uCoz is a Russian based company that launched in 2005 as a global multilanguage website builder with a focus on satisfying users that have little experience and providing lots of options. uCoz claims over 1 million websites, targeting both inexperienced users and advanced designers who desire more control.
OverviewThe uCoz offers simplicity, flexibility, and usability along with a free plan for do-it-yourself clients. There are features to support small businesses and large eCommerce. The platform provides a control panel interface for setup and editing.
Although not as simple as some of its competitors, the uCoz drag and drop editing requires some getting used to. It has its logic, which is fairly quick to learn. uCoz finds strength in features including the ability for users to take full control in HTML and CSS if desired. uCoz offers three design options: design your own, use a free theme template, or pay for a premium one.
Who Is uCoz Recommended For?
The uCoz website builder is recommended for individuals, small company professionals, large business owners and website designers building sites for others.
uCoz’s Area of Focus / Specialties
uCoz is focused on simplicity yet advanced customization in a do-it-yourself website builder. It offers the added capability of editing and managing code for those with the skill set. uCoz specialties include versatility, extensive features, and customization options along with multiple languages. It comes packaged with some internal programs (uKit, uShop, URan, and uID) for home businesses and stores.
uCoz’s Technical Specs / Limitations
The technical specs for uCoz include a broad range of templates and all of the standard options of a do-it-yourself website builder. It has a large feature set to support varying businesses needs as well as designers’ diverse skill levels. As well, those who want to customize through code have the opportunity in an HTML editor.
Regarding limitations, the uCoz interface is slightly more complicated than some of its competitors in the website builder space. The free website option is somewhat limited and likely to support only basic website needs. It is a great start.
Is There Adequate Scalability / Room To Grow?
With one of five affordable pricing plans or a free account, uCoz offers scalability and growth options for most online companies. Store owners and small business owners can easily move into the pricing plan that supports their business as it expands.
What is the MoneyBack Guarantee Policy?
While no money-back guarantee is visible on the website, uCoz offers a basic free-for-life website in which to test the waters.
What is uCoz’s Reputation?
uCoz has a pretty good reputation among both beginnings to advanced users because of its flexible platform. It offers plenty of functionality and one of the best multi-language packages at a relatively low cost. It ranks similarly to some of the better website builders in its class including Wix, Weebly, and Webs (with 4 to 5 stars).
Affiliate Program for Customers
uCoz offers a modest affiliate program in which users post a uCoz link and earn 5 cents when users register via the link and create a website. Additionally, if that referral pays for any of uCoz’s paid services, clients receive 20% of those payments.
Why Choose uCoz?
uCoz offers a solid platform, adequate functionality, a free or reasonably priced plan, and some templates to choose from. Beginners can manage uCoz and programmer types like the added customization options. The uCoz website itself presents a few page scrolling, multiple windows, and text challenges, but these are not showstoppers.
Key FeaturesThe experts basically made the same comment as users. They knocked uCoz for only removing ads on paid accounts and for not including and drag and drop editor. However, the vast majority of free website builders include ads to help promote their business. This is a common practice and they are completely transparent about the terms. I would also question any criticism regarding a lack of drag and drop editor. The program simply isn’t designed for people looking for that kind of feature. Even then,experts are happy to award the program 9 out of ten stars.
The near perfect score is due to amount of high quality features that come with uCoz. Not only is it easy to use and allows you to quickly make edits, it also provides plenty of storage space, great support and a long list of templates and widgets. uCoz is recommended by both users and experts.
Those with the know-how, seem to truly enjoy uCoz. It offers a very flexible design that makes it easy to customize every aspect of your website. Users were very pleased with the amount of available tools and themes. There is plenty to choose from to help build and expand your website. You can even manage several sites from one account and easily navigate the admin and user interface.Users also made positive comments about the eCommerce and SEO tools. uCoz also ranks well when it comes to security, technical support and practically every other category. While it certainly isn’t for everyone and requires some advanced skills, uCoz certainly makes a strong showing. Amateur and professional coders alike may want to take a closer look.
Most of the complaints about uCoz have to do with the free version or make reference to the user friendly nature of the program. While you can use uCoz to create a website for free, remember that your domain will end in ucoz.com and contain ads for their company. If you want to eliminate these elements, you will have to sign up for a paid subscription.
