IM Creator - Detailed Review
Website Tools
IM Creator - Product Overview
IM Creator Overview
IM Creator is a web-based website builder that simplifies the process of designing, building, and publishing websites, making it accessible to a wide range of users.Primary Function
IM Creator’s primary function is to provide an easy-to-use platform for creating responsive and visually appealing websites. It allows users to build websites from scratch or use a variety of pre-designed templates, all without the need for coding skills.Target Audience
The target audience for IM Creator includes businesses, individuals, artists, non-profits, and students. It is particularly valuable for those who have an eye for design but lack technical expertise. The platform’s user base is predominantly male, with a significant portion of visitors aged 65 and above.Key Features
Templates and Design
IM Creator offers a wide range of stylish and polished templates categorized by various themes such as weddings, blogs, restaurants, fashion, and more. These templates are pre-populated and can be quickly customized to get a website up and running swiftly.Editors
The platform features two editors: the XPRS Editor and the Classic Creator Editor. The XPRS Editor uses “Stripes” (pre-made content blocks) to build websites in a layered, Lego-like manner, while the Classic Creator Editor is a traditional drag-and-drop editor that provides full creative control over content placement.Responsiveness and Hosting
IM Creator ensures that all websites built on the platform are responsive, meaning they adjust seamlessly to various devices including laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and even wearables. The platform also offers unlimited hosting and bandwidth, making it a cost-effective option.eCommerce and Blogging
IM Creator includes integrated eCommerce capabilities powered by ShopRocket, allowing users to sell products easily. The blogging feature is user-friendly, enabling beginners to create and publish blog posts with various media elements like text, images, and videos.SEO and Multilingual Support
The platform provides various SEO tools to help increase site traffic, engagement, and conversions. Additionally, IM Creator supports the creation of multilingual and white-label websites, catering to diverse user needs.Conclusion
Overall, IM Creator is a user-friendly and feature-rich website builder that caters to a broad audience, especially those who value ease of use and high-quality design templates. IM Creator - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of IM Creator
The user interface of IM Creator is a subject of mixed reviews, particularly when it comes to ease of use and overall user experience.
Ease of Use
IM Creator is often described as not being user-friendly, especially for beginners. Unlike other popular website builders such as Wix or Squarespace, IM Creator lacks an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. Instead, users have to click on existing elements to modify them, which can be restrictive and time-consuming.
The platform does not offer a widget dashboard to add elements, and the customization process involves multiple clicks and selections, making it long-winded. There are no prompts or visual cues to guide users through the website-building process, which can leave users feeling somewhat lost.
User Interface
The interface itself is not as flexible as those of its competitors. Users cannot change their template after publishing, which means careful selection is necessary from the outset. Additionally, there is no access to HTML or CSS codes, limiting the ability to make custom edits for those comfortable with coding.
Templates and Design
IM Creator does offer a range of pre-designed templates categorized by industries such as business, creative arts, health, and e-commerce. These templates are fully customizable, but the lack of a true drag-and-drop editor hampers the design flexibility. The responsive design feature ensures that websites created with IM Creator look professional and adapt well to different devices.
Support and Resources
While the interface and ease of use may be challenging, IM Creator provides some helpful resources. There is a ticketing system for support, a user guide, and a large knowledge center filled with questions and answers. However, there is no live chat or phone support, which might be a drawback for some users.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with IM Creator is generally considered to be less favorable compared to other website builders. It is more suited for users with some web design experience rather than beginners. The restrictive interface, lack of intuitive features, and limited customization options make it less appealing for those looking for a straightforward website-building experience.
IM Creator - Key Features and Functionality
IM Creator Overview
IM Creator is a user-friendly website-building platform that offers a range of features to help users create professional and responsive websites without needing to know how to code. Here are the main features and how they work:
Drag-and-Drop Editor
IM Creator uses a drag-and-drop editor that allows users to easily place elements such as text, images, and buttons onto their web pages. This intuitive interface makes it simple for anyone to design and customize their website quickly.
Customizable Templates
The platform provides a wide range of pre-designed templates categorized by industries like business, creative arts, health, e-commerce, and more. These templates are fully customizable, allowing users to adapt them to their specific needs.
