Wix vs WordPress: Differences, Pros and Cons in 2024

Wix vs WordPress: Differences, Pros and Cons in 2024

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Updated January 12, 2024, 5:27 a.m. UTC

Updated January 12, 2024, 5:27 a.m. UTC

Wix versus WordPress: Synopsis

Small company owners can develop websites such as blogs and e-commerce storefronts with the help of website design and content management systems like Wix and WordPress. Businesses can purchase Wix, a platform that offers complete website design and hosting, or they can choose from two versions of WordPress: self-hosted and hosted.

Here's a closer look at WordPress and Wix to assist you in choosing which is best for your small business.

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Wix is a website creation and hosting platform that provides a one-stop shop for website design and development. With features for online storefronts, blogs, event ticket sales, and an adaptable drag-and-drop website builder, it is extremely customizable. Monthly payments for plans begin at $16; higher-priced plans provide access to more services and choices.

Website owners use Wix's tools to design their websites, and Wix hosts the websites on its platform. You can almost add anything else you want on your website and create custom web applications with ease.

You cannot export your Wix website to another hosting provider; instead, you are limited to using Wix's development and hosting platform. Businesses should view Wix as a long-term commitment because the design is exclusive to the Wix platform and servers.

There are two versions of the content management system (CMS) WordPress. Automattic, the company that created WordPress, hosts your website on WordPress.com, a for-profit service. The WordPress plugins Jetpack and Akismet, as well as the e-commerce platform WooCommerce, are all owned by the same firm.

You may get hosting and a website domain from WordPress.com in one convenient location, along with a unified backend administrative dashboard. For those who don't think they are tech smart and don't need the open-source customization capabilities that self-hosted WordPress offers, this is the version of WordPress that's best.

The open-source, self-hosted version of WordPress can be accessed at WordPress.org. You can download and use this version of WordPress for free, and you or a skilled developer can fully customize the platform, including creating unique themes and plugins. Additional technical know-how and a hosting account with a reliable provider are needed for self-hosted WordPress.

The cost of Wix vs. WordPress

The basic features of Wix plans start at $16 per month when paid yearly. The $32 per month Business plan is advised for the majority of businesses. By progressing through the four small business plans, you can have access to extra:

Tiered plans cost $16, $27, $32, or $159 per month when paid annually.

WordPress.com offers a free plan where you may explore the platform's features and learn how it operates. But the majority of businesses probably want a website free of advertisements and with their own domain name, which calls for a premium subscription. Although the most comprehensive subscription, which includes WooCommerce, costs $45 per month, WordPress claims that its $8-a-month Premium plan is the most popular. When paid annually, WordPress.com plans cost $0, $4, $8, $25, or $45 each month.

WordPress is available for free via WordPress.org, but website hosting is required. Depending on your website traffic and other requirements, monthly hosting costs can range from $2.95 to hundreds of dollars. Additionally, premium themes and plugins are not free; some charge a one-time fee for lifetime access, while others have yearly costs. Nonetheless, more than 70,000 free themes and plugins are accessible.

WordPress vs. Wix: Personalized design choices

With everything integrated into one location, Wix provides incredibly versatile design tools. Although you may add extra capabilities by upgrading your account, the Wix.com interface already has all you need.

That also restricts you to the more than 800 website templates and over 300 apps that Wix offers for customizing features like your site's store, groups, and blog. The ability to construct everything using a single dashboard and pre-made templates may be helpful to certain business owners, but it can also have drawbacks.

With a huge selection of themes and plugins, many of which can be customized with the help of the visual WordPress Customizer, WordPress.com offers you greater customization possibilities and flexibility. A selection of reliable themes and plugins that work with the WordPress.com platform is curated by Automattic. Additional dashboard tools and choices, such as podcasting, search engine optimization (SEO), and custom form builders, can be accessed through plugins and themes.

You may have total control over your website using WordPress.org. Since the platform is open-source, anyone with the necessary skills can create unique themes and plugins. Most users won't have to, though, because the WordPress community provides close to 60,000 plugins and over 11,000 free themes. Even though a lot of themes and plugins are free, if they're poorly designed or maintained, you may run into security or technical problems.

With self-hosted WordPress, you can accomplish a lot more, but you'll probably require more technical help, which might not be offered. But WordPress is our first choice for design and UI because of its extensive theme and plugin library, as well as the platform's and dashboard's versatility.

