Bing Web Sites Review: Pros & Negatives of utilizing Google’s Web Site Builder
April 3, 2019 By Nate Shivar
Bing web web Sites is Google’s website that is free pc pc pc software so it provides within the G Suite of Drive, e-mail, Hangouts, etc.
Web internet web Sites has not been very publicized like its other items. I’ve always looked at web internet web Sites within the bucket of items like Drawing, Blogger, and Correlate that sort of come as an element of other, well-known products but they are otherwise forgotten about…yet nevertheless awesome in their own personal method.
I’ve written about Google’s Domains item and Blogger – but have not viewed Bing web web web web Sites especially.
My experience with Bing websites began straight straight straight right back once I first began my web site design company a long time ago. I never used Google web web Sites for my personal jobs until i stumbled upon it whenever a customer of mine ended up being deploying it and required a couple of tasks done.
But since that time, better competition has popped up from Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, WordPress.com, Site Creator, along with other internet site builders. And Bing has upgraded the item we initially utilized. They’ve streamlined it making it supposedly the way that is“effortless produce stunning web web internet sites.”
Therefore for your own task of mine, I made the decision to use it down once again and determine whom this product would actually be considered a fit that is good – and not soleley compare it to many other hosted site builders.
We additionally desired to compare Bing web web web Sites with other site solutions like hosting your own personal web site or utilizing an ecommerce platform that is hosted.
Disclosure – I receive client referral costs from organizations mentioned on this site. All information & opinions are derived from my expert experience as a spending consumer or consultant to a having to pay client.
New Bing Web Web Web Sites vs. Classic Bing Sites vs. Bing My Business Website
Bing is notorious for rolling away overlapping & contending with regards to products that are own simply to kill or upgrade them after a couple of years.
And Bing web web Sites isn’t any various. Whenever Google’s that is discussing website item, you can find actually as much as 4 items in play.
Ok – Blogger is an old-school but nevertheless blogging platform that is surprisingly good. A website can be created by you along with it. You could do designs, templates, and anything else. It’s free. But – you might be stuck with all the reverse-chronological display of articles. We won’t actually be addressing this right right right here. A Blogger was written by me review right right right here.
2. Bing My Company Website
This can be Google’s product that is website tiny, regional organizations. You can’t put it to use unless a Google is had by you the Business account. The merchandise is less of a “website builder” than the usual super-detailed regional company listing. We won’t actually be addressing this right right here. You can easily read a great faq with this item right right right here.
3. Vintage Bing Web Web Web Sites
Here is the product which we began with a long time ago. It nevertheless lives at sites.google.com – also it’s distinctly old college.
You will find links to it throughout Bing web web Sites.
The ironic bit about Timeless Bing web web Sites is that it really has more technical choices than Bing Sites…even when it is less user-friendly.
All the pros/negatives of Vintage web Sites are exactly the same as Bing web web Sites. But i might maybe maybe not ponder over it for the long-lasting task since Bing will probably destroy it any time now if their history is almost anything to pass by.
4. Bing Web Design Service
This system is perhaps not associated at all – despite its title.
Bing website design company is just a desktop software to produce designs for the online (aka advertising adverts).
5. New Bing Internet Sites (free)
Ok – this is exactly what we’re going to share with you. This really is Google’s website builder software that is main. It’s readily available for you aren’t A bing Account. It not merely lives on Google Drive – however it is marketed with Sheets, Docs, Drawings and much more.
6. New Bing Web Web Internet Web Sites (G Suite)
Ok – this software is exactly like the Google that is free sites except that it’s designed for company members to your G Suite (the old Bing Apps for company). It really is the exact same once the free Bing Sites, but has various account permissions and generally gets product upgrades – like custom domain website builder prices mapping – sooner than the free variation.
Let’s look at the benefits & negatives.
Benefits of Bing Web Web Sites
Bing web web web web Sites has great deal opting for it. I am aware an e commerce shop owner whom began and ran her shop for 2 years though it took a lot of hacking around with PayPal scripts) before she began to look for a new solution (. Here you will find the pros that are major.
