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Wix vs WordPress. Which one to choose? As a leading CMS development company, we’re going to discuss these content management platforms on a variety of factors. So you can determine which is suitable for your website.
Nowadays, every company or any person with some influence needs a website. It provides them with a boundless marketing platform. So they can promote their brand, products, and services to their target audiences around the world.
That’s where the content management systems come in. There are loads of these platforms available online. But two of the most popular ones are Wix and WordPress.
We’ll compare Wix and WordPress in detail through these blog. But first, let’s learn a bit more about Wix and WordPress.
Overview of WordPress
Launched in May 2003, WordPress is a free, open-source content management and website development platform. It is licensed under GPLv2. It helps create, customize, manage, and update websites without knowledge of coding.
Not only is the core WordPress free, but it also includes thousands of free plugins and themes. These extensions help customize every little aspect of a website, including the design, the features, and the functionalities.
Since WordPress is an open-source platform. So thousands of developers and contributors around the world tirelessly bring new updates and fix the errors in WordPress. As well as WordPress Development Services provider can help you with your requirements related to website development.
Let’s check out a few significant WordPress features:
- With WordPress, you can develop any type of website. A simple single-page site, a comprehensive eCommerce website, an enterprise website, a personal blog, and a business blog are just a few examples.
- WordPress is quite user-friendly. So it doesn’t matter if you have programming know-how or not. You can easily set up WordPress and create a new website in no time.
- It includes loads of themes and plugins, which you can use to customize the features and design elements of your website. Plus, there are some plugins that can help reinforce the security and boost the performance of the website.
- WordPress has built-in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) features. That makes it easier to optimize the website in a way that it ranks on top of the SERPs.
- With WordPress, especially for WooCommerce, you can use plugins like WooCommerce Social Login to integrate your social networks (like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). That gives your website an added boost to social marketing.
All this translates into the fact that WordPress is the most popular CMS, with 2 out of every 5 websites built on it.
Overview of Wix
Launched in October 2006, Wix is a cloud-based website builder. That helps build and customize websites quite easily without any coding or technical knowledge. It offers a range of templates with pre-designed elements to make extensive customization on the website.
Wix also provides a marketplace with numerous apps and widgets that can enhance the functionality and design of a website. That boosts the development process and also gives you the freedom to build and customize the website as your heart desires.
Let’s check out the features of the Wix website builder:
- Wix offers a drag-and-drop editor that provides users with a more intuitive way of creating and customizing a website.
- Like WordPress themes, Wix has a bunch of professionally designed templates. That serves as a starting point for creating new websites and customizing the existing ones.
- Wix has a dedicated app market from where you can select and install different applications and widgets. That helps enhance the functionalities of the website.
- You can convert any website into an online store through its built-in eCommerce features like inventory management, offering coupons, handling shipping and tax options, accepting payments, etc.
- Wix has SEO capabilities through which you can customize meta tags, URLs, alt tags, and more. So you can optimize the website for search engines and improve its visibility online.
One of the most significant Wix features distinguishing it from WordPress is that the former offers secure and reliable hosting for the websites in-built.
Although not quite at the level of WordPress, this platform still has over 200 million websites as its registered users.
But simple brief descriptions and features may not be enough to make a choice between WordPress and Wix. So we have compared the two platforms on a variety of topics quite extensively.
WordPress vs Wix: Comparison Table
Web development is a critical task that incorporates several elements that can lead you to a win or loss. So it is essential for you to keep an eye on even the tiniest of details and choose the development platform carefully. For a better understanding of Wix vs WordPress, the following comparison table will be valuable for you.
