1

Comparison of Website Builders

A Usability Test of Jimdo and Weebly

July 2017
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................3
METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................................................3
Tasks ..............................................................................................................................................................................3
Metrics...........................................................................................................................................................................3
Likert Scale ..................................................................................................................................................................4
RESULTS......................................................................................................................4
Task 1: Select a template appropriate for a destination...........................................................................5
Task 2: Insert a textbox. .........................................................................................................................................7
Task 3: Change text size and color. ......................................................................................................................... 8
Task 5: Insert and position a photo................................................................................................................ 10
Task 6: Create two columns at the top of the page. ................................................................................. 12
Task 7: Create and edit a header. .................................................................................................................... 13
Task 10: Change the background. ................................................................................................................... 18
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Recommendations and Conclusion ............................................................................ 20
Appendix Raw Data ................................................................................................ 21
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INTRODUCTION
Jimdo and Weebly are popular website building platforms. This white paper reports
the findings from a usability test conducted to compare usability of the platforms by
performing ten different tasks. The tasks completed could be performed by anyone
with average computer and Internet experience.

METHODOLOGY
Tasks
The following ten tasks were evaluated for effectiveness, efficiency, engagement,
error tolerance, and ease of learning:

1. Select a template appropriate for a destination.

2. Insert a textbox.
3. Change text size and color.
4. Add social media icons.
5. Insert and position a photo.
6. Create two columns at the top of the page.
7. Create and edit a header.
8. Embed a video from Youtube.
9. Create a button as a link to another website.
10. Change the background.

The test was done using a standard Mid 2014 MacBook Pro with macOS Sierra,
version 10.12.5. The platforms are the most up to date versions. Each task was
performed methodically in a quiet, comfortable room with minimal to no
distractions.

Metrics
Effective:
The task was completed and the goal was accomplished.
Efficient:
The task was completed within a reasonable amount of time.
Engaging:
The platform has appearance and style enhance the experience of the user.
Error Tolerant:
The task was completed on the first attempt. Repeated attempts or errors
provided feedback to the user.
Easy to Learn:
The task can be performed easily or intuitively without consulting any form
of help.
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Likert Scale
Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

5 4 3 2 1

RESULTS
The following screenshots show the steps taken to complete each task in each
platform. These also show efficiency by looking at the number of steps it took to
complete each task.

For more notes on the tasks performed refer to the Appendix.

This is the Jimdo homepage and the starting point for all tasks. Every task follows
after this page.

This is the Weebly homepage and the starting point for all tasks. Every task follows
after this page.
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Task 1: Select a template appropriate for a destination.

Jimdo

Weebly
6
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As shown above and below in the results, both platforms are similar in usability but
Jimdo is a less time consuming. (Refer to Notes in the Appendix.)
6

3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1

0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 2: Insert a textbox.

Jimdo

The menu above shows itself once the Add Element button is clicked. Further in
this paper, when this menu is shown, it is assumed that the Add Element was
clicked.

Weebly
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Inserting a text box was very easy in both platforms but Weebly simply uses drag-
and-drop, which is a little faster than Jimdo.
6
5
4
3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 3: Change text size and color.

Once the text box is created and written in, changing color and style of the text is
very similar to using a program like Microsoft Word.

Jimdo
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Weebly

In both platforms a toolbar appears next to the textbox to format text quickly and
easily.
6
5
4
3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 4: Add social media buttons.

Jimdo
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Weebly

Social media buttons are important to share information with many people very
fast. Both products have the option of adding social media buttons but each product
has different options for doing so. Jimdo offers more buttons to chose from while
Weebly uses drag and drop to install the five buttons above by default.
6

3 Weebly
2 Jimdo

0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 5: Insert and position a photo.

Jimdo
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Weebly
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Again both products perform similarly. When inserting a picture, Weebly allows the
user to position the picture before it is chosen, making it slightly more efficient than
Jimdo.
6
5
4
3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 6: Create two columns at the top of the page.

Jimdo

Weebly
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A single button in Jimdos toolbar creates columns. In order to complete this task on
Weebly however, not many steps are required but I did have to consult the Help
Center. It was not intuitive at all. (Refer to notes in the Appendix.)
6

3 Weebly
2 Jimdo

0
Effective Efficient Engagig Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 7: Create and edit a header.

Jimdo
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Weebly

Completing this task using Jimdo was very easy because there is a button in the
toolbar to create and edit a header. Even after consulting the Weeblys Help Center, I
could not create or edit a header because I did not see an option for it. Trying to
figure this out was very time consuming and resulted in nothing. Therefore, Jimdo
has the clear advantage when creating and editing headers. (Refer to notes in the
Appendix.)
6

3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1

0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
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Task 8: Embed a video from Youtube.

