Moonfruit - Detailed Review
Website Tools
Moonfruit - Product Overview
Introduction to Moonfruit
Moonfruit is a versatile platform that serves two primary functions, each catering to different needs and audiences.Website Builder
For individuals and businesses looking to create an online presence, Moonfruit operates as a user-friendly website builder. Its primary function is to help users build fully functional websites without requiring any coding skills. Here are the key features and target audience for this aspect:- Target Audience: Small businesses, projects, and individuals who want to establish an online presence.
- Key Features:
- Responsive design to ensure the website looks great on all devices.
- Ready-made templates that can be edited using a drag and drop interface.
- Code-free editing, making it accessible to those without technical skills.
- Global styling options to quickly change the entire website’s design.
- Fast loading times and effective rendering for a good user experience.
- Integration with Google fonts for varied text styling.
- Options to connect your own domain and varying storage capacities depending on the plan chosen.
B2B Marketplace and Agency Network
In addition to its website builder, Moonfruit has recently launched a B2B marketplace platform and agency network. This platform is aimed at connecting businesses with top-tier digital marketing and SEO agencies.- Target Audience: Digital marketing and SEO agencies, as well as businesses seeking reliable service providers.
- Key Features:
- A comprehensive global business directory that lists agencies with detailed profiles, including areas of expertise, budget range, and client reviews.
- Curated rankings that showcase the best performers in the industry, helping businesses find trusted partners quickly.
- A streamlined process where businesses can submit their website and service requirements to receive quotes from highly rated agencies.
- Enhanced visibility for listed agencies, which can improve their search engine rankings and attract high-quality leads.
Pricing and Plans
For the website builder, Moonfruit offers various paid plans with no free option, but a 14-day free trial is available. The plans include Basic and Professional options, with varying features such as storage capacity, number of sites, and ad removal. For the B2B marketplace, the focus is on providing a trusted environment for businesses to find reliable service providers, rather than on individual pricing plans.Conclusion
Moonfruit is a multifaceted platform that caters to both individuals looking to build websites and businesses seeking professional digital marketing and SEO services. Its intuitive interface, responsive design, and comprehensive directory make it a valuable tool for its target audiences. Moonfruit - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of Moonfruit is characterized by its drag-and-drop website editor, which allows users to customize their websites without needing any coding knowledge. This editor, however, is notably Flash-based, which can make it feel somewhat outdated and clunky compared to more modern website builders.
To address this, Moonfruit has introduced a new Responsive editor, which provides more flexibility and modern features. This editor includes sections stacked vertically per page and offers a range of templates to help users develop their web pages quickly.
Ease of Use
While Moonfruit is easy to use for basic website creation, it does have a learning curve. The interface is not as seamless as some of the more modern website builders like Wix. Users can create functional and good-looking websites, but the process may require some time to get accustomed to the editor’s functionality.
The drag-and-drop feature simplifies the process of adding elements such as maps, forms, galleries, embedded videos, and social feeds to the website. However, fine-tuning individual elements or shifting entire content blocks around can be a bit more challenging due to the editor’s interface.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with Moonfruit is decent but not exceptional. Users appreciate the extensive range of customization options and the ability to create a website quickly. The platform provides comprehensive insights into customer behavior through tools like Google Analytics, which is a significant plus.
However, the Flash-based editor and the limited number of responsive templates can make the experience feel less intuitive compared to other website builders. Moonfruit has attempted to remedy this by adding new features, but there is still room for improvement in terms of modernizing the interface and enhancing user experience.
Additional Features
- Mobile optimization: Users can preview and edit the mobile version of their site, ensuring it looks good on all devices.
- SEO-friendly: Websites created with Moonfruit are optimized for search engines, and an automatic sitemap is generated to ensure proper indexing.
- Integration with tools: Users can integrate Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, and other services to analyze and improve their website’s performance.
In summary, Moonfruit provides a user-friendly interface with a drag-and-drop editor, but it has some limitations, particularly with its outdated Flash-based technology. While it is a good starting point for creating a website, users may find it less intuitive and less feature-rich compared to more modern website builders.