Bing Sites is free with limitless usage, traffic, and sites. This might be probably the most compelling section of Bing web web web Sites.
It’s element of Google’s push that is relentless keep you finalized into your Google account for whenever you can. If you should be finalized into your individual Google account, you can easily head to sites.google.com now and get going. There are not any dangers, no upsells, no termination times or restrictions. It’s just free because of Google’s crazy revolutionary business design.
And in case you may be A g that is paying suite company user, web web web Sites is bundled along with your registration along while using the backups, administrative settings, and guarantees that include your account.
There’s no dangers with no catch and no” that is“trying you are able to get get going now.*
*of program – there is certainly some time and curve that is learning – which we’ll discuss within the negatives part.
Bing Integration
web web Sites is completely incorporated with Google’s services and products. Because of the brand new Bing web internet internet web Sites, it also has most of the exact same Material Design conventions of Google’s other items.
Your internet site is conserved straight in your Bing Drive. You have access to it anywhere with any device. You’ll install it together with your other information from Google Takeout.
There are not any passwords that are additional account setup – it is seamless and completely incorporated.
Simplicity & Protection
Bing web web Sites is straightforward and simple to make use of.
The educational bend is calculated in moments. There’s no“onboarding that is real or education because precisely what is present aided by the item is “right here.”
You are able to build a multi-page stunning, practical internet site quickly and just.
Furthermore, Google handles your safety issues…since it really is one additionally the identical to your e-mail account.
Speed & Sharing
Like safety, Bing handles your speed considerations. The resulting HTML / CSS product is lean on quick servers and worldwide that is available.
It is simple to share & preview since it is fully integrated with your Google Account. It is possible to produce & collaborate on a web page since easily as you possibly can on a google Doc.
Negatives of Bing Web Web Sites
Now – there are lots of negatives with Bing web web Sites. There’s only the best for you considering your budget, time, resources, and goals like I’ve said with all website builders – there is no overall“best.
After reading the professionals of Bing Sites – you might be most likely wondering exactly just how Bing web web Sites is not the solution that is go-to every internet site.
Well, Bing Sites has loads of negatives. However the summary is the fact that Bing web web Sites is extremely feature-limited rather than actually designed for long-lasting projects that are websitethus the simpleness).
I love to utilize estate that is real an analogy. Then Google Sites is like leasing a table at a farmer’s market or festival if running your own website on your own hosting account is like owning a building on your own property and using a website builder like Weebly is like running a business in a leased storefront.
It’s great for short-term, fast jobs. And also you do have a good amount of options to “make it yours” – but it is certainly not intended for a long-lasting company web site. Let’s look at a few of the details.
Limited Design Services
Bing Sites’ design features are sorely limited.
Your template limits precisely what you’ll and cannot edit. And – you’ve got hardly any templates to pick from within the place that is first.
You can not include or modify CSS and include any variety of interactivity.
The look features being offered are simple and easy straightforward – but they have been all Google Drive related design tools. There’s some embedding but no modifying the details that are embed.
Even though templates look good, you can’t modify the designs or some of the core parameters.
For instance, together with your navigation menu, you’re able to select from the top right or the sidebar…and that is it. There’s no 3rd option as well as re-arranging.
The templates look good on all devices but enforce strict limits on every thing to produce this function take place.
Then you’ll be sorely limited with Google Sites if you want to build any sort of brand identity or build a custom design with tempates.
Limited Marketing Features
Bing Sites’ marketing features are sorely restricted also. This negative is particularly glaring as a professional marketer.
You can get Google Analytics access to be able to have critical information like Sessions and Pageviews and such…but that is about any of it.
There’s no adding a Facebook Pixel, Share Buttons or Redirects. If you’re into SEO, there’s no modifying your Title meta or tag description.
Now – in the event that you have all of your traffic from offline practices, direct internet recommendations, or person to person then these tools might not make a difference.
But, since advertising information is just since helpful as the quantity of historic information you have actually – then Google Sites will not be a good option if you ever have plans to grow or use other marketing channels.
Custom Domain Setup
All Bing Web Web Sites utilize once the standard domain title. Unlike Classic Bing Sites, there is absolutely no solution to add a domain name that is custom.