| Parameter | WordPress | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | May 2003 | October 2006 |
| Ease of Use | WordPress has a steeper learning curve for beginners. | Wix is easier to use compared to WordPress. |
| Customization | WordPress has loads of themes that help extensively customize the design and layout of the website. | Although there are some customization options in Wix, they are more limited compared to WordPress. |
| Apps & Plugins | WordPress has thousands of free plugins for SEO, security, performance, back-ups, etc. | The Wix App market also has loads of apps for different functions. But not as many as the WordPress library. |
| Custom Coding | With access to the underlying code of WordPress, you can make advanced customizations. | Wix does not provide direct access to the underlying code of the platform. |
| SEO & Marketing | WordPress offers a wider range of SEO plugins and marketing options for more flexibility. | Wix offers built-in SEO and marketing tools for those looking for an all-in-one solution. |
| Performance | WordPress offers you more control over the performance of your website through plugins and hosting services. | Wix is a hosted platform, so you won’t have any control over things like performance optimization. |
| Security | WordPress is open-source, so anyone can mess with your code. But you can reinforce the website security plugins. | Security of the website is taken care of by the Wix support team. |
| Blogging | WordPress is better suited for blogging with dedicated features like categories, tags, custom post types, and taxonomies | Wix isn’t as adapted for blogging as WordPress. But it still lets you add and arrange text, images, videos, and other media within a blog. |
| eCommerce | Plugins like WooCommerce can help turn any website into an eCommerce store. | Wix has basic eCommerce capabilities without extensive customization. |
| Support | With the in-house support team, there is a massive community of developers and contributors, and extensive tutorials and docs. | Wix has strong customer support along with a knowledge base, a help center, and a community forum. |
| Pricing | Free of cost (but you’ll need to pay for hosting and premium plugins and themes, if necessary). | Several pricing plans. But the best one would be VIP at $45/month. |
Wix vs WordPress: A Categorical Comparison
Having read about the two website builders, you must already know that both Wix and WordPress are excellent platforms for creating and customizing websites. So now, the real question is, “Which is better: Wix or WordPress?”. That’s what we’re going to cover in this topic, piece by piece.
So without any further delay, let’s start the comparison.
#1. Pricing & Value Worth
First and foremost, unless you are a big company, you need to check the cost of developing the website through the particular CMS. You need the best website but under your stipulated budget.
WordPress is free of cost and offers thousands of free themes and plugins in its official library. So you can create the website and make any sort of customization to its features and design for free. Plus, you can get more premium options from third-party marketplaces.
But WordPress doesn’t offer hosting. So you’ll have to search for third-party hosting services, which may set you back a few tens to hundreds of dollars. Or, you can go for WordPress VIP, the paid version of this CMS with built-in hosting.
Wix, on the other hand, offers several plans according to your requirements. That includes a basic plan you can use for free. But there are some drawbacks to this free option. There will be Wix-branded adverts on the top and bottom of your website. And there won’t be an option for a custom domain name. That means the domain name of your website will be something like username.wix.com/sitename.
But there are also some premium (paid) options with additional features. These plans are Combo at $16/month, Unlimited at $22/month, Pro at $27/month, and VIP at $45/month. Each of these plans has different storage and bandwidth specifications, and you can also opt for them on a yearly basis.
However, if you want an eCommerce website, then there are three Wix pricing plans: Business Basic at $27/month, Business Unlimited at $32/month, and Business VIP at $59/month.
In terms of pricing, a massive advantage of Wix is that its paid plans include hosting and domain name selection. So you can get started with your website right away. But any added features and functionalities for your Wix website will require you to pay for the applications in the Wix App Market.
In short, although WordPress is free of cost and includes free themes and plugins, there is no hosting. That may add to the cost of developing a WordPress website. But Wix includes hosting, albeit in its paid plans, which start at $16/month. Also, you may need to opt for more pricier plans to get better features.
#2. Ease of Use
Wix and WordPress offer different user experiences.
In the most general sense, while it’s quite easy to install WordPress, this CMS has a relatively steeper learning curve compared to Wix. While content management is user-friendly, the initial setup and customization process can be a little more complex. But you will need to install WordPress on a web hosting server and manage your own domain.
Moreover, you’ll need to work with the themes and possibly code to better customize the design and layout of your WordPress website. Now, there are user-friendly themes and page builders with WordPress to simplify the process. But you may need some technical knowledge for advanced customizations.