Responsive Design
All websites created with IM Creator are responsive, meaning they automatically adjust and look good on different screen sizes, from mobile devices to desktop computers. This ensures a consistent user experience across various devices.
E-commerce Capabilities
IM Creator allows users to add an online store to their websites. It supports various payment methods and currencies, and includes features like inventory management and payment processing. This makes it easy to set up and manage an online store.
SEO Tools
The platform includes SEO tools to help improve the visibility of the website on search engines. Users can edit meta tags, page URLs, and add alt text to images. Additionally, IM Creator supports integrations like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel to enhance search visibility.
Hosting and Domain
IM Creator provides hosting for the websites built on their platform, with no bandwidth restrictions. Users can connect their site to a custom domain name, either a new one or one they already own, although this feature is available with Premium or Creator PRO accounts.
AI Integration
While the primary features of IM Creator are not heavily reliant on AI, the platform does offer some AI-driven elements, particularly in its onboarding process. For instance, IM Cosmos, an extension of IM Creator, includes “Clever Ai Onboarding” which helps users get started quickly by automating some of the initial setup processes. However, detailed information on how AI is integrated into the core website building process is limited.
Additional Features
Unlimited Hosting
IM Creator offers unlimited hosting with no bandwidth restrictions, allowing users to build and publish websites without worrying about storage or traffic limits.
Media Library and Image Editing
Users have access to a media library and image editing tools, making it easy to manage and customize the visual content of their website.
Website Management and Analytics
The platform includes tools for website management and analytics, such as visitor tracking and reporting, to help users monitor and improve their website’s performance.
Conclusion
Overall, IM Creator is a versatile and user-friendly platform that caters to a wide range of users, from small businesses to artists and non-profits, offering a free license for the latter groups. Its features are designed to make website creation and management as straightforward and effective as possible.
IM Creator - Performance and Accuracy
Performance Evaluation of IM Creator
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of IM Creator as a website builder, several key points and limitations come to the forefront.Ease of Use and Design
IM Creator is not particularly user-friendly, especially for beginners. Unlike popular website builders such as Wix and Squarespace, IM Creator lacks an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, which makes the design process more cumbersome. Users have to click on existing elements to change them, and there are no widgets or a dashboard to simplify the addition of new elements.Template Customization
While IM Creator offers beautifully designed and mobile-responsive templates, changing templates after publishing a site is not possible without wiping out all existing content. This can be a significant drawback for users who may want to switch templates later on.Features and Customizability
The platform is limited in terms of features and customizability. It does not offer an app store, image editing tools, or email marketing features, which are common in other website builders. Additionally, users cannot access the HTML or CSS codes, which can be frustrating for those who want to make custom edits.Ecommerce and Blogging
IM Creator’s ecommerce and blogging functionalities are not very scalable in the long term. While it provides basic ecommerce features like credit card checkout and analytics, it falls short compared to dedicated ecommerce platforms like Shopify.Customer Support
IM Creator’s customer support is basic and relies on a ticketing system. Although the average response time is under 12 hours, there is no live chat or phone support available. However, the Pro & Whitelabel plan offers 24/7 assistance and a dedicated business consultant.Pricing and Plans
IM Creator offers various pricing plans, including a free plan for students, artists, and non-profits, and paid plans starting at $5.95 per month for businesses. The Pro & Whitelabel plan, aimed at web design agencies, costs $350 per year and includes unlimited licenses and enhanced support.Performance
In terms of performance, IM Creator provides unlimited bandwidth, which helps in ensuring that websites load quickly. However, the restrictive interface and lack of intuitive features can make the overall experience slower and more frustrating compared to other website builders.Areas for Improvement
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Implementing a drag-and-drop editor would significantly improve the user experience.Template Flexibility
Allowing users to change templates without losing content would be a major improvement.Additional Features
Adding an app store, image editing tools, and email marketing features would make the platform more competitive.Customer Support
Introducing live chat and phone support would enhance user satisfaction.User Interface
Simplifying the interface and providing more visual cues and prompts would help beginners and advanced users alike.Conclusion
In summary, while IM Creator has some positive aspects such as beautiful templates and responsive designs, it falls short in ease of use, feature availability, and customer support compared to its competitors. It is more suited for users with web design experience rather than beginners. IM Creator - Pricing and Plans
IM Creator Pricing Plans
IM Creator offers a variety of pricing plans and options, each with distinct features to cater to different user needs.
