WordPress vs Wix: Which is Better for Your Store?

In the realm of web-build, the choice between WordPress and Wix carries significant weight. Here, we delve into the essence of WordPress.org, offering a self-hosted haven adorned with free themes and plugins.

Contrastingly, Wix emerges as an intuitive all-in-one solution, catering to bloggers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with varying expertise levels. In this article, we unravel the ultimate question: Which platform is better suited for your store’s success?

1. Key Takeaways 

• Wix is the ideal choice for those who seek a seamless and enjoyable building experience without sacrificing design or features. It shines as an excellent option for small businesses that value in-house functionality, SEO tools, and robust marketing features.

• WordPress is the preferred option for individuals who seek advanced customization and possess the coding knowledge necessary to bring those customizations to life (or who are open to hiring a developer).

2. Wix vs WordPress: A Glance  

Wix and WordPress are the top tools for creating and managing websites, hence, your decision between Wix and WordPress depends on your specific website-building requirements.

Wix serves as a user-friendly website builder suitable for those seeking an all-in-one solution without requiring deep technical expertise. It offers various features like intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, diverse templates, mobile optimization, and self-handled hosting for a seamless experience. 

Conversely, WordPress functions as a content management system (CMS), encompassing platforms designed for efficiently managing substantial content like articles, videos, and images. 

It equips users with the essential tools for building impressive websites, and it also offers its own hosting service through WordPress.com, different from the open-source code on WordPress.org.

In short, here are the main differences between Wix and WordPress:

3. Wix and WordPress: Pros and Cons

Our research information illustrates the benefits and drawbacks of Wix and WordPress.Org:

Wix

Wix is our top website builder choice, which offers ease of use, abundant features, and strong creative control. Explore its full pros and cons below:

Pros

• Massive template collection
• Innovative drag-and-drop website
• Fast website speed
• 300+ App integrations available
• Tons of flexibility and creative features
• Built-in SEO to market your website easily
• 24/7 help and support

Cons

• No visitor analytics on free or Combo plans
• Storage limits on all plans
• No bulk import/export of digital products

WordPress

Similarity with Wix, prior to utilizing WordPress for constructing your website, it’s essential to acquaint yourself with its pros and cons. You can refer the list below: 

Pros

• User-friendly CMS
• Over 55,000 free and paid plugins
• SEO friendly
• Unlimited potential customization
• Thousands of themes available
• Free and open-source CMS
• WordPress Sites Are Affordable

Cons

• High learning curve
• Costs accumulate (hosting, themes, plugins)
• Prone to plugin conflicts, site breakage
• Limited innovation

4. Wix vs WordPress: An In-depth Comparison

Now, let’s dive deeper into the Wix vs WordPress.Org showdown to uncover the finer details and make an informed choice.

Pricing 

Comparing Wix and WordPress pricing is challenging due to their completely different pricing structures.

Wix

If you want to create a basic website without spending money, Wix is a solid choice. The free 14-day trial plan includes web hosting, 500 MB storage, and customer support. 

However, this does have some downsides. Wix ads will appear on your pages, and you won’t have a custom domain name. So, you can upgrade your free site to a premium plan to access a one-year free domain name, get a professional logo, and a free SSL certificate from $16 to $159 per month. 

WordPress

WordPress is an open-source platform, so it’s free for all users to download and use. However, with WordPress, you have to rent hosting and buy your own domain name as below:

• Hosting provider (we recommend Bluehost) – starting at $2.95/month for WordPress hosting.
• Custom domain name – starting at $10/year
• Pre-made WordPress Theme– one-time payment from $25 – $300
• Plugin for external functionality – $0 – $70 per plugin 

In brief, to create an active WordPress site, you’ll initially pay $0 to $200 in total, with ongoing monthly charges of roughly $10 to $40. Remember, a developer can assist you in fully personalizing your WordPress website to cater to your business requirements, enabling additional enhancements.

The Verdict

WordPress outperforms Wix in this round. 

WordPress offers better value and is often more cost-effective than Wix. The expenses associated with WordPress can vary based on hosting and domain choices.

Conversely, Wix maintains reliable fixed pricing, which often translates to higher costs.

Page Builders

Page builders have empowered non-designers to craft professional websites with templates and drag-and-drop tools. Wix and WordPress provide these options to attract new site owners.

Wix

Wix’s user-friendly customizable website core stands in contrast to its dashboard. The builders boast an appealing design and present two options: 

• A step-by-step builder (Wix ADI) 
• A drag-and-drop builder. 

Enabling Dev mode (powered by Velo) allows you to integrate custom JavaScript to enhance functionality, though upgrading your account is necessary for access.

The drag-and-drop editor surpasses the ADI builder, granting greater control over individual elements. This tool lets you relocate blocks to any position without impacting CSS or other components. Switching between elements and pages yields quicker loading times than the ADI editor, but noticeable browser lag across all tested browsers is noticeable.

