Have you been in search of a quality website builder? You do a simple Google search and find there are plenty of website building tools out there, but which option is the best? Which have the best elements? What are the pros and cons of each popular website builder?
You’ll likely notice that the most popular website builders are Wix and WordPress. In other words, they’re the Kings of all website building platforms and they often ensue battle to compete for the top spot. Which side are you on? Who do you root for to win?
Well, these are a lot of questions and we’re going to answer every single one of them in hopes of making your decision easier. As website owners, professional marketers and web design experts, we know what it takes to develop an impressive and effective website and we know precisely what Wix and WordPress have to offer.
CMS stands for content management software. This is a software application one can use to completely customize content on their website. Ultimately, it helps you develop and utilize coding skills so you can apply these customized features, like HTML codes. You’ve probably heard of HTML before but don’t understand what it is. It’s actually fairly simple – without these specific codes, your headlines, pictures, bullet points and more, won’t appear properly on your web page. A content management system is easy to come by in either installed apps or through a site builder (like WordPress, Wix, GoDaddy, Weebly, Joomla, etc.) Though most will require monthly fees, it makes your website building process a lot easier. The most popular reasons people love CMS is for:
- SEO-friendly URLs
- Group-friendly platform
- Customizable templates
- Integrated file managers
- The over simplicity of editing, managing and publishing
What Is WordPress?
Even if you’re new to the world of web creation, you’ve most likely heard of WordPress. It’s, without a doubt, one of the most popular website building tools the internet has to offer. One in four websites are powered by WordPress, and for good reason.
But WordPress isn’t just for web developing experts. Anyone can use WordPress, no matter the level of your web development skills or industry. If you’re a blogger wanting to reach a wider audience or run a small business and need to open up an online store feature, WordPress can help you with any basic or complicated needs. And yes, even though you’re using WordPress, you can still 100% own your own website when you sign up (and purchase) a WordPress hosting service (through WordPress.com) as well as a domain name. But if you’re just looking for a free and easy-to-use web hosting service, there are multiple benefits to using WordPress.org.
Various WordPress Themes
Did you know WordPress offers 5,000 different themes for your website? Why waste time building your own website when you can use an already developed WordPress theme that’s of high-quality and still offers you the chance to completely customize it? Did you also know those 5,000 themes are free with a ton of other platinum options also available?
When you use an already created theme, they’re packed with codes that increase your website’s function and meets your specific business needs for you, but they’re still flexible in allowing you to install your own plugins (explained below). But better yet, they’re cost-effective for small business owners or bloggers just getting started, especially for those wanting to start an eCommerce platform. There are plenty of custom-made eCommerce themes and templates with visually appealing fonts, cart options, mobile-friendly versions and easy-to-navigate designs.
WordPress Plugins
Themes and plugins are some of the most important aspects to your custom website. A WordPress plugin is a software that can be installed on your website to add more functions and ultimately allow for complete customization. Though most plugins are free, it’s important to check out multiple sources as they’ll offer different function quality and the last time they were updated. Low-quality ones can drastically slow down your website and negatively affect user experience.
There are many advantages to different plugins, especially because they can:
- help you easily track your Google analytics
- you can link to your social media profiles
- you can download easy-to-use eCommerce plugins to improve your online store function
- help you improve your SEO ranking (search engine optimization results)
- allows you to have a live chat option to improve customer service experience
- can make it easier for customers to book an appointment with you or fill out an email form
- can improve your website's security factor
- and so much more
There are literally thousands and thousands of plugin options to choose from and if you aren’t sure what you’ll need to improve your website, you may want to think about hiring a web developer who knows precisely what type of customization options will work well for your site depending on your type of industry or business goals.
WordPress Learning Curve
Even if you’re just getting started with WordPress, don’t worry. WordPress is very flexible and it’s actually a very simple platform to use, but there are also plenty of options to take part in an online course to teach you the basics and how to dive deeper into the more complicated website building solutions. It’s especially easy to get started when you use an already curated theme where you don’t have to worry about the design aspect, encrypting different codes, etc. It’s important to understand how to incorporate effective HTML, SEO and plugin factors, but that can come later, once you’ve mastered the basics. There are also plenty of video tutorials that offer tips on how to get started on WordPress depending on what you need it for or what your profession is – photographers, bloggers, small or large-scale eCommerce businesses, restaurant owners and more.
Improved SEO Rankings With WordPress
Every website owner’s goal is to appear first on Google searches, and one of the best ways to do that? Incorporating effective SEO tools.
SEO stands for search engine optimization. Ultimately, when people/potential customers are searching for services, packages, or products that are similar to what you offer, you’ll want those keywords they’re typing into Google to appear on your website to increase your chances of being found. Like WordPress, learning SEO techniques is fairly simple, but you’ll want to ensure you’re doing the proper keyword research, as well as ensuring you’re using high-quality backlinks or being linked too. Luckily for web developers or those just getting to know WordPress, the platform is already very link-friendly making it easier for Google to rank your web pages.
But back to plugins! There are many SEO plugin options available to help you not only optimize your content but also optimize your headlines, your photos, videos, subtitles, etc. You can easily track your progress with Google Analytics to see which SEO tactics are working and which ones aren’t.
Cons To Using WordPress
Sure, it’s one of the largest website builders in the world, but WordPress users still find disadvantages in the popular platform.
Security Vulnerabilities
As mentioned before, there are literally thousands and thousands of plugin options to install on your website. But that’s the problem – they are coming from various different unverified sources. Not only can poor quality plugins negatively impact your user experience, but it can increase your chances of being hacked. Do all websites face the vulnerability of being hacked? Absolutely. It’s just that WordPress users can be an easy target due to plugins that aren’t really looking out for your best interest.