Jimdo

Weebly
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Weebly makes adding a Youtube video effortless because it uses drag-and-drop

from its toolbar. Adding a video on Jimdo is also very simple, because it has a button
on its toolbar to complete the task. Both are good choices for video hosting.
6
5
4
3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn

Task 9: Create a button as a link to another website.

Jimdo
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Weebly

Both products are great for adding buttons because they both have the option of
doing so on their toolbars. One does not perform better or faster than the other.
6
5
4
3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
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Task 10: Change the background.

Jimdo

Weebly
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Both platforms are intuitive and only require a saved file to be uploaded. Jimdo
requires a few more steps than Weebly to accomplish the same goal. Both sites offer
standard backgrounds but the user is also able to upload personal photos or art.
6

3 Weebly
2 Jimdo
1

0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
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Overview
The overall results show that Jimdo is the better platform in the five areas tested.
The results are very close and this means that mostly only a few details are different
in each product.

60

50

40

30 Weebly
Jimdo

20

10

0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Recommendations and Conclusion

As you can see at the beginning of the results, there is a menu on the left side of the
Weebly page for certain actions. Some of the tasks were completed very fast and
easily with the help of the menu. Jimdo has a similar menu with buttons that make
adding features very easy. Jimdo is more intuitive in general.

From the results, it is easy to see that the better choice for creating a website is
clearly Jimdo. Depending on each persons needs, one might be more useful to users
than the other.
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Appendix Raw Data

Product WEEBLY
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn
5 4 4 5 5
Task 1 Notes: Although the button to change theme is directly on the homepage,
there are another 3 clicks afterwards and a different page shows all themes. It
is straight forward and easy to follow. Errors are easily avoided.
5 5 5 5 5
Task 2 Notes: Single drag and drop to complete the task. Could not be simpler.

5 5 5 5 5
Task 3 Notes: A toolbar above the textbox allows for very fast changes in font size
and color. Extremely easy.
5 5 5 5 5
Task 4 Notes: Single drag and drop operation to comple, just like task 2.

5 5 4 5 5
Task 5 Notes: Again, a single drag and drop operation inserts and positions the photo.
Then simply chose an option from where you want to upload a photo from.
4 3 4 3 1
Notes: I had to search in the help center to figure out how to complete this
Task 6 action. Once I learned how, it was very easy and fast to complete. It requires
two text boxes and moving one to the edge of the other to create. This can
cause errors and is not intuitive.
3 1 2 1 1
Notes: A header is already installed by default but I was unable to edit the
Task 7
current header. I tried using the help center with no success. I was only able to
choose between a header and no header.
5 5 5 5 5
Task 8 Notes: Again, a single drag and drop action completes the action. Only need to
copy and paste a link.
5 5 5 5 5
Task 9 Notes: Simple drag and drop operation completes the task. Only need to copy
and paste a link.
5 5 5 5 4
Task 10 Notes: Intuitive, just click on the background and an 'edit background' button
shows up, then choose the desired background.

Total 47 43 44 44 41
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JIMDO
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn
5 5 5 5 5
Notes: The website allows you to change the template and preview it before
saving. It has easier and more intuitive steps to follow with no room for error.

5 4 5 5 5
Notes: Click 'add element' along the center of the page, then 'text' to insert a
text box.
5 4 5 5 5
Notes: In the text box there are any options are available for text formatiing.

5 4 5 5 5
Notes: Allows you to chose from many different icons and is very simple and
straight-forward.
5 4 5 5 5
Notes: Only a few clicks needed from the 'add element' menu.

5 5 5 5 5
Notes: Very fast and easy. Only two clicks to create the columns.

5 5 5 5 5
Notes: Very fast and easy. Only a two clicks to insert and create the header.

5 5 5 5 5
Notes: Very fast and easy. Only two clicks to insert a video. Only thing needed
is the video link.
5 5 5 5 5
Notes: Very fast and easy. Only two clicks to insert a button. Only thing
needed is the link to the website.
5 3 5 5 4
Notes: Easy to follow and intuitive, just provide the picture file or chose
another option provided.

50 44 50 50 49