WordPress

WordPress offers a user-friendly way to create content and design pages through its Gutenberg block editor. 

For more advanced options, free WordPress themes often include a built-in page builder or support for third-party builders. You can choose the builder that suits your needs, but remember, only Gutenberg comes with WordPress by default. To get more advanced builders, you may need to explore third-party options.

However, transitioning to WordPress may require a slightly more extended adjustment than Wix, often facilitated through web hosting services like Hostinger. 

Their hosting plans offer an auto-installer. Once set up, WordPress provides user-friendly tools in its dashboard, facilitating post and page management through tabs, content creation via blocks, encompassing paragraphs, images, lists, and more – all without needing to handle CSS intricacies.

The Verdict

When it comes to the page builder aspect, Wix takes the lead with its user-friendly approach, offering customizable templates for website setup. 

In contrast, due to its CMS complexity, WordPress requires more time to become proficient.

Themes & Customization

The website’s theme shows the essence and message of the brand. It conveys the image’s details using layout, color, shape, and size.

Wix

Wix provides over 800 website templates to kick-start your website creation journey. Wix designers thoughtfully curate these templates to align with current trends and industry requirements.

These templates cater to a diverse range of creativity, community, and business purposes. With a wide array of designs available, you can choose from options such as a recipe blog, wedding event site, non-profit initiative, educational hub, travel and tourism site.

The best part is that all Wix templates are completely customizable and free to use. You can experiment with design, adjust layouts, update or remove content, and integrate apps to transform the template into a website that perfectly suits your style and business needs.

WordPress

WordPress gives you many options:

• You can pick from over 200 themes made by WordPress.
• There are also more than 5,000 themes from other developers approved by WordPress.
• You can work with a developer to make a fully custom theme.
• You can add more features to your website with over 55,000 plugins.

With WordPress, themes and plugins help you customize your site. You can easily access free themes from WordPress.org or opt for premium themes such as StudioPress, Themify, and CSSIgniter to elevate your design. 

Especially, when coming to customization, WordPress is one of the best. You can start by adding a new post or page. Then, you can build your site using special blocks. This might take more time, but it’s worth it. You can add basic things like paragraphs, headings, and lists. 

Particularly in terms of customization, WordPress stands out as one of the finest options. You begin by creating a new post or page, then construct your website using specific blocks. 

Although this process could demand additional time, the end result justifies the effort. In the Theme section, you can set up a navigation bar, site logo, and post author details.

The Verdict

In this aspect, WordPress is the winner, outshining with a vast collection of plugins and themes to integrate CSS for unparalleled control. 

In contrast, Wix provides a user-friendly experience with a “what you see is what you get” approach, although making changes to existing elements might incur additional charges for CSS customization.

Blogging

If you’re considering starting a blog, you may be pondering over the choice of platform. Let’s compare Wix and WordPress in terms of their blogging capabilities.

Wix

In terms of blogging on Wix, the process is smooth and user-friendly. When you add a new page and select the Blog feature, it automatically generates a blog layout that seamlessly aligns with your chosen theme.

Moreover, as you initiate a new post, the ability to enrich your content with images, videos, and hashtags empowers you to captivate your readers and keeping them immersed in your narrative.

Especially, the power of customization is at your fingertips. The layout of your blog page is fully customizable, allowing you to fine-tune the presentation of information on your feed. 

However, managing the native commenting system can be somewhat challenging, leading many users to seek alternative solutions, such as integrating third-party tools like Disqus to facilitate smoother interaction and engagement with readers.

WordPress

Originating as a blogging platform, WordPress leverages its robust CMS capabilities to facilitate the publication and organization of extensive blog content on your website. It encompasses nearly all the blogging features found in Wix, along with some additional offerings, including

• Optional private mode for posts invisible to readers.
• In-house commenting section exclusively for WordPress accounts.
• Back-dating capability for blog posts.
• Feature to showcase a single image atop a blog post.
• Multi-language functionality.

Unlike Wix, WordPress bloggers need to find their own free and copyright-free images from online sources like Pexels or Pixabay.

The Verdict: 

This is a tie in the realm of blogging capabilities. 

Wix impresses with its user-friendly content creation and customizable layouts, yet faces limitations in backdating and native commenting. Conversely, WordPress offers versatile page setups and seamless comment management.

SEO & Google Ranking

Both WordPress and Wix share a commonality regarding SEO & Google Ranking factor – they both utilize apps or plugins for this purpose.

Wix

When delving into Wix’s SEO realm, a world of convenience and affordability emerges. Wix presents an array of dedicated, in-house SEO apps, with Semrush taking the lead as a renowned keyword research tool. 

Semrush enables you to discover crucial metrics such as cost per click and search volume, offering valuable insights to optimize your content strategy.