On the other hand, the Wix user interface is known to be quite beginner-friendly and intuitive. With this drag-and-drop website builder, you can easily create and customize websites without any prior coding knowledge. It offers a visual editor, so you can simply click on elements, move them around, and design the website more effectively.
There’s also a wide range of pre-designed templates with Wix. So you can customize the website suited to your individual preferences. Overall, Wix’s interface is simple and user-friendly. So it’s accessible to users with limited technical skills or who are new to website building.
So Wix provides a more streamlined experience for beginners with its drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed templates. WordPress, on the other hand, is more powerful and flexible. But it may require a bit more technical knowledge for initial setup and customization. However, with more familiarity, WordPress will offer better control and scalability for building more complex websites.
#3. Customization
There is a good chance that hundreds or even thousands of other websites around the world offer the same sort of services as you do. So it’s important to customize the website and stand out amongst the crowd.
WordPress is an open-source platform that allows users to customize every aspect of their website. It offers a vast collection of themes, both free and premium, that you can use to match specific design requirements. Users can modify the appearance, layout, and functionality of their WordPress website by using various customization options and tools.
Additionally, WordPress has loads of plugins to add specific features and functionalities to a website. With WordPress, you have the ability to create highly customized and unique websites tailored to their specific needs. For example, you can customize the footer of your WordPress website for maximum focus on the user experience, which will help improve the organic traffic. That’s why more and more people want to hire WordPress developers for their websites.
On the contrary, with Wix, the scope of customization is more limited. While Wix includes a range of pre-designed templates offering a certain level of customization, it is more limited by the design choices and options provided within the platform. You can also modify the templates by changing colors, fonts, images, and rearranging elements using the drag-and-drop editor.
Plus, Wix has an app marketplace where you can install additional features and functionalities. But the customizations may not be as extensive as the plugins available for WordPress.
So Wix does provide a good amount of customization options. But the flexibility and control provided by WordPress are on a whole different level.
#4. Apps & Plugins
Speaking of customizations, you can’t forget the plugins, WordPress has a significant advantage over Wix.
The WordPress plugin directory has a massive collection of free, quality plugins. You can install them to add specific features and functionalities to a website. These plugins cover a wide range of functionalities, like eCommerce, SEO optimization, contact forms, social media integration, backup & security, performance, analytics, and more.
Additionally, WordPress lets you install premium plugins from reputable third-party marketplaces. These plugins offer even more advanced features and customization options with dedicated support and regular updates. But since there are so many options available, make sure you choose the WordPress plugins for your website, carefully.
On the other hand, Wix offers its own App Market, which provides a selection of apps and widgets that can be installed to extend the functionality of a Wix website. While the App Market does offer a range of options for features like eCommerce capabilities, marketing tools, chat functionality, and more, the number of apps is limited compared to the plugin options of WordPress.
#5. Custom Coding
WordPress is built on an open-source framework, allowing access to the underlying code of the website. So if you have the necessary coding knowledge and skills, you can make advanced customizations by altering the code to create entirely unique functionalities. With WordPress, users can directly edit theme files, create custom templates, and modify the core functionality by utilizing PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Wix, on the other hand, does not provide direct access to the underlying code of the platform. While the drag-and-drop editor and other built-in tools offer some cool Wix customization options, you won’t have the same level of control as with WordPress. Custom coding or making advanced modifications beyond the provided options is not possible on the Wix platform.
So to summarize, you won’t be able to customize your website with Wix as with WordPress.
#6. Design & Layout
When it comes to design and layout, both Wix and WordPress offer options for creating visually appealing websites, but they differ in their approaches.
WordPress website builder offers a greater variety of design options through its vast collection of themes. You can choose from thousands of free themes from the official library. There are also premium themes available with third-party marketplaces. Plus, the WordPress themes are highly customizable. So you can modify various aspects of the design, such as colors, fonts, layouts, and more.