Moonfruit - Key Features and Functionality
Moonfruit Overview
Moonfruit is a user-friendly website builder that offers a range of features to help individuals and businesses create professional-looking websites without requiring any coding knowledge. Here are the main features and how they work:Responsive Editor
Moonfruit includes a Responsive editor, which is an addition to its original editor. This editor allows users to create web pages with sections stacked vertically, making it easy to design responsive websites that adapt to different screen sizes. The editor also comes with various templates to help users develop their web pages quickly.Templates
Moonfruit provides a selection of templates that act as patterns to help users build and design their websites quickly. These templates offer pre-designed layouts, making it easier to get started with website creation.WYSIWYG Editor
The What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) editor allows users to edit their website in real-time, seeing the changes as they make them. This feature simplifies the website building process and makes it more intuitive.Domain and Storage
Users can choose from Moonfruit’s professional custom domain names or use a domain name from a third-party provider. The platform offers different storage options, with the Professional plan providing 10GB of storage and a free domain voucher.Integration with Analytic Tools
Moonfruit allows easy integration with analytic tools such as Google Analytics. This helps users track their website’s performance and make data-driven decisions to improve their site.Multimedia and Animations
The platform offers a wide range of images, slideshows, and animations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the website. These features help in creating an engaging and visually appealing site.HTML5 and SEO
All websites created with Moonfruit are fully HTML5, making them search engine friendly. An automatic sitemap is generated to ensure that all pages are properly indexed by search engines.E-commerce Capabilities
Moonfruit includes an Online Store Builder feature, which allows users to build an e-commerce store on their website. This feature is essential for businesses looking to sell products online.Drag and Drop
The drag and drop feature enables users to easily move and copy objects on their website, making the design process more user-friendly and efficient.Newsletter Management and Landing Pages
Moonfruit offers tools for managing newsletters and creating landing pages (web forms). These features are useful for email marketing and capturing leads from website visitors.SEO Management
The platform provides SEO management tools to help users optimize their website’s performance and meet their marketing and sales objectives.Online Booking
Users can facilitate online reservations or bookings for events or services directly from their website, which is particularly useful for businesses that offer services or events.Surveys and Auto Updates
Moonfruit allows users to create surveys to optimize response rates and ensures that the software is always up to date with automatic updates.AI Integration
While Moonfruit does not explicitly integrate AI into its core features, it does provide a streamlined and user-friendly interface that simplifies the website building process. However, there is no specific AI-driven functionality mentioned in the available resources. The platform’s ease of use and automated features, such as the automatic generation of sitemaps and integration with analytic tools, contribute to a seamless user experience, but these are not AI-specific. Moonfruit - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Moonfruit has been around since 2000, making it one of the older website builders in the market. Despite its longevity, it still faces some performance issues, particularly in terms of user experience. Here are a few notable aspects:
Ease of Use
Moonfruit’s site editor, although improved with the introduction of a responsive editor, still has a learning curve. The original editor is Flash-based, which can make the interface feel clunky and less intuitive compared to more modern website builders like Wix.
Features and Customization
Moonfruit allows users to build functional and good-looking websites with features such as maps, forms, galleries, and social feeds. However, the number of responsive templates is limited, and customization requires fine-tuning individual elements or shifting content blocks around.
Speed and Bandwidth
The platform offers various plans with different bandwidth and storage limits. For example, the “Lite” plan includes 10GB of bandwidth and 500 MB of storage, while higher plans offer more generous limits.
Accuracy and Reliability
HTML5 Compliance
Moonfruit-created websites are fully HTML5, which makes them search engine friendly. An automatic sitemap is also generated to ensure proper indexing of pages.
Analytics Integration
Users can easily integrate analytic tools such as Google Analytics, which helps in tracking website performance accurately.
Domain and Hosting
Moonfruit allows users to use either their custom domain names or those from third-party providers. This flexibility is a plus, but the lack of a free plan might be a drawback for some users.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
eCommerce Functionality
Moonfruit does not have a built-in eCommerce function. Instead, it relies on the Shoprocket engine for eCommerce needs, which, while robust, adds an extra layer of complexity.
