No-Code Mobile Website Builder - New Themes & Features

Universe Launches GRID System II for Enhanced Mobile Website Building

The mobile website building platform, Universe, has recently released a significant update – GRID System II – introducing advanced creative controls, improved themes, and innovative block features to its grid-based web builder. Universe empowers users to design bespoke websites or launch e-commerce stores directly from their mobile devices, utilizing a streamlined grid system that eliminates the need for coding expertise.

Simplifying Web Development with Intuitive Gestures

“The core of Universe’s appeal lies in its grid system, and this update represents a substantial advancement,” explained Universe CEO and founder, Joseph Cohen, in a TechCrunch interview. “It will enable users to achieve more complex designs without requiring any technical skills.”

Redesigned Creative Controls and Granular Text Spacing

The platform’s website building process is founded on simple building blocks, allowing users to populate a flexible grid with content. The new update features a redesigned graphical interface, providing enhanced control over block padding within the grid and offering precise text spacing adjustments.

Users can now create denser grid layouts, expanding up to seven columns in width. Furthermore, the interface incorporates improved color selection tools for greater design flexibility.

Expanded Theme Options and Consistent Design

Universe users now have access to 30 new themes for their sites, alongside the ability to craft custom themes from scratch. Previously, each block required individual styling.

With themes, consistent design elements – including fonts, page backgrounds, and button colors – can be applied across all site surfaces, such as text, backgrounds, headlines, and colors. “You can match or customize any of the pre-existing themes, and all changes are applied site-wide in a visually intuitive manner,” Cohen clarified.

New Text Styles for SEO and Accessibility

The update also introduces new text styles, allowing users to categorize text as titles, subtitles, captions, and more. The company highlights that utilizing the title indicator can improve SEO and enhance website accessibility.

Layers Feature for Enhanced Design Freedom

A new layers feature has been implemented, enabling users to overlay blocks on top of each other. Previously, it was impossible to position elements like image and text blocks on the same plane. This new functionality provides significantly more creative freedom in website design.

Grid Blocks for Precise Block Arrangements

Universe has also introduced a grid block feature, allowing creators to combine blocks within a sub-grid, effectively creating clusters. This enables the addition of elements like photo galleries and allows for precise block arrangements within the main grid. The sub-grid can then be easily repositioned on the page.

Universe: A Distinct Approach to Website Building

While some may perceive Universe as a competitor to platforms like Shopify and Wix, Cohen emphasizes its unique approach.

Image Credits: Universe

“We pioneered a new interface – the grid – which empowers individuals without technical or design expertise to build fully customized websites,” Cohen stated. “Unlike Squarespace, Shopify, Weebly, and Wix, which are desktop and template-based, Universe is not constrained by templates. The grid itself serves as our primary interface for creation.”

Growth Driven by the Pandemic and the “Link in Bio” Trend

Cohen noted a substantial increase in Universe’s user base during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many individuals launched new businesses or side projects and sought to establish an online presence. The platform’s early introduction of product selling and shipping capabilities eliminated the need for third-party e-commerce tools like Shopify.

“Our business has experienced significant growth over the past year and a half, with a roughly tenfold increase in the number of active sites created,” Cohen reported.

Furthermore, Universe has seen a surge in users from the influencer community seeking a “link in bio” site – a URL in an Instagram profile’s bio that directs users to an external website. These sites are commonly used to sell products, link to other social media profiles, or showcase portfolios.

Approximately 40% of sites created on Universe serve this “link in bio” purpose, representing a key area of business growth alongside e-commerce.

Future Development and Continued Innovation

Currently, Universe hosts hundreds of thousands of active sites, and the company intends to continue releasing user-friendly updates as the platform expands. “We’re making significant strides with this update, and we will continue to refine the grid system for years to come,” Cohen concluded. “Ultimately, our goal is to make anything possible on the internet achievable through our grid system, encompassing both creative elements and commerce capabilities.”