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Sandvox is an easy-to-use, WYSIWYG tool for creating Web sites. It's perfect for less technical users who don't want to edit HTML but do want an attractive site that ranks well in search-engine results. This app's intuitive interface is organized around a straightforward toolbar on top and a site outline on the side. You can drag and drop images, text, and even movies, and you can see what your changes look like in real time while you're working. More experienced Web developers might feel constrained by Sandvox's simple, code-free workflow, but Web design novices will love how quickly they can get started, with more than 50 premade design templates and built-in "pagelets" that let you add extra functionality and content from sites like Amazon, Digg, and Flickr.
Overall, Sandvox is an excellent option for anyone who wants to quickly create basic but still useful and attractive Web sites. Professional users should check out Sandvox Pro, which lets you work with raw HTML and use Google Webmaster tools.
Publisher's Description
From Karelia Software:
Sandvox allows to create content-rich, standards-compliant, stylish websites quickly and easily. Just click and drag content to and from your site as you create it and watch your site turn into exactly what you've envisioned. Then, you can publish your new site to whichever host you prefer. Using either the Regular or Pro editions of Sandvox, you'll have everything you need to create the website of your dreams. New website creators can build great looking sites in no time and professional website builders can create sophisticated, websites that show off their webmaster talents in uniquely creative ways. With Sandvox, everyone is a webmaster, no matter how much or how little experience they have.
What's new in this version: We saw the need for Sandvox to support the capabilities of Retina displays shortly after the third-generation iPad was released in Spring 2012, followed by the Retina MacBook Pro in June. While it was pretty easy to get the internal icons and graphics of Sandvox itself updated to include Retina-quality graphics, our bigger goal was to make the websites that Sandvox creates look sharp on Retina displays. So, we started the process of updating Sandvox's internal handling of graphics to no longe... See all new features
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 33 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Easy to use, very limited, boring options"
Version: Sandvox 2.6.7
Pros
This program allows anyone with any computer literacy at all to develop a website very quickly. If you want a site to share some vacation photos and commentary with friends, or a site where you can post some announcements for an organization you belong to, or post some pretty basic information about your local business, this program will allow you do to that quickly and easily.
Cons
Borrrrinnng. I can't understand how anyone can favorably compare this product to iWeb. With iWeb you could control background colors and images. You could control page width. You could move objects around and place them where you wanted them. You could add shapes and colors and textures and shadows. You could place your side bar on the side you wanted and make it the width you wanted. Sure, you could create really ugly sites that way. But you could create beautiful ones too. You can't do any of that with Sandvox. I hope you want your background to be white, or if you go really crazy you might be able to find a template with a beige background. I hope your banner fits into one of two size categories that are available on the templates. I hope your site fits into one of the two page width categories. I hope if you add links that you don't care what colors and styles you get for hover, and roll over.. Sigh. I want my iWeb back.
Summary
Like instant oatmeal. Easy to use, can't really mess it up, has a few unimaginative "flavors", very very very bland.
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"Great Mac website creation program for non-coders"
Version: Sandvox 2.6.7
Pros
Easy and fun. It has created two fine, functional websites for me. Since the master version of a website resides on your computer along with the Sandvox software, you can fool with appearance and content as much as you want without disturbing the version that is on line. When you are satisfied with changes, two clicks puts the new version on line in a matter of seconds.
Actually, I put the master versions of our two websites on Dropbox. Thus it also appears on all of our other Macs. As a result I can edit an upload changes from any of our Macs.Cons
One cannot control the main menu and figure captions fonts in a given template. For instance a template my wife otherwise likes best uses Times in the main menu and figure captions. She wants Ariel. I have found no way to change this. One CAN freely change text on a page or in a text box. Why not in the main menu and figure captions?
Summary
If you cannot or do not want to write html code, this is THE website creation program to get for a Mac.
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"Program is solid but Cust Serv is HORRIBLE"
Version: Sandvox 2.5.6
Pros
Simple and easy to get a handle on. The ability to easily set up Google tools, Facebook comments and Twitter feeds is invaluable. Plenty of built-in templates. The program itself is worth it.
Cons
Customer service is completely absent. I installed an update, it corrupted my data file. I submitted a service ticket but NEVER heard a single word from them (other than the auto-generated e-mail confirming receipt). I even followed up with them and still not a word. I had to completely recreate/rebuild my site. Being a Butler, customer service is very important to me, and with Karelia/Sandvox team it is nonexistent. This is the reason for not giving it 5-stars.