Modern Features
The platform lacks some of the modern features and ease of use that newer website builders offer. This includes more advanced drag-and-drop functionality and a wider range of responsive templates.
No Free Plan
Unlike many other website builders, Moonfruit does not offer a free plan, although it does provide a 15-day free trial to test its features.
In summary, while Moonfruit is a decent website builder with some strong features such as HTML5 compliance and analytics integration, it faces challenges in terms of ease of use, modern features, and the absence of a built-in eCommerce function. Users looking for a more intuitive and feature-rich experience might find other website builders more appealing.
Moonfruit - Pricing and Plans
Plans and Pricing
Moonfruit has four paid plans, each with varying levels of features and resources.Lite Plan
- Price: $6 per month, or $4.50 per month with an annual discount.
- Features:
- One website
- Up to five pages
- 10GB of bandwidth
- 500 MB of storage
- Premium support
- Sell up to 20 products in the online store
- Create one site admin
- Blog creation
- Google Analytics integration
- Domain connection
- Remove Moonfruit ads
- Custom code insertion
Standard Plan
- Price: $12 per month, or $9 per month with an annual discount.
- Features:
- Unlimited number of pages
- 20GB of bandwidth
- 1GB of storage
- Premium support
- Sell up to 50 products in the online store
- Unlimited site admins
- Form builder
- Getty images access
- Membership creation
- Domain vouchers
- Google AdWords access
- Free domain for one year with an annual plan
Plus Plan
- Price: $20 per month, or $15 per month with an annual discount.
- Features:
- Up to 10 websites
- Unlimited pages and bandwidth
- 5GB of storage
- Phone support
- Sell up to 150 products
- 2 free domains for one year with an annual plan
Max Plan
- Price: $35 per month, or $26.25 per month with an annual discount.
- Features:
- Up to 20 websites
- 10 GB of storage
- Sell up to 1000 products
- Three free domains for one year with an annual plan
Free Trial
Moonfruit does not offer a free plan, but it does provide a 15-day free trial. This trial allows you to test the service and its features before committing to a paid plan.Additional Services
- Moonfruit also offers additional services such as Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, Booking Bug for reservation systems, and Moo business cards, which can be integrated into your website.
Moonfruit - Integration and Compatibility
When considering the integration and compatibility of Moonfruit, it’s important to note that the platform has undergone significant changes recently.
Integration with Other Tools
Moonfruit allowed users to integrate several external tools to enhance their website functionality. Here are some key integrations that were available:Google Analytics and Google Search Console
Users could connect their websites to these services to analyze website viewership and optimize their site’s visibility on Google.Social Media Elements
Moonfruit supported the integration of various social media elements such as Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, Instagram, and Pinterest.Form Services
Users could integrate forms from services like Wufoo and Google Forms.Booking Systems
There was support for integrating booking systems like Booking Bug to create reservation systems on the website.Media Services
Integrations with YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, and SoundCloud were available for adding multimedia content. However, it’s crucial to note that Moonfruit’s platform was decommissioned in December 2021 due to its reliance on Adobe Flash, which is no longer supported by modern browsers.Compatibility Across Different Platforms and Devices
Before its closure, Moonfruit websites were compatible with various devices:Responsive Design
Moonfruit’s Responsive editor ensured that websites were optimized for different screen sizes, including desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Users could preview and edit the mobile version of their site directly within the editor.HTML5 Compatibility
All Moonfruit-created websites were built using HTML5, making them search engine friendly and ensuring proper indexing by search engines.Current Status
Since Moonfruit was decommissioned, Yell, the owner of Moonfruit, migrated existing websites to the Wix platform. This migration allowed users to continue managing their websites, although some features like e-commerce stores had to be manually recreated on Wix. In summary, while Moonfruit offered several integrations and was compatible across various devices before its closure, its current status means that users are now managing their websites on the Wix platform, which has its own set of integration and compatibility features. Moonfruit - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Support Options
Moonfruit provides customer support, although the extent of support can vary depending on the subscription plan. Users with paid subscriptions generally have access to more comprehensive support options, including premium support.