Free Plan
- This plan is exclusively available for students, artists, and non-profits. To qualify, you need to apply and provide written proof of your status.
- Features include unlimited hosting, no ads, unlimited bandwidth and storage, chat support, and access to all themes.
Premium Plan
- This plan is suitable for businesses and starts at $8 per month.
- The cost varies based on the subscription duration:
- 3-year plan: $5.95/month
- 2-year plan: $6.95/month
- 1-year plan: $7.95/month
- 6-month plan: $9.95/month
- Features include the ability to connect your own domain, unlimited bandwidth, and access to all themes.
Pro & Whitelabel Plan
- This plan is aimed at web design agencies and businesses looking to create multiple client websites.
- It costs $350 per year.
- Key features include unlimited licenses, allowing you to build as many client websites as needed using IM Creator.
Key Features Across Plans
- Templates: IM Creator offers over 30 mobile-responsive templates, pre-populated with sample content, which can be customized.
- Customization: While there is no drag-and-drop feature, you can change text, imagery, and layout with a few clicks.
- Hosting and Domain: Premium and Pro plans include unlimited hosting and the option to connect your own domain.
- Support: The free plan has basic support, while the Premium and Pro plans offer more comprehensive support options, including chat support and email/help desk.
Conclusion
In summary, IM Creator provides a free plan for specific groups, an affordable Premium plan for businesses, and a Pro & Whitelabel plan for agencies and designers, each with a set of features tailored to their respective needs.
IM Creator - Integration and Compatibility
Integration and Compatibility of IM Creator
Integration with Other Tools
IM Creator allows for some level of integration with external tools, although it has its limitations. Here are a few examples:- 123FormBuilder Integration: IM Creator can integrate with 123FormBuilder, enabling users to add smart online forms to their websites. This integration supports various features like linking payment processors (e.g., Square, PayPal, Stripe) and connecting with other apps such as Salesforce, MailChimp, and Google Sheets.
- Third-Party Apps: While IM Creator does not have a built-in app store, users can embed third-party applications using HTML. For instance, you can use HTML embeds to integrate eCommerce platforms like Etsy or Ecwid if you need more advanced features than what IM Creator’s eCommerce plugin offers.
- Analytics and Tracking: IM Creator provides comprehensive SEO tools, including tracking for Google Analytics and Facebook pixels, which helps in managing and optimizing your website’s performance.
Compatibility Across Devices
IM Creator is known for its responsive design capabilities, ensuring that your website looks good and functions well across various devices:- Responsive Design: Any content added to your website will be responsive, adjusting naturally to different devices such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and even wearables like smart watches and Oculus.
- Mobile Optimization: The templates provided by IM Creator are mobile-responsive, ensuring your website appears polished and functional on all screens.
Platform Compatibility
IM Creator supports a range of website types and needs:- Website Types: You can build various types of websites, including eCommerce sites, blogs, portfolios, and more. The platform offers templates categorized by industry, making it easier to find a suitable design for your needs.
- White Label Solution: IM Creator offers a white-label solution, which is particularly useful for web design agencies looking to create sites for clients. This feature includes unlimited licenses and professional functionality for all eCommerce and online retail needs.
However, it’s important to note that IM Creator has some limitations, such as the inability to change templates without rebuilding your content and a limited feature set compared to other website builders. Despite these limitations, IM Creator remains a viable option for those who value its responsive design and ease of use, especially for users with some web design experience.
IM Creator - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
IM Creator uses a ticketing system for customer support. Here’s how it works:
- You can submit support tickets with your queries or problems, and a support agent will respond to your ticket. The average response time is under 12 hours, which is relatively quick given the volume of users.
- There is no live chat support or phone support available for general users. However, if you opt for the more expensive Pro & White Label plan, you can enjoy 24/7 assistance and a dedicated business consultant.
