You may have heard or seen videos talking about Canva. Some people give it rave reviews whereas some advice avoiding it completely. There are even some people who are afraid to admit using it. So the question is what is it? and should you use it or not?
What is Canva?
Canva is a web-based graphic design platform that allows users to create a wide range of visual content, such as presentations, social media graphics, posters, flyers, infographics, and more. It provides an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface and a library of templates, graphics, fonts, and images that users can use to create their designs without needing to have graphic design experience or expertise. They also offer a premium version that provides additional features and assets, as well as collaborative tools that allow multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. It has become popular among businesses, marketers, educators, and individuals who need to create high-quality visual content quickly and easily.
Should I use it?
In short, yes. Canva is a great tool for marketers. Here are some reasons why it is great for marketers:
- Easy to use
The user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it easy for anyone, regardless of design experience, to create professional-looking marketing materials. - Templates
It offers a vast library of pre-designed templates for various marketing materials that are customizable to your specific needs. - Brand consistency
It allows you to create and save branded templates, which helps ensure consistency in your marketing materials across all channels. - Collaboration
It allows for easy collaboration between team members, making it ideal for marketing teams working remotely. - Affordable
Canva offers both free and paid plans, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. - Quickness
Software such as illustrator, InDesign and photoshop can become tedious when making something like a Facebook post. Canva offers a way to make designs quickly.
Overall, Canva is an excellent tool for marketers looking to create professional and visually appealing marketing materials quickly and easily.
What are the downsides to Canva?
While Canva is a powerful and popular design tool for businesses, there are some potential downsides or limitations that could make it a less-than-ideal choice for certain business needs. Here are some reasons why Canva may not be the best fit for your business:
- Limited customisation
While Canva provides a wide range of templates and design options, it may not offer the level of customisation needed for some businesses’ specific branding needs. Designs become generic and similar to everyone else. - Limited Features
While it is constantly improving and already has a great set of features. There is some drawback such as custom masking which can easily be done in photoshop. - Limited access to fonts
It has a limited selection of fonts, which may not be suitable for businesses with unique typography requirements. - Limited design control
Canva is primarily designed for non-designers and may not provide the level of design control or flexibility that professional designers may require. - Limited file export options
Canva exports files in a limited number of file formats and resolutions, which may not be suitable for certain printing or production needs. - Limited privacy and security
Canva is an online platform, which means that there is a risk of data breaches or security vulnerabilities that could compromise your business’s sensitive information.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether Canva is “good” or “bad” for your business depends on your specific design needs, resources, and preferences. While Canva may not be the best fit for every business, it can be a powerful and cost-effective tool for many businesses looking to create professional-looking design materials quickly and easily.
If you are wanting to have unique designs, try using Illustrator and Photoshop alongside Canva. You can create awesome graphics with Adobe products and then upload them into Canva to make engaging content for your business.