A notable asset in Wix’s arsenal is the Wix SEO Whiz, a guide that steers you toward optimizing your website using comprehensive checklists.

A significant stride in Wix’s SEO progress is its integration with Google Analytics. This feature furnishes real-time insights into visitor interactions on your website, allowing you to closely track user behavior and engagement as it happens, leading to a more refined digital strategy.

WordPress

WordPress uses the SEO plugin is called Yoast, used by more than 5 million websites. It comes in both free and premium versions, although the free version has some limitations.

With Yoast Premium, you’ll get access to fantastic SEO capabilities such as:

• Editing metadata: This allows you to change the text that shows up on search result pages.
• Internal linking suggestions: Yoast guides you on the best pages to link to within your website when making a new web page.
• Redirects: If you change the address of an existing page, Yoast can automatically send visitors to the new URL.

The Verdict

The result is Tie. 

Wix and WordPress offer robust SEO capabilities, featuring essential built-in tools alongside apps or plugins integration. 

Although Yoast holds a slight advantage, Semrush is bundled within the cost of most Wix plans, requiring no extra charges.

Ecommerce

In comparing Wix and WordPress for their ecommerce capabilities, let’s delve into their respective offerings and benefits.

Wix

If you’re using a free Wix website, you won’t have access to eCommerce features. To create an online store, you’ll need to upgrade to an eCommerce plan, which starts at $4 per month. 

This might seem a bit pricey, but it comes with valuable benefits. Even the basic Business Unlimited plan allows you to accept secure online payments, list unlimited products, and offer subscriptions.

With Wix, you can easily build an eCommerce website focused on boosting sales. Just pick a ready-made store template, add your products, and start selling. For payments, WixStores accepts credit and debit cards, except Union Pay, which is available to some users only. Unfortunately, payment methods like PayPal and other gateways not listed on Wix are not supported.

Remember, Wix charges transaction fees. They’ll take 2.9% of the order amount plus an extra $0.30. This might not be a big concern for high-volume sales, but beginners might want to explore other options.

It’s important to note that Wix is more suitable for smaller businesses due to a few downsides. For example, Wix websites can be slower to load because of their content-rich themes, which can impact the shopping experience (and even SEO).

WordPress

When it comes to ecommerce, Wix has an edge over WordPress because WordPress doesn’t have built-in ecommerce features. You need to add a special plugin to sell things. This is why we say that even though WordPress has the ability, it doesn’t come with ecommerce right away.

The most popular plugin for ecommerce on WordPress is called WooCommerce). It can do almost everything you need for selling online, like handling different currencies and figuring out taxes for different places.

But keep in mind that WooCommerce, like WordPress, is free to use. However, you still need to pay for things like hosting, domain name, and a good design (called a theme). Some extra features for your shop are free, but the more advanced ones might cost between $30 and $150 a year. There are different costs for payment processors too: WooCommerce Payments is free except for transaction fees, while PayPal Pro costs $30 every month, along with transaction fees.

If you like the easy way Wix works and want the flexibility of WooCommerce, you might want to check out Shopify. It’s a website builder focused on ecommerce, and it could be a good middle ground.

The Verdict:  Wix shines brighter than WordPress in the ecommerce aspect. 

With its integrated ecommerce features, Wix excels for smaller stores and multi-channel integration, offering impressive marketing and ecommerce enhancement. While WordPress lacks native ecommerce, plugins like WooCommerce can add a shop, though not as seamlessly. Wix’s robust offerings make it a top choice for online selling.

Apps and Plugins

Explore how apps and plugins boost website features. Let’s compare Wix and WordPress for the best extras.

Wix

Wix’s App Market offers over 300 free and paid apps, all of which you can add to your site in just a few clicks. You can browse different categories to find the kinds of tools you want, from ecommerce to media and marketing.

Especially managing your apps is easy to do through the site’s editor. There are quick access links in the dashboard which makes everything a lot more streamlined and user-friendly.

You won’t need to worry about installation because every app comes ready to integrate with Wix websites. And Wix reviews every third party app to ensure it meets in-house guidelines – so you won’t see any apps in the market that haven’t been approved by the Wix team.

WordPress

WordPress is actually known for their plugins (e.g. social media, contact form, SEO, etc.). We’ve mentioned WooCommerce earlier, but it’s just one of the thousands and thousands of ways in which you can completely transform a WordPress theme to fit your needs. Just like with Wix, some WordPress plugins are free and some can cost a small fortune.

The upside of WordPress is that there are over 55,000 plugins available – so odds are, you’ll be able to find exactly the website tools you want.

The downside is that there is no vetting process for creating a WordPress plugin, so you may have to sift through a few junky ones in order to find what you need. Moreover,you might need a tiny bit of technical knowledge to update/install some plugin.