Technical Assistance
For technical issues, users can submit a technical query or launch a walkthrough with tips through the help section on the Moonfruit platform.
Additional Resources
FAQs and Guides
FAQs and Guides: Moonfruit offers a section where users can search FAQs, download guides, and watch tutorials to help them get started and resolve common issues.
Walkthroughs and Tips
Walkthroughs and Tips: Users can access walkthroughs that provide step-by-step guidance on using the platform’s features.
Email and Domain Support
Email and Domain Support: For users who purchase domains through Moonfruit, the service includes WHOIS privacy, email addresses, email forwarding, and technical support for these services.
Community and Help Center
Community and Help Center: While the specific resources available are not detailed, users can expect to find help center documentation and possibly community forums or support groups where they can interact with other users and support staff.
Integration and Tools
Tool Integration
Moonfruit allows users to integrate various tools such as Google Analytics, which can be set up directly from the platform. This helps users monitor their website’s performance and make data-driven decisions.
Website Elements
Users can also add forms, galleries, embedded videos, social feeds, and other elements to their websites, with resources available to guide these integrations.
Overall, Moonfruit provides a range of support options and resources to help users build and maintain their websites, though some features may be limited to paid subscribers.
Moonfruit - Pros and Cons
When Considering Moonfruit as a Website Builder
Pros
- Ease of Use: Moonfruit is generally easy to use, especially for those without technical expertise. It offers a drag-and-drop editor that allows users to customize their site without needing to know HTML or CSS.
- Quick Setup: Moonfruit enables users to create a website quickly, which is particularly beneficial for small businesses or individuals who want to get online with minimal hassle.
- Responsive Design: The websites created with Moonfruit are optimized for both web and mobile, ensuring a good user experience across different devices.
- SEO Features: Moonfruit provides decent SEO features, allowing users to add title tags, meta descriptions, and meta keywords to each page and product. This helps in improving the site’s visibility on search engines.
- Affordable Plans: Moonfruit offers various pricing plans, including a “lite” plan starting at $6 a month, which can be attractive for those on a budget. There are also discounts for annual subscriptions.
- Additional Tools: Moonfruit integrates with several useful tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and social media platforms. It also supports adding forms, maps, and embedded videos to the site.
- Customer Support: Although limited, Moonfruit does offer a searchable knowledge base, a FAQ page, and live chat support, which can be helpful for beginners.
Cons
- Outdated Technology: Moonfruit’s site editor is still Flash-based, which makes it feel clunky and less user-friendly compared to more modern website builders.
- Limited Features: Moonfruit lacks the full set of features offered by top website builders like Wix, Shopify, or WooCommerce. It is particularly weak in areas such as content management, plugins, and marketing tools.
- No Built-in eCommerce: While Moonfruit does offer eCommerce functionality through the Shoprocket engine, it does not have a built-in eCommerce solution, which can be a significant drawback.
- No Native Blog Integration: Moonfruit does not support native blog integration, requiring users to create a separate blog using WordPress and link it to their site, which can be cumbersome.
- Limited Plugins and Extensions: The range of plugins and extensions available for Moonfruit is limited, which restricts the site’s potential for expansion and customization.
- Poor Customer Support: Despite claims of being beginner-friendly, Moonfruit’s customer support is lacking, with no phone support, limited live chat response times, and no listed email address.
- Maintenance Issues: There have been reports of maintenance issues on the Moonfruit site, including a lack of transparency about pricing and updates, which can be frustrating for users.
Conclusion
Overall, while Moonfruit offers some advantages in terms of ease of use and affordability, it falls short in many areas compared to more modern and feature-rich website builders.
Moonfruit - Comparison with Competitors
Moonfruit Key Features
- Moonfruit is a user-friendly website builder that requires no coding knowledge. It features a responsive editor, a variety of templates, and the ability to connect custom domain names or use those provided by Moonfruit.
