WordPress vs. Wix: Which Platform Is Right for Your Website?

If you’re planning to build a website, you might wonder whether you should use WordPress or Wix. Both platforms are designed to simplify and streamline the otherwise complicated website construction process. Using either WordPress or Wix, you can easily build a custom website from the ground up without even seeing the HTML code. With that said, WordPress and Wix aren’t the same. There are several major differences between the two platforms that you need to know.

What Is WordPress?

Originally released in May 2006, WordPress is an open-source, free-to-download content management system (CMS) used to build dynamic websites. It relies on PHP and MySQL code to create and retrieve content.

When a visitor tries to access a post or page on a WordPress website, his or her web browser will send a request to the site’s server. The PHP code included in WordPress’s core files will then process the visitor’s request by retrieving the page’s content from a MySQL database.

To build a website with WordPress, you’ll need to download the CMS’s core files from wordpress.org and then upload them to your website’s root directory. After configuring the config.php file, which is included in WordPress’s core files, you can visit your website’s domain in your web browser to run the auto-installer script.

The easiest way to get WordPress is with a managed WordPress host like WP Engine. Or, you can have a WordPress designer like Ballen Brands customize a WordPress website.  

What Is Wix?

On the other hand, Wix is a commercial cloud-based platform used to build static websites. The company offers several plans with different pricing and features. You can build a Wix website under the company’s free plan. Alternatively, you can expect to pay about $13 to $24 per month for a more inclusive premium plan.

To build a website with Wix, you’ll need to sign up for an account or log in using your Facebook or Google account at wix.com. After creating your Wix account and upgrading to a premium plan if desired, you can access the Wix Editor to begin building.

Similarities Between WordPress and Wix

Whether you use WordPress or Wix, you’ll be free to build your website from any computer or device connected to the internet. Both platforms provide admin access through an online dashboard.

For WordPress, you can create or edit content by logging in to your website’s admin page, which is typically located at example.com/admin.php. For Wix, you can create or edit content by logging in to your Wix account at wix.com.

You can change the appearance and layout of your website’s design using WordPress or Wix. WordPress offers themes, whereas Wix offers templates. You can install the desired theme or template for a different website design. Changing the theme or template will instantly change your website’s design.

Benefits of Building Your Website With WordPress

WordPress offers a higher level of customization than Wix. Using WordPress, you can customize practically every element of your website’s design and functionality. Wix is more restrictive regarding customization.

You can customize some elements of your website by modifying the template, but you won’t be able to customize them all. Only WordPress allows you to see and edit all of your website’s source code.

Your website may attract more organic search traffic if you build it with WordPress rather than a different platform like Wix. Many digital marketers build their websites with WordPress because of its features in search engine optimization (SEO).

WordPress is written in clean code that’s easy for search engines to read. More importantly, it supports plugins like the All-in-One SEO plugin that introduce additional SEO features.

If you’re planning to build a blog, you should probably use WordPress. WordPress was originally developed for blogging, so you can rest assured knowing it works. Some of its blog-friendly features include support for multiple authors, visitor comments, the ability to assign categories or tags to posts, and an easy-to-use text editor.

Benefits of Building Your Website With Wix

There are still reasons to consider building your website with Wix. For starters, Wix is incredibly easy to use, even more so than WordPress. You don’t need to download or upload any files. Rather, Wix offers everything you need to build a website in its drag-and-drop editor, which can be accessed by logging in to your Wix account online. 

WordPress doesn’t have a drag-and-drop editor. Instead, it offers a traditional text editor known as Gutenberg. If you prefer a drag-and-drop editor, you’ll feel at home with Wix. The platform allows you to move images or other elements around by dragging them with your cursor.

Along with the drag-and-drop editor, Wix offers an AI-powered editor known as Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI). With the ADI editor, you enter some basic information about your website. The ADI editor will collect and use your information to build your website on the fly. If you aren’t happy with the results, you can touch up your website using Wix’s standard drag-and-drop editor.

If you encounter a problem or need help building your website, you can contact Wix’s customer support department. WordPress, unfortunately, doesn’t offer any official customer support. You can ask questions on forums or pay a professional web development company to troubleshoot your problem, but there’s no official customer service department at WordPress.

Wix, however, is recognized for its world-class customer service. You can contact the company by phone, email, or live chat for help building your website.

Wix also offers web hosting at no additional charge. You’ll still need to purchase a domain, assuming you want to use a custom domain rather than a subdomain, but you won’t have to worry about purchasing a web hosting service through a third party.

WordPress and Wix aren’t the only platforms on which you can build your website. Others include Drupal, Joomla, Magento, and OpenCms. Nonetheless, WordPress and Wix continue to lead the pack. Remember to weigh each platform’s pros and cons to ensure you make the right choice for your website’s future.

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