For example: WPML is our plugin to manage multiple languages. It’s complicated and every once in a while it creates conflicts with other plugins we use. But it’s also very powerful.

The Verdict: Wix Wins in Apps and Plugins

Wix secures victory in the apps and plugins category. With its curated App Market and user-friendly integration, Wix ensures a seamless experience. While WordPress offers a vast plugin library, Wix’s streamlined approach and quality assurance give it the edge for enhanced website features.

Security

When you start building online content, you’ll need to protect your website against cyberattacks and malware. Next, we’ll compare Wix vs WordPress regarding site security and protection.

Wix

Wix is a hosted platform, so you won’t have to worry about installing your own security measures. In fact, Wix has fewer vulnerabilities because users can’t edit its core software.

Plus, Wix contains built-in protection from security threats. Its platform performs self-updates, so your site won’t run on outdated software. There is also security monitoring, DDoS protection, and two-step verification.

However, that does not mean that wix is perfect in terms of security. It is also affected by past security holes. Even so, wix is still considered a highly secure platform because this is not the case.

WordPress

WordPress is the most popular CMS globally, powering over 40% of all websites. It’s an open-source project, meaning that anyone can contribute to its development.

Millions of people around the world use WordPress. Because of its popularity, the CMS is a prime target for hackers and malicious users. That is why we emphasize the Importance of Securing Your WordPress Website.

With WordPress, your level of security can vary. Since you choose your own web host, it’s best to select a provider with advanced security measures. For example, Hostinger’s WordPress plans come with a web application firewall, free SSL certificates, a free website domain, and anti-DDoS protection. What’s more, the Malware Scanner tool is also included, making it easy to keep your website secure.

There are different types of WordPress hosting plans, and some can have limited security measures. If you choose a shared plan, you might become vulnerable if another site is hacked. You can avoid this issue by selecting a secure host or upgrading your plan.

To keep your WordPress site secure, you’ll also have to perform frequent updates. You’ll need to run the latest software updates and keep track of new plugin and theme versions. For extra protection, you can install security plugins.

The Verdict: The result is Tie.

Both are very secure. Wix has the strength of being a closed system, so you don’t need to worry about security issues and passively depend on Wix’s technical team. As for WordPress, it can be strong in a system with additional security features at any time, but you need to put in a bit of research and configuration.

Help and Support

Both Wix and WordPress offer their own Help and Support aspects, which can be advantageous even if you initially believe you won’t require assistance with customer queries.

Wix

Wix stands out for its excellent customer support services. No matter which plan you’re on, the Wix support team is available round-the-clock, providing quick solutions to customers’ concerns.

Especially, recent improvements in Wix’s support have led to a higher support score, attributed to their user-friendly knowledge center and new video course in Wix Learn.

Additionally, the Wix Help Center offers a comprehensive knowledge base where you can find answers to your queries, whether it’s about using Wix, troubleshooting technical issues, or upgrading your plan.

For those looking to connect with fellow Wix users, the Forum Community is a valuable resource. You can explore popular topics or start new discussions, ensuring you get the help you need without waiting in queues. 

WordPress

With WordPress, you won’t be able to contact a support team. 

Yet, with available forums and official documentation due to its open-source nature, phone support becomes less beneficial with WordPress. Instead, reliance on articles authored by fellow WordPress users is essential.

If WordPress support confuses you, you could hire an experienced WordPress website development company to help with your website setup, changes, or adjustments.

The Verdict

When it comes to Help and Support, Wix emerges as the clear victor. Their unwavering round-the-clock support, bolstered by recent improvements including a user-friendly knowledge center and a helpful Forum Community, provides quick and comprehensive solutions.

Wix vs WordPress: Which is Better for You? 

Until now, our comparison through divergences and likenesses draws to a close. While we could continue indefinitely, your focus must now shift back to constructing websites! Let’s quickly remember who each platform is great for:

Wix is best for: 

Wix caters well to small businesses, creatives, and beginners. 

Nevertheless, it’s important to acknowledge that Wix may not suit everyone. If you desire complete hands-on control over every element of your website, Wix might not be the ideal choice for you. 

While the creative freedom is extensive, certain limitations prevent every task from being accomplished with a mere click. Additionally, in terms of delving into intricate technical aspects of site maintenance, Wix might not provide the same depth of insight as a dedicated content management system.

WordPress is best for:

WordPress is the ideal choice when your goal is complete artistic autonomy and you’re willing to embrace additional effort. 

It suits those who desire total creative dominion over their website and possess ample time to dedicate to mastering the intricacies of the platform. While not obligatory, having a grasp of coding can prove beneficial when constructing a WordPress site.

Wix vs WordPress: FAQs

Final Thoughts

In the Wix & WordPress comparison, the best choice depends on your expertise and goals. 

WordPress offers advanced customization for tech-savvy users, while Wix provides user-friendly simplicity for beginners and small businesses.