Users also mentioned that fact that uCoz isn’t particularly user friendly, but that is with good reason. It is one of the few website builders that is marketed towards coders and professionals. For those with some technical experience, it can actually help you learn how to code. If you want a drag and drop editor,keep shopping.
Design & CustomizationThe design and customization options in uCoz are managed through content modules and some internal programs (uKit, uShop, URan, and uID). Designers also have the possibility to modify the code. The interface takes an adjustment period to figure out how it works, but the styles, colors, and placement are relatively easy to change. uCoz offers a variety of design and customization options including hundreds of gadgets and widgets that are easy enough to manage.
| Feature | Overview |
| uCoz Templates | uCoz offers 250 personal and business templates to choose from, although you will have to move into a price-based plan in order to get a mobile template. It is expected that free responsive templates will soon be available. Users can switch templates well after editing begins, and there are options for personal, business, and online shops.
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| uCoz Interface | The uCoz design interface offers a control panel menu for editing, adding elements, and entering content. While uCoz specializes in simplicity, edits on the platform are not quite as intuitive of some builders in this class. |
| Page Style Customization Options | uCoz ranks well regarding personalization and customization. That’s because there are design choices, lots of templates, content modules, and access to entering and edit code. Some of the uCoz’s content modules include a page editor, forum, site news, guestbook, blog, web polls, e-shop, and photo albums.
uCoz designers like the page style customization options along with the ability to code and select from dozens of add-ons and plugins. |
| Site Navigation | uCoz templates offer the standard site navigation options or those with some experience can add more levels including subpages. Expect responsive mobile navigation as well with the correct template which may require one of uCoz’s paid plans. |
| Content Management | uCoz intends for content management to be easy. Given the built-in design options available on this platform, managing content is quite flexible. Include news, articles, forum messages, photos, online store products, and more. Set per-user permissions. |
| Photos and Galleries | uCoz is set up to design your dynamic photo gallery or select from a built-in gallery. As well, users can modify pictures, add descriptions, and more. |
| Mobile Site Building | uCoz comes with a mobile site building feature so visitors and customers can display and navigate from almost any mobile device. eCommerce is supported on mobile devices as well. |
| Social Sharing Integration | Social media integration and publishing is no problem for the uCoz website builder. Also, post blogs on social media networks including Facebook, Twitter, and more. |
| Design Services | uCoz like most website builders in this subset is made for do-it-yourself website design. For those seeking comprehensive design services in which a site is built and developed for you, search online for full-service website designers, and expect to pay much more. |
Features & Tools A plus for uCoz is in robust features that meet the demands of nearly any online personal or business entity including eCommerce. With a vast array of internal features, add-ons, and modules, novice users and designers alike are taking advantage of this platform. Below are some of the uCoz attractions:
| Feature | Overview |
| uCoz Setup | Once you navigate the uCoz website and figure out how it works, you eventually click one of the many links to create a website. You’ll be prompted for an email address and a new password, followed by a domain name (if you have one). uCoz can also supply this. You will select a free or paid design, and the process begins |
| Web Design | In the design phase, uCoz offers a variety of modules to add to your site, and you access an available control panel to customize your pages. An HTML/CSS editor is available for those who prefer working from code. |
| The depth of Navigation | The uCoz templates offer a standard depth of navigation, but users have the flexibility of adding more levels to suit personal or business needs. |
| Widgets and Apps | Here is where uCoz shines, as designers can add widgets and modules (apps) to about any degree. Some examples include photo albums, a file catalog, polls, e-mail forums, eCommerce solutions, and more. |
| Monetization | uCoz includes their own built in tools (uShop, etc.) for monetization that will integrate well with all of the standard eCommerce requirements for shopping and payments. |
| Visitor Statistics | A hidden stats counter on a uCoz designed website will please storeowners. |
| Photos, Videos, and Audio | uCoz offers a media toolset to suit eCommerce and other types of business. It is a website builder that is cut out for eCommerce and site branding. Users can include an audio playlist. |
| Blogging | uCoz lets designers add a module in the form of a blog for no added fee over the paid subscription. As to whether users love it, little information is available but no complaints either. |
| Google Maps | uCoz lets users easily insert Google maps and other maps. |