Summary
Karelia needs to re-evaluate how they are addressing their customers needs. Due to their lack of response my work was made much more difficult.
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"This is a must-have app!"
Version: Sandvox 2.2.1
Pros
I'm brutally bad with web design. I've tried the big name commercial apps on both Mac and PC and failed miserably at even creating the most basic of websites. From that failure I moved onto iWeb for several years, I was in heaven. But iWeb is no longer being developed and I stumbled across Sandvox around the time they were releasing 2.0. Finally something a bit more powerful that a simpleton can wrap their head around.
It's got a myriad of website templates included with it, and their are 3rd party vendors selling countless more. I love that!
Just a few weeks ago I had some trouble with finding a feature, I emailed tech support on CHRISTMAS DAY, and they wrote back with a solution within hours. Mind boggling!Cons
Doesn't seem to implement any of Lion's new features, such as versioning, multitouch gestures, or full screen environment. Though I do imagine they'll have those features implemented soon.
Can't crop images like iWeb could, or even crop at all. They have to be edited prior to being placed in the page. It's also not possible to just place an image where I want it, I have to use the inspector and choose left, right, center, wrap text around, etc. Seems like a visual interface like this should allow me to drop an image where I want it. Again, I imagine these features are coming soon, they keep adding new features all the time.Summary
Get it, you'll use the heck out of it.
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"Don't Buy!!!"
Version: Sandvox 2.2.1
Pros
- Customer Support
- Google SEO helpCons
- Doesn't Publish website without errors and problems
- Resource HogSummary
I'm a loyal Sandvox user, but since upgrading to version 2, the Sandvox crew hasn't been able to get their act together. The software crashes, it locks up my mac, and doesn't publish without errors. I would currently not recommend this software (Jan 2012) to anyone. Come on Sandvox, how much time do you need to get this version to work correctly?
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"New v.2.2 is GREAT. Even newbies can build pro websites"
Version: Sandvox 2.2.1
Pros
Many slick, preformatted page designs, which are extensively customizable. Easy, intuitive interface allows even beginners to build sophisticated websites without knowledge of HTML or scripting. The ability to insert and edit raw HTML is nice for additional control.
Cons
While the assortment of page designs is good, more would be even better!
Summary
Sandvox is a powerful and easy-to-use program for building professional looking websites. Even without having used it before, I had completed a full redesign of my prior website within a few hours. It's a lot of fun to play with. Highly recommended.
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"Very good and easy to use, but has limitations"
Version: Sandvox 1.6.8
Pros
It's very intuitive, well designed, and easy to learn for non-techies. One of the few DIY web design apps that lives up to its claims of being easy to use for creating nice looking websites. Lots of great company supplied and third-party templates.
Cons
1. No drop down windows. A popular and useful feature, so the lack of it can be a real deal-killer (it was for me).
2. It's not web-based, you have to buy and maintain the software, and have to be on your computer to make changes to your site.Summary
Very impressive software that lots of people will fall in love with, especially if they can't afford or don't want to have to deal with a web designer to maintain their website. Probably the best web design software for non-techie Mac users. But the lack of drop-down windows, and not being web-based can rule it out for many people.
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"Not here"
Version: Sandvox 1.6.4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Too bloated and a complicated UI.
Wasn't Karelia Software bought out by Sun? -
"ok, EXCEPT FOR MUSIC REALLY BAD....WHO WANTS VOCALS?"
Version: Sandvox 1.6.2
Pros
fun to set up
Cons
REALLY LOUSY CHOICES OF MUSIC FOR THE SLIDESHOW. Who in the world would enjoy watching wonderful photos to some guys singing hip hop? Or worse yet, the love songs are terrible.
Summary
if you want music with your slideshow, you had better be about 14 years old and enjoy the crappy music that they have......no good selection of instumentals at all.....i would just as soon go somewhere else for this.....
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"Excellent software"
Version: Sandvox 1.5.3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Reply to this review
I´ve been using Sandvox since v.1. This piece meets all my needs;- it´s intuitive, easy to use, rich of possibilities and it seems to get better and better. I´ve contacted the dev a few times and the answers have always been quick, accurate, friendly and what´s more: The guys there have a sence of humour! Have no problem in recommending it!