Additionally, users can create their own custom themes or make modifications to existing themes by utilizing the flexibility of WordPress’s template hierarchy and customization options. That makes WordPress a suitable choice for users who prefer more control over the design and want to create highly customized websites.
Wix, on the other hand, provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that allows users to easily design and customize their websites. It offers a wide range of pre-designed templates across various industries and categories. Start by choosing a template and customize it by changing the colors, fonts, images, and layout using the intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Moreover, Wix provides a collection of design elements and features to be easily added and arranged on the webpage. That makes it convenient for users who prefer a more visual and straightforward approach to design.
Ultimately, the choice between Wix and WordPress in terms of design and layout depends on the desired level of control and customization for creating visually appealing websites.
#7. SEO & Marketing
When it comes to SEO and marketing, both Wix and WordPress offer features and capabilities. They both help improve website visibility and support marketing efforts. But there are some differences in approach.
Along with plugins like Rank Math or All in One SEO Pack, a thorough WordPress SEO checklist will help optimize the content. These plugins also help generate XML sitemaps, manage meta tags, and analyze SEO performance. So you can have more advanced SEO capabilities and flexibility to fine-tune the website’s SEO settings.
WordPress offers a wide range of marketing plugins that can be installed to enhance marketing efforts. These plugins can help with lead generation, email marketing, social media integration, analytics, and more. WordPress’s flexibility lets you choose from a variety of marketing plugins based on specific requirements.
On the contrary, Wix provides built-in SEO tools to let you optimize your websites for search engines. It offers features like customizable meta tags, URL structure, alt tags for images, and headings. Wix also generates an XML sitemap and provides tools for managing redirects and canonical tags. Additionally, Wix provides integrated social media features. That allows users to easily share content and connect their social media accounts.
Wix provides built-in SEO and marketing tools, making it convenient for users who prefer an all-in-one solution. On the other hand, WordPress offers a wider range of SEO plugins and marketing options. That allows for more advanced customization and flexibility.
#8. Data Handling & Flexibility
When it comes to flexibility with data, WordPress offers more options compared to Wix.
WordPress is built as a content management system and provides a robust infrastructure for managing various types of content. You can create and organize content in different formats like blog posts, pages, custom post types, and taxonomies. So it also has a powerful database backend to handle large amounts of content and data.
WordPress gives you complete control over the data. So you can export or migrate the content or website to a different host or CMS, if needed. Plus, you can integrate WordPress with external databases and APIs to import data from other sources. Additionally, there are several plugins that can further enhance data management capabilities through database optimization, data backup, and migration tools.
But with Wix, the focus is on simplicity and ease of use. So while there are some data handling features, the level of flexibility is more limited compared to WordPress. Wix’s data management is primarily focused on the content within the Wix platform. So there may be limitations when it comes to exporting or migrating data to other platforms.
So as a web development company, we can confidently tell you that for data handling flexibility, WordPress is much better compared to Wix.
#9. Security
When it comes to security, both Wix and WordPress have different protection approaches.
WordPress is open-source, so anyone can fiddle with the core code. But WordPress has a dedicated team actively monitoring the security vulnerabilities. They respond to these vulnerabilities quickly to ensure the best security for the websites.
Being a self-hosted platform, you’ll need to take more responsibility for the security of your WordPress website. But you can implement security measures like using secure hosting. Also, make sure you regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Installing security plugins on your website would ensure additional protection. Plus, WordPress offers you options to prevent content scraping on your website. So your pages and posts will be protected against the copycats.
But Wix is a fully managed platform, which means the security aspects are taken care of by their in-house team. With Wix, there are regular automatic updates and security patches. So the websites are protected against known vulnerabilities. There’s also an SSL encryption offered on this platform by default for all websites. That helps secure the transmission of data between the website and its visitors.
Additionally, Wix handles server maintenance and infrastructure security. That reduces the burden on users to manage these aspects themselves.
But with WordPress, a website is only as secure as the owner makes it. However, it’s not to say that WordPress websites are less secure. The only thing is, as opposed to Wix, WordPress asks you to take care of the security of your website as you desire.