- It integrates with analytic tools like Google Analytics, offers e-commerce capabilities, social media integration, and SEO management. Moonfruit also provides features like drag-and-drop functionality, newsletter management, and landing pages.
- The platform ensures that all websites are fully HTML5, making them search engine friendly, and automatically generates a sitemap for proper indexing.
Comparison with AI-Driven Website Builders
Wix AI Website Builder
- Wix stands out with its advanced AI capabilities, including ChatGPT integration, AI text and image generators, and an AI meta tag creator for SEO optimization. Wix offers more sophisticated post-setup design functionalities and an extensive library of free images.
- Unlike Moonfruit, Wix’s AI builder generates website template options and suggests alternative layouts, making it more automated in the design process.
Dorik
- Dorik is another AI-powered website builder that creates customized sites from just a prompt. It includes an AI image generator and supports language generation in any language. Dorik’s setup is extremely quick, generating a website within seconds.
- In contrast to Moonfruit, Dorik’s AI capabilities are more focused on automated content and image generation.
GoDaddy Website Builder
- GoDaddy’s AI website builder integrates well with marketing features such as social media management, digital ads, and email marketing. It sets up a website quickly based on user inputs about their business goals and industry.
- GoDaddy’s AI builder is more integrated with marketing tools compared to Moonfruit, which focuses more on the website building and design aspects.
Comparison with Traditional Website Builders
Squarespace
- Squarespace is known for its sleek and professional templates. While it does not have the same level of AI automation as Wix or Dorik, it offers a user-friendly interface and strong design capabilities.
- Unlike Moonfruit, Squarespace is often praised for its high-quality templates and design flexibility, although it may require more manual setup.
WordPress.com
- WordPress.com offers a wide range of templates and customization options, but it generally requires more technical knowledge compared to Moonfruit. It has a large community and extensive plugin support, which can be both a benefit and a drawback depending on the user’s needs.
- WordPress.com is more versatile but may not be as straightforward for users without any coding knowledge.
Potential Alternatives
If you are looking for alternatives to Moonfruit, here are some options:
- Wix: For those who want advanced AI-driven design and marketing tools.
- Dorik: For users who need rapid website creation with automated content and image generation.
- Squarespace: For those who prioritize professional design templates and a user-friendly interface.
- WordPress.com: For users who are comfortable with more customization options and community support, even if it requires some technical knowledge.
- GoDaddy Website Builder: For businesses that need strong integration with marketing tools and quick setup based on business goals.
Each of these alternatives offers unique features that may better suit specific needs, whether it’s advanced AI capabilities, professional design, or marketing integration.
Moonfruit - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Moonfruit
What are the pricing plans for Moonfruit?
Moonfruit offers several pricing plans. The basic plans include:- Lite Plan: $6 per month (or $4.50 with an annual discount), which includes one site, up to five pages, 10GB of bandwidth, and 500 MB of storage. It also allows you to sell up to 20 products and includes premium support.
- Standard Plan: $12 per month (or $9 with an annual discount), offering unlimited pages, 20GB of bandwidth, 1GB of storage, and the ability to sell up to 50 products.
- Plus Plan: $20 per month (or $15 with an annual discount), allowing up to 10 websites, unlimited pages and bandwidth, 5GB of storage, and the ability to sell up to 150 products.
- Max Plan: $35 per month (or $26.25 with an annual discount), enabling up to 20 websites, 10 GB of storage, and the ability to sell up to 1000 products.
What features are included in the premium plans of Moonfruit?
The premium plans of Moonfruit include several key features:- Unlimited Pages: Depending on the plan, you can create an unlimited number of pages.
- Storage and Bandwidth: Varying levels of storage and bandwidth, with the highest plan offering 10GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth.
- E-commerce Capabilities: You can sell a varying number of products, from 20 to 1000, depending on the plan.
- Domain Vouchers: Free domain vouchers are included in some plans.
- Google Analytics: Integration with Google Analytics to track your website’s performance.
- No Ads: Premium plans do not include Moonfruit advertisements.
- Support: Premium support, including phone support in higher plans.
How do I create a website using Moonfruit?