Expenses Can Increase
Keep in mind, there are plenty of free themes to choose from on WordPress, but as you gain popularity and want to change the design or features of your site, premium costs can be quite high, especially if you want to change your domain name or hosting service to officially own the website. Did you know customized websites can reach up to $25,000 to $30,000? Web hosting will also come with a monthly fee.
Coding Confusion
If you’re using a WordPress theme, there are already codes incorporated for you. Unfortunately, if you’re looking to further personalize your website, you’ll require HTML and CSS knowledge. HTML is very important for every single platform out there – it’s what makes your web page appear the way it does, but it comes hand-in-hand with CSS (cascading style sheets). There are tutorials or courses you can take to further your knowledge, nonetheless, that’s another expense you’ll have to worry about which may be tough for a small business owner just starting out.
What Is Wix?
Founded in 2006, Wix shortly became a popular website builder. In just three years, they had one million people using their platform and in 2014, that number rose to 50 million! With hundreds of templates, easy-to-use drag and drop design options, and cost-effective web hosting services, business owners of many sorts are finding Wix their free go-to for all their website developing needs.
No matter your industry or level of web developing expertise, Wix is very flexible and easy to learn, but it still leaves you the opportunity to completely customize it the way you want it. Whether you’re wanting to start an online store, a blogging platform, or show off your new restaurant and menu, then Wix can help you.
Here are the reasons you may want to use Wix vs. WordPress.
The Wix App Market
In order to make building your Wix website even easier, Wix offers users the ability to download both free and premium apps from their own app market. There are over 300 different apps to utilize for your advantage and here are just a few examples:
- Wix Stores: you can manage and create an eCommerce store much more easily. Choose your template, create coupons, track your sales, and more.
- Google AdSense: display ads on your website to help you make more money. You can customize what you want to advertise and easily track your results.
- Online Scheduling: Need an app to help you book appointments or meetings more easily with clients? Now you can do it right through your website and even send out reminders!
- Custom Logo Design: Want to attract and impress even more customers? There are an unlimited amount of design options that really speak for your brand.
- Testimonials Slider: If you have a bunch of five-star reviews to show off, add them to your site to impress new visitors. It's easy to set up and can increase sales.
- News Ticker: Keep your customers up-to-date with relevant news by adding high-quality images and headlines and linking to informational articles. There are a variety of templates to choose from.
Wix Templates
As mentioned before, there are hundreds of Wix templates to choose from to create the perfect website for you all made from skilled designers. They’re designed to meet the needs of any industry – beauty products, restaurant owners, marketing professionals, freelance photographers and so many more. The best part about already-designed templates? They’re already encrypted with codes that allow you to enhance the function and appearance of your website even more, or, you can install various apps as listed above.
Wix templates are very easy to understand with an automatic mobile-friendly version also available to you.
Wix Learning Curve
Wix was specifically meant to be beginner-friendly, after all, that’s why creators Avishai Abrahami, Nadav Abrahami and Giora Kaplan developed the software in the first place. They realized, after discussing it on the beach in Tel Aviv, just how confusing it was to develop a website in order to help build your business. Wix is also known for its flexibility when wanting to design a new web page since they have a drop and drag feature without worrying about confusing coding rules. You can save thousands of dollars on designer services when you use the Wix platform. If you need help customizing something, you can simply download one of Wix’s apps to provide you with a customizable feature.
Wix Improves SEO Results
Wix offers exceptional SEO results that you can improve yourself, without having to download apps or plugins. Though thorough keyword research is required on your part, once you’ve incorporated those keywords into your website – headlines, content, your URL, image text, etc. – along with hosting with Wix, you should see a visible notice in your Google search rankings. Remember, SEO takes time, but it’s worth the wait in the end. There are also apps to further improve your Wix SEO score even more.
Cons To Using Wix
Just like with any platform, as popular as they are, WordPress and Wix have their disadvantages. Before diving into using Wix as your site builder platform, consider these three factors first.
Multiple Apps May Be Required
It’s great that Wix offers such a wide selection of add-on features, but it’s important to remember that these apps require extra time to download, learn how to use, and some have premium features you’ll need to pay extra for. Do they build an outstanding website in the end? Absolutely. But not every website owner who’s just getting started will be able to afford these things.
Not As ECommerce-Friendly
There are plenty of options to create a new and improved online store with Wix since it’s mainly a website builder platform for lead generation, for restaurant owners wanting to upload high-quality pictures of their food and menu and to create personal blogging websites. There are other, more detailed website builders, but it’s not actually built for bulk sales. They also (as of yet) allow for Apple or Amazon pay methods.
Template Choices Are Permanent
You may have found a template you really enjoy for the time being as you’re just getting started, but if you wish to change the layout and design once you gain popularity, it’s a lot harder making template changes on Wix vs. WordPress. Yes, you can still make design changes within the template you originally chose, but you can’t change it completely.
So, Wix or WordPress?
If you’re still struggling to decide which website builder and hosting provider is the best choice for you, it’s best to compare the pros and cons of each one or ask actual web developers or marketing companies who they prefer working with. No matter if you use Wix, WordPress, GoDaddy, Joomla or other website developing platforms, there’s going to be strengths and weaknesses for both.
But, do keep in mind that depending on your budget, what type of business you’re running or the amount of design flexibility you’re looking for will ultimately determine whether you should use Wix or WordPress.