We don’t know why. The function may be coming since Bing rolled down customized domain names towards the brand new Bing web internet web Sites for G Suite readers.
In any event – this really is a major disadvantage for Bing web Sites as a small business as well as a website that is personal. A domain name is fundamental for any long-term project while not strictly necessary for a successful website.
It’s this feature that is missing really highlights the actual fact that Bing web web web Sites is truly limited to short-term tasks or internal uses – comparable to A google Doc or Presentation.
Future-Proofing
Bing is notorious for killing off services and products – including ones that are really popular. And even though Bing web web Sites does appear to be a core section of Google’s efficiency suite…that could change at any time ( as it is the actual situation utilizing the Classic Bing Sites).
And even though you are able to export your computer data included in Google’s Takeout program, there’s no option to export or access directly your account via FTP within Bing web web web Sites.
That it could go away at some point in the future and you should have a plan for that if you are running a business or even a personal site on Google Sites, you should be aware.
Bing Web Web Web Sites Comparison
Bing web web Sites is just a product that is good serves a purpose – but so how exactly does it compare straight along with other services and products when you look at the website builder globe?
Bing Web Sites vs. Squarespace
We reviewed Squarespace here. When you have a little, short-term task, then Bing internet sites would be the fit. Squarespace is costly and contains its very own learning bend. But – then Squarespace will be a better fit if you have a long-term business or personal project and you value well-done templates that display high-quality photography.
Bing Sites vs. Wix
We reviewed Wix right right right here. Wix includes a free plan where you employ a yoursitename.wix.com domain name – so in some real means it is comparable to Google Sites. However with Wix, you have got premium plans and use of customized domain names. In addition they provide more features to their free plan. Wix has comparable problems with other web site builders, but i’d go with Wix unless you are building a very small free project, then. Unlike Bing web Sites, Wix at the least lets you design more and develop out from the plan that is free. See Wix’s plans & rates right right right here.
Bing Sites vs. GoDaddy’s Site Builder
We reviewed GoDaddy’s Website Builder (aka “GoCentral) right here. It is extremely component restricted when compared with Bing Sites…but it is additionally a breeze to utilize with some more advertising tools. Critically, it permits you to seamlessly incorporate a customized domain. But, it is additionally a compensated product. When you have some spending plan and need a customized domain, but don’t want/need many features – then I’d use GoDaddy’s Website Builder. For a free price point – you’ll obtain a comparable item with Bing web Sites.
Bing Sites vs. Weebly
We reviewed Weebly right right here. Weebly is a solid hosted builder that is website. They will have a yoursitename.weebly.com domain name – however they also have update choices and domain that is custom options and interesting beginner-level e-commerce choices. Until you have actually a certain explanation to utilize Bing web Sites, I’d usage Weebly due to their drag & drop and setup that is upgradeable.
Bing Web Web Sites vs. WordPress.com
We composed about WordPress.com vs. WordPress right right here. WordPress.com has a free plan that is limited to yoursitename.wordpress.com website name. The setup is focused on blog posting – nevertheless they have site features & loads of update choices – including a customized domain choice. Until you have certain explanation to use Bing web web Sites, I’d usage WordPress.com with their design features and upgradeable setup.
Bing Sites vs. Self-hosted WordPress
We published about installing a WordPress internet site right here. This method calls for some spending plan (about $5/mo) and it has some understanding curve, however it’s additionally the very best long-lasting choice for organizations spending inside their online existence. When you have easy, short-term task with an absolute end then I’d just utilize Bing websites. Then you’ll want to invest in the learning curve and go ahead and set up your own site on your own hosting if you know that you have a long-term project.
Conclusion & Upcoming Procedures
So – is Bing web web Sites great for business? Yes…ish. As a definite short-term solution or project-based solution, it’s great. Go create your internet site right right here.
But…if you have got a short-term task that might expand, then I’d look at other choices. Simply Take my website builder quiz that is best here.
For those who have a task this is certainly long-lasting and well worth purchasing, then I’d go right ahead and ensure you get your self-hosted internet site setup w/ guidelines right here.