Creating a website with Moonfruit is relatively straightforward:- Choose a Template: Select from various template categories such as shop, photography, portfolio, craft, business, and personal.
- Use the Drag and Drop Editor: Moonfruit features a drag and drop editor that allows you to customize your website without needing to write code.
- Add Content: Use the toolbar to add text, images, links, and other elements to your pages.
- Customize: Customize the design and layout of your website using the various tools and options provided.
Can I use Moonfruit for e-commerce?
Yes, Moonfruit is suitable for creating e-commerce websites:- Online Store Builder: Moonfruit includes an online store builder that allows you to sell products directly from your website.
- Product Limits: The number of products you can sell varies by plan, from 20 to 1000 products.
- Shipping Options: You can create multiple shipping methods and define shipping regions, making it easier to manage your online store.
How do I integrate analytics and tracking tools with Moonfruit?
Moonfruit allows easy integration with analytics tools:- Google Analytics: You can integrate Google Analytics to track your website’s performance and visitor statistics.
- Automatic Sitemap: Moonfruit automatically generates a sitemap to ensure your pages are properly indexed by search engines.
Can I connect my own domain to a Moonfruit website?
Yes, you can connect your own domain to a Moonfruit website:- Domain Vouchers: Moonfruit provides domain vouchers, and you can also use a domain name from a third-party provider.
- Domain Management: You can manage your domain settings and choose a preferred address for your site.
What kind of support does Moonfruit offer?
Moonfruit offers various support options:- Premium Support: Included in all paid plans, providing assistance with any issues you might encounter.
- Chat Support: Available in the premium plan, offering real-time support.
- Help Guides and Tutorials: Moonfruit provides help guides, FAQs, and tutorials to assist you in using the platform.
Is Moonfruit user-friendly for those without coding skills?
Yes, Moonfruit is designed to be user-friendly for those without coding skills:- Drag and Drop Editor: The platform uses a drag and drop editor, allowing you to build and customize your website without needing to write code.
- WYSIWYG Editor: Moonfruit features a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor, enabling real-time editing while building your website.
Can I create multiple websites with Moonfruit?
Yes, depending on the plan you choose:- Lite and Standard Plans: These plans allow for one website.
- Plus Plan: Allows up to 10 websites.
- Max Plan: Enables up to 20 websites.
How do I manage files and media on my Moonfruit website?
Moonfruit provides tools to manage your files and media:- File Manager: You can upload, manage, and organize your files into folders. The file manager includes default items and useful folders such as template images, library, and stock images.
- Image Tools: You have access to various image tools and stock images from Getty Images.
Moonfruit - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Moonfruit
Moonfruit is a user-friendly website builder that offers a simple and flexible platform for creating professional-looking websites without the need for coding knowledge. Here are some key points to consider:Key Features
- Moonfruit features a responsive editor, along with a variety of templates and a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to build and design websites quickly.
- It provides integration with analytic tools like Google Analytics, SEO management options, and social media integration.
- The platform supports e-commerce capabilities, allowing users to build online stores, and includes features like online booking, newsletter management, and landing pages.
Pricing and Plans
Moonfruit offers two main plans: the Basic plan at $9.59/month and the Professional plan at $6.99/month. The Basic plan includes one site with unlimited pages, 500MB storage, and Moonfruit ads. The Professional plan upgrades to five sites, 10GB storage, no ads, and a free domain voucher.User Experience
Moonfruit is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a good choice for individuals and small businesses who want to get online quickly without much hassle. However, it may lack some advanced features compared to industry leaders like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix.SEO and Marketing
Moonfruit provides decent SEO features, including the ability to add title tags, meta descriptions, and meta keywords to each page and product. It also integrates with Google Analytics and Google Search Console, but its marketing features are somewhat limited compared to other platforms.Who Would Benefit Most
Moonfruit is ideal for:- Small businesses: Looking for a quick and easy way to establish an online presence without needing advanced features.
- Individuals: Who want to create a personal website or a simple e-commerce site.
- Non-technical users: Those who do not have coding skills but still want to build a professional-looking website.