist to help with your site’s construction and maintenance.
CmonSite offers only email support on lower-tiered plans. To get priority email and phone support, you’ll have to subscribe to the most expensive plan.
Still, CmonSite’s customer support team is responsive and helpful, provided you speak French. My English email ticket didn’t get a reply, but the one I wrote in French was answered after 15 minutes. I asked a question about my free trial, and the support agent answered promptly, with an accompanying screenshot to clarify the answer.
Although my questions were answered quickly via email, the lack of a live chat option is disappointing, given that most website builders include it as a standard feature.