Contact Information
For immediate issues, you can contact IM Creator via:
- Email: The best email to use is support@imcreator.com, which is used by 95% of customers.
- Phone: You can call (212) 843-5905, though phone support is not as commonly used as email.
Additional Resources
IM Creator offers several resources to help you get the most out of their platform:
- Knowledge Center: This is a large database filled with questions, queries, and solutions that can help you find answers to common issues.
- User Guide: IM Creator provides a downloadable user guide, which is a helpful resource for those who need step-by-step instructions.
- Templates and Design Tools: While the platform itself can be challenging for beginners, IM Creator offers free website templates and a simple, intuitive editor. However, it’s important to note that you cannot change your template after publishing, and you cannot access the HTML or CSS codes.
Integrations and Forms
IM Creator also allows integrations with third-party apps to enhance your website’s functionality:
- 123FormBuilder Integration: You can create and add smart online forms to your website, integrate with apps like Salesforce, MailChimp, and Google Sheets, and link payment processors like PayPal and Stripe.
Overall, while IM Creator’s support options could be more comprehensive, they do provide a range of resources and tools to help users manage and enhance their websites.
IM Creator - Pros and Cons
Pros of IM Creator
Beautiful and Varied Templates
IM Creator offers a wide range of stylish, trendy, and polished templates that are mobile-responsive and pre-populated with sample content. These templates are categorized by industry, such as photography, architecture, and more.
Easy to Use for Design-Oriented Users
The platform is suitable for individuals with an eye for design but lacking in coding skills. The XPRS editor uses pre-made content blocks called “Stripes” that allow you to build your website in layers, similar to using Lego blocks.
Affordable Pricing
IM Creator’s paid plans start at $7.95 per month for the Premium plan, which is relatively affordable compared to other website builders. There is also a free plan available for students, artists, and non-profit organizations.
Customization Options
Although not as intuitive as some competitors, IM Creator allows you to customize your website’s design elements, including text, imagery, and layout. You can also change how your website looks on mobile devices within the desktop editor.
SEO Tools
The platform provides comprehensive SEO tools, including tracking for Google Analytics and Facebook pixels, which can help increase your site’s engagement, traffic, and conversions.
Ecommerce Functionality
IM Creator offers basic ecommerce features, including store analytics, checkout services, and unlimited storage and bandwidth on all plans. However, these features are not as scalable or advanced as those found on platforms like Shopify or Wix.
Customer Support Resources
While the support is basic on the free plan, IM Creator provides a helpful user guide and a large knowledge center. The Premium plan offers 24/7 customer support, and the Pro & Whitelabel plan includes dedicated business consultants.
Cons of IM Creator
Limited Ease of Use
IM Creator is not ideal for beginners due to its restrictive interface and lack of intuitive drag-and-drop features. The platform requires more clicks and steps to customize elements compared to other website builders like Wix or Squarespace.
No Drag-and-Drop Editor in Classic Mode
Unlike many other website builders, the Classic Creator Editor does not offer a traditional drag-and-drop experience, which can make customization more cumbersome.
No Free Trial
There is no free trial available for any of the paid pricing plans, which can be a significant drawback for those who want to test the platform before committing.
Template Limitations
Once you’ve published your website with a template, you cannot change to another template without re-entering all your content again.
Basic Feature Set
IM Creator lacks many important business features that are standard on other website builders, such as advanced ecommerce options, online forms, and membership systems.
Limited Customer Support Channels
The platform does not offer live chat or phone support, which can be inconvenient for users who need immediate assistance.
Ecommerce and Blogging Limitations
The ecommerce and blogging functionalities on IM Creator are not very scalable and lack the advanced features available on other platforms.
Overall, while IM Creator offers some attractive features like beautiful templates and basic ecommerce functionality, it falls short in terms of ease of use, feature set, and customer support compared to other website builders in the market.
IM Creator - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of IM Creator
XPRS and Classic Creator Editors
Stunning Design Templates
Responsive and SEO-Friendly
Potential Alternatives
WordPress.com
Wix
Shopify
Duda
Limitations of IM Creator
Template Flexibility
Feature Set
IM Creator - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about IM Creator
Q: What is IM Creator and what does it offer?