Features of WordPress vs. Wix

Wix offers you versatility in website design with its over 800 website themes and freeform drag-and-drop website editor. It also includes SEO tools and an app store with both paid and free apps to improve your website. Plans come with extra features for:

Wix has many features, but WordPress offers far more options. With the help of third-party themes and plugins, many of which are available for free, you can alter your website on the WordPress.com platform with minimal restrictions and without any while using WordPress.org.

Additionally, WordPress has export functions that let you transfer your website to another server, even one that is not WordPress.com.

Wix versus WordPress: Choices for e-commerce

You have access to dropshipping networks, print-on-demand product manufacturing, and integration with more than 80 payment processors.

WordPress requires more setup and upkeep work but offers greater customization options and e-commerce functionality. WooCommerce, a well-known e-commerce plugin for WordPress.com and WordPress.org websites, was also created by the owner of WordPress.com. WordPress.com users can upgrade to WooCommerce for a fee.

You can start creating your website for free with WordPress.org, but you'll need to use specialist WordPress plugins called extensions to add the extra functionality you require. There are more than 800 WooCommerce extensions available. Some examples of extensions are the following:

WordPress vs. Wix: Customer service

Wix is the best option if you need assistance with your website. 24/7 customer service is included with Wix subscriptions. Additionally, it provides a callback feature whereby you can request a call and Wix customer care will return your call. Furthermore, assistance in foreign languages is offered during less hours. Wix partners can provide expert assistance with creating or maintaining your website for an additional cost.

Obtaining support for self-hosted WordPress is far more difficult. A few hosting companies provide some limited help for WordPress problems, but they usually won't address every problem you might encounter or charge extra for assistance. WordPress forums offer free assistance, but response times and quality vary widely. It's common to have to search through the WordPress documentation to find solutions on your own.

If you want comprehensive support and don't mind paying extra for the Wix platform, Wix is a better choice. If you want a website but don't feel sure in your website-building abilities, Wix's integrated tools and all-in-one website management dashboard will probably feel the most comfortable. However, as long as you use the website you created using Wix's platform, you are also confined to it.

WordPress.com is a wonderful option if you want greater flexibility at a lesser cost with limited support and bundled hosting. You can start with less money using the WordPress.com platform, and if you outgrow what WordPress.com has to offer, you can always export your website to a self-hosting provider.

Self-hosted WordPress is the best option for anyone who wants the greatest freedom and for tech-savvy business owners. However, prices and support differ significantly based on your hosting provider, theme, and plugin selections.

WordPress is the greatest alternative for the average business because it offers possibilities for cheaper costs and more flexibility over the long run.

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Consider switching to Wix if you find WordPress's technical features to be too difficult to handle. Wix offers all-in-one capabilities and better support, but at a greater cost and with your site integrated into the Wix platform.

WordPress is more suitable for small businesses in general. With WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress from WordPress.org, you may add any feature and completely personalize your website for a lesser cost and with greater freedom.

For business owners with less technical expertise, self-hosted WordPress from WordPress.org can be more difficult to use. Similar dashboards are provided by WordPress.com and Wix, allowing you to handle everything without having to worry about the extra technical difficulties associated with website hosting. With its comprehensive all-in-one capabilities and strong customer service, Wix might be simpler for many businesses than WordPress.

You are granted permission to use Wix's tools to create and manage your website. Wix controls the platform, but you own the content. Your website cannot be exported for usage elsewhere. With Wix, you are confined to the Wix platform until you choose to create a new website somewhere else.

You are granted permission to use Wix's tools to create and manage your website. Wix controls the platform, but you own the content. Your website cannot be exported for usage elsewhere. With Wix, you are confined to the Wix platform until you choose to create a new website somewhere else.

Alana works as the deputy editor for the small business team at USA Today Blueprint. She has worked for numerous companies, from start-ups to well-known tech companies like Adobe and Workfusion, as a technical and marketing SME. In order to help small businesses compete for market share, she has fervently shared her knowledge with them through Fit Small Business and Forbes Advisor, among other platforms. In addition to discussing how small businesses can use process automation, AI, and ML to more easily meet their goals, she also covers technologies related to payroll and payment processing, online security, customer relationship management, accounting, human resources, marketing, project management, resource planning, and customer data management. Alana is an Excelsior University MBA graduate.