Piktochart Review

by Norma Martin

Description

This is a web-based infographic creation platform. The program allows users to build embed photos and other imagery and data to create good-looking charts and interactive maps While the template selection in the free version is very limited, users have access to the website's 4,000-plus icons (no, I did not count all of them, but there were a many, many choices).

Access

This tool has a free version, but the template and enhancement tools are very basic. The groovy looking templates and features are in the Pro version. About those "free" templates: Piktochart holds the rights to any free infographics you publish.

If you opt for the Pro version, which costs $29 a month or $290 a year, you get access to a Piktochart editor.

Sample Usage

Tips, tricks, and tutorials

Once you create an account, a 2-minute tutorial starts, unless you hit "skip." Then once you open a template, another tutorial starts automatically. Frankly, I could have used some of these hints as I was trying to build the infographic instead of before I even started. Thus, it might have been helpful watching more tutorials and studying the endless "how-to" items on the resources page. And, once you've been creating for about 30 minutes or so, the little "do-you-want-to-chat" box will start following you around.

In the free version, you have to publicly publish to embed the HTML on another document or send via email, but remember this gives Piktochart the rights to your creation and the contents there in. If you purchase the PRO upgrade, you have some choices and more control of your content.

What the Tool Does Well

The graphic elements are professional looking, and even the basic banner-type template I used look fairly OK despite my lack of design abilities.

In the Pro version, you can add a watermark to your creation. Pro users can also export in high-res, which is very useful for professional printing purposes.

What it Does Poorly

I was quite annoyed with the difficulty of adding or editing text. It is such a basic thing. 

What happens when you...

The tool had a steep learning curve, so I didn't have time to take and break the thing. It nearly broke me.

Additional Resources

The Piktochart blog: http://piktochart.com/blog/

The Piktochart Resource page: http://support.piktochart.com/hc/en-us