IM Creator is a website builder designed to help users create stunning websites quickly and easily. It offers a range of professionally designed templates, an intuitive building block-based interface, and tools that allow users to customize their websites without needing HTML or CSS skills.
Q: What types of editors does IM Creator provide?
IM Creator offers two different editors: the XPRS Editor and the Classic Creator Editor. The XPRS Editor uses Polydoms (called “Stripes”) to build websites in layers, similar to building with Legos. The Classic Creator Editor is a traditional drag-and-drop editor that gives users full creative control over their content placement.
Q: What are the key features of IM Creator?
Key features include customizable templates, real-time editing, pre-built templates, drag-and-drop functionality, image editing, and SEO management. IM Creator also offers features like landing pages, media libraries, and website management tools.
Q: Does IM Creator support eCommerce?
IM Creator does offer an eCommerce option, but it is limited. The eCommerce plugin is powered by ShopRocket, which is easy to use but lacks the powerful features and customization options of other eCommerce solutions like Ecwid or WooCommerce. For advanced eCommerce features, users may need to use HTML embeds of third-party applications.
Q: What are the pricing plans for IM Creator?
IM Creator offers several pricing plans:
- Free Plan: Available for students and artists.
- Premium Plan: $8 per month.
- Pro & Whitelabel Plan: $350 per year, which includes unlimited licenses and white labeling options.
Q: What type of customer support does IM Creator provide?
IM Creator provides several support options, including tickets, FAQs/forums, knowledge bases, chat, and email/help desk support.
Q: Can I change templates after publishing my website?
No, if you want to change to another template after publishing your website, you will have to re-enter all your content again. The existing content does not automatically get transferred into the new template.
Q: Does IM Creator support mobile devices?
Yes, IM Creator supports mobile devices. The templates are designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring your website looks good on various devices.
Q: Are there any limitations to IM Creator’s feature set?
Yes, IM Creator has a basic feature set and is not designed for feature-heavy websites. It lacks many important business features such as blogging, online forms, and membership systems.
Q: Who are the typical users of IM Creator?
Typical users of IM Creator include freelancers, startups, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and non-profit organizations.
Q: Does IM Creator offer a free trial?
There is no free trial mentioned in the current information available. However, there is a free plan available for students and artists.
By addressing these questions, you can get a comprehensive overview of what IM Creator offers and whether it suits your website building needs.
IM Creator - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of IM Creator
IM Creator is a website builder that, while it has its strengths, falls short in several key areas compared to its competitors.Pros
- Aesthetically Pleasing Templates: IM Creator offers a wide range of stylish and polished templates, categorized by industry, which can be customized easily. These templates are mobile-responsive and pre-populated with sample content, making it quicker to get your website up and running.
- Affordable Pricing: The platform is cost-effective, with plans starting at $7.95 per month for a 12-month subscription. It also offers a free plan for students, artists, and non-profits.
- Customization: IM Creator allows you to change the look of your website on mobile devices within the desktop editor and provides access to stock imagery. The XPRS editor uses a unique “Stripes” system, which can be intuitive once you get used to it.
Cons
- Ease of Use: IM Creator is not ideal for beginners. The platform lacks the intuitive drag-and-drop features found in other leading website builders like Wix or Squarespace. The editing process can feel more complicated than necessary.
- Limited Features: IM Creator’s feature set is basic and lacks important business features such as advanced eCommerce capabilities, blogging tools, online forms, and membership systems. For eCommerce, it relies on third-party applications like ShopRocket, which is less powerful than alternatives like Ecwid or WooCommerce.
- Customer Support: While IM Creator offers a ticketing system with a reasonable response time, it lacks live chat and phone support. The Pro & Whitelabel plan offers better support, but this is a more expensive option.
Who Would Benefit Most
IM Creator is best suited for users with some web design experience. It is particularly useful for:- Professional Web Designers: The Pro & Whitelabel plan allows web design agencies to build multiple client websites with unlimited licenses, making it a good option for those in the web design business.
- Small Businesses and Individuals with Design Experience: Those who are comfortable with web design and need a cost-effective solution with good templates might find IM Creator suitable. However, they should be aware of the limitations in features and ease of use.