PageCloud Review

Sean Garrity (HostingAdvice.com):

PageCloud hit the scene in 2014 with the aim to remove the cost and technical barriers to entry into online markets for web entrepreneurs. And the mission has been a resounding success. Today, businesses in more than 100 countries have built and are powering sites with PageCloud — and for good reason. PageCloud’s drag-and-drop website builder allows users to get professional-grade sites up and running without the need to code.

'When PageCloud rolled out, it was the most advanced visual editor on the market,' said PageCloud Co-Founder and VP of Growth Greg Evans. 'Our goal is to make the web a more beautiful place.'

And it’s PageCloud’s flexibility that’s allowing users to do just that. Like most website builders, PageCloud delivers a number of professionally designed themes. However, with PageCloud, the themes are meant to act only as starting points. PageCloud’s development tool goes a step beyond the competition and allows complete site customization in a drag-and-drop environment. This way, site owners aren’t stuck with a general, static template. All page elements and even the overall layout can be tailored to fit a brand’s aesthetic.

We had a chance to try PageCloud’s visual editor with the company’s 14-day free trial. And, within 30 seconds of signup, we were customizing our test site. Using the Swietenia theme as a general starting point, it took all of two minutes to modify the homepage’s graphic elements, doctor up the headers, and arrange the page’s CTAs. If you’re new to web building, PageCloud’s editor offers a quick and easy way to get started.

But the perks don’t end there. PageCloud offers a wide range of features, including a dedicated mobile layout builder, stock image integrations (in partnership with Shutterstock), and full access to the source code, which makes the extensible visual editor hard to beat. PageCloud also allows site owners to integrate the industry’s most popular applications into their web properties. Social media integrations with AddThis, Disqus, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, among many others, are available. And analytics tools, such as Autopilot, Google Analytics, and Crazy Egg, can be easily incorporated into PageCloud accounts. If eCommerce is the goal, PageCloud delivers integrations with industry leaders, including Ecwid, Gumroad, PayPal, Shopify, Square, and Shoprocket, to name a few.

If a DIY web entrepreneur ever runs into a problem or has a question before, during, or after the build process, PageCloud’s expert support team is available even during the trial to assist via person-to-person chat. In fact, when we were playing around with the visual interface, we were greeted in PageCloud's chat portal by a live representative who was more than willing to answer any questions. The company has also constructed a comprehensive and easily searchable Knowledge Base for self-help.

Though the company’s initial focus was on the DIY web development space, PageCloud is becoming increasingly popular among professional designers and developers. Pros can seamlessly migrate clients into PageCloud’s managed infrastructure, which allows them to streamline workflows and enjoy big returns on investment.

'The value proposition of our strength, which is the visual editor, is applicable to both the Do-It-Yourself and Pro segments,' Greg said. 'The Pro segment benefits from the extensibility because you have full access to the code. The DIY crowd benefits from full control over their online presence. You can literally do anything.'