WordPress or Wix, two popular website-building platforms. We have no affiliation with either platform and base our recommendations on experience working with both.
While we have clients using both Wix and WordPress, Wix seems to be the one that requires more assistance due to its clunkiness and sluggishness. By this, we mean that users often find Wix’s interface to be less intuitive and the platform itself can feel slower to navigate and edit.
Let’s break down the key differences to help you pick the best fit for your needs.
We’re comparing the self-hosted version of WordPress (where you have more control) to Wix, not WordPress.com (a more limited version).
Wix: Easy to Use, But Limiting?
Wix is a popular website builder that uses drag-and-drop functionality to create websites. It offers a variety of templates for different purposes, including e-commerce, and allows customisation to fit your brand.
Pros of Wix:
- All-inclusive: Wix takes care of everything from web hosting to software updates, so you don’t have to worry about technical maintenance.
- Built-in analytics: Gain valuable insights into visitor behaviour to improve your website and marketing efforts.
- Affordable business plan: The business plan offers 100GB of storage, payment tools, and an e-commerce platform for £25 per month.
Cons of Wix:
- Slow and complex backend: Making changes can be time-consuming compared to other platforms. The extensive options and structure might feel overwhelming for beginners.
- Limited scalability: Wix websites are not easily adaptable to complex needs as your business grows.
- Locked-in platform: Moving your website to another platform is difficult, requiring you to rebuild it entirely.
- No email included: Wix doesn’t offer built-in email addresses. You’ll need to purchase a separate email service provider.
While Wix offers a user-friendly solution for building basic websites with built-in features, its limitations in scalability and customisation might hinder long-term growth.
WordPress: Powerful and Flexible, But Requires More Effort
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to build virtually any type of website. Unlike Wix’s closed system, WordPress thrives on plugins, which are like mini-applications that add features and functionalities. This makes WordPress incredibly versatile.
Pros of WordPress:
- Cost-effective: You can find WordPress web hosting for as low as £3 per month and scale as your website grows. Most web hosts offer additional features like email addresses and backups.
- Highly customisable: With themes and plugins, you have complete control over the look, feel, and functionality of your website. Elementor, the most popular drag-and-drop plugin, allows for a user-friendly design experience at a cost of around £47 ($59) per year for its premium features. This unlocks advanced design capabilities but remains a very affordable option compared to Wix’s limitations.
- Owning your website: You have complete control over your website data and can move it to another provider if needed. This future-proofs your website and avoids vendor lock-in.
Cons of WordPress:
- Requires maintenance: As the website owner, you are responsible for regularly updating the WordPress core, themes, and plugins to ensure security and functionality. These updates can be done manually or through automated systems offered by WordPress maintenance agencies.
- Steeper learning curve: Setting up and managing a WordPress website requires more technical knowledge compared to Wix. Troubleshooting issues might require developer assistance for complex problems.
The choice between Wix and WordPress depends on your technical skills and website goals.
Wix is a good option for beginners who want a user-friendly solution to build a basic website with limited future needs. WordPress offers significantly more flexibility and power for those willing to invest time in learning and managing the platform.
Consider your long-term goals and comfort level with technology before making your decision.