| HTML Editor | One of the uCoz’s assets is the option to add and edit HTML/CSS code. |
| Forms and Surveys. | Select a uCoz module for forms, surveys, and other polling elements |
| Storage Space | Free signups receive 400MB while paying subscribers to receive from 1GB up to 10+GB within five reasonable plans. |
| Newsletter Tool | While there is no right newsletter tool, uCoz users can insert their Custom Design from the control panel to set up and perform a newsletter mailing. |
| Forum Support. | uCoz offers a forum module for website designers and a forum in the uCoz Community for customer inquiries and answers. |
| E-Commerce / Online Store. | ecommerce, uCoz offers the built-in eCommerce features store owners require. Subscribers may need to invest in the “Shop” pricing model to get everything they require, but it is reasonable. It appears external eCommerce widgets like Ecwid can be integrated as well. |
| Gateway Integration | Payment gateway services are a large part of uCoz’s service offering. |
| SEO Friendly. | While the search engine optimization feature is not mentioned on uCoz’s system tour, it must be there. Further testing needed. |
| Site Limited Access (Password Protection) | uCoz provides users with an account login and password protection for their website. |
| Google® Analytics | uCoz integrates with Google Analytics, but a designer will need to insert code to do this work. A brief support call may be necessary for novice users. |
| Website Builder Securit | uCoz takes login, data, and security very seriously for its user community and customers |
| Multiple Languages | uCoz supports 15 languages, with a little bit of figuring out required on the part of the designer |
| Mobile Optimization | uCoz’s paid templates provide mobile optimization for successful display, navigation, and purchasing on almost any device. |
| CDN Technology | There is no direct statement made by uCoz about CDN technology, but it is apparent to 1 million users that they support excellent availability and performance. |
Plans & Pricing uCoz offers one of the best pricing models among its competitors. Users can sign up for a free lifetime account with minimal features, or choose between five reasonable monthly plans. A pricing table is available right up front under the uCoz home page menu.
Pricing Plans Offered
The uCoz features list is generous and quite lengthy, so visit the pricing table online to see all of the benefits.
uCoz offers very competitive pricing with an incredible all-inclusive features package on most plans. There are a few add-on costs here and there.
Consider the following factors regarding pricing:
Is the payment fulfilled on a monthly/yearly basis? A monthly payment plan is offered.
Customer Support uCoz has a comprehensive set of customer support options that are similar to most of the do-it-yourself website builders. Select the help menu from within the interface, or visit the website for a useful FAQ, a forum in the uCoz Community, and a Contact form sent through email. No phone number, but that is typical for these types of website builders.
Ease of Use uCoz is a relatively easy do-it-yourself website builder. While some builders might be easier to use, uCoz has a short learning curve. It is done for any skill level but easier to customize for those with code experience. It is easy to get set up, and the customer reviews are good. An eCommerce website will take a little more research and planning to set up and maintain.
The simplicity of Interface. The uCoz interface scores medium for a control panel editing interface. I wouldn’t call it simple, but not extremely hard either.
Suitable for Beginners / Advanced Users. This is the beauty of uCoz. It seems to attract both beginners who need a basic website as well as experienced designers who want to customize through code—and the price is right.
Retain Control Over The Website At All Times. Designers/subscribers receive full control of their website in a secure login at uCoz.
In-Editor Help Provided. There seems to be some in-editor help and host of other help options for new and advanced users including a help menu.
uCoz is a competitive website builder that is reasonably easy to use and offers endless built-in and external features and modules to result in the anyone website might need.
Conclusion uCoz ranks high in the class of do-it-yourself website builders, especially for small businesses and store owners. uCoz supports 15 languages and five reasonable pricing plans for scalability. A free basic website is offered for getting started or the long term.
This platform is attractive to both novice and advanced users—since it offers both template-based and freeform design options. The feature set is huge if you don’t mind figuring out how some of them work. Here is the uCoz fine print:
uCoz is a powerful and versatile website builder in its class. It supports about any type and scale of site anyone might need. It offers functionality, a large feature set, and fair pricing plans to accommodate worldwide users.
There are good reviews for this website builder, but some mystery as to the particular detail of the features and the process. uCoz seems to be an excellent option for the average designer, and the free option is attractive for testing it out to see if it aligns with your skill level and your website needs.
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