#10. Support
For WordPress, there is an in-house support team along with a massive community of WordPress users, developers, and experts. They contribute to various forums, discussion boards, and blogs. So you can post your questions and queries and seek help regarding any aspect, from installation to website development.
Also, the WordPress platform and its plugins and themes come with ample tutorials and documentation. They assist you with any WordPress-related queries.
However, Wix provides customer support directly through its platform. You can access a knowledge base, help center, and community forum. There, you will find answers to common questions and get guidance on using the platform. Wix also offers email support and phone support. But the availability of phone support is subject to the user’s location and subscription plan. The Wix support team is generally responsive and strives to assist users with their inquiries and technical issues.
So although WordPress does not have a centralized support system, there is a vast online community, official documentation, and more. But Wix offers customer support through its platform. That includes a knowledge base, help center, community forum, and email/phone support.
#11. Blogging
When it comes to blogging, both Wix and WordPress are quite proficient. But one’s definitely better than the other.
WordPress was initially designed as a blogging platform. So it offers dedicated features and functionalities like categories, tags, custom post types, and taxonomies. Moreover, you can add different pages and posts to your website, more easily. Plus, by default, the Gutenberg editor offers a block-based approach, which makes the content addition process much simpler. That ensures great flexibility to organize and structure the blog content. There’s also stuff like social sharing, SEO optimization, email subscriptions, and more.
On the contrary, Wix’s drag-and-drop editor makes it simple to add and arrange text, images, videos, and other media within blog posts. Wix also includes basic blogging features such as categories, tags, social sharing options, and commenting functionality.
It is a suitable choice for users who prioritize ease of use and simplicity in their blogging experience. But if you seek advanced customization and control over your blog’s design and functionality, WordPress would be the way to go.
#12. eCommerce
The eCommerce route taken by WordPress is quite different from the one opted by Wix.
With WordPress, you can turn any website into an eCommerce store with the help of its plugins. The best way possible is the WordPress WooCommerce integration. This robust, customizable plugin offers extensive options for product management, inventory control, payment gateways, shipping methods, and order management. In addition, WooCommerce has its own range of plugins and extensions to further improve the functionalities and design of your eCommerce website.
But Wix offers a dedicated eCommerce platform that allows users to easily set up and manage online stores. Its user-friendly interface combined with drag-and-drop tools makes it simple to design and customize the online store. Wix includes eCommerce features like product listings, inventory management, payment gateway integration, shipping options, and order management.
Wix’s e-commerce capabilities are an all-in-one solution for those who prioritize simplicity and want a seamless eCommerce experience. But WordPress and WooCommerce developers can offer you greater flexibility and customization options for your online store.
FAQs Related to Wix vs WordPress Comparison
So What’s the Verdict?
When you think about creating a website, it’s important to understand exactly what you are looking for. Then you can narrow down which website development or content management system would be suitable. Wix and WordPress are both excellent website builders. But based on everything we discussed above, you can understand these platforms offer very different experiences.
Here are some common use cases of WordPress:
- Blogs and News Websites (extensive blogging features and flexibility)
- Corporate Websites (custom designs, advanced functionality, and content management capabilities)
- eCommerce Stores (advanced customization and better control over the stores)
- Membership Sites (restricted access to content and additional features for managing memberships)
And here are some common use cases of Wix:
- Small Business or Individual Websites (easy to use)
- Portfolio Websites (templates and design features)
- Event Websites (features and templates)
- Basic Online Stores (basic eCommerce capabilities without extensive customization)
So you must consider your specific needs, technical abilities, and the level of customization and control you desire.
Basically, Wix would be a good choice if you just want a basic website. But if you want to stand out amongst the crowd, WordPress would be the way to go. It has a variety of themes and plugins that can completely change the look and feel of your website. So you’ll better stand out amongst the crowd.
If you have any other queries regarding which of these wonderful platforms would be perfect for your website, get in touch with our experts today!
